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More than a year into the pandemic, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has completely transformed family life. From physical distancing, working at home, and school closures, there are a lot of things to navigate both for parents and children. Among these new routines, children are the most affected since most of them are not used to attending classes while at home.

Whether your child is taking in-person classes, virtual schooling, or a combination of both, learning to adjust to the new learning routine is stressful and challenging for children and parents. Homeschooling is a big change for families whose children are used to a traditional learning setup.

This encouraged parents to use online tools to help their children become engaged in their study routines. One example is the reading enrichment program that offers online English classes to help elementary and middle school students enhance their grammar, vocabulary, and reading and writing skills.

The changes in study routine can be scary and uncomfortable for most students. But being at home with the family offers a safe space for the student to navigate the new fears, challenges, and fears in these uncertain times. In this article, we’ll discuss the ways to support children for their online homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Create a sound learning environment

Many students are struggling to learn and accomplish schoolwork at home because there are plenty of distractions, and they’re not used to learning outside traditional school settings. Obviously, our homes typically have a different environment than school settings. They tend to be less structured, so children find it difficult to transition their life between home and online schooling.

Before a child begins their semester, start planning in managing the household spaces for routines, learning, and technology resources. This can be very helpful in supporting students’ homeschooling and minimizing household stress.

As you create a dedicated space for remote learning, you need to establish new household routines. Both parents and children should reflect on their previous experiences in online learning so that they can adapt their routines and create a better environment that encourages productivity.

The goal is to promote a supportive learning environment that caters to the online learner’s emerging needs. The entire family should work together to organize family routines that complement the students’ learning preferences, responsibilities, physical activities, recreational needs, and non-screen time. All these measures can go a long way in promoting student success.

Be a source of motivation

There are plenty of ways parents can be a source of motivation for their children aside from rewards and reprimands. Parent involvement is a combination of active participation and commitment to a student’s development. By gently motivating children through support and encouragement, parents can be active promoters of a student’s academic success.

Whether in-person or online learning, motivation is a very important tool for learners. The type of motivation depends on the learning style of a student. Some prefer their parents to be physically present during online classes, while others are contented with periodic check-ins.

Another tip is to allow the student to talk about their activities and learning experiences with the family members. In turn, parents can show their support by expressing their care, encouragement, and interest to the students. Students who have a continuous line of support from family members are likely to overcome different life challenges.

Stay updated with school happenings

As information about school policies and operations is changing rapidly, communication between the parent and teachers is critical. Aside from parental involvement in schoolwork, parents can support their children by maintaining two-way communication with the school.

Staying updated about school happenings offers additional information for parents and online learners to adjust, prepare, and understand the changing expectations of the new learning setup. To know more information about the school community, parents should take time reading school emails or newsletters, reviewing school news, and checking social media platforms. Parents can also find valuable information in these online platforms to aid their child’s learning.

Whether your child is taking hybrid learning, online education, or in-person classes, two-way communication is essential to a student’s success. There will be times when the parent needs the teacher’s help in understanding their child’s performance and learning. This offers an opportunity to ask for recommendations about learning resources, techniques, and areas that need improvement. Together, the teacher and parent can build a relationship that centers on learning.

Aside from the suggestions above, there are plenty of teaching techniques you can experiment on to help your child adjust to the new learning situation. What’s important is to allow your child and yourself some extra flexibility to navigate the “new normal” way of schooling. You can also take advantage of this opportunity to involve yourself in influencing your child’s learning outcomes and academic success.

Technology has brought massive changes in various industries, including education. With modern tools and equipment, interested learners can quickly find resources to further their knowledge about specific subjects and topics. This is also a considerable benefit for educators, especially teachers because they can take advantage of online resources to improve their teaching methods. If you are also interested in modern teaching methods, you can also use advanced options offered by digital technology.

