With the world coming to a halt due to the COVID-19 crisis, you must be worried about your little one’s education. We understand your concern and have come up with the perfect solution- homeschooling with FirstCry Intellitots! Homeschooling with Firstcry Intellitots is a wonderful way to continue your child’s learning while keeping safe during the pandemic.

You may wonder if homeschooling is important for your preschooler. However, continuing your child’s education will not only help him grow and learn, but it will also keep him occupied and spend his time productively while he’s stuck indoors. As a parent, you know that keeping young kids entertained isn’t easy, so Firstcry Intellitots has designed a curriculum that focuses on development while making the classes fun and engaging. With study materials delivered to your doorstep, interactive learning and more, your Intellitot will look forward to learning from home.

Switching to remote learning from home might be a bit of a challenge for you and your little one, but soon you’ll get used to this new style. To make it easier for you to transition to homeschooling, we have included all the information you would need. Keep reading to find out more!

Admissions

Just like you would get your child admitted to a school, signing up for homeschooling requires you to fill out a form and attach the necessary documents to complete the process. Firstcry Intellitots Homeschooling program has made the process extremely simple, and with the help of our helpdesk, you will be able to complete the process easily. Once your child is admitted, you will be notified, and then the real adventure will begin!

Fee Structure

The fee structure for Firstcry Intellitos Homeschooling program is designed keeping in mind the current circumstances. Starting at just Rs 2000 a month, the homeschooling program comes with a lot of perks, including study material delivered at home, Intellikit Activity boxes that make learning at home a lot of fun. Parents also have different payment options to choose from, and they can pay the fees for the entire year, on a term by term basis or monthly basis.

Syllabus

Homeschooling is definitely a different style of learning and teaching. To make the experience as seamless as possible, the FirstCry Intellitots curriculum SPARKZ™ is designed in a way that helps your child have a smooth transition and keep him engaged all through the day. A blend of different philosophies on early education, the SPARKZ™ curriculum is designed by experts to make learning fun for your little one. Exposing him to new ideas while working on his holistic development, the SPARKZ™ curriculum focusses on eight areas of development. These eight areas include life skills, musical perception, earth science, literacy, numeracy, visual arts, value education, and assessment. Together these tenets of the curriculum will help shape your child’s future.

We understand that it would take some time to adjust to this new setup, and have slowed down the traditional process of teaching to make it easier for kids to catch up. Keeping in mind the need for normalcy and routine, the SPARKZ™ curriculum also has interesting home assignments that keep your kid learning even when he’s done with the online classes for a day. You will receive weekly lesson plans, which will help you prepare for the lessons and create a schedule for your child’s learning. The at-home activities will be shared with you in downloadable PDF formats to make it easier for you to conduct the exercises at home. This will help bridge the gap between a real classroom and an online class and keep your child excited to participate in class and feel connected to the program.

Screen Time

Screen time is a major concern for parents, especially at a time like this. With kids being stuck indoors, keeping them occupied and away from screens is a challenging task. However, pausing your child’s education to minimise screen time is not the solution. Firstcry Intellitots’ SPARKZ™ syllabus has been created to ensure healthy screen time for your child. The classes are structured in a way that includes a lot of movement and interaction, making the exposure to screens an enriching experience for the child. Apart from the online sessions, the at-home activities and assignments are created in a way that will keep your child engaged and keep him away from screens.

To help you monitor your child’s screen time and be a part of his offline education, we have defined a structure that limits your little one’s exposure to screens. For toddlers and nursery, the duration specified is 45 minutes of online classes and 2 ¼ hours of offline parent-guided activities. For PP1 and PP2 age groups, 1 hour of online classes, and 2 ½ hours of at-home activities will help keep the kids engaged as well as keep them up to speed in terms of school work. The duration is not only well within the screen time limits; it is also defined keeping in mind a young child’s attention span. This will help you take an active role in your child’s education while keeping him away from screens.

Parent’s Role

A parent’s role is critical to the child’s growth and development, especially in the homeschooling setup. All online classes must be attended by the child, along with one of the parents. To help you understand how to conduct these home lessons, you will be guided by our experts. This is to help your little one navigate homeschooling and gain maximum benefit of the classes. As a parent, you will be the facilitator at home and will guide your child throughout the live sessions with the help of the teachers. You will also become the primary facilitator for the offline material which will be shared with you on a regular basis. Doing the at-home activities with your little one will strengthen your bond with him and keep you involved in his day-to-day learning process.

Switching to homeschooling can be daunting, and the FirstCry Intellitots team is there to guide you all through the way. Keeping aside your scepticism and adapting to the new environment will be highly beneficial to your child as his learning journey will continue, even when going to a school is not possible. A young child’s education plays a pivotal role in his development as well as in laying the educational foundation that he will continue to build on. Don’t let the COVID-19 pandemic get in the way of your child’s education and keep him curious and engaged with the unique SPARKZ™ curriculum. Kids easily adapt to change, and soon you’ll see your little one enjoying his classes at home.

FirstCry Intellitots Homeschooling program is dedicated to making this learning experience an enjoyable and enriching process for your little one. From a curriculum designed by experts to trained teachers, we are continuously improving the systems to make learning from home easier and accessible.

At a time like this, when the world is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, homeschooling has become a useful resource for people around the world. Many parents are doing their best to make sure that their child’s education doesn’t suffer due to the current scenario. With homeschooling gaining popularity worldwide, it has also become a part of the new normal. However, eventually, we would go back to normalcy, and that means schools reopening and kids going back to traditional classrooms. It may sound really exciting, but after months of learning from home and staying indoors, it would take some time for your little one to settle back into the old lifestyle. To help your child adjust to the traditional schooling system, Firstcry Intellitots has designed a curriculum that gives your little one time to adapt and to catch up with the classes. The SPARKZ™ curriculum takes into account the need for adjustment and aims to get your child reacquainted with the traditional classroom.

We understand that coming back to school can make you and your child anxious, and we’ve put together a list of tips to make transitioning back to traditional classrooms as smooth as possible.

Adapting to the Old Schedule

After months of being home and having a lot of time to spare, coming back to the old schedule will take some time and preparation. Kids are highly adaptive, but your little one may become fussy and irritable with the change in schedule. Help her settle into the old routine by starting with small changes and gradually moving back to the schedule your family followed before the social distancing started.

