The online classes are the new normal across the globe. With no outdoor activities and staying at home, 24hours. Furthermore, this has overwhelmed the kids, parents, and teachers as well. It become difficult for stress management during online classes. Both for parents, teachers and children.
The indefinite closure of schools has put kids under extreme stress. The final exams, results, promotion to the next class. Also, these things don’t bring any difference in their static life.
The monotonous lifestyle routines are upsetting them. The transition from manual schooling to online learning can be quite stressful for children.
It’s not easy for children to accustom to the new way of learning.
Attention during online classes, homework, and activities through WhatsApp, without practical classes, and to stay on track with their syllabus.
All these things have put upon mental pressure on your energy balls. Children respond to stress in different ways.
My school-going nephew and niece show a lack of interest in online classes. Being confined to home is upsetting them. It’s not easy to console them.
As a parent, you might have noticed a behavioral change changes in your children. For example loss of interest, being more clingy, arguments. As well as withdrawing anxious, agitated, opposition, refusals, bedwetting, etc.
We all have to find different methods. So that they regain their interest in studies. As a parent, you might be facing the same problem. And every parents looking for a breakthrough.
Role of Parents In Stress Management During Online Classes
It’s important that parents should rule out stress and anxiety and help them out.
We are discussing different ways of stress management during online classes.
Create a Friendly Environment:
Children will take time to adjust to this new learning schedule. Don’t overburden them with classes, homework, activities all at once.
Acknowledge their mood and be kind towards them. Especially listen to their concern. Accordingly, respond in a supportive way.
Focus on Quality Learning:
As children are attending classes and doing homework from home. Their life has become sedentary and no change of environment taken place.
This may piss them off. Parents should focus more on quality learning instead of quantity learning. Focus on 2-4 hours of schoolwork each day, as per your child’s age.
It’s good for parents as well as kids. This is one of the important tips for stress management during online classes.
Maintain Breaks
Don’t over impose homework, activities, and online classes altogether in one go.
If classes are in the morning give them extra time to enjoy. Give them a break of at least 1-2 hours after any learning activities.
Above all don’t forget they have to follow the routine every day. If you don’t give break they may lose interest or perform half-heartedly.
Encourage them to express:
Create a friendly environment with children, so that they can easily share and express their feelings.
Encourage them to talk and understand their feelings and help them out.
Healthy Lifestyle:
Healthy lifestyle routine like healthy eating, exercise, or any physical activity like dance, yoga, etc. and enough sleep.
These all together play an important role in improving mental health and keep stress at bay.
Plan Fun activities
Fun activities give them a break from a sedentary life routine.
You can choose the theme-based activities. For example activities related to nature like planting, gardening. Some clay related activities. Kitchen activities like baking, or painting on clothes like shirts, towels, etc.
These activities unfold their personality. Hence a good medium to express themselves.
Connect to friends via video calling
Yes, I know the internet is not safe for kids. But you can allow them 10-15 min video calling with their friends online.
This can be done in the presence of yourself or any elder member.
Don’t forget the kids need an adult’s love and attention. In addition to this give them extra time and attention.
Lastly remember to listen to them, speak to them, and reassure them. I hope these tips would help in stress management during online classes. For any queries ask in the comment section.
I'm writing this post for #CauseAChatter an initiative by Blogchatter for Blogging With A Purpose! Disclosure: The views expressed in the blog content are independent. And unbiased views of solely the blogger. DISCLAIMER: The content in this post is purely meant for educational purpose only. And not to be substituted for professional medical advice. One should consult the expert for any related information. Refrences: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270450628_Role_of_Teachers_and_Parents_in_Managing_Stress_among_Adolescents
Encouraging them to express is very important. We cannot just assume that everything is in place. Virtual learning is solving the problem of completing course work. The emotional aspect of kids cannot go unattended.
yes online learning has its own kind of challenges. and with my both girls i am facing few. this online classes has increased their screen time so much and as a parent, I am anxious about it. your tips are so apt and I agree taking breaks and adopting healthy lifestyle always helps.
I am hearing so much about parents stress during their kids online classes. This post will definitely be so beneficial to all parents and help them deal with it
Some great tips, I am trying to follow most of it ans I agree it works and help in reducing stress level. Talking to them and listening to them is the key.
You are absolutely right. Screen time to a limit is required especially during this pandemic. My daughter speaks to her friends on video call sometimes. They love it because they can all chat together at one time. Calling traditionally is apparently boring because it’s one on one. Lol!
Online classes is new normal for all parents and kids and balancing all changes is really important, thanks for sharing this it’s really helpful to ease the stress that goes through it
Online classes are really new for both kids and teachers but as a parent we play more important role and I am glad I bumped here to read these tips
I agree that parents role is also equally important to keep the online classes running smoothly. Equal breaks and chatting with friends are really good stress busters.
Yes! It is not easy. I have two kids and I am having a new schedule according to their classes. They are small so I have to assist. My son is 3+ so he is completely depending on me for his CW, hw, and for other curricular activities.
Online classes are really very stressful and I’ve two kids so it gets even stressful for me to manage two online classes at one time. I’ve also done a blog of 15 ways to to help kids cope with stress… do check it out.
Online classes have needed a lot of getting used to even for parents and teachers. Giving kids breaks to relax their eyes and minds is important.
Parents roles is crucial during kids online classes. They can lower the stress of kids surely. The pointers you suggested are very helpful and practical indeed.
its really important to maintain a light and happy atmosphere at home so kids always take it easy. Love reading this article.
Yes its really depressing for them because online classes are boring also. And this is really important to make the class interesting. Not only the parents, the teachers should also take the initiatives.
These online classes have been taking a toll on the children and you have suggested some really amazing points to help reduce this stress. I am surely going to suggest these pointers for my nephew.
Encourage them to be self reliant is one of the biggest tip for any parent to make their kids Independent and fight any situation you have mentioned some good points here which must be followed