The Essence of Embracing Technology in Teaching

Whether you are teaching young kids or college students, it’s best to use modern methods in a class. This will help ensure that you, along with your students, can learn how to be digitally literate. This is especially true for using tools and gadgets like laptops, mobile tablets, and even smartphones. Embracing these modern technological innovations help ensure that your students will also survive in the modern world. This means, if they ever step out of school, they will already know what to do, especially when they are asked to perform tasks that make use of technological tools. Aside from this, you can experience the following benefits from using digital technology in teaching:

• Convenience—You and your students can take advantage of convenient ways to move forward with your lessons. For instance, instead of meeting face-to-face, you can offer options for digital learning methods. This means you can use pre-recorded videos for your lessons and have students watch them anytime they want. Checking their projects and other school works will be a breeze as well. You can ask them to upload files on an online storage system. Then, you can decide when to browse the documents and check their outputs.
• Accessibility—Another considerable advantage of using digital technology in teaching is that you can access online teaching resources 24/7. There are various online documents that you can use to help you in creating lesson plans. You can even take advantage of uploaded sub-plans templates on websites to reduce time spent preparing for your next class. Digital technology also helps you further your reading about specific topics. This is highly convenient, especially if you don’t have access to expensive reference books.
• Flexibility—You can offer flexible learning options to your students. For instance, today, you can let them download self-learning modules. They can even print it at home if they want. The next day, you can go for a virtual class using online conference software such as Zoom, Google Classroom, etc.

Practical Reminders when Using Modern Teaching Methods

If you want to start embracing modern teaching methods, you need to make some necessary preparations. Make sure that you don’t drastically change your lesson plans to adapt to modern technology. It’s crucial that you slowly incorporate advanced teaching methods in your class so you and your students will be comfortable with the new setup. Here are a few reminders to help you get started:

• Set the pace properly—As mentioned earlier, you must avoid making quick changes in your teaching methods. You need to give yourself and your students time to adjust to the modern setup. Thus, make sure to observe your pace and ensure that no one gets left behind, especially when using modern tools and gadgets in the classroom.
• Equip yourself with the right tools—Invest in the right tools and equipment. This is especially crucial if you are offering virtual or online classes. You need to invest in fast internet and a reliable computer or laptop. You might also need a decent camera, speaker, and headphones so you can ensure you can provide clear lessons to your students.
• Guide your students through every step—Ask for feedback from your students. Make sure that everyone understands each lesson. If anyone is having trouble with the process, pause for a bit and help them with their concerns. It would be best to remind students that it’s common to experience setbacks. Let them know that you are always willing to give them a hand, especially when adapting to new learning techniques.

Improving your teaching methods through technology is a huge breakthrough. It allows you to implement flexible methods of teaching and learning, which benefits you and your students. Just make sure that you are indeed prepared to embrace the modern changes. This way, you can expect your students to have a hassle-free way of embracing the new learning systems.

Also, if you are working under a learning facility, make sure to collaborate with the owner or school heads. This way, you can avoid specific conflicts, especially when following an educational or academic curriculum.

You may have heard the news. Obesity is dangerous. That may come as a surprise to you. But it can also be a wake-up call. Already, experts are pointing a finger at obesity and being overweight as a heavy burden in these trying times when the virus is pummeling America. For one, they are trumpeting statistics that show those who are tipping the scales have a greater risk of succumbing to the virus. And yet, this could be a common refrain for heavy people. Years before, a slew of degenerative diseases, including cancer and heart disease, has been traced to being overweight.

This is exactly why training your kids to live an active lifestyle is spot on. When exercise becomes a habit, it’s easier to prevent being overweight later on in life. While there’s much debate on how much exercise can help in fat loss, we all agree that giving your body an ample dose of exercise every week leads to a more productive you. The problem is adult Americans may not be the best role model in this area. As the Department of Health and Human Services data show, there are but 5% of the total U.S. adult population that exercises at least 30 minutes a day. In short, almost everyone is a couch potato.

The good news is keeping your child off the couch and living a more active lifestyle isn’t a near-impossible task. With tried-and-tested methodologies and a pinch of patience, you should be able to train your child to do what’s right. And make the most of the outdoors.

Be a Role Model

Monkey see monkey do. Well, we certainly are not monkeys, but we mirror what we see in other people, and especially in the people we love. Thus, you may not realize it but you can easily pass bad habits to your child without even suggesting them verbally.

It’s why a great first step for your child to stay off the couch is to see you not staying there the whole day. If you spend countless hours on a Netflix telethon then you shouldn’t be surprised if your kid does too.