Adjusting to a Group Setting

Going back to school might be exciting and scary for your little one. Shifting from individual classes at home to a traditional classroom with other kids can be an overwhelming experience. Your child may feel unsure of herself and not actively participate in her classes. Give her some time and talk about her feelings to make her more comfortable. Remind her that she isn’t the only one feeling that way and that her peers are also learning to adjust being surrounded by so many people during class.

Socialising With Friends

Your little one may have made friends during while learning from home and might want to meet them. Giving her a chance to spend time with her friends outside of school is a great way to make her comfortable with traditional schooling. She will make connections, and coping with the new setup will become a lot easier.

Participating in Extra-Curricular Activities

Another excellent way to get your child to transition to traditional schooling is by encouraging her to participate in extra-curricular activities. From fancy dress competition to taking part in different sports, support her interests and motivate her to try new things. Extra-curricular activities help create a sense of belonging and build team spirit in kids. This will make going back to school a lot more fun and something to look forward to.

Nourishing Her Hobbies

Your little one may have picked a hobby or two while being stuck indoors for months. Encourage her to continue pursuing her hobbies even when she doesn’t have a lot of spare time to do so. These hobbies will bring her comfort and allow her to disconnect from the overwhelming emotions she might be experiencing. It’s also a good idea to help her pick new hobbies, and find peers who have similar interests.

Spending Time With Family

Going from spending hours with you and other family members to sharing only a meal a day can be challenging for your little one. Kids get their sense of security from having their parents around them and transitioning to a traditional school can feel like stepping out of that security and comfort zone. So, keeping up some traditions that were formed during those months is a wonderful way to spend time together as a family. Having weekend movie marathons or going for a picnic are some ways you can continue bonding even when hectic work schedules are back in action.

Reaching Out to Teachers

If you feel like your child is particularly distressed and finding it hard to cope with going back to school, speaking to her teachers may help you come up with solutions. Some kids have difficulty in understanding and expressing their emotions, and working with the school to help your child might resolve the problem. You will also have a better understanding of how your little one is in the classroom setting and take action accordingly.

Give Her Time to Adjust

Sometimes the best solution to a problem is time. Don’t rush your little one to get used to the changes in her lifestyle or pressure her to do well at school. She might get a bad grade or not feel like trying out new things, and that is okay. Giving her time to adjust is the best way to support her when she’s overwhelmed. Helping her overcome these obstacles instead of pushing her will also make her turn to you when she’s upset instead of feeling alone and afraid.

Young children are flexible human beings, and adapting to changes doesn’t take them too long. However, it is essential that parents are there to guide them and hold their hand when they’re unsure of something. Knowing that you will take care of her will give your little one the boost of confidence she needs to go out and have fun at school. Supportive teachers and schools like Firstcry Intellitots also play a major role in helping your child transition to traditional schooling and shape their new reality. Make sure to be involved in your child’s life, when she starts going to school again and try out these tips to help her with the changes in her everyday life.

Disclaimer: The reopening of schools is contingent on the government’s orders. 

Kids thrive on human interactions, especially when this interaction happens with kids of their age. Social interaction plays an integral role in early education and shapes your little human in so many wonderful ways. However, at a time like this, when all of us are staying indoors to keep safe during a global pandemic, maintaining social interaction can be particularly difficult. For young children, this means staying away from school and not getting to interact with their friends. However, this problem can be resolved by signing up for remote learning, a unique learning experience that is proving to be tremendously useful right now.

There are many ways that remote learning helps children learn and one important benefit of remote learning when going to a traditional school isn’t possible is that it allows for social interaction. For young children who are still at an age where they are learning to form friendships outside of their family, remote learning is essential as it gives them the opportunity to continue to build their social skills. Firstcry Intellitots is a school that is determined to give its students the best, even in the current situation. This includes creating a curriculum that will help young kids transition to remote learning. From interactive online live sessions to interesting offline activities, Firstcry Intellitots is giving parents a relief from constantly having to come up with ways to keep their kids engaged. If you are a parent concerned about your little one’s lack of social interaction, keep reading to find out how remote learning is the perfect solution for this problem.

Helps in Social-Emotional Development

According to the psychologist Lev Vygotsky, it is through social interaction that young children learn cognitive function and behaviour that is relevant to their society. Hence, social interaction has an impact on how your child learns and becomes a part of society. With your little one stuck indoors, working on her social skills isn’t easy, and remote learning is here to help you! It allows for your little one to connect with her peers and continue working on her social-emotional development. This will lay the foundation of her future friendships and help her develop emotional attachments with people outside the family.

Builds Social Skills

For young kids, every interaction they have shapes how they behave and learn to communicate with people. While they are usually surrounded by older family members, going to school and interacting with kids their age, is a completely new experience for them. It teaches them a different way of communication and adds to their social skills. For your little one, remote learning will do the same. It will help her meet and interact with kids her age and learn from them, even though she can’t play with them on the school playground. The change in scenery might even bring your child closer to her friends as she will begin to understand their value at a time when she can’t go out and meet new people.

Develops a Sense of Belonging

It’s a confusing time for humankind, especially kids, as they don’t understand why they can’t go out and play in the parks or go to school and meet their friends. With so many questions and a lot of energy, kids are bound to be a little restless. With digital learning, they will not only continue their education but also get to meet kids and form friendships. These friendships and their classes will give them a sense of purpose and help them form a community. You may wonder if your child understands these aspects of remote learning, but it will definitely help. You’ll soon start hearing stories of what her friends did during the live sessions.

Forming Friendships While Keeping Safe

When going to school isn’t an option; remote learning lets your little one form friendships while staying indoors and keeping safe. Although it will take them some time to adapt to this new set up, kids are super tech-savvy and will soon start making friends. The live sessions that are part of Firstcry Intellitots are designed to be highly interactive making it easier for your little one to bond with her peers.

Makes Learning More Fun

We all know that the best part of school life is the friendships that we make. Friends at school make learning so much fun just by being a part of this shared experience. That is exactly what you will be giving your child when you sign up for a remote learning program– a chance to form friendships that make school and lessons something to look forward to. When she gets to share what she’s learning with friends her age, her experience of learning will be more enriching and memorable. She will also actively participate in her classes and take an interest in learning new things.

