"I got a C plus. Again. I don't know what to do."

Ryan had been attending online classes, but there was a constant drop in his grades. This was a major concern for his father, Nathan.

While the Corona nuisance put approximately 1.5 billion children out of school (UNESCO,2020), the one positive out of this pandemic is that it has literally brought families closer. With parents working from home and the kids attending online classes, all one needs is an internet connection.

Although some kids have adapted to the new education system like fish to water, some have struggled to cope. They miss the physical proximity of the teacher and other students. 

When Nathan spoke about his son having trouble with online classes, his friend told him about this 5-step plan that helped him solve a similar issue with his teenager.

1. Designated space: Kids study in physical classrooms because they represent a learning space by definition. Nathan set up a dedicated study corner for Ryan with a massive poster of his favorite superhero - The Batman.

1. Build a Schedule: Parents can help them follow a routine as if they are going to school. Nathan helped his son structure a study schedule and put a calendar right below Batman's poster to aid him in keeping track.
2. Reduce distractions: Kids in the US check their devices for "non-class purposes" 11.43 times a day on average. Nathan ensured that all unnecessary notifications of social media, email, apps, etc., are on silent during study times.
3. Be a role model: Nathan began to regularly speak with Ryan about the challenges he faces at work and the will to overcome them to instill the feelings of hard work and persistence in his son.
4. Help them stay in touch with friends: Kids love school because of their friends. Nathan set up weekly online meetups for Ryan with his friends. He also started taking them all out once a month for socially distanced picnics.

There has been a massive boom in the e-learning industry, and there is no going back to the old 'normal', at least not entirely. Nathan realized this and acted on it, which led to Ryan's grades improving significantly within a few weeks. How are you helping your kid adapt to the new education order?