But if your child sees you doing a run outside or doing skipping ropes in the front yard, then it paints a great picture in his mind. He will also want to exercise outside the house.

Bear in mind that sweating outside the house has its benefits. For starters, you’ve got the rays of the sun giving you tons of vitamin D for strong bones and stronger teeth. Even better, you clear your lungs and your mind when you step outside. The fresh air outside contains optimal oxygen compared to the air inside. This facilitates blood vessels in the lungs to dilate and cleanse your body’s system.

Take note that if you want to bring the benefits of fresh air outside to your home, employing a home ventilation system should be a wise decision for your part, in this regard. Not only does the mechanical device eliminate toxic air but it replaces it with fresh air straight from outside.

Use Exercise as a Means of Transportation

Take a cue from those skateboarding boys who somehow bring their skateboard to just about everywhere they go. To get your child to exercise more, use exercise as a means of transportation. If possible, walk him to a neighbor or a relative. Or you can also bike him to a public park. Even better, you can take him on to brisk walk through the woods.

Involve the Whole Family

Another great way for you to encourage your child to be active to ensure the whole family is participating in the activities. So as summer is upon us, you can enroll the whole family in swimming lessons. Even when the actual lessons may only involve him but if he sees the whole family there, he’s bound to be excited about it.

Additionally, you can volunteer to coach a baseball team or a soccer team for children. You encourage your youngster to be involved as you yourself are involved. And why not enroll in a martial arts club? Or for that matter, an outdoor adventure club? If these clubs are out of the question, you can always bring the whole family to a park to play Frisbee with the dog.

Focus on Achieving Fun

Now putting your child in a playground doesn’t mean he’s going to play. But if he knows he’d be having tons of fun, chances are he’d jump right in. So aim to have your exercises fun. Be it in sports or in jogging, making sure your child is enjoying it can go a long way for him to do the routine again in due time. Even NFL coaches emphasize the importance of having fun when teaching sports.

Recruit Friends

Things should get a lot easier if your child sees a good friend getting active with him outside. He’d have someone he can relate to. Why don’t you invite some of his best friends to come and join the activity?

If you let the cavalry in, that should help your child become more engaged, not to mention have the time of his life.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, when schools shut down in order to prevent the spread of the virus, there have been debates about the effectiveness of remote learning and the toll it takes on the mental health of students. Many did find the sudden switch from in-person to online classes a challenge. Not everyone has the technology required and the type of rooms that are conducive for learning at home.

Moreover, there are numerous distractions like siblings and parents, pets, easy access to social media and television, and many other things that make studying at home more difficult.

However, some children actually prefer the new setup. When classrooms disappeared and classes were relocated to the internet, children who struggled when they were going to school actually thrived with remote learning.

As vaccination efforts ramp up, talks about reopening schools are also starting. Who are the children who are thriving with online classes during the pandemic?

Children Struggling with Social Interactions

One of the challenges to losing the classroom as a setting for learning is the lack of social interactions. Children have plenty of opportunities to speak to and work with people outside of their households, particularly those who are in the same age group. However, this can also be what makes going to school a horrible experience for some children.

Children who have anxiety, are embarrassed to participate in front of their peers, or easily drawn into conflict may do better in remote learning.

For these children, social interaction was a barrier that dissuades them from pursuing academic excellence. When it was removed, they became more engaged, and they were able to realize their full potential.

Children who hesitated to ask questions in class before felt freer because they were able to reach out to their teachers remotely. Because of online classes, they had the option to send a private message to their teachers via text or email.

Educators found that these students participated more and were more willing to use their voice online than in the classroom.

Children who have anxiety were also more likely to receive their elementary education degree online than when they have to be present during in-person classes. Because of their condition, they sometimes choose not to go to school at all, preventing them from learning. With online schooling, their attendance improved.

Children with Mental and Physical Disorders

Moreover, those who found regular classes distracting also thrived with remote learning. Some children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reported better focus on schoolwork now that background noises present in every classroom have been eliminated.

There were no more children talking, feet walking across the room, and light bulbs buzzing throughout the day. As a result, it takes them less time and energy to complete their tasks.