Allows for Family Bonding

A child’s social-emotional development begins at home, surrounded by her parents and other family members. When the entire family is at home and looking for ways to keep themselves busy, remote learning comes to the rescue. For instance, Firstcry Intellitots’ unique SPARKZ curriculum has lots of engaging at-home activities that require parents to guide their little one. This will not only help your little one learn new skills, but also let you spend quality time with her. Being involved in her day-to-day activities is bound to bring the entire family closer.

Many things may have been paused due to the spread of the coronavirus, but your little one’s education shouldn’t be one of them. Her education will play a critical role, especially in the current situation where everyone is seeking a new normal. Remote learning may seem a bit daunting to some people. However, it will help keep your little one engaged in a healthy manner. It will also help her stay connected with people and form friendships even from a distance. Keeping up with the current situation, Firstcry Intellitots has designed a curriculum for remote learning to make it easier for parents and kids to navigate this new style of learning. Once your kid settles into this new set up, making friends and interacting with her teachers will become the best part of her day.

With homes doubling up as classrooms during this lockdown, there’s one thing that hasn’t struck many parents’ minds- Where will their child study? It’s easy to just set up your laptop and study desk in any area of the house. But the wrong place can be super distracting and uncomfortable for kids, meaning you’ll have an unfocused child who just won’t sit through the class. Instead, take a couple of hours and set up a ‘classroom’ at home, where your child can easily learn every day. Here are some tips on where and how to create a classroom space at home, right from the experts!

Why is a ‘Classroom’ at Home Important?

We often underestimate how distracting the surroundings can be for a child. Toddlers have a short attention span, so it’s important to work around that with some smart steps. A classroom space that is comfortable for a kid to sit in at a stretch, yet devoid of any distractions like toys, TV, etc., makes sure that the students are focused on what is being taught, rather than what is around them. Of course, there are also design elements in school classrooms that we often take for granted. Ever wondered why so many classes don’t have curtains? Or why they have large windows? What about that huge cupboard that always remains shut? All of these serve a purpose, which we’ll get into.

Tips to Set up a ‘Classroom’ at Home

The right space is just as important as the right learning material. Here are some design tips to set up a space in your house where your child can learn in comfort, without any distractions slowing him down.

1. Wifi Connection

A major criteria for choosing a spot where your child can sit for online sessions is the wifi connection. Make sure the speed of your wifi is high enough to prevent any lag or buffering. The ‘classroom’ should also be close to the router, as the further you move away from it, the weaker the connection gets. Definitely do a little wifi speed testing around the house before closing in on the ‘perfect’ space. If you’re still having trouble, a little trick is to turn off the wifi on other devices during the online sessions, so the connection can be boosted to the laptop or PC that your little one uses.

2. The PERFECT Chair

If you’ve read ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’, you know how important a comfortable chair is. Your child should be able to sit comfortably with his feet touching the floor. Ideally, choose a chair that isn’t too hard, but also not so soft that you sink right into it. You can also add a few cushions if you have a particularly fidgety child. Once you have the perfect chair down, the rest becomes easy.

3. Plenty of Light

Light is conducive to learning as it will keep your child awake. This is why classrooms usually have no curtains or lighter-coloured curtains to allow enough sunlight to pass through. Choose a room with enough natural lighting, and change the curtains to light colours like pink, yellow, or white. This will ensure your child focuses better and doesn’t feel sleepy due to any darkness. Light curtains make the room feel larger as well, so your little one doesn’t feel too overwhelmed during the day.

4. No Toys or Games Around

Toys and games are major distractions for kids, so make sure there aren’t any lying about, especially if you choose your child’s bedroom. Add tidying up in your child’s bedtime routine, so when he wakes up in the morning and gets ready for class, you don’t have to worry about toys strewn around. They’ll already be tucked away! You can keep one or two toys outside with you as an incentive for your child to focus and complete the activities so he can play with them during breaks.

5. Fresh Air

Fresh air keeps the mind awake and helps focus better. The area you choose as a classroom should have large windows and plenty of cross ventilation, as the mustier the air gets, the faster your child will get fidgety and tire out. Keep the windows open and switch on the fan, and it should be cool enough for your little one to sit through the classes.

6. Stay Organised

Keep a box with all the things your child will need, such as worksheets, stationery, etc. Your child should easily be able to reach out and grab whatever he wants so that there’s no last-minute running about searching for things. Easy access makes life simpler! At the FirstCry Intellitots Homeschool, worksheets and material requirements are sent a week in advance, so you can prepare easily for sessions well ahead of time.

7. No Other Screens Nearby

TV’s, tablets or phones around easily distract adults, let alone kids. So make sure the only screen in front of your child is the one through which he attends online sessions. If the room you choose is near the TV, instruct family members not to switch it on, or choose a room from which the TV can’t be seen or heard. If you’re sitting with your child during the class, keep your phone away and walk out of the room to attend calls. This way, your toddler will be focused on the online session, and not any other TV show played outside.

8. Drawers and Shelves

Choose a study area with minimal drawers or open shelves around, so your curious little one won’t be compelled to open each one up to see what’s inside. Also, keep cupboards closed in the room. Trust us, kids have a short attention span, and absolutely anything can catch their attention, whether it’s a colourful shawl in the cupboard or a sparkly award on the shelf. The idea is to remove as many elements that can sidetrack kids.

9. No Outside Noise

People talking in the background can disrupt online sessions, not to mention distract your child. So make sure the ‘classroom’ isn’t in a common area where people are bound to have conversations or a TV show is running in the background. Also, ask family members or visitors to avoid walking in and speaking to your child to see what he is up to or talking loudly during the class.

10. Use Visuals

A cute, colourful timetable with sessions or even activities is great to get your child into learning mode. Younger kids learn best through visuals, and they’ll love to try and read what’s written, or even tick off whatever is done for the day. FirstCry Intellitots Homeschool makes use of visual stimuli and interactive elements, to which a cute timetable will add greatly to. Plus, session timings and topics are given much earlier, so you can easily create a timetable well in advance when you have some free time.

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can make the most of the space you choose for your child’s ‘classroom’ at home. At the end of the day, remember that the school understands issues that you may need to work around, so don’t stress if you can’t get that ‘perfect’ space. You will find that kids can be pretty adjusting too!

