As you likely know, in light of recent events in the region, many schools across the UAE and the wider GCC have temporarily moved to online learning.
If you are a parent with children affected by this shift, you may be wondering how to help your child stay on track academically and avoid falling behind.
To help, we compiled insights from our global community of educators across more than 35 countries. Below are some practical ways you can support your child as learning moves online.
1. Keep a clear school structure
When classes move online, it becomes much easier for students to lose the structure they normally have during a school day, such as waking up early, commuting to school, and following a daily schedule.
One of the most important things parents can do is maintain this structure.
Specifically, ensure your child:
• Wakes up at the same time they normally would for school
• Follows their normal class and typical break schedule
• Keeps dedicated study and homework time
Maintaining a consistent routine helps create continuity and keeps students mentally in “school mode,” even when they are learning from home.
2. Create a distraction-free study area
Online learning often means students are using their computers, and therefore social media, messaging, and phones are more easily available.
The best way to keep focus is to eliminate the distractions altogether with a dedicated study space that resembles their classroom.
We would encourage students to:
• Pick one dedicated place for studying (ideally not their bedroom)
• Ensure it is quiet and away from distractions
• Switch off phones during class and place them in another room. As a general rule of thumb, each 10 minutes not paying attention in class can cost hours of catch-up later.
3. Consider extra academic support
Periods of change such as moving schools, adjusting to a new curriculum, or shifting to online learning can often lead to learning gaps (for example, as many students experienced during COVID).
One effective way to prevent and address learning gaps is through 1-on-1 personalized academic support.
1-on-1 tutoring is particularly effective because students have to be fully engaged, reason through the course content directly with an expert, and receive direct feedback. This would not be possible in group or one-to-many setups.
At Insights Prep, we have recently launched a support initiative to make it easier for students to get the help they need during this transition. Students at selected schools can receive two free hours of tutoring as part of any plan over the coming weeks. Reach out to us if this is of interest.
4. Help maintain a balance of social interaction
When school moves online, students may start to feel isolated since they are spending most of their time learning at home.
Maintaining social interaction is important for both emotional wellbeing and motivation.
Encourage your child to:
• Stay connected with classmates and friends
• Participate in extracurricular activities when possible
• Maintain hobbies or sports routines
A balanced routine that includes both academic focus and social interaction helps students maintain a sense of normal life.
Summary
During these uncertain times, there are a several things families can do to best support their children in school. These include maintaining a clear structure and daily routine, eliminating distractions during online “school time,” and keeping a balance of normal social interaction.
Additionally, if you would like to explore extra support for your child during this time, contact our team to learn more about our special support initiatives.