Classes became more inclusive in the past year. Students with disabilities were able to be involved in regular classes thanks to remote learning. Experts have been asking it for years because it builds a sense of community and belongingness among students with disabilities. While special education classes exist and fill the gap, they tend to be smaller. With online classes, more general education schools opened their doors to students with disabilities.

Children Who Want More Freedom

Moreover, many children found that, when they stopped going to school, they had better control of their time and their environment.

One child who was allowed to play video games on weekdays as soon as their schoolwork was done stopped procrastinating. They made sure to finish and submit their schoolwork on time because there was an incentive waiting for them at the end of it.

Another student found that they were able to perform better because they had the option to listen to music while doing their schoolwork, something they would not be permitted to do in a classroom. It enabled them to concentrate better on their assignment or lesson.

The same freedom that allows workers to become more productive when working at home than in the office is being enjoyed by students who now have to learn in the comforts of their bed or living room than in school.

While some students are eager to return to school once the pandemic subsides, others want to continue remote learning. Schools in the U.S. are already crafting plans to make remote learning an option for students even after the pandemic. Others are looking into integrating the benefits of online classes into in-person classes to help students who struggle with being in school.

Not all students thrive in schools. Not all students will thrive in remote learning, either. The option to study at home rather than force children to go to school and vice versa should be given in the post-pandemic world.

The National Council for Behavioral Health reported that 70 percent of Americans had experienced trauma to varying degrees. With the rise of COVID-19 and all its after-effects like the global recession, isolation, and feelings of uncertainty, we can be sure that the number of people experiencing trauma continues to increase as the world descends into collective grief over the people and things we have lost due to the pandemic.

Now more than ever, educators of all stripes need to have a certain level of knowledge in trauma-informed care if we’re going to teach, train, or educate. Being a trauma-informed educator is simply acknowledging the role that trauma plays in the lives of our students and how it impacts their performance, relationships, and day-to-day lives, and working with them in ways that do not harm them and that can help them find wholeness once again. Here are the benefits and advantages of trauma-informed education and care.

Being trauma-informed teaches us to scratch beneath the surface

Every educator has experienced having a difficult student at one point or another. We all know the one—the one who can’t stop being rude, won’t stop bullying their classmate, and will keep pushing their teachers’ buttons until they snap. Many of us have also experienced teaching students who could not improve or focus on their schooling no matter how hard they tried.

Being trauma-informed teaches us to scratch beneath the surface of the behaviors that our students are exhibiting, and we realize that many of their less than commendable practices are coming from a place of deep pain. As we continue to learn about how trauma shapes people’s mental health and personalities, we learned to believe the best in our students and their potential instead of giving upon them.

Being trauma-informed provides us with the best way to deal with our students

Gaining a basic knowledge of trauma and its effects saves you from scrambling for solutions when conflicts arise or when a student is acting up. You will gain not just knowledge but also tools to deal with problems head-on and in helpful ways. Here are some examples:

• Trauma-informed care teaches us to build positive and safe relationships, where our students are done no further harm and where they can thrive in an encouraging learning community.
• Being trauma-informed allows us to de-escalate conflicts and negative situations. When you understand that a student is verbally abused at home, you will have a basic knowledge of what triggers them, and thus you know what to say and what not to say.

Being trauma-informed makes us an asset to our community

There is a misconception that experiencing the effects of trauma can only happen to people who have seen violent wars or have been victims of horrifying crimes or abuse. But even if what our students experienced were not quite to those levels, it’s still possible for them to be exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

Gaining an insight into how past trauma influences our present can help you be an asset to your community because you will be a teacher that your students can trust and rely on. You will be able to build a reputation as a safe person who lends a listening ear and leaves no room for judgment.

Being trauma-informed gives us insight into our own mental health

Being trauma-informed also provides us with mental health literacy, which can give us a keen insight into how our own traumatic experiences affected us. Remember that before you can truly be of help to others, you also need to be able to deal with your past traumatic experiences and triggers—lest you do more damage to the people you have been called to care for.

Additional Pointers

Here are some additional safety tips and precautions:

• If you want to learn more, consider going to a trauma-informed counseling school, or consult with experts who have licenses and certifications. As you learn more about this subject, you’ll realize that people are complex, and there’s a reason why therapists and counselors need training. Don’t armchair diagnose your students, especially if you’re not a specialist. Just be their trauma-informed teacher. Boundaries are key.
• Partner with these experts and encourage your school or institution to learn trauma-informed education and care as well. Attend seminars, watch some psychology training videos, and receive instruction from trained professionals. It will prepare your school for when the students come back full-time after the pandemic.