Enrol your child for the FirstCry Intellitot’s Homeschool to make your child’s day productive and loads of fun! Click here for the admissions page and to know more.

There’s a quote by Malala Yousafzai that goes ‘Let us remember; one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.’ In today’s times, there’s one more thing to add to the list- the Internet! Going to school is out of the question right now, but many schools have introduced ‘remote learning’, which makes sure that the learning continues, even at home. Here’s why you should opt for remote learning for your kids during this lockdown.

What is Remote Learning?

Remote learning is conducted by teachers via the internet. Slots are set for daily sessions and parents are given a weekly lesson plan of what will be taught each day. Everything, right from tests, activities, and assignments completed by the students are uploaded by parents and graded by the teachers, online. The materials required for activities are easily available at home and communicated in advance to parents. Remote learning helps cover part of the curriculum and students to easily transition to regular schooling once the lockdown is lifted.

Why You Should Enroll Your Child for Remote Learning

Remote learning carries loads of benefits to kids, as compared to homeschooling or pausing your child’s education during this time. Here’s why you should consider remote learning for your child.

1. Continues the Learning Process

This is the time when the first term of the academic year starts. Whatever the students are set to learn during this time lays the foundation for the upcoming terms and even years. Missing out on fundamentals can cause issues with learning later on, not to mention, halt any learning and development. The early years are essential for proper development of cognitive and functional abilities, so why lose out? At FirstCry Intellitots, part of the curriculum has been re-designed for remote learning to ensure that kids can easily learn and pick up concepts at home, and smoothly adjust to regular school-life in the future.

2. Keeps Kids Occupied

Parents have to work from home now and take care of their household chores and family at the same time. Amongst all this, having a child running about, playing with the same toys or having nothing to do can be concerning. Remote learning takes up a few hours of a child’s day, plus the activities and assignments will keep him occupied in a healthy manner to ensure development. This way, you can take care of your daily duties without worrying about your child’s education being at stake.

3. Maintains a Routine

Waking up at different times every day, taking random naps and sleeping at odd hours are common during this time. While as parents you still have a sense of routine due to work and chores, it is not the same for kids. Remote learning makes kids follow a daily schedule of classes, breaks, and even activities and homework. This takes care of the day until evening, since younger kids may also take a nap and complete any activities after lunch. Once evening sets, parents and family members may get some free time as well and build a routine for the rest of the day that includes physical activities, family bonding time, dinner, storytime, etc. FirstCry Intellitots makes sure that parents are aware of the weekly plan and help their kids stick to the given schedule, along with helping set a routine for the rest of the day. A routine is known to increase productivity in kids and boost learning and development. It also helps kids adjust better when regular school begins, along with setting good time management and organisational skills.

4. Boosts Social Interaction

One of the biggest advantages of regular schooling is that it teaches kids social skills and allows them to interact with other kids their own age and make friends, which is immensely helpful in the future. However, social distancing means your child has probably not seen his friends in a long time. Remote learning allows kids to interact with their teachers and peers, which does not compromise social development during this time. This makes kids more confident and shapes their personality, starting from a young age.

5. Eases Parental Involvement

Parental involvement in a child’s age is necessary for younger age groups. However, with busy work schedules and house chores, finding hours each day to spend with your child can get tight if your plate is already full. Remote learning takes some of the load off parents while giving them the flexibility to catch up on what their kids have learnt during the class, in their free time. With the FirstCry Intellitots remote learning program, you can assign a family member or guardian to sit with your child during the class and to help with the after-class activities and watch the recorded session anytime during the day to help you run through what was covered. This way, you can tick all your chores off the to-do list and still pay attention to your child’s education.

6. Improves Screen Time

Giving your child the TV remote when he throws a tantrum or gets bored is the easiest thing to do. But, watching TV or playing online games puts the brain in a passive state, which is harmful to development, especially at a young age. Not to mention, certain content can affect a child’s impressionable mind. Remote learning is a way for your little one to spend quality screen time each day, learning something and interacting with peers. Apart from this, teachers can also recommend content or activities to boost a child’s development while getting his dose of screen time each day. At FirstCry Intellitots, the daily activities assigned after classes fill up a child’s day and make it more productive while having fun, so kids don’t find many opportunities to yearn for more screen time.

7. Builds Comfort With the Teacher

Everyone is well aware of how tough it is for kids to initially adjust to a school environment with teachers, especially if they take their time to get used to people. Kids find it easier to become comfortable with new teachers through remote learning, as they are in a familiar environment- their home. Interacting with teachers for a few hours a day will make your child more comfortable with them and make the adjustment to regular schooling much easier. After all, a good student-teacher bond makes learning easy and fun!

8. Easier Access to Teachers

Remote learning makes it easier for parents to communicate with the teachers during and after the session. If you find your child needing extra attention in certain areas or need clarity on something taught, you can easily set up a call or conversation with the teacher and convey your thoughts. Teachers at FirstCry Intellitots are approachable and take each child’s education very seriously. Any kids that require extra assistance are well taken care of, to ensure they don’t lag behind and find it easier to grasp certain topics that are out of their comfort zone.

Remote learning is the boon that all parents need right now, especially in these times. With everything easily accessible on the internet, a child’s learning and development need not stop and, in fact, can be smartly boosted through remote learning.

Make your child’s day more productive by choosing the FirstCry Intellitots remote learning program! Click here for the admissions page and to know more.

It’s soon going to be time to go back to school, parents! Or, maybe it’s time that your child starts going to school for the first time. Wow, that’s an exciting milestone! Yes, we understand that it may not feel like it during this time of uncertainty, due to educational institutions still being closed. You must certainly want your child to have a normal school-going experience, like you did.

But here’s the thing: the new normal is different! It’s now about making the shift over to homeschooling, and spending more time with your child to teach him the things that he’d usually learn in his classroom. At FirstCry Intellitots Preschools, we are making the change over to the Intellitots Homeschool program. It is a necessity, required to carry on the education of our little ones, so that there is no gap in learning and development.

Given the current scenario, it’s totally okay to wonder if it’s the right time to enroll your child in a school program. In all probability, your hesitation, while being totally valid, is due to the uncertainty of how homeschooling for little children will be conducted. Thus, if your child is about 3 or even 4 years old, and hasn’t gone to school yet, you might be thinking about delaying his enrolment for just a little bit longer until it’s safe for him to physically attend a school and get the old-fashioned experience.

