TIPS FOR  PARENTS DURING LOCKDOWN

 Dear parents,  are you getting stressed with homeschooling and getting the children to attend the online classes and complete their assignments  during this lockdown period?  Here are a few tips which you could try, to get your child to do his/her  homework/ assignments/tasks etc.

1.        Please don’t force your child to complete study assignments when he/she  is resisting. Negotiate with the child and link it with an activity that he/she  prefers. Give him the homework assignment soon after he has enjoyed his play. ( It could even be a video game)

2.       Try and have a schedule and a specific time allotted to complete school assignments like watching pre recorded videos, worksheets etc. There are sample schedules available on the net which you can modify according to your convenience. Encourage your child to make the schedule himself/ herself. That makes them accountable and responsible.

3.       Appreciate his / her  efforts to sit and complete his/her work after it is done. The child feels encouraged and motivated to do it again the next time. Something as small as a high five or a word of praise can boost your child’s self esteem.

4.       Talk about his/her teachers’ efforts to create the videos and worksheets and how happy she would be when he submits it on time.

5.       Talk about the benefits of being one of the first in the class to submit homework.  For example, explain how watching the pre recorded videos will help him stay ahead of the class and give him an edge.

6.       Avoid engaging  in your preferred activities while the child is doing his homework. Read a book or pick up a chore instead. Modelling helps.

7.        Encourage the child to organize his  study space and be ready for the online class 10 mins  before the scheduled time.

8.       Create a conducive environment for the child to attend the online classes so that he takes it seriously and respects everyone’s time.

9.       Let’s teach  them to set simple goals, prioritize and get a sense of achievement. Eventually they need to understand that they are doing it for themselves,  for their own progress and growth and not to please others.

110.   We need to be patient with them. It is not easy for them too. They have been deprived of social interaction and outdoor activity which matters to them the most. They may not be able to express their  fears and stress verbally and may show it in other ways.

11.    You can reduce screen time by encouraging them to engage in physical activities like dance, aerobics, martial arts, gardening, household chores etc. Set a time limit for gadget usage or gadget free time for everyone at home during the day.

12.    Encourage self correction so that they don’t feel corrected and judged all the time. This way they also learn to reflect and introspect which will benefit them in the long run.

The key to good study habits is developing a routine, learning to prioritize  and setting goals for achieving study goals. With practice and persistence, kids will fall into a positive pattern of behaviour, which should begin to produce solid and consistent results over time.

Thank you! Stay safe! Stay healthy!