Trauma-informed education is an exercise in empathy. Give it a try and watch you and your students benefit from it in more ways than one.

Studying acting is a lifelong commitment that one has to work on. If you are an aspiring screen actor or stage performer, mastering your craft should be your topmost priority. Working on your passion is the first step towards receiving offers and experiencing the perks of being a performer. You must be willing to take yourself out of your comfort zone and explore various acting techniques that can effectively convey the scriptwriter and director’s goals.

You may have a comfortable, signature way of acting, yet as a student, you need to expand your horizons and learn more techniques to become more versatile in your art. The more you prepare yourself and be open to know different kinds of acting techniques, the higher your likelihood of getting accepted in a performing arts centre in Brisbane, New York, or wherever you want to earn your acting degree.

Here are some basic acting techniques you should learn and master:

Stanislavski Method

Started in Russia, the Stanislavski Method is the forerunner in bringing the idea that acting should be realistic. Its originator, Konstantin Stanislavski, invented this method as a counter-method in the prevailing schools of acting that focused on presentational, superficial, and performative styles. Stanislavski changed the drama trend and since then paved the way for a more realistic style practiced until today.

Actors using this acting style must base their actions on several questions, “What do I want?” or “What do I need to make the other character do?” to perform the role. The actor is free to imagine the scenario and the imaginary stimuli and freely includes his/her interpretation on how to perform the function.

Classical Acting Technique

Classical acting comprises several acting styles used in one instance. Scholars have a hard time arriving at one formal definition of the classical method as it takes influences from Stanislavski’s system and Michel Saint-Denis. It wants to focus on every detail about the actor’s instrument. Doing this may entail focusing on the actor’s body, voice, imagination, and ability to analyze the script and bring their character to life. Actors using this technique are physically and vocally open and free. At the same time, they have training in interpreting texts.

Meisner Technique

This style of acting derived inspiration from the Stanislavski system. Sanford Meisner developed this technique in the 1930s while working with Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler in New York. In the end, the three of them parted ways and started their acting schools.

In Meisner’s approach, the actor has to get out of his head, stop intellectualizing the script and act out of pure instinct. In this way, the actor will stop using established habits or affectations and start being open to new acting styles that may instinctively come out. Meisner encourages actors to be ‘in the moment.’

With a few exercises, this technique encourages actors to be spontaneous and free to eliminate any predispositions or judgments and perform instead of ‘reading’ the lines.

Chekhov Technique

The Chekhov technique is a reaction to the Stanislavski method. Its proponent Michael Chekhov, the renowned playwright Anton Chekhov’s nephew, wants to take the Stanislavski method as he felt it too naturalistic. He likes actors to include the use of their subconscious mind and the universality of humanity in performing.

In this technique, the actors use physical exercises to take the actions to a higher level. Using psychological gestures, the actor will transform the internal need or desire into a motion. Repeating such exercises will lead the actor to understand the character’s emotions more and use them as input in their acting.

You may also like to master the Method Acting Technique, Practical Aesthetics Acting Technique, Uta Hagen Technique, and Viola Spolin Technique. So, how to become an actor with no prior experience? The most convenient way to do it is to read and study. Familiarize what moviemakers want. You may want to know the operations involved in theater.

Reading many books about theater and sample plays will give you rich information about the world of acting. Though you may be passionate about starting your acting goals, experts advise not to jump right in and move to a bigger city to pursue this dream. Start with local schools and open your doors to local opportunities as well. There may be regional auditions and training that you can tap before moving on to the ladder’s next step.

Though the main goal is to become an actor, discovering your special skills may also increase your likelihood for directors to notice you. These ‘accessory’ skills are amazing stuff that may catch a director’s attention, thus helping you land on acting gigs easily. It is also best to start working on your identity that you want to project to the public. Your branding matters as this is how the public can remember you.