There are several important factors to consider here, all of which revolve around early childhood education and its importance. Let’s take a look at these factors one at a time.

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early childhood education (ECE) takes place in the early years of a child’s life, from birth to about 6 years of age. It includes nursery and kindergarten (pre-primary) schooling, and refers to the cognitive, motor, literacy, emotional and social skills that a child develops during those years through teaching and learning. It has been regarded to have great significance in the proper development of children, and international agencies like UNICEF, UNESCO, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins strongly advocate for the provision of ECE.

Why is Early Childhood Education Important?

As you probably know, a child’s brain develops the fastest and the most during the first 5 to 6 years of his life. During that time, your little one is extremely capable of absorbing a ton of information, of observing and retaining everything that he sees around him, and has a brain that is eager to create millions of new synapses (brain cell connections). To put it simply, it is of great benefit to your child that these early years of capacity are utilized to teach him the right skills and abilities that will serve him in more ways than one as he grows older. The best way to do this is by enrolling him in nursery and pre-primary programs. But first, let’s find out what these benefits are!

• ECE starts building your child’s cognitive and motor skills. From learning to use logic and reasoning, to understanding emotions and empathy, to starting to exercise legs, feet, arms and hands, ECE can cover these crucial developments in your child’s early years.
• ECE introduces your child to social settings that include his peers (students in a classroom). It teaches him necessary social skills, such as how to behave, play, and share with others, and how to be a part of a team.
• It allows him to be in contact with non-familial adults, i.e. teachers, which will help him learn how to form bonds and relationships with his educators, and how to follow instructions.
• ECE also helps in his emotional development and teaches him how to make friends, show empathy, develop trust, and even engage in simple conflict resolution.
• It is a great way to introduce art, music, stories, pictures and digital media as tools of learning and knowledge. Simple lessons of literacy and numeracy (such as counting numbers, and reciting rhymes and songs) can be taught at this age, which will serve as a foundation for future studies.
• It is an important experience to give to your child, as it not only focuses on literacy or academic skills, but on overall, holistic development (social and emotional skills). As he will get older and move into higher grades, the dominant focus will be on academic education.
• ECE can greatly help your child meet important developmental milestones, which will prepare him to meet the requirements of primary school education.

Why You Should Enroll Your Child in an Early Childhood Education Program

Now, let’s talk about your main concern. As you can see, ECE is incredibly important for your child’s overall development. Not only does it equip him with crucial life skills, but also prepares him for further educational milestones, such as moving onto primary school.

Here’s the truth, so that we can put your worries to rest: the fundamental benefits of ECE do not change, whether it is imparted through traditional classroom teaching or homeschooling (teaching your child at home). Your child will still learn all the skills we’ve listed above, and will be ready to enter the next grade when the time comes.

Extensive studies conducted by UNICEF and Harvard tell us how ECE can benefit a child in the long run. Some of these findings say that:

• Enrolment in ECE programs at the right age is a significant factor in helping a child meet his developmental milestones, meaning that it will equip your child with the right competencies and skills for that age.
• A child who receives ECE is more successful in school, has better health, and has better job and financial prospects as an adult.
• Children enrolled in ECE programs are much better prepared for primary school than children who are not.
• Children who receive ECE are less likely to repeat a grade in school.

Postponing your child’s enrollment in an educational program, or giving his early education a ‘gap year’, may not be the best idea – it could lead to certain developmental milestones being missed or skipped, it could leave basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills un-practiced or underdeveloped, and it could put your child at a disadvantage when he does start attending school at a later stage.

Fears and doubts over homeschooling your child are completely normal and valid, parents. We are constantly working to quell these concerns and make our community feel safe and heard. At the same time, you can help yourself by reading up on the benefits of teaching your child at home, and how FirstCry Intellitots will be conducting its Homeschool program.

It is our responsibility to ensure that children’s education does not suffer, and that they receive the right tools and knowledge at the right age, to help them grow into successful, independent individuals. Isn’t that all we truly want for our little ones?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any doubts, concerns or suggestions. To know more about FirstCry Intellitots Admissions, visit here. We’re here to help you and your child find the best fit for his educational needs!

Disclaimer: The reopening of schools is contingent on the government’s orders. 

Out of all the situations you encounter in parenthood, you probably know this one all too well. You’re sitting with your child while he does some activity you’ve carefully sourced from Pinterest or a fellow parent, and get a phone call or remember a chore to be completed, so you get up, telling him you’ll be back in two minutes.

Two minutes may seem like a short time, but it’s all your child needs to get distracted and move on to something else or start running about. And to add it to, we’re now under indefinite lockdown, which means if you haven’t thought of a solution to keep that little tot of yours occupied, you’ve got some research to do. Thankfully, we’ve gone and done the hard work for you.

Enter FirstCry Intellitots The teachers and curriculum experts have taken up the responsibility of setting a schedule and lesson plan to ensure that kids learn from afar while having fun. But getting kids to sit through the session and complete activities requires parental involvement. So, how do you get your toddler to sit through an online class?

Why Do Kids Find it Hard to Sit Still?

To tackle the problem, you must first understand it. Many times, a toddler can’t help but get distracted, and shouting at them or forcing them to sit still is never the right solution. Here is why kids often find it hard to sit for a long time.

1. Short Attention Span

This is one of the biggest reasons why toddlers can’t sit still. As a child grows, his attention span becomes longer. Hence, doing the same thing for a long time will only make kids get up and run about or just organically shift to the next activity that catches their attention.

2. Too Many Distractions

Having too many visual stimulations around, such as the TV, toys, games, etc. will constantly make toddlers get distracted, as they want to play with everything around them. The most interesting thing around should be the class itself, and not the surroundings.

3. Being Forced to Concentrate

Toddlers don’t understand the concept of studying, and neither does their school curriculum have it. They only learn something if it seems fun and new and manages to hold their interest for a long time. If parents yell at them and force them to do something, all the fun is sucked out of it, so naturally they look at it as something they HAVE to do, rather than want to do. Then comes the looking around and running about. And God forbid, the screaming!

