The Ultimate Back-to-School Guide for Virtual School Students
by Beth Werrell
6 Tips to Encourage Independence in Your Kindergartener
byKristina Cappetta
5 min to read
How many times have you seen or heard a preschooler try to take charge and do something all on their own to show that they are a big kid? Actions like these are their way of asserting their independence, even at a young age.
When it comes to learning, you want them to have this type of independence because fostering independence in kindergarten can be the golden ticket to opening so many doors.
So how do you do it?
As your student’s Learning Coach, there are several things you can do to encourage independence in your kindergartner. As we explore these six tips, we’ll also share why independent learning is so beneficial.
6 Ways Learning Coaches Can Promote Learning Independence in Kindergarteners
By this age, kids have reached many developmental milestones that make independent learning possible. As your student’s Learning Coach, you have the responsibility of helping them become independent thinkers.
Fostering independence in kindergarten means giving your student enough room to grow, but also not so much that they feel like they’re all alone and can’t ask questions or for help. How much independence a kindergartner should have will depend on the child. You’ll need to gauge your student to see just how much independence they can handle.
Here are six ways you can help your student become an independent learner at a young age.
1. Have a Learning Corner
This little learning corner will have fun kindergarten independent activities that children can go to when they want. The space can include things like building blocks, crafts, counting tools and toys, technology, and more.
It’s also important to include books for kindergartners to read independently. The point here is that these activities and tools will be things that your student will want to interact with, not things that are forced upon them. This will not only help them to become more independent but also keep them engaged because they are doing things they like.
2. Let Your Student Fail and Give Them Space
Fostering independence in kindergarten means letting your student fail at times and giving them space to figure things out themselves. We know it’s hard to see a child fail and not try to fix it. But allowing your student to work more independently means accepting that they are going to fail sometimes.
By allowing them to fail, you’re helping them build the self-confidence that is needed to succeed in life. When you give children space, you’re showing them the importance of self-motivation and what can happen when you do things on your own. This can be gratifying, even for a kindergartner.
3. Give Your Student Time
Give your kindergartner the time they need to work through their activities and discover all the possibilities. Allow them to determine how much time they want to spend on an activity. By stopping the activity too early, you’re interrupting their learning time and not fully allowing them to explore on their own. They could be on the verge of some pretty amazing stuff, but you won’t get to see what they can do if they aren’t given enough time.
4. Recognize Strengths
Compliments and recognizing when your student has done something well on their own will encourage them to continue on their path. Who doesn’t want to keep getting praise? By celebrating their strengths, kids also see what areas they need to work more on. If you’re complimenting their knowledge of the alphabet, but not saying much about their number skills, they may realize that they need to spend more time in that area if they want to get the same recognition.
5. Don’t Discourage Questions
One of the most important ways of fostering independence in kindergarten comes with allowing your student to ask questions—and lots of them. Kids are inquisitive by nature, so don’t squash that bug. Let them ask all types of questions and better yet, allow them to find the answers rather than giving them up easily. That’s an excellent way to encourage independent learning in kindergartners. They not only get the answer they’re looking for but get the self-confidence boost from figuring it out themselves. It’s a big win all around!
6. Teach Them to Set Goals
It’s never too early to teach your student how to set goals. These can be little things such as learning two new sight words a week or working on counting up by 5 or 10 more. The idea here is that they are doing this on their own. Start with small-term goals and work up to the big stuff, like learning to read a book that’s a level up from where they are.
Why Independent Learning is Beneficial for Kindergarteners
By fostering independence in kindergarten, you are setting your student up for success for years to come. Independent learners don’t depend on others or any external sources to get them moving. They do it on their own. While kindergartners are going to start off small in this department, they will quickly learn how to stay on their path.
Children who have taken part in independent learning tend to be more motivated and confident and perform better academically. Children can also learn how to recognize their own limitations and how to manage them. These are all life-long skills that they can use as they get into college and the workforce. Employers love independent workers who can get the job done with minimal supervision.
