Engaging Children in Studies During School Lockdown: Strategies and Tips
As schools are closed during lockdowns, parents and guardians play a crucial role in keeping their children engaged in studies. With academic success dependent on continuous learning, it is essential to ensure that students are motivated and focused. Here are some effective strategies that can help maintain a structured and productive learning environment during challenging times.
Why Do We Need to Focus on Engagement?
Online classes can be less effective than traditional in-person learning, as they lack the direct interaction and support provided by teachers. Nonetheless, exams and tests are still significant markers of academic performance, making it imperative to stay committed and focused. With a limited amount of time left before exams, it is crucial to adopt effective study techniques to make the most out of existing resources.
Creating a Timetable
Creating a well-structured timetable is the first step in ensuring effective study sessions. While it is debatable whether such plans are effective when one has been procrastinating, it is still valuable to have a guiding framework. A timetable helps individuals allocate specific time slots for each subject, ensuring that they stay on track and make the most of their remaining study time.
Conserving Focus and Attention
Studying for an hour may seem daunting when you have piles of study notes and limited time. To combat this, it is helpful to break down the study process into manageable chunks. Begin with short study sessions, such as five minutes, to build a routine that can gradually increase in duration. Over time, the mind becomes accustomed to engaging in focused study sessions, making it easier to maintain concentration over extended periods.
Learning Before Studying
Engaging with study material effectively requires a solid foundation of knowledge. Before diving into your study notes or PowerPoint presentations, it is beneficial to watch educational videos or lectures. These resources can provide a basic understanding of the topics, making it easier to comprehend and retain information. As your mother often said, 'reading a concept ten times is equal to someone explaining the same topic for once'. Utilizing online resources can enhance your learning experience and help you absorb information more efficiently.
Utilizing Productive Applications
There are several applications designed to help users stay productive and focused. One such application is Forest, which helps users avoid distractions by planting virtual trees and preventing them from accessing certain apps for the duration of the study session. Other applications, such as Pomodoro timers, can also be helpful in breaking up study sessions and managing time effectively. Experiment with different tools to find what works best for you.
Best Way to Avoid Distractions
It is common for the mind to wander during study sessions. To combat this, create a conducive study environment that minimizes external distractions. For example, sit at your desk with your books and stationary, and keep a water bottle within reach. When a thought arises, write it down on a piece of paper and continue your studies. This technique not only prevents you from getting up and interrupting your flow but also allows you to address these thoughts once your study session is completed, ensuring that you stay focused throughout.
Conclusion
Adopting these strategies can help keep children engaged and focused during lockdown, ensuring that they are well-prepared for their exams. By creating a structured timetable, conserving focus, learning before studying, utilizing productive applications, and preventing distractions, parents and guardians can create a supportive and effective learning environment. Your efforts will undoubtedly contribute to your children's academic success.
If you have any additional tips or suggestions, please share them in the comments below. Thank you for reading, and I hope these strategies prove helpful for you and your family.