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Living.UWC Thailand
Ways
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to balance online learning
Online learning is challenging, not only for students but for their parents and teachers too. With many schools and families now learning online, it may feel difficult – if not impossible – to ensure that students maintain a good balance of activities and learning without being constantly glued to screens. In addition to creating structure to the day so that students are able to stay engaged and can maintain a routine, here are five ways that UWC Thailand helps students maintain balance while learning from home.
1. Practice mindfulness daily Encouraging children to take pauses to check in with themselves throughout the day works best as part of a family or school culture of mindfulness. Stopping as a family to practice together at a designated time each day can be really helpful. This gives you the opportunity to check in with your thoughts, emotions, and body and to discuss everyone’s needs as a family. Connecting to things that you all appreciate and are grateful for can also boost your mood each day and can be a welcome addition to your routine. Looking for a place to start a personal or family mindfulness practice? Visit UWC Thailand’s free mindfulness resources page for guided audios and activities.
mindfulness resources
2. Seek out sustainable options and service opportunities As a school, UWC Thailand focuses on hands-on service, but in changing times we have to look at alternative ways to support our local and global communities. With more time at home comes more takeaway meals and midnight shops online for things that we really can do without. What is the environmental impact of all those orders? Think just about the packaging involved, then add on the wider carbon footprint. Consider giving your business to local restaurants, markets, and companies that use biodegradable or easily recycled packaging. While face-to-face volunteering may not be possible during lockdown or social distancing, there are still a number of ways to help. Many organisations need assistance with writing, online translation and developing social media advocacy campaigns. Of course, a nominal donation from the money saved from not going to the cinema will also be welcome! If it’s time for a spring clean, consider donating toys and clothes that haven’t been used over the last few months to local organisations.
3. Turn daily activities into learning opportunities Learning doesn’t begin and end with ‘school’. Here are some ideas of how you may transform daily activities into natural learning opportunities: 1) Conversations at home about health, nutrition, exercise, wellbeing and hygiene help children learn about their bodies. Consider working as a family to create healthy meal plans, tracking daily exercise, plant a garden and learn what the plants need to grow. 2) Daily conversations at home (in any language!), reading together, writing in journals together, and discussing information that you come across to determine its windowonphuket.com
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