School closures have presented a dilemma to both parents and their children, because months out of school may have set back children’s learning and development. In fact, the transition to home learning is a massive challenge to students since it must be adequately implemented by their schools as well as their parents, or it won’t be that effective at all.

That is why online tutors have flourished during these times since they have helped students cope with their schoolwork and other learning needs. Fortunately, this has alleviated the burden that was passed on to parents, and tutors have provided a better avenue for learning since they are also experienced and qualified teachers.

For parents, becoming teachers to their own children was hard, but letting them back into the world, where you can’t control the situation will be much harder. Eventually, children will be going back to school after months of isolation in their own homes. Therefore, it is essential for us as parents, to know the things we need to prepare for to ease our minds.

Re-establishing a school day routine
Most children sleep late over long breaks, and this is relatively true during the lockdown. So, parents should compensate by waking them a bit earlier each day, leading up to the back-to-school period. Adults are more resistant to altered routines, so they need to lead their children during this change.
Also, schedule change can trigger attention issues, so planning each part of the day can help your child keep his or her focus. Posting some detailed routine each morning can also keep the family on track with their daily activities.

Helping our child with anxiety
Another thing to consider is that the situation is NOT 100% back to normal, and even when the lockdown lifts completely, it might be a new normal for most countries around the world. This new normal or new way of doing things will definitely affect your children mentally and emotionally, and it could lead to anxiety.

Therefore, we must be more patient with our children, and we must reassure them that what they are feeling during the transition back to school is just OK. They may have a lot of things in their mind, listening to their concerns and acknowledging that what they are feeling is valid will greatly help them cope with their anxiety.

Keeping the lines of communication open with teachers
Communication with your child’s teachers is a significant factor during the lockdown, and it will make a difference to your child’s academic learning. You should also inform their teachers of any concerns you or your child may have. This will ensure that they will cope up with all the requirements they may have on their school’s online learning program.

Overall, the concerns that parents have during the lockdown is that their children may have fallen behind or may not be able to catch up quickly when they return to school. In reality, this Covid-19 pandemic is not something we’ve ever experienced, and the uncertainty is still very real. In the grand scheme of things, it is not really a big deal if they do fall behind.
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In fact, there are other alternatives available to us, like hiring a certified tutor who can help our child with their schoolwork as well as their homework. The most important thing during these times is to set our priorities, so health and happiness come first. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most significant event this century, and it is the first and foremost health crisis that affected many countries, including Australia. In fact, schools, colleges, and universities were closed to limit the spread of the virus. This short-term disruption was also felt by many families in Victoria, so homeschooling is not only a massive shock to parents but also to children’s learning and social life.

We all know that the only possible means of schooling during the lockdown is through online classes, but it is untested, and many students have not fully adjusted to this new way of learning. In fact, student’s assessment is now also moving online, and it breeds uncertainty due to trial and error. Some schools have even cancelled assessments since it’s not as accurate as they expect it to be. These interruptions have long-term consequences, but we must face it head-on, and we need some pragmatic approach to how we help our children with their schooling.

Difficulties faced by children, parents, and teachers during remote learning
Homeschooling may cause stress to both parents and children since students are still expected to participate in at least two to five hours of daily online instructions via Google Classroom or Zoom. They will also need to submit assignments, learn complex new concepts, and do online assessments. But the most significant hurdle is the amount of time, and support parents can devote to their children’s online learning activities.   

Typically, parents should be available at all times to provide the needed attention, but we all know that remote learning is something new for most of us. Parents are still adapting to this new trend and they are also struggling with stresses far greater than schoolwork. This means that support may sometimes be limited, but for households with three or more children, the decision on who gets more attention at a given time is somewhat complicated.

Not to mention that parents should also take a more personalised approach in helping their children by setting a separate study space away from any distractions, a working computer and an internet connection that their kids may use in their online schooling.

That is why most parents seek out additional help by hiring online tutors like Maths Tutors Melbourne. Fortunately, these tutors are also qualified teachers, and they can help your child improve their academics skills through the use of various technologies like artificial intelligence in gathering the much-needed data to determine the best way of customising their lesson plans.

