By now we are all familiar with online learning, also known as distance learning. Here are some tips from the folks at Understood.org to help you and your student succeed and stay sane.

1. Create a learning space for your student.

Does your student already have a special place to do homework? It’s important to set up a quiet, clutter-free area if your child is learning full-time from home.

Why is it important to clear away the clutter for learning time? Reducing clutter helps kids (and adults) focus.

2. Make a schedule and stick to it.

With no set schedule, students might never get around to schoolwork. Finding time for learning requires planning. Take a look at your family’s schedule and figure out the best times for learning.

Do you have a middle-schooler or high-schooler? If so, late afternoon and early evening might be when they’re most awake and ready to learn. Also, agreeing on when to watch TV or play video games is important when kids are learning full-time at home. Once you decide when your student will learn, identify that time as school time and stick with it.

3. Reduce distractions.

Video games, computer games, social media, TV, toys, pets—our homes have lots of distractions. Make a list of the things that distract your student. Then, find ways to limit them during learning time.

Are games or social media a big distraction? Try blocking them on your student's device during instructional time. Another way to eliminate online temptations: After downloading an assignment, turn off the Wi-Fi and/or cellular service to help your child focus on the work.

4. Give your student a calendar for assignments.

It’s important to set up systems to help your student stay on top of school deadlines. Buy—or have your student *make*—a calendar and help them mark it with due dates for assignments.

If your student has difficulty with organization, help them use visual organizers to break an assignment down into steps and the specific strategies needed to complete it.

Students can also use color-coding for tasks. For example, a red pen for reading and a blue pen for math.

5. Get plenty of exercise.

Exercise helps us think better. When we move and groove, our problem-solving, memory, and attention improve (it's true, really!). Physical activity is a natural way to reduce stress and prevent anxiety.

Look for family-friendly workouts you can do at home. Identify a time and place in your home for physical activity. The best time to exercise might be right before tackling schoolwork. It’s also good to take exercise breaks throughout the day.

6. See which accessibility features help your student.

Most phones, laptops, and other mobile devices have built-in assistive technology . For example, read aloud or text-to-speech can help struggling readers, and speech-to-text can help struggling writers.

On YouTube, you can adjust the settings to slow down the playback speed if your student is having trouble understanding videos. You can also change the settings to show closed captions if it helps your student to read the text while listening to videos.

See which features help your student access digital content and select the ones that fit your student's needs and preferences. Your school may be able to help with assistive technology, too!

7. Reach out to your student's teacher.

Online education or learning at home requires family support. Some online schools go as far as calling parents and guardians “learning coaches.” To support your student, set up a direct line of communication with their teachers. Use email, text, phone calls, or maybe even video conferencing to connect.

If you’re not sure how to do an assignment, don’t just guess—reach out to confirm. Being proactive is essential if your student is struggling in school.

8. Look for ways to remove learning barriers.

If your student has learning challenges, it’s important for you to review the online and other learning material the school sends you. Keep in mind that it may not have been designed with your student's needs in mind.

Work with your student's teachers to identify and remove any barriers. Remember: If it’s a challenge for your student, it’s most likely a problem for other kids, too.

[Tips adapted from Distance Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home, by Sean J. Smith, PhD, Understood.org, March 17, 2020.]