Online school has many advantages over traditional public schools. Students experience fewer social distractions, more personal attention, and a much more flexible schedule. There are also some things that you can do to help your child get the most out of the experience. Whether you are new to the online charter school or cyber charter school approach or would simply like some advice about making it even more effective, here are some tips for helping your child succeed:

Give them some motivation

Motivation is one of the primary things that students need for success in an online school setting. Finding a way to motivate your child can help set them up for success. Depending on your child, this could mean having a goal, setting some sort of target, or providing an incentive. If your child realizes school is important and is willing to invest time and effort, their teachers and learning coaches will work with them to ensure their success.

Talk to teachers

It’s important that both you and your child establish and maintain open communication with teachers and the learning coach. Introduce yourself and make sure that instructors know that they can always contact you with any concerns or important notifications. Also, have your child communicate with their teachers and learning coach regularly. Establishing a rapport with the teachers will make it easier for your child to reach out later on and ask questions when they have them, which will be crucial to the learning process.

Make sure that they have a regular workspace

Working in the dining room one day, the living room another and their bedrooms at other times can throw off a student’s routine. In order for your child to remain attentive, they often need a certain amount of structure, so it’s a good idea to designate a specific area for them to learn in. You can base this on the way that they learn best. If, for instance, your child needs a quiet space to learn and you have a busy house, their room may be the best place. On the other hand, if their bedroom has too many distractions in it, a computer study might be a good alternative. Ensure that the space is well lit and comfortable. This way, your child will feel comfortable working from their designated space.

Teach them good work habits

Many kids need a little help honing good work habits, so make sure to give them some pointers and be consistent with the standards that you have for them. For example, taking breaks from work is a good idea, but the time should probably be carefully monitored and used to walk around a bit, get some fresh air, grab food or water, etc. It shouldn’t be used to surf the web or play video games; these things can be incredibly distracting and can stretch from an intended five or ten minutes to 45 without them even noticing.

Another thing you can help them to do is stay up-to-date with assignments. Parents have access to online student activity logs and gradebooks, so you can ensure your child is on the right track and not falling behind. If you have questions or need help interpreting this information, your child’s teachers and learning coaches are a phone call away!

These are just some of the ways in which you can help your child to do their absolute best at our Pennsylvania virtual charter school. Call us at 21CCCS at 484-875-5400 for more information!