Remote learning...How does it affect your child?

Over the last 2 years, the World had plunged into episodes of despair. Individuals of all ages have been affected in many ways. Many have lost their jobs, countries' economies have suffered and even our children are suffering academically. This is all due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are lots of things we can say about the origin and the effects of the virus on the world's population. But the most important effect I see is the effect on the educational system of the World.

In late 2020, the world had to adapt to "e-learning" or "remote education". But the major concern is how remote learning affects our children today. Before I explain a few changes I have noticed in the educational level, I want to explain why the educational system has been the way it has been.

Why do you think the school environment worked the way it did?

From a young age, parents enroll their children in institutions with children of similar age, social, and even economic standing as they. Why? Well, humans are social beings. Our very existence depends on the relationships formed with another individual. And it is the same with the education system. By grouping children of the same age and level of learning encourages growth and development, not only in academics but in interpersonal skills too.

The interactions we have with others around us force our 'ever-learning brains' to want to learn and adapt. More so, sharing ideas, experiencing different speech patterns, sharing different interact and even playing together contribute towards the upbringing of a well-rounded individual. There is the argument that some individuals are socially awkward and repel human interactions in general. But there is someone they connect with and with whom they then form a tight bond.

In the school environment, children work on and develop interpersonal skills. Remote learning practically removes this form of interaction. Therefore children essentially are all academia and not interpersonal skills. What’s sadder is, grown-ups cannot remedy this problem with non-academic activities at home.

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Why are interpersonal skills important for children to learn?

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

This is one of the most famous quotes in the parenting world. And it is quite true. Childhood is the time for an individual to learn, and do so quickly and easily. In adulthood, whatever is thought to that individual, whether directly or indirectly, is practiced. For this reason, children need to be thought how to communicate and “get along” with others of the same age.

Let me explain how it works. When someone is exposed to something new like another child taking something his or her pencil without asking they will do 1 of these actions. Either, complain to the teacher and have the teacher deal with the problem or take back the pencil or maybe they will take back the pencil then tell the teacher what happened.

This is a pivotal moral lesson that will contribute to the interpersonal development of both children. The teacher should address the problem. By being compassionate, understanding, and always having both children make amends and stay friends. Some teachers I have noticed would go as far as to explain to children why they shouldn’t take things without asking. And by showing the added interest and time to explain things children respond positively.

I can remember a parent coming to school to compliment a teacher for teaching her children how to say “sorry”, “please”, and “thank you”. How great is that?

In a nutshell, when you teach children of the same age how to interact with each other, in an environment like the school system, they don’t keep what they learn to themselves. They share with others around them. When others respond positively these values are practiced in adulthood.

Remote learning in the 2020s

In 2020 the world completely shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, something that is completely outside our control. After at least 1 year, with strict guidelines and even helpful vaccines things seem to be returning to normal.

One system which has suffered the most was the school system. Children were completely abruptly removed from school, losing months of academic learning while education ministries around the world scrambled to establish a remote learning platform. I must say it is great to see how humans can adapt to any environment. But the sad reality is not all our children could get access to the online learning system. So what happens then?

It is great that the education ministries were able to salvage the broken school year with the remote learning system. But, as many children returned to school during the last fall semester it is obvious that there is much work to be done to regain the level of education provided. There is 1 obstacle in the way, however, that is more remote learning.

How can we help our children accomplish the most from their school education?

The biggest hurdle for education ministries around remote education for its students. In the poorer communities, most parents and students made an effort to make it to school, many days without food or even equipment for learning. But at least they made it and did their best. Now it requires access to an electronic device with an internet connection.

With the extra strain on the already bending education system, it is time communities take responsibility and try to get things back to normal. That simply means increases vaccination rates or and strict adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines.

This is my personal view. It seems like many individuals still do not understand the effect of their stand to not properly protect themselves. Your actions will affect others too, and the persons suffering the most are the younger children who are unable to enter the school system. While you have the right to make your own decisions, your decision does a trickle effect on others around you. There are more and more persons just wasting away and making poor decisions that have kept humanity under the thumb of the Covid-19 virus.

So help yourself by helping others. Even if you don't want to get vaccinated then do the responsible thing and wear your mask, stay safe and healthy by avoiding large gatherings. Get tested if you think you were exposed to someone who has been tested positive for covid-19 or who has symptoms.

In a Nutshell

Covid-19 has affected every aspect of a country's economy including the education system. Our children if removed from the schooling system can suffer a loss in the proper development of their interpersonal skills. There is more we can do in our communities. Get vaccinated or adhere to the guidelines to reduce the spread and infection rates. That way things can return to normal quicker.

Thank you for reading

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