With primary and secondary school students set to return to remote learning for the rest of January, Psychologist Christopher Shum has offered up his top tips for parents to keep their children engaged outside of school.

Without a teacher physically present, the next month of education could prove to be a difficult one for some pupils, who may struggle to focus outside of the classroom environment.

However, there are a number of ways that parents can ensure that their children are continuing their development and getting the most out of the homeschooling experience.

Pic: Getty Images

Set a routine

Managing Director of Motus Learning Christopher Shum told Extra.ie that the main advice he has seen is to establish a routine.

‘Routine is so, so important in that if children lose their routine, the research shows that it does have a negative impact on child development.

‘My personal advice on a day to day basis is to start with the harder subjects first like maths, English, Irish, maybe that the children have less interest in.’

Pic: Getty Images

Give space for individualised learning

Secondly, while being away from the classroom might negatively impact your child in some ways, it is actually beneficial in others.

Learning from home allows children ‘space to engage with their curiosity; subjects and topics that they might not normally get to do in school.

‘Let them lean into them and let them engage with them. For example, if a child wants to go out and look at insects in the back garden, if they want to play the guitar, if they want to learn a second language, let them.

‘Give them that space to individualise learning, because one of the biggest problems with education is that it’s impossible to individualise education for every child. But with homeschooling you have that opportunity,’ explained Mr Shum.

Remote Learning
Pic: Getty Images

‘I know parents will obviously find it difficult because they’ll have their own work to be doing but, in that case, that is where YouTube, for example, can be really useful. You can find specific individualised lessons for children and what they’re interested in.’

Let young adolescents have a lie-in

Finally, Christopher told Extra.ie one very useful tip that hasn’t been promoted as much which could prove to be very useful.

Depending on the set up in your child’s school regarding livestreamed classes, letting your child sleep in could be the best thing for their brain.

‘If you have a child who is an early adolescent — from the age of about 10 to 15 — their body is actually predisposed to wake up later. It actually suits their brain development when they wake up later.

remote learning
Pic: Getty

‘People get worried that “I can’t let my child sleep in because they’ll fall behind”, but it’s actually been shown to be beneficial to, not only brain development, but also learning.

‘You consolidate more information if you get a good night’s sleep so, giving them that extra hour or two in bed can be really really helpful just for that age group.’

Christopher Shum is the Managing Director of Motus Learning, a group of psychology graduates who teach students how to understand and manage their mental health.

Remote Learning
Pic: Getty Images

Typically the Motus team are visiting schools up and down the country, but as a result of the current lockdown restrictions, they have moved online and are offering virtual workshops.

To contact Motus Learning about their virtual workshops — aimed at primary school sixth class and secondary school first years — inquire on their website, or email them at team@motuslearning.com.