Returning to the Classroom after Online Learning

Teacher Natasha discusses some of the effects of online learning on our children and gives us tips to ensure a smooth return to face-to-face learning.

By Natasha Jones

COVID-19 has impacted children’s education more than anyone could have predicted. Schooling in Thailand first went online in March 2020, and we have seen two further periods of online learning since then. This situation has come with challenges for parents, teachers, and, most importantly, for children. Children have probably coped with this more easily than the parents and teachers.

Although there have been many disadvantages with online learning, one benefit has been that parents have been able to see how their children learn at school and how their teachers teach. 

Many parents have also been anxious to know how their children can ‘catch up’ from this period of online learning. Children have varying degrees of support at home depending on their family situation, and teachers are aware of this. From the previous periods of online learning, we have found that children’s academic learning is faster when they are in school. However, some children have benefitted from learning at a slower pace, having support from their parents, and the time to practise skills at home. 

However, here are some areas where children may need support from parents/guardians to enable them to make the smoothest transition back into the school and classroom environment.  

Independence 

At school, children usually get the opportunity to show their independence. They follow the school’s daily timetable, usually travelling to different places for specialist lessons. They are expected to carry and organise their belongings, such as their school bags, folders, and pencil cases. They also change and pack their clothes and shoes by themselves—with guidance depending on their age, and select and eat their lunch and snacks independently. One way parents and guardians can help children is to encourage them and support them in doing these things at home. It may be time-consuming initially, but then the children will be so proud of themselves for managing their own needs, and they will soon speed up. Children’s self-esteem greatly increases with their independence. It will boost their confidence greatly when they return to school if they know that they can do these things independently.

Physical development 

Children have been confined to their homes due to the restrictions in Bangkok, which have seen most of the green spaces, soft play areas, and other large-scale places to play closed. As a result of these restrictions, children have missed out on the opportunity to develop their gross motor skills (large body movements). Among other things, children need to walk up and down the stairs, run outside—or inside if there is space, dodge obstacles, swim, and balance. One way to help them develop is to ensure that they walk as much as possible. Walking up and down stairs helps with children’s balance as well as helping with their fitness levels. See if you can do some stair walking in your condo building. When restrictions are lifted, take them to play parks and encourage them to do other outdoor activities such as swimming, riding bikes, and running. During online learning, break up the day with movement breaks using guided dancing or yoga. Go Noodle website and Cosmic Kids have great online videos which can help. Anything to get children moving! When they go back to school, there will be climbing equipment to explore, PE, and swimming lessons. Children will feel anxious if they have not had the opportunity to develop their movement skills.  

Social skills 

Another missed area with online learning is that children have not had interaction with their friends. This has also meant that children have not been able to practise their social skills such as sharing, taking turns, negotiating disagreements, playing together, and following other’s ideas. It is really important that children have the opportunity to play and interact with other children. Once it is safe to do so, arrange playdates with other children, especially within your child’s classmates or year group. They will feel less nervous about returning to school if they have seen some of their friends recently. Playing with other children also means that they will practise their communication skills, which will help with their confidence, especially if they are learning multiple languages. It is also vital that children have fun and feel confident, which is achieved through play. 

Furthermore, children need time to do things just for enjoyment. For many parents, making sure children spend enough time doing both schoolwork and playing has become a balancing act. Therefore, there needs to be more family time (and with their extended family if possible) where you have fun and make memories together. Reading books and sharing stories just for enjoyment is important in order for children to associate reading with pleasure. Riding bikes together, playing on the trampoline, going to the swimming pool or the beach as a family should be an enjoyable experience for everyone. Cooking together and sharing different recipes while having fun in the kitchen is a wonderful way to connect as a family. We must nurture the relationships within our families. Our children have been through so much during this time, and their well-being and happiness must be prioritised. 

Photos courtesy of the author and Canva.

About the Author

Natasha Jones is the Key Stage 1 Leader at Bangkok Prep. She has a BA Hons in Primary Education and an MA in Early Childhood Education both from the University of Roehampton, London. She has taught from pre-Nursery to Key Stage 2 and is a specialist in the transition from Early Years and Key Stage 1.

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