Celebrating Family Engagement Month: Tips to Support Your Child’s Online Learning Journey
Celebrating Family Engagement Month: Tips to Support Your Child’s Online Learning Journey
By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, Florida Virtual School
November marks Family Engagement Month - a time to celebrate families' essential role in their children's education. At Florida Virtual School (FLVS), we pride ourselves on offering students a unique online learning experience that empowers them to learn anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re a parent who is already familiar with FLVS or just embarking on your child’s online learning journey, it’s essential to foster a nurturing and structured learning environment at home.
Here are seven tips to help parents support their child, enhance their learning experience, and set them up for academic and future success with FLVS.
1. Create a dedicated learning space
Designate a specific area in your home as the “learning zone.” Having a consistent spot for studying helps children mentally transition into a focused learning mode each day. This space should be quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions. While most work will be completed online, having additional supplies can make it easier. To help, we provide a list of essential school supplies to ensure you’re prepared:
Elementary School Supply List
Middle School School Supply List
High School School Supply List
2. Establish a routine
While online learning allows for flexibility, a predictable daily schedule is key. Set a consistent wake-up time and create a daily plan that outlines school hours, breaks, snack times, and physical activities. Structuring the day can help children know what to expect and help them build time management skills, all while encouraging a balanced lifestyle.
3. Stay involved in their learning
Show your interest in your child’s education by checking their progress regularly. Ask about their classes, projects, and any challenges they might be facing. Reinforce their learning by reviewing assignments together before their Discussion-Based Assessments (DBAs). Additionally, it’s critical to maintain consistent communication with teachers to stay updated on progress and upcoming assignments.
4. Encourage active participation
While your child might not be sitting in a physical classroom with 20 other students, you still want them to engage with peers and teachers. Encourage your child to participate in virtual discussions, contact their instructors when they have questions, and join clubs or activities. Speaking of which, did you know that FLVS offers over 80 online clubs?? These clubs can help your child develop their passions, build friendships, and feel a greater sense of community.
5. Boost organizational skills
Help your child develop organizational skills by teaching them to manage their assignments, notes, and other class materials effectively. Introduce tools like color-coded notebooks, folders for different classes, or other online organizational or note-taking apps. Ensure your child feels confident when starting a class by helping them learn how to prioritize tasks and utilize the FLVS pace charts that list the cadence for coursework completion.
6. Be a role model
Show your child that learning doesn’t stop once you finish school. Engage in your own reading or research and discuss the new things you’re discovering. Or learn side-by-side with your child - whether that’s learning a new language or how to play a new instrument together. Show your child that learning is valuable at every age.
7. Foster social connections for your child
Enhance your child’s online learning by encouraging social interactions. FLVS offers in-person meet-ups where students can connect and socialize, whether at local parks or other community venues. Encourage your child to participate in these meet-ups and build connections with fellow online learners.
Family engagement is about creating a relationship with your child by supporting their educational journey. By fostering a structured and positive home environment and staying actively involved, you can empower your child to thrive in their online learning environment. Remember, your support, encouragement, and dedication are invaluable to their academic and future success!!
To learn more about the educational opportunities available through Florida Virtual School, please visit our school options page.
About the Author: Katie Hodgins brings her wealth of experience and passion to the FLVS team, assuming the role of Content and Public Relations Specialist. A military veteran and lifelong learner, Katie enjoys communicating unique and innovative stories about people, places, and opportunities to inspire and engage the next generation. Having traveled throughout the world, she is excited to plant roots here in Florida and with Florida Virtual School.
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