11 tools for virtual learning that can help your child adjust to online classes

Even with online learning, many students still prefer to take notes or jot down reminders by hand. Students tend to remember information better when they can physically write it down in a notebook, and it makes them a more active participant in their learning. With virtual learning, it's very easy for kids to become passive and zone out, so encouraging note-taking will help their learning. Elementary-aged kids who are still working on their handwriting will definitely need to continue to practice while they're learning at home.

Schools may assign e-books for kids to read, and some kids prefer to read them on an e-reader rather than on a computer. E-readers provide a break from the strain a screen puts on your child's eyes. They also provide unique ways to interact with the text, such as highlighting and looking up definitions. These features are very helpful for kids, especially if your child has an IEP and is struggling because they have fewer accommodations while learning at home.

Especially when online classes are live, kids need a strong internet connection to engage and make sure they don't miss any important information. If you don't have a strong internet connection at home, virtual learning can quickly become very frustrating for your child—enough to make him or her want to give up. We recently purchased this router for our home when our Wi-Fi wasn't reaching every room. We now have a fast connection in every room, with the added bonus of parental controls with this router.

Staring at screens all day takes a toll, and many kids go from their phones to their computers to their tablets to the TV all day long. As someone who works from home with a laptop all day (and sometimes into the night), I invested in some blue light blocking glasses about a year ago, and I've found that my eyes don't feel as strained after hours of work. These can really help kids who tend to work at night, as exposure to blue light can negatively affect sleep.

Anyone who has ever lost hours of work knows the importance of a portable hard drive. Many kids save their work on the cloud, but any work that is saved directly to the computer should be backed up regularly. If your child loses work, he or she might waste hours doing it again, or their grade could suffer if it's too late to get an assignment turned in on time.

If you're getting them a desk, they'll need a chair, preferably one they'll want to sit in for extended periods of time. Make sure you get an adjustable chair if your child is young and will need some help reaching the desk. When I was working on my master's, I always found that I was more productive when I sat in a regular office chair rather than the tempting recliner in our living room.

It's tempting for kids to just stay in bed or lounge on the couch when they're learning from home, but a desk can help them separate school from leisure, and it signals to their brain that it should be in learning mode. A clean workspace helps them stay organized, gives them a clutter-free place to write and work, and is more similar to a regular school environment than their bed or the couch.

If you have multiple kids doing virtual learning or adults who are working from home, battles over who gets to use the device in the home are bound to happen, especially if students need to login at specific times or if they have deadlines for assignments. Thankfully, these devices are relatively cheap, and they're two of the most popular devices used by schools. You can see more Chromebook choices in our full buying guide.

It's likely your child already has a camera on their phone or other device, so a separate webcam isn't a necessity for most people. If they're working on a desktop or device without a camera though, they might need a webcam. Some teachers require attendance via video, and sometimes kids will be asked to complete video projects. A webcam also gives your child a chance to talk to their teacher face to face if they are having any issues or if they're confused about a concept.

Noise-cancelling headphones are particularly important if there are siblings in the home or parents who are also trying to work from home. These distractions can take your child's attention away from their teacher or their work, and even minimal distractions can affect attention and productivity. I always find that I can focus better at home when I'm able to block everything else out. An added bonus: Your child will likely enjoy these to listen to music or play games, too. You can also see our full guide to the best headphones for kids for more options.

It's helpful for kids to stick to a routine even when they're learning from home in a more relaxed environment. Timers are useful to help structure their day, and for younger kids, a visual timer can help them understand how much time they have left in any given subject or activity. For older kids, timers can help them manage their time wisely and stick to a similar bell schedule they might be used to.