Positive impact of the lockdown
Living on lockdown has given us more time to reflect on ourselves, our relationships and what’s important to us. It is also given us more time to spend with our children and to better assess their learning as well as improve our bond with them. We now have the chance to talk to our children without worrying about our work in the office. We can also learn more about their experiences with their peers and teachers, as well as their everyday struggles at school.

This is also the most appropriate time to create the foundations for better communication with our children and to learn the technologies that they need in their homeschooling, so we can better assist them with their schoolwork.

Most importantly, you can do several household chores together, which can build better cooperation and unity in your home. So, being lockdown due to the pandemic is not all that bad. You just need to be more patient with your children, especially with their homeschooling. 

Overall, social isolation, staying away from relatives, friends, school, facing an unsafe environment, and taking all the necessary steps to protect ourselves from the coronavirus will have a greater impact on ourselves as well as our children. But we need to accept the “New Normal,” which can be the standard that we need to adhere to in the coming months or until a proven vaccine is available on the market.

These are uncertain times, and it can be very daunting for you and the whole family. With all the news about the pandemic, it is just natural to feel anxious since the world is now reeling to the effects of Covid-19, both emotionally and economically.

Being isolated inside your home and not able to go out and about can be very challenging for most people. That is why reaching out to your friends and relatives online is a must; you can perhaps start a group on Facebook or initiate a group chat or Skype call once a day to lighten up your mood and minimise loneliness.

Prioritise kindness and compassion, because you will be with your kids most of the time, and they may display challenging behaviour as they are feeling cabin fever since they can’t get out of the house. You may need to set boundaries, so it is important that you talk to them and convey your expectations as well as understand theirs too. Most importantly, build in family time so your children will feel that you support them during these challenging times.

Remote learning alternatives
With the lockdown in place in most of the communities in Australia, you may be thinking about how to keep yourself as well as your children occupied. As schools are closed, and there’s no clear indication when they will reopen this year, it is essential to find other means to help your kids learn and cope up with their schooling.

However, before you start searching for remote learning alternatives, you need to first reach out to your children's school and teachers, so that you stay informed as well as receive the necessary guidance about online learning. They may even give you pointers on how to assist you, child, with remote learning.

Common mistake that parents make
Some parents and students are not ready for the sudden switch to online learning at home, and parents tend to make common mistakes like leaving their children on their own since they know more about technology, which in fact, not the case.

Parents should take a more personalised approach in helping kids with their online learning activities like setting up a separate study space, including a working computer, and away from any distractions. You should also be able to block certain apps or software in your child’s computer that could potentially distract them from their studies.

What to do when you are close to breaking point?
Helping your child with online learning using various digital platforms can be quite daunting and sometimes frustrating, especially if you’re not seeing the results that you would expect from your child. You may even be close to breaking point since you also have other issues of your own. When you’re in this situation, you need to calm down and take a break. You need to be patient and understand that not all students will learn online at the same pace.

You should appreciate the little wins and be thankful that they are moving forward in spite of our current situation.

Online tutoring
You may also want to consider hiring a qualified tutor like, who can provide digital classes. These tutors can help your child improve their academic skills using various online means like artificial intelligence that can gather data from apps to determine the best way of customising their lesson plans.

Maths Tutors Melbourne have recently joined the Australian Tutoring Association (ATA). Check out our profile here.

Many parents nowadays opt for in-home or online tutoring rather than sending their kids to a tuition centre since they feel more comfortable seeing their children being tutored in the comforts of their own house. Also, parents can quickly gauge the progress of their child and the effectiveness of the tutor’s teaching methods when they are nearby. Most importantly, they have the opportunity to interview the tutor face-to-face before they hire them.

However, there are important factors to consider before you make the final decision especially if you’re living in Australia. In fact, it is essential for you to know if the tutor you are hiring is a member of the Australian Tutoring Association. ATA is the only organisation in the country who represent and unify the tutoring industry, and they have strict requirements and regulations that their members follow.

Child protection
One of the most important principles that ATA espouses is “child protection”, and they are very particular when it comes to the welfare of children. In fact, they provide strict guidelines when it comes to home tutoring like the session should not take place in the student’s bedroom, and must be conducted in an open area where the guardian or parent can easily view or hear the whole process. Usually, the kitchen table or dining area is an ideal place to conduct the tutoring session.

Also, it is required that a parent or guardian should be present during each tutoring session, and the tutor will not start the tuition if there is no adult in the house. This prevents the possibility of the tutor being left alone in a house with their student.

