Why Kids Should Have An eLearning Routine
A solid eLearning routine is the key to keeping things smooth and structured in your kid’s journey to digital education. Why is this so important when kids are learning from home? Because routines give kids stability and predictability. When young learners know what’s on their schedule, they’re prepared and able to focus on what they have to do rather than letting their minds drift away. Plus, kids have short attention spans. Without a routine, online learning can have them distracted. So, you need a solid plan in order to add structure to their day but also keep track of their progress.
From setting a solid schedule for their lessons to utilizing apps and tools for time management, below you’ll discover all the essentials to building a steady eLearning routine for your kids and always being aware of their progress and growth.
7 Time Management Techniques
1. Consistent Schedule
Creating a steady schedule is all about setting a routine that mirrors a regular school day. This is because kids perform better when they’re working with structure. To help them stay focused, set actual times for classes, homework, breaks, and meals. Your schedule doesn’t have to be strict, but consistent enough so the young ones always know what comes next. The same applies to regular bedtimes and wake-ups. If your child thinks online learning means they’ll sleep late, they’re wrong. Consistent sleep routines are everything when it comes to focus and energy. For example, they can’t be productive at 8 a.m. if they’ve been up all night gaming. Set bedtime and wake-up times that work for everyone and stick to them.
2. Calendar Or Planner
If a visual calendar or planner isn’t part of your kid’s eLearning routine, you need to think twice. Kids are juggling a lot of tasks—assignments, exams, projects—and most likely, they’re not good at keeping track of all that in their heads. This is where calendars or planners come to save the day. Start with weekly or monthly planning. You’ve got to write everything down, as this helps kids see what’s expected of them and on which date. Once they see the deadlines in front of them, they’ll know how to pace themselves. And let’s not forget color-coding. This involves giving each subject or task type its own color. Not only does it make the planner look fun, but it’s also easier for them to see what’s next on their program just by taking a glance.
3. Breaking Down Tasks
Learning online can be overwhelming for kids task-wise. The trick here is breaking down those tasks into smaller pieces that are way easier to handle. For example, if your kid has a big project coming up, help them divide it into subtasks. First, your kid has to do some research, then proceed to write, edit, and finally submit it. What can help them further is setting milestones for each of those steps, like “By the end of the week, I’ll finish researching.” However, the goals should be realistic. You’ll notice that your kids will finish things faster because they’ll actually know where to begin.
4. Prioritization
Prioritizing tasks is one of the most important things when learning online. Thankfully, there are some useful techniques, like the Eisenhower matrix. This is a way to organize tasks by urgency and importance so your kid can effectively prioritize their most important work. This works by creating four boxes: urgent and important tasks, like assignments due tomorrow; important but not urgent, like a project due next week; urgent but not important, like wanting to go out and play but having to finish homework first; and tasks that are neither urgent nor important, like scrolling on their phone. Otherwise, your kids can pick 1–3 tasks that they must absolutely do on that specific day.
5. Time Blocking
Now, let’s talk about time blocking for your kids’ eLearning routine. This involves dedicated time slots for all their activities. For example, set slots for studying, playing, and relaxing. This way, they know that from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., they have to study, and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., they can have their highly anticipated lunch break. Setting these clear boundaries helps them stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. The key here is to limit distractions during these time blocks. So, homework time is strictly dedicated to homework, and similarly, there is no studying during breaks or snacking.
6. Task-Switching Skills
Teaching kids task-switching skills involves explaining to them how to focus on one task at a time. Multitasking is good, but they don’t have to do it if they can effectively switch between tasks. When you teach kids to complete one task before hopping to the next, they’ll actually get work done. This means no more half-finished assignments and missed deadlines. Make it clear that the key to success isn’t about juggling multiple tasks; it’s about becoming a pro at one thing at a time. This will prevent young learners from burning out or forgetting what they learned because they jumped into another task right away.
7. Tools And Apps
There are many digital tools and apps that can help with time management. From digital calendars to interactive to-do lists, your kid can easily plan tasks, schedule due dates, organize assignments, and track progress. You can also find apps that encourage focus. Specifically, your kid can have a virtual pet or tree that grows only when their phone’s screen is locked. This means that every time they open their phone, their little creature or plant stops growing, motivating them to keep away from digital distractions.
How To Track Progress
How do you, as a parent, know where your kid stands with their academic progress? By helping them set realistic goals and keeping an eye on those. You can’t expect your kid to master math in a single night, but you can aim for progress. So, start by sitting down with them and having a real talk about what they want to achieve. And get specific. Instead of generic goals like “Get better at math,” try something like “Complete three math modules by Friday.” Accountability is also important when tracking progress. That’s where checklists and planners come in. Writing down what your little one needs to do, when they need to do it, and how long it should take will stop them from slacking, as they know that you’re always aware of their tasks and schedule.
Lastly, when they make actual progress, celebrate it. They work hard, and seeing you appreciate their effort goes a long way in them always trying their best—within their capabilities, of course. Kids need encouragement, so even if they don’t achieve their goals, it’s okay; show them that you’re always there for them and that what matters most is effort and dedication, not necessarily the outcome.
Conclusion
Having a structured eLearning routine is crucial for kids, especially now that they are born and raised in a tech world. It helps them stay organized, makes them more responsible, and improves focus. With a standard routine, kids know when to focus on learning, making it easier to manage time for homework, play, and rest. For parents, being involved in setting this routine is key. Kids often need guidance to stick to schedules and stay motivated, especially when distractions are just a click away. Ultimately, it’s about teamwork—parents and kids working together to make sure learning is both effective and fun.