In today’s digital age, although the concept of digital literacy is clear, teaching and using technologies in an educational setting can be challenging. Plus, even if students are already comfortable using a broad range of digital tools, that doesn’t mean they’d know how to use them for learning purposes, just like how students would get skills assessments and recognition prior to learning to see where they stand academically.

However, since digital literacy is one of those ‘buzzwords’ that often get thrown out of context, it can be challenging to envision what it means to be ‘digitally literate.’

That said, here are the best ways you can teach digital literacy.

Emphasise the Importance of Critical Thinking

The majority of media people consume today comes from different online sources, some of which are more reliable than others. That’s because so much information is already readily available on the internet. However, this means that students today are also more prone to misinformation, fake news, and subliminal messages. That’s why it’s best to teach students to ask questions and find answers by going directly to the sources and check for objectivity.

Use Social Media for Learning and Collaborating

Modern students are already typically active on social media, and in some cases, they’re already more adept at using it than their teachers and other adults. That’s why when teaching digital literacy, you shouldn’t focus on introducing students to the ins and outs of social media but show them how they can use it in an educational context. For instance, you can teach students to use Pinterest boards to provide and receive feedback during group projects, use Twitter for polls for research purposes, and Facebook and LinkedIn to connect and collaborate with peers.

Guide Them to Avoid Plagiarism

Because the internet has millions of daily users, it hasn’t made dealing with plagiarism easier. It has changed how it happens, leaving students at the risk of plagiarising content without even knowing that they’re doing it. A study has discovered that many students don’t understand plagiarism, but many want to learn more about it and avoid it. For instance, students often borrow ideas and use phrases they find online without crediting and citing the original work, without even knowing what they’re doing constitutes plagiarism.

That’s why another important aspect of digital literacy is learning how to avoid plagiarism. You can do this by teaching students how to take notes, use citations and quotes, and support discussions with references.

Teach Them to Manage Their Online Identity

Regardless if you consciously manage it or not, everyone leaves a digital footprint and has some form of an online identity. Students who have grown up with social media are likely to take it for granted to have their data and personal information stored online, leaving many not giving much thought to safeguarding their privacy. Plus, having a negative online identity can have adverse effects on an individual’s reputation, which could later affect a student’s career prospects.

That’s why you should teach students how to share the right information and content and which ones to keep to themselves to safeguard their data and reputation.

Manage and Deal with Digital Distractions

Digital tools and online resources have efficiently made learning and teaching more efficient in several ways. However, they’ve also brought new distractions with them—and studies have proven that many people struggle with digital distraction. Digital distraction can make an individual feel distant and drained, reducing the enjoyment of online experiences. Simultaneously juggling several media streams can lead students to multi-task, which can negatively impact their grades.

That’s why the ability to manage distractions while using digital tools for learning and professional purposes is a digital literacy skill that you shouldn’t overlook. Some of the distraction management methods you can teach students ranges from tech breaks throughout the day and muting notifications while studying.

Offer Authentic Contexts for Practice

A crucial aspect of teaching digital literacy is finding ways for students to practice using technology in different ways mirroring its real-world uses. These include offering students opportunities to practice building their websites and mobile applications or respectfully engaging in online discussions. For instance, when teaching about the importance of managing their online identities, you can let them search online to see what potential employers would see and follow this up by discussing their findings.

Giving the students the freedom of choice and encouraging them to use technology in innovative ways can help them excel and adapt once entering the workforce—and the tips mentioned can help you teach them more about digital literacy seamlessly.

The new normal has changed our lives significantly, and one of the most affected groups is parents. Parents are now having to manage a delicate balance where they telecommute while ensuring their children have a good environment for online learning while trying to preserve a sense of normalcy for the household.

In many ways, parenting has become harder as the amount of work and time they need to manage their home and work obligations have increased. Thankfully, parents are resourceful people, and many are finding ways to balance the various obligations without additional stress and anxieties.

Various childcare options offer safer and socially distanced solutions for your children. Being able to maintain your child’s routine, albeit with some changes in timing and protocol, may be exactly what they need to get through this difficult time with equanimity.

Chart Your Time Out Clearly

You and your partner will have to negotiate a schedule as brutally as if you were in the boardroom. This is because there will be times when you both have non-negotiable work obligations and will require the other to step up and handle the childcare needs.

