Achieving Christ-Centered Lifelong Learning

Whether schooling traditionally, at home, or online, parents have the same goal as educational institutions who serve our children: lifelong learning. Sometimes children absorb our words like sponges, although at other times they need to take more time to master a concept that may seem very simple to us. Most students need time, space, and parental acceptance to keep stress levels low so they can focus on learning. Staying present in our child’s educational endeavors is not always an easy process, but the reward of standing behind our children and watching them grow in faith and knowledge is immeasurable.

In this essay I will discuss how to work toward your own family goal of Christ-centered lifelong learning. My use of the word child or children includes students of elementary age through high school. However, elementary learners have an educational style that is both similar and yet vastly different from early adolescent and teen students. Where applicable, I will identify any age discrepancy. This post is written from my own perspective as a Christian Sevenstar Academy parent. Because of my role in the world as a pediatrician, I will sprinkle in some clinical knowledge. I do hope my words are helpful to you. Parenting is not a one-size-fits-all venture; it’s important to respect each person’s individual parenting style.

Supporting faith in education means bringing God into the curriculum and supporting it with your family’s own personal reinforcement.

Sevenstar Academy has a house full of faith-based educators and staff members who follow Jesus and want to share His love with your student. As many of you know, this tribe outside the family home will reinforce Jesus’ love. A Christ-centered life that easily filters into your child’s education is key for spiritual growth. Your own faith and involvement in your child’s education can lead to a deeper, loving relationship with God. Simply put, a tribe of believers in our circle will help our children understand God’s direction and plan.

Let’s talk about some practical strategies to help ensure achievement of your family’s goal of lifelong learning—with Jesus at the forefront.

Set Loving Expectations

Ensure you have stated your expectations for school days at the beginning of the semester. The main expectation is fairly obvious, which is to complete schoolwork. Sevenstar Academy and many other online curriculums are organized well for the students, yet some children have difficulties sitting down and getting to work. It may help if you, a sibling, or a trusted adult takes a laptop or workbook and sits in the same area to work. In this way, an example of quiet study is being set for the student. If you expect a certain number of hours of work on each topic, this expectation should be stated and followed consistently. It may be helpful to write out a simple list of school expectations for reference and post it in your student’s work area.

Stay Consistent and Keep a Schedule—But Be Flexible If Necessary

A lifelong learner thrives with a consistent schedule. Although some days may be unpredictable for families, consistency is the key for successful learning. My own teenage son has an inconsistent and strenuous ice hockey schedule. I have noticed when he is off schedule (e.g., leaves for a four-day hockey tournament on Thursday morning), he may need a gentle nudge in the right direction before he leaves and just a check-in when he returns. I may ask, “What are your plans for school today?” This question may or may not annoy him, but it certainly spurs him in the right direction to get back on schedule.

Supervise, Don’t Control

Exercising supervision without applying ridgid control applies to elementary students all the way through high school. Take a look at the curriculum. Most younger ones likely need a parent or supervising person to sit with them and discuss an assignment. Some younger ones may work completely independently; but still, it’s best to peak in. Are you able to identify personally with some of the content? Talk to your student about the assignment. For example, “I see you’re studying the book of Mark. Is there any Scripture in Mark that might apply to your life?”

If your child is protesting or having trouble getting started, ask yourself how to reset. Some families will start the educational day with prayer. Others may talk about Jesus or discuss Scripture. Some children simply need a few minutes on their own to settle down before getting started.

Encourage Socialization

Online school looks different for everyone. Some students have siblings at home or attend a type of schoolroom (academy) while they work. Others are working completely alone. Even if your child doesn’t seem interested in socializing, figure out a way for them to visit with other children close to their age. Easy ways to accomplish this are through a church youth group and Sunday school. Elementary school parents: If you’re comfortable with it, invite your child’s friend and their parent to visit at your house or meet them somewhere. Find a group activity. Libraries often have programs where children gather. Young adolescents and teens will be choosing their own friends, so ensure they have the opportunity to do so.

Executive Functioning Skills Are More Than Just Good Habits

Executive functioning skills are lifelong habits to stay on task, plan, and get organized. Many books are written on this topic, and here I will address some pertinent skills that fit most students (although these skills apply to parents as well).

Remember that to find the best next action, all brains need options, such as reset, pause, or more consideration.

With repetition, these skills will hopefully follow your child into adult life.

Families may feel their student is working just fine with conversation and noise around them. Multiple studies will dispute this concept. Noise while working reduces comprehension, memory, and decreases cognitive skills overall. In other words, your student’s space must be quiet so the brain doesn’t drift. An exception could be a teenager who prefers to study with their earbuds in, playing music. If your teenager would like to play music while studying, it may perhaps be beneficial—or not! Whether music can be combined with effective studying depends on the music’s genre and the individual’s response. Ask your teen if he or she is feeling focused while the music playing. Is work actually getting done, and are grades what you expect? If so, let your teen enjoy their music! Similarly, some parents will play soft classical music while their student is working. Music may distract or music may help bring focus. Again, tune in (pun intended) to see if listening to music while working is helping or hindering your learner.

Find a study spot. For most students, it’s best to have a “spot” for uninterrupted work. This could be a dining room table, desk, or work area in the living room. This spot should be a consistent place your student goes to complete schoolwork and study. Have your student pick the spot, but stay open to changes and your student’s own creative ideas. For younger students, the spot should be where you can stop by and check in. Young adolescents and teens may require more privacy to focus. Don’t micromanage work daily, but do ensure work is completed if your student is not easily accessible. Although it’s not a terrible exercise to get behind and then learn to catch up, falling behind can become a perpetual habit that’s not easy to break.