Tips to Make a Toddler Sit Still During the Online Class

Now that you’ve understood the reason for your child being easily distracted, it becomes simple to introduce tactics to help him sit still during the online session. These tips will help you get started, and you can build on or adjust them as per your little one’s unique traits.

1. Take Short Breaks

Observe your child to see what his attention span is like, and schedule short breaks in between the session. You can do the same if you see your little one starting to get fidgety. Short breaks will also help increase productivity, so even though it may not seem like your child is spending as much time learning, he is definitely learning better. The class schedules at FirstCry Intellitots are specially designed to include short breaks, which will already help you keep your toddler attentive. However, if he still requires more breaks, the teachers are always available for guidance.

2. Include Physical Activity Throughout the Day

Include physical activity during breaks, such as running around, doing jumping jacks, etc. Though you may already have an assigned hour for physical activity in your kid’s daily routine, this is additional. Think of kids as little bundles of constantly increasing energy. When all of this energy builds up without any release, it can cause restlessness. Taking short breaks for 5-10 minutes of skipping or any physical activity dispels some of that excess energy and allows kids to sit still for a while after that. The schedule at the FirstCry Intellitots remote learning program includes physical and interactive activities to keep kids energised and happy throughout the day.

3. Assign a Space for Learning

Being at home 24 x 7 can seem like one long vacation, so toddlers are content with just playing about and doing their own thing. Usually, schools are outside of the home environment and create a sense of routine for kids. So the moment they walk through the doors, they know its time to learn something. The key is to replicate this at home in whatever way you can. Find a quiet spot in the house where your child can learn remotely every day, and make sure to remain consistent. Stick to the same spot and try and keep the decor and everything else around the same. This way, your child will eventually get attuned to learning in this area and put up less of a fight.

4. Make Learning Fun

Just like in regular schools, remote learning includes activities or homework to do once the class ends, which parents should supervise. But toddlers simply won’t sit still if the task bores them, and you’re sure to hear a few protests. Instead, make learning time fun with physical elements, some jokes, or anything that will hold your little one’s attention. At FirstCry Intellitots, making classes fun is handled by teachers as they take into consideration a toddler’s attention span. Each session is packed with fun activities that involve movement, storytelling sessions, and other interactive elements. This ensures not a single moment of boredom for kids!

5. Minimise Distractions

We often underestimate how distracting our own homes tend to be, and especially so when toddlers are concerned. Absolutely anything can distract them. A bird chirping outside, someone knocking on the door, etc. The space you assign for online classes should have distractive elements to a minimum, especially where toys, TV’s or mobile phones are concerned. Even family members talking or constantly coming up to the child will shift his attention, so instruct everyone to be as quiet as possible and not disturb your child during this time. Even small things like putting your phone on silent can help your toddler concentrate better. At FirstCry Intellitots, parents are expected to sit with their kids during the online sessions, but only to help them with activities during and after the class.

6. Feed Nourishing Foods

Diet can also play a huge role in energy levels and attention span. Junk food is full of trans fats and carbs, which makes kids lethargic and decreases attention span. A balance of carbohydrates, fibre and proteins will help your toddler pay better attention. This is the best time to introduce healthy foods in your little one’s diet, since good immunity is essential now more than ever.

7. Use Screen Time as a Reward

Remote learning is a great way to spend quality screen time, but your child may still ask for 15-30 minutes of screen time every now and then. Instead, if you find that your toddler has trouble concentrating, a little incentive never hurt anyone. Ask your child to sit through the class and complete all his activities, and in turn, he will be rewarded with 15 minutes of screen time. You’ll see your little one buckle up and focus in no time!

8. Stick to a Routine

 

Create a routine based on the remote learning schedule. This should map out your child’s entire day, right from waking up to going to bed. Include family movie night, game hours, physical activity hour, etc., and anything else you can think of to make your little one’s day interesting, and remain consistent with the routine. This way, your child will know its time to learn something and interact with his teachers and friends for the next couple of hours. The schedule of classes at FirstCry Intellitors is designed and shared with parents in advance, so they can map out what their child’s day will look like. Kids are known to be more productive with routines, so this will definitely help your little one concentrate better.

It’s okay if your toddler is fidgety and cannot concentrate for a longer time. This is normal and can be worked around with tact. Use these tips to make your child’s day more productive and fun, and expend more energy so that he can focus on his online class.

At FirstCry Intellitots, remote learning is made fun and easy! Check out the website for details on admissions and more.

Hello, parents! We are excited to be in the space that gives your little one focused, quality pre-school education, which is a crucial step in your child’s early learning and development.

In this new turn of events that has brought into popularity the culture of remote learning, many schools have adopted it as we all move into a new academic year. The FirstCry Intellitots Preschools are no exception. We strongly believe in the merits of virtual learning because, out of its many uses, it is mainly a means to kick-start or continue your child’s early education.

We’re sure you have plenty of valid questions about how we will conduct our remote learning. Let’s get right to them!

What is remote learning?

Remote learning simply means that your child’s academic lessons are being conducted in an online or virtual setting that requires an Internet connection, instead of in a physical classroom setting. This virtual setting, like a learning platform, can be accessed from a remote location, such as your home. Apart from that, there isn’t much difference in how your child will experience his lessons: there will be interactions between the teacher and her students as well as between the students themselves, lessons will be taught according to a curriculum and syllabus, and homework will be given out on a regular basis. Sounds the same as physically attending a school, right?

What is the method of learning – is it homeschooling, blended, or online learning?

This is not a method of homeschooling, parents. Just because your child is learning or studying from home, does not mean that he is being homeschooled. Let’s look at the basic definitions of these terms:

Thus, the method of learning for the remote learning of FirstCry Intellitots is blended learning, in which the teacher will conduct the lessons online over a virtual network, and the parent will be required to help the child complete activities and worksheets at home, which build upon the lessons being taught.

How will the lesson be taught online?

Our teachers have been trained in how to conduct a class online. They will primarily be teaching on live sessions, and might record short videos to be sent as well. Even though the medium of learning is different (online as opposed to a classroom), the actual lesson does not differ in content or how it’s taught. Our teachers will use a variety of props such as presentations, stories, music, pictures, and videos in their lessons. These elements are designed to help your child understand new concepts, absorb and retain information, and develop key skills such as active listening and attention.

