The COVID-19 pandemic has caused upheaval in so many ways, and the disruption to children’s education is a major one. Between reduced class time and the life lessons from ordinary socialization that went unlearned, parents are understandably eager to minimize the pandemic’s impact on their children.
To be sure, some doctors maintain that our neuroplastic brains help people adapt to new and challenging circumstances, and this includes kids. Nonetheless, we all want the best for our children, and it’s great to have a few ways handy to give them an educational boost.
- Online School
Some schools switched to remote learning, and teachers who had worked solely in physical classrooms had to adapt to work in the online world quickly. There are also older, fully accredited schools that have taught high school courses online long before the pandemic.
Such schools let students learn flexibly on their own time, a major asset for competitive athletes, international students who may be in a different time zone, or countless other circumstances. You should learn about your options and find out more about how these online schools work.
They’re perfect for if your child needs an extra course in a flexible way or an art class or STEM skills class their school doesn’t offer.
- Play Music Online
There was once a time not too long ago when musicians couldn’t learn from one another unless they were in the same room. That’s why certain cities like Memphis or Detroit had a “sound.”
Today, musicians use the internet to connect in fantastic ways. Whether you’re experienced or not doesn’t matter; there are basic lessons you can usually find for free, chords and lyrics for proficient players, and sometimes even advanced videos that teach hard solos or difficult techniques.
Picking up a musical instrument can be a fantastic way to challenge and stimulate your mind, and on a basic level, have some fun!
Keep Reading
There are at least two philosophies when it comes to getting children to read. One is that so long as they’re reading, they can and should read whatever they want. There’s truth to this!
But they will have a rewarding experience if they’re pushed a little bit outside their comfort zone. Reading broadens horizons and opens the mind as nothing else can. Parents can find their own balance based on the child’s needs.
If your child does decide to take on a tome from classic literature, they can google all types of supports, which help give context to the time and place of the writing. It’s also easy to find chapter by chapter analyses. Many kids who love literature as adults didn’t necessarily read Tolstoy as kids, so don’t worry if your child prefers lighter fare.
Children are resilient, and so are communities. It’s heartening to see all the examples of people working to pull together during COVID-19 to make life seem a little more normal, but if your child needs something extra, keep the above tips in mind.