Minimize distractions. If your student is working at home, family members must respect your child’s quiet study zone. This means turning the ringer off on your phone and having conversations with others in another location to minimize distractions.

Take breaks when needed. Scheduled breaks give the brain a rest and recharge for the next task. Breaks may look different for each student. At any age, a break may lead to a difficult re-start, so the timing of a break should be as consistent as possible. Scheduled breaks can definitely add a splash of fun to the day. A personal example: My son has an indoor hockey stick; he used to stop his work and hit pucks in the net for 5 to 10 minutes. This “hockey break” helped him focus on his next task. At a younger age, my son needed to be redirected back to his schoolwork. As he got older, we worked together on the skill of watching the time.

Stand, stretch, move. Any of these activities while studying is acceptable. Many of us, at all ages, fidget and may also thrive with movement while thinking. Channel the tapping pencil! Not all students have to remain still to learn.

If using the online feature, aim for moderation. In the absence of a diagnosed learning disorder requiring the auditory enhancement, I firmly believe the audio feature should be used infrequently or at a moderate level. Reading comprehension and aptitude is a skill that needs to be developed over time.

Encourage the creation of notes, reminders, and calendar events. Elementary-age children may find it helpful to keep a simple planner. As your child moves into middle school, various types of note taking should be learned. Unless you have a child who loves complex note taking and calendars, keep the process simple. In my son’s younger days, a note pad on the side of his computer with jotted dates and notes was helpful. This became a challenge as he got older, since everything online is essentially written down and followed. Keeping a calendar may seem redundant in that case, but as an educational tool, I believe the discipline of keeping calendars and creating notes needs to be reinforced. Digital pop-ups, reminder apps, and timers for elementary kids can help them to work on time efficiency and focus.

Teach Your Child to Ask for Help

This lifelong learning concept of asking for assistance when needed is imperative, especially in preparation for college. Sevenstar Academy promotes regular communication with the educators. You or your child should not worry that you might be “bothering” a teacher. Most educators I have met welcome questions—inquiries are an integral part of their job! If a question arises, ensure your child sends an email or uses office hours to call. If the educator reaches out to you, the parent or guardian, typically the email will also be copied to your student. Correspondence from the teacher is an opportunity for you to get involved. Ask what your child thinks: Does a response need to be formulated or is this merely an informational email?

Asking for help can extend to school friends, siblings, parents, aunts, and uncles. An example might be talking about a history essay with an uncle who loves history. Encourage your child to ask questions about course content. And, if the answer they get doesn’t make sense, urge them to ask more questions!

Daily Exercise Promotes Brain Health

Some students want to be on a team or play an elite sport (this may even be the reason they are attending Sevenstar Academy or a different online school). Other students don’t have an exercise niche but are active. Whether your child is highly, moderately, or not very active, ensure they get at least a good half hour of exercise daily.

Exercising prior to starting schoolwork can promote mental sharpness.

If this is not possible, any time of the day works. Do you feel your child doesn’t want to exercise daily? Join in! Exercise should be fun and not forced; help your child look for physical activities you can enjoy together.

Encourage Your Student Daily

Make certain your encouragement is sincere and genuine. Some days when our steps in life are not aligning, this is not an easy task. Try to look at the context of what is happening in your child’s life as a starting point. If you can take the time to help your student come up with a solution to ensure tasks are completed, this may remove a feeling of being overwhelmed at the beginning of the day. Reflective listening is one way to help your child express feelings and get to the bottom of what is happening. Reflective listening is a simple technique that allows you to repeat back in your own words what another person is saying, ensuring that person is understood. While using reflective listening, you may also need to set an expectation. Or maybe your child just wants to be heard. Even if not in agreement, it’s OK to repeat back your child’s concern.

Here is an example of a conversation to reflect what your child may be saying to you.

Student: I don’t feel like doing work today.

Parent: It sounds like you wish that you didn’t have to get any schoolwork done today.
Child: Yes! Can I take the day off?

Parent: You want a day off, but today is a school day. We will have Saturday and Sunday off in two days.

Child: That’s not fair.

Parent: It doesn’t feel fair on days like today. What if we take a break before you start. What would you want to do?

Child: I want to finish my art project.

Parent: Sounds like a plan. Finish your art project, and then I’ll sit with you while you get started with schoolwork.

The example above shuts down our own parental impulse to gloss over protests. The parent gives a choice (art project) prior to starting the school day while stating a settled expectation (no day off yet). Listening patiently and giving choices (while honoring expectations) will often defuse a negative situation. Again, in these types of instances, reflect what your child is saying so that your student feels heard.

Managing emotions, objections, and disappointments is not always easy, but leaning in and truly listening, even if not in agreement, can foster a closer relationship and increase your child’s cooperation.

Keep gentle parental support and connection with your child as a year-round goal. A powerful form of encouragement could mean leaving a note for your student with a Scripture attached.  Your child will notice a sticky note by the computer with a smiley face and message from the Bible. Elementary school kids will be delighted to see a picture their parent drew or colored, left just for them. Surprise your teen. Adolescents may act distant at times—and yet they hear you! Academic plans are never a straight road to the finish line. But, we do know this:

“With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).