“I’m not sure my child can handle online schooling!”
We get it. We hear it all the time. Parents look at their young students brimming with energy and wonder—how can they learn in a virtual environment? While virtual learning has some challenges, it also provides unique opportunities for K-3 students to thrive and surpass expectations.
Personalized Learning:
With online learning, students can work at their own pace and often on their own schedule. This allows for a more individualized approach to learning. As a result, teachers have greater flexibility in managing their classrooms and can provide more personal focus and 1:1 time with each student.
Family Flexibility:
Without the need for physical attendance, families have more control over their schedules and often report maintaining healthier sleep habits without the worry of a morning commute. Additionally, students with physical and medical concerns are able to comfortably maintain their needs in their own homes, adapting their schedules to their unique needs.
Accessibility:
Virtual learning can also provide greater accessibility for K-3 students with physical or cognitive disabilities. With virtual learning, students can access educational resources and participate in classes from anywhere, regardless of their physical location or mobility. Additionally, multilingual and ESL support, technology for those with vision or hearing requirements, management for sensory stimulation and other personalized learning aids are more readily available in virtual school environments.
In traditional classrooms, students who receive additional interventions are often publicly pulled away from their classrooms to receive support. In virtual schooling, students receive all the same services as a traditional classroom, but seamlessly—there’s no stigma from being singled out!
Interactive Learning:
Interactive learning is a key piece for K-3 students. Online educational games, quizzes, and activities can help students stay engaged and motivated while learning. Plus, virtual classrooms can provide unique opportunities for students to interact with classmates worldwide, broadening their perspectives and experiences. While learning, students also practice and broaden their technology, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills to build a strong foundation for success.
Not all work is done on a screen—plenty of activities engage students physically so they can create, explore, and play in various ways.
Supportive Environment:
Students participate in small group discussions and receive one-on-one support from teachers. This can help students who may be shy or struggle with large group settings. And for students who love a crowd? Many opportunities exist to engage with their classmates and teachers and enjoy a collaborative, structured learning environment. Every style of learner will find activities and programming to meet their needs.
Enhanced Parental Involvement:
Our curriculum is designed for student success, but we know students with involved parents see greater success in their education. That’s why we ensure plenty of opportunities for parents to engage and get involved!
Parents can participate in their child's education and progress by monitoring their virtual classroom participation and progress reports. Virtual parent-teacher conferences provide opportunities for more frequent and in-depth communication between parents and teachers. Individual classrooms will offer even more fun ways for parents to get involved.
Virtual learning provides unique opportunities for K-3 students to thrive and surpass expectations. With personalized learning, flexibility, accessibility, interactive learning, supportive environments, and enhanced parental involvement, virtual learning offers a more individualized and engaging approach to education. Even the youngest students can thrive virtually when the environment is thoughtfully set up for their success.
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