Adjusting to virtual learning has been difficult for parents and kids alike, all around the world. Everyone was thrust from their normal routines overnight, resulting in parents with no experience in education becoming their child’s teacher. There are so many dynamics that affect learning online, such as access to resources, the learning environment at home, and much more.
While unconventional, this new kind of schooling experience can still greatly benefit your child and help them become resilient students. It can feel overwhelming and extremely challenging to assess how much your child is learning, or if they’re taking in anything at all. Here are five tips that can help you evaluate your child’s progress while learning virtually!
1. Set Learning Goals and Assess if they've Been Met
Every child is at a different place in their learning journey, and therefore specific goals should be set that suit each student. It’s likely that your little one struggles with one subject but excels in another, so set realistic goals that will push and encourage them to grow. Be careful not to set measures that are too far-fetched, as this can really discourage your student and create a negative learning experience for them. After they’ve completed their lesson, activity, etc., ask them various questions that will help you to see what they’ve learned and what concepts they still need help mastering.
2. Engagement While Learning
When children actively participate, it really shows that they’re excited and eager to learn! It’s important to make learning fun (while staying focused) so that kids are actively engaged and interested in the material at hand. Play is integral for a child to be successful while learning, as it helps improve focus and concentration, despite what many may think. If you’re looking for ways to increase your child’s attention span, read more here. There is definitely a balance between fun and education, so make sure that your child’s learning environment isn’t full of toys and distractions. With that said, take occasional learning breaks and maybe let them do one of their favorite unplugged activities after a day full of virtual learning.
3. Evaluate Reading Comprehension
Have your child point out sight words in different books and see if they can successfully read complete sentences by themselves. Additionally, if they can identify rhyming words, it’s likely that they’re on the right track in their reading comprehension abilities. his will differ for each child depending on their age. It’s easy to find age-appropriate books online that will help your child improve their reading, spelling, and phonics skills.
If you’re looking for a great resource and an easy way to start, try our Alphabet and Phonics class, which is perfect for ages 3-4. For students ages 4-5, Readers Theater teaches kids about verbs, adjectives, action words, and making sentences! If your child is between the ages of 5-7, Reading Superstar and Sight Words Adventure are great classes to help them practice their reading comprehension skills.
While there isn’t one exact recipe to success, hopefully, these tips will help you assess your child’s virtual learning progress. If you’re looking for additional daily activities, be sure to check out our Learning Program and Live Online Classes for age-specific and hands-on learning!