ATA is also meticulous in their application process, and they do not accept applicants with current or pending charges or convictions in relation to children, especially if an applicant is suspended from teaching due to child-related matters. This means you have peace of mind when you’re dealing with a tutor who is a member of their organisation.

How to choose the right tutor?
Choosing the right tutor is not an easy task to do, especially when the future of your child is at stake. You’ll need to hire a qualified, accredited and experienced private instructors that are ready to help your child increase their knowledge, skills and understanding in difficult subjects like math and science. You’ll also want to know if they are qualified to teach topics within the Victorian Curriculum and Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). 

There are different types of tutors based on their qualifications, and these will include the following:

• Education undergraduate tutors

These tutors are currently studying in higher education, which means they are studying to become full-time teachers. The advantage you have with undergrad tutors is the fact that they are learning in a variety of techniques and are mostly aimed to help students in grades 5, 6, as well as years 7-10. They have also completed VCE, and this gives them comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum.

• Qualified teachers specialising in the general subject area

These tutors have completed their undergraduate training and are qualified teachers. Most of these teachers are employed within the private and government school systems. They also have completed their discipline study and have their own specific teaching methods. 

• Qualified teachers in the exact subject area requested

These tutors have completed their teaching practicum and higher education training as well as acquired their Bachelor in Education. These tutors are considered specialists and skilled in teaching the subjects that your child needs. So, if your child needs to improve and develop their understanding in a particular subject like math, then it is recommended that you hire a specialist teacher like Math Tutors Melbourne to conduct your child’s tutoring sessions.

Overall, hiring a qualified tutor for your child is an essential task you need to do to ensure they get the needed help to improve their academic performance. You may even opt for online tutoring, which is also another option to consider since digital classes make learning fun for students. Tutors can also gain valuable info from online assignments via artificial intelligence which they can easily employ to determine the best and most efficient way of customising their lesson plans.
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I had always been sceptical about online tutoring and whether or not it was feasible. How could any online forum replace the power of one-on-one in person? Especially for Maths. I do not know I you’ve ever tried it, but typing equations and formulas is tedious and time consuming. And so, along I plodded, inside my comfort zone, only offering in person tutoring to local students.

Crises have a funny way of making us think outside the box and problem solve. Through the lockdown of Covid-19, not only did I investigate online tutoring and how to make it work, I recognised that the benefits of online tutoring far exceed any reservations I have had.

Student Benefits of One-On-One Online Learning:

Access to any tutor- Private home-based tutoring limits your access to good quality tutors. As a tutor myself, I will travel up to half an hour for my students, and charge for my travels. Any further than that is just not feasible. The selection of tutors for online tuition is endless and you are more likely to find someone both you and your child are truly compatible with.

The Online Interactive Classroom – The online classroom acts as though the tutor and student are sitting side by side. The tutor observes the students working and the student watches the step by step demonstrations and instructions of the tutor. Documents can be uploaded and worked through together, and the classroom even offers the assistance of graphs, grids and symbols. The tutor and student can share their screens, which can be beneficial for a quick look at important videos or other external resources, such as CAS calculator emulators.

Lesson Recording – All online lessons are securely recorded, so that students can revisit and review lessons as needed to cement their understanding.

More flexible time slots – Often, tutors can open up more flexible time slots given that they are able to work from anywhere

Tutor Benefits of Online Tuition:
No travel required – You can literally work from anywhere and can save on petrol and time. This opens up opportunities for taking on more students and charging slightly less.

Offer you services to more students – Gone are the days of tutoring locally. Through remote tutoring options, you can tutor anyone within your state (and possibly interstate if you understand differences in curriculum). This is huge for tutors, as they are likely to receive more enquiries from a bigger pool of potential students.

Online Classroom preparation and homework – I have been finding the access to the online classroom great for me and my students to interact outside of lessons. I set homework that they can complete in their own time, and I then go in and correct their work. The flexibility and ease of this allow both the student and tutor benefits that in person tutoring cannot offer.

If as a parent, student, or tutor, you have been resisting online tutoring for whatever reason, I urge you to give it a try! At Maths Tutors Melbourne, we are currently offering a free half hour trial of the online classroom for new students. Contact us now for more information.