Parents spend years helping children become more independent.
Tie your shoes.
Pack your backpack.
Remember your homework.
Manage your schedule.
Make good decisions.
Eventually, the goal is to raise young adults who can manage responsibilities without someone constantly reminding them what to do next.
Education can play an important role in that process.
Because online students often have greater control over their learning environment and schedule, virtual education can provide opportunities to develop independence while they're still in school.
Students Learn to Manage Their Time
In a traditional classroom, much of the student's schedule is predetermined.
The bell rings.
Class begins.
The bell rings again.
Everyone moves to the next subject.
Online students may have greater responsibility for determining when assignments are completed.
That creates an opportunity to develop time-management skills.
Students can learn to estimate how long tasks will take, prioritize assignments, and plan ahead for deadlines.
Students Learn to Get Started
Sometimes the hardest part of an assignment is beginning it.
Without a teacher standing at the front of a classroom saying, "Everyone open your books," online students may need to develop their own starting habits.
Creating a consistent routine can help.
Over time, students can become better at recognizing what needs to be done and beginning work without constant reminders.
Students Learn to Communicate
Independent students don't simply work alone.
They know when to ask for help.
Online learning can encourage students to take responsibility for communicating when they don't understand something.
Instead of relying entirely on a parent to speak for them, older students can learn to formulate questions and communicate appropriately with teachers and school staff.
That's excellent preparation for college and the workplace.
Students Learn From Mistakes
What happens when a student procrastinates and suddenly has multiple assignments due?
It's stressful.
But it can also become a valuable learning experience.
Rather than immediately rescuing older students from every consequence, parents can help them identify what went wrong.
What could you do differently next time?
Should you use a calendar?
Start earlier?
Break the project into smaller tasks?
Mistakes can become opportunities to develop better habits.
Parents Can Gradually Step Back
One of the challenges of online education can be knowing how involved parents should be.
Younger students may need significant assistance.
As students get older, parents can gradually shift from managing every detail to monitoring progress.
Instead of asking, "Did you finish math lesson four?" a parent might ask, "What's your plan for finishing your assignments today?"
The difference is subtle but important.
One question manages the student's work.
The other encourages the student to manage it.
Independence Doesn't Happen Overnight
Every student develops at a different pace.
Some teenagers are naturally organized.
Others would lose their shoes while wearing them if that were somehow possible.
Independence is a skill.
Like other skills, it develops through practice.
Give students age-appropriate responsibilities, allow them to make some decisions, and provide support when needed.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
Eventually, students graduate.
Whether they enter college, career training, the workforce, or another path, they'll be expected to take greater responsibility for their lives.
Learning how to manage time, communicate, solve problems, meet deadlines, and seek assistance can help prepare them for that transition.
International Virtual Learning Academy provides an online educational environment where students can pursue their academic goals while developing skills that can serve them long after graduation.
Suggested CTA: Discover how International Virtual Learning Academy can provide your student with a flexible online education while encouraging greater independence and personal responsibility.