Plan out a weekly and daily schedule so that both of you are on the same page and respectful of the needs of the other. It can feel rigid, but this sort of disciplined approach may be exactly what you need to keep yourselves at peak work efficiency while ensuring that your children always have an attentive parent available.

Schedule Personal Time

Make sure to schedule alone time so you can both decompress in your own way after a tough week. It is just as important to schedule together time so you and your partner can reconnect and focus on being happy and involved parents.

Children thrive when their parents are fulfilled in their lives. Schedule family fun time as well and put the children in charge of choosing the activities. This will help them look forward to the time and feel actively included in the planning of the family schedule.

Include Your Children

Older children will have opinions and requests regarding their online schooling obligations, homework time, chores, and scheduled relaxation times. Try to understand that your children, being young and inexperienced, maybe finding it hard to express how much the disruption in their lives is affecting them.

Allow them to make changes to their schedule and give them enough leeway in their alone time to feel a sense of control over their lives. Children desperately need to make sense of their world, and giving them space and guidance to figure themselves out is the best thing you can do for their mental health.

Chore-Time is Together Time

Chores need to be done, but where they used to be individual activities, begin assigning two people at a time to each chore. These moments are a wonderful way to connect with your children in a pressure-free environment. Any chore is easier with help, and completing tasks together helps pull families closer.

Allow your children to perform more involved chores such as laundry and cooking with you as well. They will learn a valuable life skill, and you will have someone to help you enjoy what would otherwise be a tedious task. A small child can enjoy just about anything if they are happy, and indulging in this will help you feel less stressed about the tasks you have to do to keep the home running smoothly.

Create a Work Zone

Children understand physical boundaries before they fully comprehend emotional boundaries. Give them structure by having a designated workspace. Convert a room in your house or an easily closed corner in the house into your home office.

Layout clear rules such as stating that when the door is closed, they cannot disturb you or your partner. But, if the door is open, they can come to you or your partner for any reason.

Establish a work zone for your children. This area will be where you expect them to conduct their online learning and homework. Teaching them about designated spaces and their uses is a good way to help them learn about work ethic and establishing a line between work life and home life.

In all advice to parents, the common thread you will see is that they must be there for their children. They are experiencing something unprecedented in their young lives, and you, as their steadfast and unchanging emotional anchor, must help them weather the storm.

It is also important that you do not hide your parenting needs from your managers or your colleagues. They can be one of your biggest resources in creating a workable schedule that allows you enough time to be an effective employee and a dedicated parent. This is a time when everyone must pull together to continue giving our children a solid foundation in which to grow up and make happy childhood memories despite the circumstances.

The internet has made it possible to gain training from some of the most reputable academic institutions in the world without leaving one’s home. Oxford, Harvard, Yale, and other universities and colleges around the world all offer online classes, either with or without certificates at the end, on learning platforms such as edX.com and Coursera.

Aside from the convenience, online classes are typically relatively affordable, too. Students do not have to take out a loan to access quality education. Although the classes are all online, students still have access to lectures made by experts in their respective fields.

When is In-Person Classes Superior?

There are several benefits that students can reap from online classes which can make young people ask, is it still worth spending time and money on in-person classes? The traditional process of getting an education can be very expensive, especially if you are heading to an Ivy League. Tuition goes above a hundred thousand dollars and, if you have to move out of state for it, you would have to spend more.

However, it turns out, there are valuable lessons you can get from going into a classroom and listening to a lecture.

Heading to business school, for example, can teach you skills that you will need in order to become a better entrepreneur. These skills cannot always be translated or communicated verbally or in writing for online classes. One necessary skill you can get from in-person classes is the importance of working as a team. Because there is no way to bring students together, the activities required from online classes are completed individually. Teamwork is not practiced.

Another skill that will prove to be useful in the real world is exposure to different viewpoints. Most online classes have platforms where students can interact and even have a debate on the topics discussed. However, being in one room, explaining your perspective to the class, and hearing what they have to say is a different experience. It teaches students how to communicate effectively and also listen to someone else’s opinions on the matter.

In addition, in school, you have the opportunity to network and build connections. These people may lead you toward or introduce you to a potential client or investor in the future.

Challenges of Virtual Learning

Despite its benefits over in-person classes, virtual learning can lead to huge problems. Not all students respond well to online classes.