By giving your student the proper tools, encouragement, and space to grow, fail, and solve their own problems, you are encouraging them to become independent learners. The independent learners of today become the self-motivated workers of tomorrow. So, what better time to encourage independent learning than now?
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Top Reasons Why Online Schools Work for Parents
by Beth Werrell
Imagine yourself in the shoes of a parent with a child who has asthma. Sometimes, asthma attacks keep your child out of school. He misses classes, homework, and tests—which means he has to work extra hard to catch up. This happens multiple times per year, and it's starting to take a toll on your child and your family.
Now think about the flip side of this scenario: with online learning, your child's asthma attacks don't hold him back. Instead, your child gets schoolwork done at home in a time line that works for you and your family. No more missed tests, stockpiles of homework, or anxiety on account of falling behind.
As a parent of a child in virtual school, you have access to greater flexibility and control. You set your child's daily schedule. You decide if your child can go on a family vacation and still get schoolwork done. You decide when the learning day starts and when it stops.
These are just a few of the many benefits parents can experience when their child attends school online. Over the years, many parents have told us that Connections Academy works well for their family when they can:
- Dedicate time to keeping the student motivated throughout the day
- Provide ongoing guidance and encouragement
- Help monitor student comprehension and progress
- Organize and structure the learning day
- Maintain regular contact with their child's teachers
- Encourage their students to interact with others through field trips, clubs, and community activities
Don't Take Our Word for It … Hear It from Real Parents
Learning about what Connections Academy can do for your family is great, but it's not the whole picture. We want you to have all of the facts, both from the source and from those with firsthand experience, so you can make the right decision for your child and your family.
Take a look at some of the reasons why online school works well for parents, as told on the Connections Academy Facebook page:
Parent Involvement
One of the most common reasons parents appreciate online learning is the extra time it unleashes to spend time with family. In particular, parents have communicated to us that it provides them with the opportunity to take an active role in their children's learning. Parents don't just act as the "homework helper"—if they wish, they can take a more proactive approach to what their children learn, like these parents below:
"It gives us as parents the opportunity to see how our kids learn. Usually we rely on the teachers, but [now] I know for myself what works and what doesn't."—Carmisha W.
"It allows us to spend more time together, learning together. It allows my role in their education to be more than a homework nag."—Amanda M.
"My kids can focus on learning rather than the taunts of the many bullies in an overcrowded classroom."—Kimberly B.
Flexible Scheduling
Online education provides a much more flexible environment than a brick-and-mortar education. Even though roles and activities are carefully structured to ensure that students develop a love of learning and gain skills essential to their future success in school, parents can choose the daily routine and learning atmosphere for their children.
"My boys can stand up, walk around, or bounce on a ball while learning. No sitting and listening to lectures. We have active discussions, which provides ample time for questioning and a deeper level of understanding."—–Jennifer C.
"We have been able to really work with the flexible schedule. They have been to Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania, will get to go on an Alaskan cruise before the brick-and-mortars finish for the year, and have been able to travel with me for work and still get the schoolwork accomplished!"—–Darla T.
"We can alter our schedule around trips and still not get behind on work."—–Elizabeth R.
"My child can work when she needs to, she can enjoy her hobby freely, and I get to have her around me during the day."—–Cricket C.
"I appreciate that he can work when he isn't feeling great because of his asthma. Sometimes he feels like he isn't sick enough to need a sick day and still wants to work. In brick-and-mortar [school], he would have been sent home and then be forced to catch up on missed work when he was able to return. Connections Academy allows me to monitor his health and well-being while continuing to let him thrive!"—–Amanda M.
Are you a parent of a child attending Connections Academy? We would love to hear your perspective on why online school works for your family in the comments below.
Or if you are considering enrolling your child in an online education, learn more about Connections Academy today.
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Top 10 Things Virtual School Teachers Want You to Know
by Beth Werrell
If you’re like most virtual school parents, you are probably eager to discover new ways to improve the learning experience for your student. While blogs and Pinterest(opens in a new tab) boards are certainly great places to search for educational ideas, don’t overlook what can be your very best resource: your child’s teacher!
Just like a traditional schoolteacher, your child’s online teacher can be a wonderful advisor with keen insights into how children learn best. As they work with children each day, they develop new ideas and fresh approaches to learning that help ensure academic success.
In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, we asked online teachers across the country to tell us the most important things families need to know about virtual school. We hope their insights and tips will inspire you and help fuel your family’s success with online learning!
Stick to it!
Teachers tell us that the first few months of online learning can be challenging for families. “Hang in there” and maintain regular contact with your child’s teacher. As you become accustomed to the technology and establish a routine, it will get easier and you’ll begin to reap the rewards of educating your child at home.
Know your computer.
Parents who serve as their child’s Learning Coach need basic computer and software skills. Take time to complete your virtual school’s orientation and to explore the school’s education management system. It’s important to know how to access and use your school’s online resources, including the curriculum, virtual classroom, grade book, and communications.
Get directly involved.
Virtual school is not a self-study program for children! Parents need to be engaged in their child’s learning on a daily basis. For younger students, the parent or Learning Coach will need to be hands-on for much of the day. Middle and high school students will require less direct involvement, but still need supervision, support, encouragement, and assistance with time management.
Expect challenging schoolwork.
A high-quality online school will offer a curriculum that is just as rigorous as that of any bricks-and-mortar school. Your student should be prepared to work hard and to be held accountable for the quality of his or her schoolwork. Learning self-motivation is key for student success.
Your student is the focus.
With online learning, teachers often have greater freedom to personalize the program to fit the individual. They can tweak lessons or projects to provide additional study on a difficult concept, direct a child to online resources for practicing skills, or add challenge to inspire the advanced student. They also provide regular feedback and personal attention when needed.
Ask your teacher!
Online teachers have to meet the same professional and educational qualifications as teachers in traditional schools. They know their subject matter and how to teach in any setting, so when your child has a question or problem, contacting the teacher is the best way to resolve it. The parent may initiate a call or email to the teacher for elementary school students. In middle and high school, students can reach out by themselves—and develop social and communication skills as they learn.
Don’t overdose on flexibility.
While having a more flexible schedule is one of the wonderful qualities of virtual school, that shouldn’t necessarily mean doing “whatever you want, whenever you want.” Children do need structure, and it’s the Learning Coach’s job to provide that framework. Your student will also have deadlines that must be met and may need reminders and assistance with planning long-term projects.
Set a good pace.
With virtual school, students can advance through their lessons at a pace that works for them. Instead of waiting for classmates to catch up, an advanced student can proceed to the next lesson once he or she has mastered the material. For more challenging subjects, students can take extra time to absorb new information, if needed. Parents do need to make sure their child is on track for deadlines and for completing the semester on time. Teachers strongly recommend working ahead so your student has a “cushion” built into the schedule.
Join the community.
To ensure your student develops socially as well as academically, it’s important to take advantage of the field trips, parties, and other special events offered by your virtual school. Your child can also exercise his or her social skills by joining online clubs and activities. These opportunities can also help students and their families connect with the school’s supportive learning community.
Get closer.
Be prepared to spend more time with your child! Doing virtual school together works well for a family-centered lifestyle. With a more flexible schedule, you can arrange the school day to accommodate family time, community- or faith-based events, and other activities that your family values. Sharing these activities and working as a virtual school team can strengthen the family bonds you cherish.
We hope that these teacher-tested tips will help you make the most of online education—and your relationship with your child’s teacher. Many students and families tell us that the strong connections with teachers are among the most rewarding aspects of virtual school. So, as the spring semester winds down and in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, be sure to reach out and thank your teachers for their hard work throughout the school year!
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