The shift towards online learning isn’t entirely new at this point. Homeschooling and online learning have gained substantial momentum in the UK over the last few years. More parents are considering independent online schools like Cambridge Home School that cover the IGCSE syllabus for their children.
For parents looking into online Cambridge primary prep schools, ensuring your child stays focused and interested is a valid concern. Cambridge Home School’s curriculum for Year 4 to Year 6 is designed to meet the needs of individual children within a high-quality teaching environment. Our small classroom sizes and cutting-edge software technology allow teachers to give students the attention they need to succeed.
At the same time, the importance of commitment from parents and a conducive learning environment at home cannot be emphasised enough. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some strategies to help keep your child interested in online learning.
Establish a Dedicated Space
Create a zone in your home that facilitates learning, reading, and creating. Whether it’s a small, personalised corner of your flat or a dedicated study room, your emphasis should be on helping your child focus in an area that’s less likely to be disturbed by other people.
A designated space will ensure that your child doesn’t take online classes lying in bed or sprawled on the sofa. Experts advise against working in the bedroom because the brain associates the area with relaxation and sleep. Get your tween interested in the space by letting them decorate their desks, choose their favourite stationery, and allow them to personalise the room.
Recommended Read: How Long Does It Take Younger Students to Adjust to Online School?
Set a Routine
Kids need structure and consistency, so they know what to expect. The homeschooling process often comes with a degree of flexibility, but you also need to establish some boundaries nonetheless. Sticking to a schedule prevents kids from plugging away and ensures they stick to a plan without constant parental supervision.
- A planner, calendar, or chalkboard can help tweens keep track of their schedule and deliverables better.
- Help them follow a routine as if they’re going to a physical school. This includes getting up, brushing teeth, and getting dressed for the day, instead of lying in bed.
- Schedule breaks for your child, and divide work into smaller assignments to avoid burnout.
Discuss Expectations
When you’ve enrolled your child in an online private school, it’s important to review expectations with your child. For instance, at Cambridge Home School, we prioritise children’s attention and focus during online classes. Our MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers expect students to be ready and focused for the day’s lessons. Creating an agreement with your tweens can help set the tone for distance learning and ensure that they take their work and classes seriously.
Recommended Read: How to Navigate the Homeschooling Adjustment Phase as a Parent
Create Opportunities for Healthy Friendships
In conventional UK schools, bullying is an extremely common issue, especially among minority groups. By switching to online schooling for your child, you can remove them from an unhealthy conventional learning environment and place them in a wholesome and supportive online learning environment.
Of course, maintaining healthy social interactions is important even with online schooling. Keep your kids interested in school by letting them connect with their school friends through video chats and messaging. You can help them participate in other extracurricular activities such as book clubs, martial arts classes, and sports clubs to expand their social circle further.
Recommended Read: 3 Activities That Will Fuel Your Child’s Passion for All-Things-Science
Focus on Holistic Development
For your child’s holistic development, it’s important to focus on physical activity too. Instead of doubling down on academic achievements, we recommend creating a healthy and balanced schedule for your child.
Children should be given ample time to engage in their favourite outdoor activities, take up hobbies outside of school, spend time with their friends, and play skill-building games. You can also encourage activities related to the subjects being taught at school. For instance, if they are learning about the solar system in class, plan a camping trip to map the night sky with an astronomy app. As a result, they’ll adjust to online school much better and show greater interest in classes.
The Best Online Homeschooling Programs in the UK
If you’re considering switching to online learning for your child, it’s important to take your time. Start by doing your research and speaking with people you trust. Navigate the process slowly and carefully, and be sure to include your child in the decision-making process too. Ultimately, select an online school with stellar online reviews, an impressive faculty, and a great track record.
At Cambridge Home School, we provide a quality online British education across four schools, including Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 for children between the ages of 8 and 10. Our Cambridge Primary Prep School covers various subjects, including Maths, Science, English, Art, Topic, Languages, and Culture. At this stage, our focus is on building our students’ skills and understanding for a robust educational foundation as they progress through school.
By leveraging state-of-the-art educational software solutions, providing a comprehensive and fully updated online library of resources, and providing unlimited support to students, we’re committed to creating the next generation of empathetic, accomplished, and empowered leaders. We’re presently accepting applications for the September 2021/2022 session.
For more insights into online learning, keep up with our blog.