Some people find it more challenging to focus when the lecturer is not present within the room. Previous studies have found that people understand what they read on paper compared to what they read on a screen. Moreover, most people prefer reading on a paper rather than on a screen, especially for content that they need to remember later on.

It is also easier to procrastinate with virtual learning. Some have flexible deadlines to accommodate those who have full-time jobs or responsible for childcare at home. These can prevent learners from completing the course.

Many students already have serious problems with procrastination. One survey found that up to 75% of college students consider themselves procrastinators.

Virtual Learning Can Be as Effective

However, to those who can only access online classes, there is evidence that suggests that virtual learning imparts quality education, too.

One study looked at the value of virtual learning among nearly a thousand students at the Harvard Business School. The researchers found that the career and personal benefits of online classes mirror that of in-person classes. In some cases, online classes exceeded in-person classes.

The paper revealed that one in four participants were promoted after they completed the online course at Harvard. More than half also said they received a wider scope of work opportunities. Meanwhile, one-third shared that they transitioned to a new career.

The findings are significant because these are the same benefits that people seek when they want to get an MBA. They want to be promoted to a more important role in the company or be recruited by another employer and be offered a higher salary. Some are transitioning from another industry to business.

However, as mentioned, not everyone will benefit from virtual learning. It is more accessible for those who do not have the financial capacity or the time to enroll and attend in-person classes at a university or college regularly but it is not a solution for everyone. In some cases, going to in-person classes is preferable because the lecturer and their peers are present in the same room. Moreover, in-person classes facilitate interaction, something that may not be available to students in virtual learning setups.

As a student, juggling between studies, socializing, and now running a business can seem impossible. However, college is an opportune time to explore entrepreneurship. There are plenty of remarkable business ideas that college students can explore that don’t demand a lot of time commitment and funds to keep them rolling.

Below are some ideas you will find befitting for a student’s lifestyle.

On-Campus Delivery Service

Do you think you have all it takes to run an on-campus delivery service that can be coupled with errand services? There are thousands of delivery needs within the campus; you just need to research well.

Students, university staff members, and lecturers are constantly looking for someone to pick a package and deliver it right to their doorstep.

If you have the time, you can provide these services at a fee, seeing that you are conversant with the routes, hostels, offices, and halls in school. You will need some means of transport such as a scooter or bicycle, a phone to get in touch with your clients, and a strong basket for transporting your clients’ packages safely.

Online Courses for University and College Classes

If you’ve been doing exceptionally well in class, you understand the concepts perfectly and have a strong specialty and interest in a particular set of college units, that is a business resting right under your arms.

You can create videos and tutorials that guide students on the methodologies and concepts behind the course. You could also pursue a business trade qualification to gather more skills to grow your business. The course will also increase the number of online training you can offer at a fee. Remember not to borrow too much from other online courses to avoid getting in trouble with the law.

Residential or Hostel Cleaning Services

You know how hectic college life can get. Sometimes the course work could leave no time to do the laundry and clean your apartment. That’s a problem most students identify with, so why not look for a solution?

You can start a residential or hostel cleaning service business to provide cleaning and laundry services to students and staff members residing within the campus. Off-campus students are also a great target audience. Find great marketing strategies to get your services out there, and you will be good to go.

Babysitting and Child Care Services

Are you naturally good with kids? Try out babysitting or taking care of kids during your free time. Many parents don’t have the luxury to hire full-time nannies and could use some help during their working hours.

You could get creative and assemble some of your friends who would be interested in providing your babysitting services. Create a website that parents could read more about your services and book babysitting services. You might want to see what requirements are set by authorities in your area of residence before you begin providing the baby care services.

Virtual Personal Assistant Services

Remote working is a great business model for college students, especially because it allows them to work from anywhere. The growing need to have virtual personal assistants can be your business’s point of focus.

As a virtual assistant, you will be required to aid other professionals with their online needs such as transcribing, converting data sets in excel, and data entry. You could organize a team of interested parties, search for clients, and delegate the tasks. It is a simple business that only requires a computer, basic skills, and a great internet connection.

If you liked any of these business ideas you can implement in college, it is time to try them out. You could also utilize the skills learned in school to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey.