Lockdown learning can be challenging for parents, teachers and students alike. Learning from home is a huge adjustment, and many parents can struggle to give their child the time and space needed to support them with remote learning. 

As a teacher myself, I know how hard it is to juggle conflicting demands in less than ideal conditions, and I understand the pressures everyone is under to make sure students do not fall behind. However, there are practical solutions that parents and students can adopt to help make remote learning easier, more effective, and less stressful for everyone.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 1 – Organise a clear study space

Everyone’s home environment is different, and this will inevitably be easier for some families than others. However, it’s important that students feel ownership over a space that is ‘theirs’, and that this space is clean, tidy, and – as far as possible – free from distractions. 

As much as possible, students should avoid working in spaces that are associated with relaxing, for example, their bed or a sofa – they need boundaries between ‘workspaces’ and ‘chill spaces’ to help them transition between work and play mindsets. Anywhere they may be tempted to lie down whilst they work is not only bad for their posture but also their motivation levels! 

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 2 – Make the most of free online resources

Your school should be providing you with plenty of tasks, but if not there are a wealth of free resources available online, with ParentKind and Oak National Academy being excellent places to start. 

You may also want to try BrainPop for animated videos on topics in maths, science and English; YouTube Free School for videos on subjects as diverse as the US constitution, coral reefs and the solar system; BBC BiteSize and BBC Lockdown Learning for going over the National Curriculum; Times Tables Rock Stars for mental maths games and Help My Kid Learn for suggested activities for different age groups.

Some schools also update their websites regularly with resources – you can try Emsworth Primary School’s site which has timetabled resources for every year group, or Parson Street Primary School’s list of helpful links as starting points.

Get more learning resources:

• Year 1 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 2 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 3 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 4 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 5 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 6 Maths Worksheets and Games

Read more:

• White Rose Maths: 80+ Free Printable Workbooks
• 30 Fun and FREE Primary School Maths Games
• Top 50 Home Learning Resources for UK Primary School Maths
• Think Academy’s Podcast for Kids – Click here to listen to Perfect Numbers for FREE!

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 3 – Take regular breaks

Staring at a computer screen all day is a huge test of concentration for anyone, let alone a primary school child. Taking regular breaks is important for children’s mental health and wellbeing, but also their eyesight. 

Studies have shown that students can risk developing myopia (short-sightedness) from too much screen time, and therefore it is vital that they balance all that time looking at screens and books up close with also looking at objects far away. Spending time outside can be difficult, but it is the best way to help their distance vision.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 4 – Exercise daily

It is hard to overstate the importance of making sure children stay active – for their physical and mental health, but also to help them overcome boredom and burn off excess energy. 

Going on one daily walk is a great way to get fresh air and a change of scenery, but there are also lots of online, family-friendly workouts to choose from. A good starting point is this list from Twinkl of ten YouTube workout channels (including PE With Joe Wicks) for a variety of ages and fitness levels.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 5 – Avoid distractions

One of the most difficult challenges for parents during remote learning is managing screen time and the distractions that come from using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Whilst these devices are vital for studying and therefore cannot be removed completely, there are things parents can do to mitigate the risks. 

For example, having ‘phone-free’ time where everyone puts their phones or tablets in a locked box or separate room (the group element of this will help to encourage buy-in) or using software such as Qustodio to limit the amount of time your child can spend on certain apps or devices.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 6 – Try and stick to a routine as much as possible

All of this constant change and uncertainty can be very difficult and stressful for some pupils, and so maintaining a familiar routine can provide much-needed stability and it will also prepare them for the inevitable transition back to school. 

While it may take some time and some trial and error, it is worth working out a schedule that can provide your children with some consistency in terms of what time they get up, go to bed, eat lunch, exercise, do homework and relax. 

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 7 – Offer lots of rewards

It can be hard to keep students motivated in the long-term, and so it is important to make the experience as positive as possible; think carrot not stick! Twinkl have some great templates for behaviour or homework charts which students can use to track their progress and earn rewards, whether that be pocket money, food treats or the opportunity to do something they really enjoy – even something as simple as choosing a movie to watch on a Friday night can be a great incentive and add a bit of variety.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 8 – Maintain good communication with the school

In my experience, even with the best will in the world, it is much easier for students to fall behind or slip through the net unnoticed with remote learning. If you have any worries or concerns about your child and their progress, then it is worth contacting the school as soon as possible – keeping an open communication channel with their teacher(s) will help to nip any problems in the bud early on and get any necessary support systems in place.

Lockdown Learning  Tip No. 9 – Encourage your child to turn their camera on

This will depend on how much ‘live teaching’ your child is receiving, but turning cameras on is a vital part of recreating a school setting and helping teachers to track pupil engagement. 

Many students are tempted to keep their cameras off for a variety of reasons – they may be genuinely self-conscious, they may not want to show where they are, or they may just want to try and play PlayStation unnoticed – but doing so will stop them from being able to participate and engage fully in their lessons. It’s also a good way for them to reconnect with their peers and practise vital social skills like eye contact and sitting still.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 10 – Try online tutoring

The quality of online teaching will vary greatly from school to school, and some parents may feel that engagement in an online classroom with up to thirty or more other pupils is simply too difficult for their child. 

At Think Academy, we provide a safe, engaging and cost-effective way to help students, offering a personalised service that can be tailored to your child’s needs. Whether they need help catching up on a particular topic, guidance on how to revise for exams or just want more of a challenge, our online small group tuition courses keep learning fun, boost mental health and wellbeing, and also give parents time off as well.

Read more:

• Top 5 Reasons to Choose Group Tuition for Your Child in 2021
• Use Online Tuition to Support Lockdown Learning at Home

Want more resources like these? Enter your email and we’ll send them directly to your inbox, for free! 

About the author

Kristina is an Oxford English graduate and qualified English teacher. She trained through the Teach First programme before working at one of the top independent schools in London. She is now a private tutor and freelance writer.