We talked to 11 experienced educators and parents of kids from kindergartners to middle-schoolers for tips on how to make virtual learning more fun and engaging. “Make it a bigger deal this year,” suggests Diana Singer, a former teacher and education specialist in Greenwich, Connecticut. If you’re a parent, Singer advises setting aside a special time to buy new school supplies or decorate a designated work space with your child. “Students become much more engaged and excited if they can make their own decisions about how to set up their desk or workstation,” she says.

Singer says… when children are learning on a computer through conferencing websites, they quickly lose interest and it's hard for teachers to get them to stay on task. Singer says it's also hard for students to complete assignments. She says all students need to be enthusiastic, empowered learners and the only way they can do that is to be independent.

Finally, Singer met the third challenge; she wrote a book titled “Raising the Independent, Empowered Child”.

“I started [the book] in 2007… I’d take notes and I’d write about clients and experiences with my own children,” Singer said. “And finally, during COVID… I had a lot of time to go through the book and finish it.”