Supporting Your Student

Helping your child develop independence and succeed in online learning

Parent supporting student
Desk setup

Is My Student Ready to Learn Online Independently?

Not all students start online learning with the same level of independence. Some students can dive right in, while others need more guidance and support. Understanding where your student is on this spectrum will help you know how much help to provide.

Consider these questions as you assess your student's readiness:

  • Can my student log into the learning platform and find their assignments without help?
  • Does my student manage their time well and meet deadlines?
  • Can my student work through problems before asking for help?
  • Does my student stay motivated and engaged without constant supervision?
  • Can my student communicate effectively with teachers when they need support?

Remember: independence is a skill that develops over time. If your student isn't fully independent yet, that's okay! Your support can help them build these skills gradually.

Making Online Learning Work for Your Child

Online schools are meant to be flexible. They are designed to work for many different learners and family situations, so don't be afraid to make the experience fit your child. Personalize the day to fit your child and your family's needs.

  • If your child is not a morning person, start school work later.
  • If your child needs frequent breaks, work those into your schedule.
  • If your child likes to play with legos or read books, incorporate that into your day.
  • If your child needs accommodations, look for programs that offer them, like being able to listen with captions or rewatch class recordings.
  • If online learning is adjusted to fit your child's needs, it will be more enjoyable!
Parent helping child with learning

How Can I Help My Child Become an Independent Learner?

Building independence is a gradual process. Here are strategies to help your student develop the skills they need to succeed on their own.

Start with Structure

In the beginning, provide more guidance and support. Set clear expectations, establish routines, and be present as your student learns the ropes. This foundation helps them feel secure and confident.

Gradually Release Responsibility

As your student becomes more comfortable, slowly step back. Let them take ownership of checking assignments, managing their schedule, and problem-solving independently. Be available for support, but resist the urge to do everything for them.

Teach Self-Advocacy

Encourage your student to communicate with teachers when they need help. Model how to ask good questions, request clarification, and seek resources. Self-advocacy is a critical skill for independent learning.

Celebrate Progress

Acknowledge when your student takes initiative, solves problems independently, or manages their time well. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and motivates continued growth.

What Should I Do When My Student Needs Help?

It's natural to encounter challenges as you and your student adjust to online learning. Below are some common scenarios families experience, along with practical ideas to help you address them.

Student adjusting to schedule

The schedule at my child's old school was so different. They are really struggling to adjust to this new schedule. What can I do?

Click for suggestions

If your student was homeschooled, they will need to adjust to having more structure. If they came from a traditional school, they will need to adjust to managing their own time. Either way, make gradual adjustments to your schedule. You can also . . .

  • Try creating a visual daily schedule with built-in breaks so your student knows what to expect.
  • Check in with teachers if the schedule feels overwhelming; they may have flexibility or suggestions.
Click to flip back
Parent helping with technology

My student needs help navigating technology in the online learning program, but I'm not sure how to use it. What can I do?

Click for suggestions

You don't need to be a tech expert. Reach out to your school for technical support when questions come up. You can also . . .

  • Use school-provided tutorials, videos, or help guides.
  • Keep login information and key links in one easy-to-find place.
  • Explore the platform with your student and practice common tasks.
Click to flip back
Parent helping with math

My student needs help with math but I haven't taken a math class in years. What can I do?

Click for suggestions

Focus on helping your student find support rather than having all the answers yourself. You can encourage your student to attend live lessons, office hours, or tutoring sessions. You can also . . .

  • Reach out to the teacher for clarification or extra resources. It may be that you just need to learn the new terminology used in math lessons.
  • Use school-approved videos or other resources to learn concepts together.
Click to flip back
Overwhelmed student

My student is feeling overwhelmed. She seems like she is shutting down and she stopped participating. What can I do?

Click for suggestions

Pause and focus on her emotional well-being. Students will do better on their schoolwork after their emotional needs are met. You can also . . .

  • Break schoolwork into smaller, manageable steps.
  • Look for ways to reduce pressure. Remember that flexibility is one of the benefits of online learning.
  • Contact teachers or counselors early—they can help adjust expectations or offer support.
Click to flip back
Student not submitting work

My student is doing all the work for his courses, but then he is not submitting the assignments. What can I do?

Click for suggestions

Identify the source of the problem. Does your student know how to submit assignments? Is the technology allowing the submission? Once you know the reason, you can also . . .

  • Use checklists or reminders to reinforce submission habits.
  • Ask teachers to clarify submission expectations or provide feedback.
  • Reach out to the technical support team to see if submissions are being uploaded correctly.
  • Sit with your student at the end of the day to review what was turned in.
Click to flip back
Student feeling lonely

My student feels really lonely learning from home. She needs more connection time with other students. What can I do?

Click for suggestions

Find out what opportunities your school provides for social interaction. In many schools, students can participate in live classes, clubs, or virtual activities. You can also . . .

  • Help your student reach out to classmates for study groups or casual chats.
  • Look for in-person activities outside of school (sports, clubs, community programs).
  • Talk with teachers about ways your student can engage more during class.
Click to flip back

Parent Voices

Hear from parents about their experiences supporting their students in online learning.

"I like them being online and having more flexibility. They are able to learn so much better because you've eliminated the distractions, you've eliminated the trauma."

— Parent of Online Learner

"Online school is easier, especially for my son with special needs. He can't handle a straight school day. He needs to be able to step away for a minute, calm down, and then come back in, but that would cause a disturbance in the traditional classroom."

— Parent of Online Learner

"I'm able to be much more involved in what they're learning. I know that they're not getting bullied. There's a lot less anxiety for everybody. It's just better all the way around."

— Parent of Online Learner

"My oldest has grown so much. With school not lasting as long as the brick and mortar school, she's been able to do other things, pursue other interests that she wouldn't have been able to do at a regular school."

— Parent of Online Learner

"As the kids are older, I'm kind of empowering them to do more of this themselves. Make sure you're checking grades every week. Make sure that you're not having something that's missing or outstanding."

— Parent of Online Learner

"When the kids get their assignments done, they can break out their art supplies, or build a Lego creation, or sit and read another book. It's given them freedom to develop what they're interested in and to find a different balance than in the classroom."

— Parent of Online Learner