Additionally, to make the learning experience even simpler, Student Kits will be provided to each student. These kits are divided into two parts. The first part, with essential learning materials such as books and worksheets, will be home-delivered on priority as soon as the academic year begins. The second part, with additional learning material and activities, will be home-delivered soon after the essential Kit.

What is the curriculum for these classes?

FirstCry Intellitots has its own scientific and holistic learning model called SPARKZ™ that focuses on the child through 8 key aspects of learning and development. It aims to inculcate a Love of Learning in the early years of the child, as that is the period of time in a child’s life when his brain is developing at its fastest, and is able to absorb and retain a lot of information and knowledge.

Find out more about our curriculum here!

What will the duration of the online lessons be?

Our goal is to make our remote learning as close to traditional classroom learning as possible. In a classroom setting, a lesson for toddlers and nursery students is 3 hours, and for Pre-Primary programs 1 and 2 (PP1 and PP2), it is 3.5 hours. This is inclusive of the actual lesson plus activities.

The duration of the online class will be 45 minutes for toddlers and nursery students, and 1 hour for PP1 and PP2 students. This should be followed by a minimum of 2 hours of doing activities and worksheets at home, to build upon the lesson that was taught. This is highly recommended, so that your child can get the most out of each lesson every day. Give nursery students 2 hours 15 minutes of activity time, and PP1 and PP2 students, 2 hours 30 minutes.

What is the classroom strength like?

To keep students, teachers and parents stress-free, our classroom ratio is 1:16 – every classroom will have one teacher and 16 students. This enables the teacher to give adequate time, energy and focus to each student, while the student feels like a part of the group without the fear of being left out. This ratio is maintained for online classes as well as traditional classrooms (when students will be able to physically attend school again).

How can I prepare my child to sit for the online classes?

There are two factors to consider here: maintaining a daily routine, and being comfortable with technology. Let’s take these one at a time.

It is very important to create and maintain a daily routine for your child and yourself. Repetition of activities is crucial in helping your child establish good habits, and this repetition needs to happen at the same time every day. This is something your child will carry with him as he grows up! A school routine can look something like this: waking up at a certain time, having a bath plus breakfast, getting the study area ready by setting out notebooks, pencils/crayons and laptops, spending a few hours attending online classes and doing worksheets, keeping designated meal times (lunch, dinner and snacks), playing or doing hobbies in the afternoon/evening, and going to bed at a good time. When such a routine is maintained, you as a parent can also work out your own schedule around it.

It’s safe to say that most kids these days are familiar with technology, and they are quite comfortable with screens of all sorts. As your child is being introduced to online learning, make sure that you are comfortable with technology, too! Children can pick up on their parents’ energy quickly, so if you are nervous, anxious or jittery, your child will be so, too. Do your best to learn about the virtual platform through which the lessons will be taught. If you have doubts or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the teachers to ask for help. Also, it’s a good idea to designate one gadget in the house for learning or work purposes, such as a laptop or a tablet. Teach your child that this gadget is only for learning, and not for watching movies or cartoons. This will help him focus on the tasks at hand!

Will homework be given to the students?

Yes! But don’t worry, it will be simple and fun, and can be done with supplies found at home. The homework is designed to build upon your child’s cognitive and motor skills. Homework will be in the form of easy-to-do activities and worksheets. Activities can be sorting grains and pulses, opening and closing bottles, drawing and painting with vegetables, etc. Worksheets will be in printable form, and will serve to develop your child’s reading and writing skills. It is highly advised that you do these activities with your child daily, as they are crucial in his early learning and development.

My child cannot sit still for a long time. What can I do?

It’s normal for a young child to have a short attention span, parents. There are so many new things around them, and there’s so much to do and learn! Thus, it’s not really reasonable to expect your child to sit still for a 40-minute online lesson or home activity. Schedule little breaks for your child every 20 minutes. Have him walk around for a bit, do a little dance, or some jumps. Keep him active and energetic!

At the same time, make learning fun for him. Our teachers use various props to make lessons fun and relatable, and it’s a good idea for parents to employ the same when doing activities and worksheets with your child. Use stories, pictures, art, music, or your own creative ideas to keep your little one engaged and excited about the activities!

Another important thing to keep in mind is that your child should not be left alone during the online lessons. A 4 or 5 year old being left by himself to watch a screen that doesn’t have his favourite cartoon on it is bound to get bored, distracted, or cranky. One parent must be available to sit with the child during each virtual lesson. This will help him stay focused and engaged with the class, and you can even help if he has trouble understanding a concept or navigating the screen!

I am a working parent. How can I help my child in his lessons?

As a working parent, you are sure to have your own work-from-home routine laid out. However, as your child will begin to have online lessons and homework activities and worksheets, you need to take out a few hours from your work schedule (a maximum of 3 – 3.5 hours) to dedicate to your little one. Make sure that there are no distractions and interruptions during this time, as your child will need 100% of your attention. If it’s difficult to spare 3 hours at a stretch, divide that time over the course of the day. But, it’s important for you to maintain the same time each day, to establish that routine for your child!

Also, if you are unable to sit for the live sessions of the classes, don’t worry – the recorded versions will be sent to you the very same day, for you to go over with your child. However, it is suggested that you try your best for you and your child to attend the live lessons, because that way, your child can experience the student-teacher and student-student interactions that are required to develop social and emotional skills.

Will there be traditional classroom learning as well?

Yes. However, we are, as yet, unable to give you a definite timeline as to when students will be able to physically attend school. We will be updating you as and when the dates are finalized.

 

We hope that you’ve found the answers to your questions, parents. Please reach out to us if you have any doubts, concerns or suggestions! To know more about FirstCry Intellitots Admissions, visit here. We’re here for you!

Disclaimer: The reopening of schools is contingent on the government’s orders.

Welcome to the age of alternate schooling! In the current situation, we know it will be a while before schools reopen and we all go back to normal life. Though the world has come to a halt amidst this pandemic, why lose out on these crucial years of your child’s development? Most parents wonder if their kids would fare better with remote learning or being home-schooled during this time and, of course, which would be more feasible for them as well. Let’s look at how remote learning differs from homeschooling and which one is best suited for you.

What is Homeschooling?

