Written by rachel heffner at homeworkbliss.com for lessonwriter

Not only has the pandemic been tough on children and their parents, but teachers have been experiencing their own share of challenges. Many teachers, for instance, have struggled to reach their students amidst COVID-19, especially kids without access to reliable internet access, technology, and other home learning essentials. 

Moreover, some teachers don’t have access to a reliable internet connection, making distance learning even more of a challenge. (For a great discussion about the various connotations that online learning holds, check out the Those Who Can’t Do podcast’s “Virtual Learning” episode).

By supplementing your child’s learning at home, however, you’ll enhance his or her education — and support your little one’s teachers in the process. 

Check out these tips to learn how to supplement your children’s education and support their teachers as they learn from home this year.

How to Supplement Your Child’s Education While Learning From Home

1. Create a Peaceful Workspace for Your Child

In order for your child to get the most out of distance learning this year, he needs a dedicated home workspace for accessing his virtual classroom, studying and completing homework, and engaging in educational games and activities. 

You’ll also want to ensure your child has everything he needs to learn from home, whether it’s colored pencils, Post-It notes, index cards, blue-light glasses, or noise-canceling headphones. 

2. Personalize the At-home Workspace

It’s best to create a personalized space that works for your child, whether he’ll be better off in a shared or private area. Some kids will need larger desks and desktop computers, while small tables and laptops will suffice for others. 

To keep your little one on track throughout the day, try displaying a visual schedule of events to organize your child’s day in a way he’ll understand.

3. Keep Their “Classroom” Clean

When creating a home workspace for your child, it’s important to clean, declutter, and organize the space — and the rest of the home — as best as possible.

Clutter, stress, and negativity often go hand-in-hand, but by cleaning, decluttering, and letting in some fresh air and natural light, you’ll alleviate household tensions and make the home a better place to live, work, school, and play.

4. Incorporate Online Games, Lessons, and Activities

Your child’s teacher is doing everything he or she can to help your little one learn this year, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go above and beyond by supplementing your child’s learning on your own time. From online lessons to virtual games and activities, you can supplement your child’s education in the following ways:

• Utilizing online resources like BrainPop, CK-12, CodeAcademy, and McGraw Hill
• Visiting educational websites such as DK Find Out, Discovery Education, and Scholastic Learn at Home
• Learning a new language with Duolingo or other language-learning app
• Listening to free audiobooks with Audible
• Borrowing ebooks from your local public library
• Make free lessons on LessonWriter from any online text about your child’s favorite topic

5. Consider Online Tutoring

If your child is falling behind in school or struggling with a specific subject, online tutoring services are also available.

Some of the best online tutoring options for K-12 students include: 

• Chegg
• Club Z
• eTutorWorld

6. Make Sure They’re Prepared

If your child is spending part of his week in a physical classroom this school year, make sure he knows how to properly wear and remove a face mask. 

The more you can teach your child about social distancing and mask-wearing, the less time your child’s teacher will need to spend on the topic.

7. Make Sure You’re Prepared!

Catherine Pearson of HuffPost shares some additional tips for supporting your child’s teachers while learning online or in person this school year, like reading all parent-teacher emails carefully, remaining patient, and keeping an open line of communication with your kid’s teachers.

Support Your Child’s with At-Home Learning Strategies

The 2020–2021 school year is a strange one, but hopefully, things will be back to normal before we head back to the classroom next fall.

Until then, it’s important to support your teachers as best as possible — and spend some time supplementing your little one’s education at home. 

Are looking for teaching tips and literacy lesson plans? Visit LessonWriter.com or register for a premium LessonWriter account today.