It’s been a difficult time for a lot of students who had to change or adapt to their new learning process as due to the Covid-19 threat educational institutions are still closed forcing students to study from their home instead of classrooms. Though study from home seems like fun many students are used to structured learning where teachers conduct classes and students depend on teachers for their learning since classroom learning is not allowed for safety reasons that mean students have to change their learning patterns to be more self-directed and less structured in order to keep up with their education.
In Self-directed learning students take the responsibility of their education and enhance their learning in a quiet unstructured way as there is no fixed timing for study, no teachers are available in front of them so they have to do everything by themselves or with the help of parents which creates opportunities for students to be as creative as they can in their learning techniques they can use latest educational technologies in order to deeply understand the subject or they can use playful techniques in order to enhance their knowledge. It promotes natural development and develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
When Students gets a chance to choose their learning they often will select according to their learning style, they have the freedom to choose their subject, which books they want to read, and what will be the medium of their learning, they can research explore real-world problems and this can’t be possible in the normal classroom as the most focus of teachers is to crowd control and disciplining them so students can’t showcase their creativity or can explore any new things they have to learn in a structured format. Structured learning focuses more on getting good grades but as far as self-learning is concerned its focuses on creating creativity and using curiosity to develop key skills like critical thinking or problem-solving skills.
Some useful techniques that will enhance learning:
1 – Using Art and Crafts
Parents can encourage children to use art in their learning as visual art enhances brain functions and well-being and music can enhance memory and verbal intelligence. Arts is fun and engaging which can help students to enhance their creativity and develop critical thinking, focus and it promotes motor skills. For this activity, parents can provide material to children like paper glue, scissors, pencil, colors cardboard and etc and let them create something like a bracelet, or draw something. Parents can also give children musical instruments and ask them to learn them and create a song of their own. This type of simple activity can have a positive effect on a child’s learning.
2 – Exploring Science
Science is everywhere and students should start exploring science by visiting their nearest park, garden, etc and observe the nature around your see, its an ecosystem, food chains, water cycle and also you can collect flowers or leaves of trees and start researching more about them and this helps you understand the world around you. Parents can also give games like Lego in which there are a lot of plastic block pieces which children have to join in order to create anything they can make cars, buildings, roads, bridges, and literally anything. This will help them become creative and explore the science behind things.
3 – Understanding Social Studies
Book is humans best friends so encourage children’s to read books on history, their culture, religion, country, space or the areas which the child is Curious about, this will enhance their knowledge in the specific field and getting books is easy these days as most of the libraries have been digitalized so now you can read books online in the comfort of their home. Reading books has been considered as a good habit as it provides knowledge so parents should encourage children to start reading valuable books at an early age according to their preferences and curiosity.
4 – Learning Maths in a new way
Young Children can learn maths in a unique in their homes as they can use buttons or coins to count. They can also use cooking to teach real-world maths like they can Learn multiplication or division by halving or doubling a recipe. Board games like snake and ladder games allow children to understand the concept of Mathematics easily as they learn about addition and subtraction.