In homeschooling, parents are the full-time instructors and teach their kids using a curriculum chosen and developed by them. They can make use of aids available online and offline but must keep records and set deadlines to track their child’s progress.

What is Remote Learning?

Remote learning or virtual schooling is managed by teachers from afar. Everything, right from teaching to monitoring development and learning outcomes is done via the internet, following a structured curriculum with student-oriented learning.

The Differences Between Homeschooling and Remote Learning

Both homeschooling and remote learning are viable and suggested during the lockdown, instead of bringing the child’s learning and development to a halt. However, which one should you choose? Let’s look at the differences between homeschooling and remote learning.

1. Curriculum

The first difference between homeschooling and remote learning lies in the curriculum. This is all the more important, considering your child will eventually transition to regular schooling in the future.

Homeschooling: Parents must create a comprehensive plan of topics, assignments and tests, making sure that they meet all the learning outcomes in the curriculum. This has to be done with precision, so that whenever/if the child resumes traditional school, there are no gaps or overlaps in topics.

Remote Learning: Remote learning sticks to the same learning outcomes as the traditional schooling curriculum. But, it follows a re-structured format that considers the challenges faced in an online forum and tackles them to make learning earlier. Since everyone is on the same page when traditional schooling resumes, it’s easy to run through what was covered and pick up where they left off. At FirstCry Intellitots, the curriculum is re-designed by experts to make it more interactive and suitable to a home environment and prevent your child’s learning and development from being compromised. This allows students to comprehend topics even from afar to meet learning outcomes.

 

2. Parental Involvement

The level of involvement of parents and guardians strongly differs in remote learning and homeschooling, considering their roles in the same.

Homeschooling: Parents are full-time instructors in homeschooling, so they must teach their kid concepts, and come up with activities and assignments. They also need to keep a record of what is covered and track their child’s progress, to convey to the teacher if/when their child goes back to school.

Remote Learning: Parental involvement is required in remote learning but to a lesser degree. Ideally, parents should sit with their child during online classes, so they continue the learning process throughout the day and help their child complete homework or activities that the teacher assigns. However, this is also ideal for working or busy parents, as they can assign a family member or guardian to sit with the child instead. Intellitots goes a step further to make parents’ lives smoother, by providing recordings of the completed sessions. This allows you to catch up on what was covered when you have time during the day. Easy, right?

 

3. Teaching Skills

Each child has his own set of strengths and weaknesses, meaning some topics may be easy to understand and some may not. A teacher is able to identify solutions to particularly tricky topics and teach them in a manner easy to understand for all students.

Homeschooling: Teaching comes naturally to some people, as they find it easy to break down tough concepts for the child. But this isn’t the case with others. Homeschooling requires parents to teach their children, irrespective of any specialisation in teaching or prior training in the subject. Many often find themselves wondering if they’re ‘doing it right’, while others breeze through. There’s also the ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ factor to consider, as being your child’s teacher and parent at the same time can definitely be challenging. Besides, if a parent has a subject they’re weak at (hello math phobics!), they will first have to teach concepts to themselves.

Remote Learning: Professional teachers go through years of training in different teaching styles, learner difficulties, and more. They are well versed with the curriculum and easily identify areas that require extra attention, all while making it fun for the child. Online forums also make teachers more approachable to discuss issues faced during the class. At FirstCry Intellitots, teachers are adept at preparing lesson plans and trained in a wide variety of teaching styles to ensure each student learns at his pace. If at any point you feel your child lagging behind, you can communicate this to the teacher so proper measures can be taken for your child to catch up.

 

4. Social Interaction

This lockdown has limited the number of people your child sees on a daily basis, meaning no friends around. However, social interaction is a key aspect of development and can affect your child’s confidence, moods, and behaviour.

Homeschooling: Homeschooling involves just you and your child, so the number of people your child interacts with is still limited. It is solely up to parents to come up with ways to integrate an element of socialisation in their child’s life.

Remote Learning: Remote learning gives kids the opportunity to interact with people other than family. Right from teachers to other students, there are a number of people to converse with, meaning hours of fun and unique conversations each day. This ensures that social interaction doesn’t stop, even at home. Having said that, FirstCry Intellitots assigns maintains a low teacher to student ratio, so equal attention is given to all kids. Kids also build a unique bond with their teacher during remote learning, which makes the transition to regular schooling much easier.

 

5. Screen Time

The battle between parents and kids on screen time is intense and endless, often ending in tantrums or exasperation. Plus, spending all day at home doesn’t make saying ‘no’ to your kids any easier every time they ask for the TV remote. So, how can this be managed?

Homeschooling: Kids will usually ask for screen time once they’re done with the daily lesson, and depriving them of it can only make things tougher to deal with down the line. Parents can use screen time as a reward or opt for certain concepts to be learnt through videos or songs as a replacement for cartoons.

Remote Learning: Remote learning is a great way to spend quality screen time each day. Teachers also suggest certain online material which kids can use after the lesson to complete activities. Other than that, parents can ration screen time by using it as a reward for attending online classes and completing activities, if their child is adamant. In short, remote learning significantly cut down on daily screen time, without much protest.

Which One Should You Pick- Homeschooling or Remote Learning?

One of the main factors involved in making this decision is time. If you have enough time during the day to sit down with your child and teach him, homeschooling may work for you. This is also a good option for parents who have expertise in teaching and know how to separate being a parent, from being a teacher.

Remote learning is the best option if you are planning to send your child to school once the lockdown lifts, as it ensures he does not miss out on anything or find it hard to catch up. Working parents also find remote learning much more feasible, as parental involvement is minimal and they can work during the day, rest assured that their child is occupied and learning something. Not to mention, it helps spend quality screen time and aids social interaction, even during this time of social distancing.

The debate between homeschooling and remote learning brings forth points on practicality and expertise. However, managing work, house chores and their child’s education puts a lot on a parent’s plate. Moreso, if one or both the parents are working. With options like remote learning available, you can not only take some of the burden off yourself, but gift your child interactive, fun, and student-driven learning during the lockdown. Weigh your options and make the best decision for your child. After all, your child’s education and development comes first!

FirstCry Intellitots is your go-to for remote learning with fun, interactive classes, right at home. Click here for information on admissions, curriculum and more!

Disclaimer: The reopening of schools is contingent on the government’s orders.