How Hong Kong parents and children can survive and thrive during online learning

It is understandable that children will have more difficulty with online learning, where many of their psychological needs aren’t met. Parents must realise that grades do not predict children’s career prospects and sidestep power struggles over homework

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A mother hugs her son goodbye outside a school in Tai Kok Tsui on the first day back to school after coronavirus closures on May 29. Many Hong Kong parents are anxious about a suspension of face-to-face teaching once again now that the city has entered the fourth wave of Covid-19. Photo: Nora Tam

Bertie Wai

Dr Bertie Wai is a bilingual clinical psychologist at Beautiful Mind Therapy and Family Services in Central.

Published: 8:30am, 29 Nov 2020Updated: 8:53am, 29 Nov 2020

With the start of the Covid-19 fourth wave in Hong Kong, the announcement that face-to-face classes would be suspended in junior primary has probably sent parents into a whirlwind of anxiety and frustration. While parents want to protect children from Covid-19, class suspension and online learning can cause both children and parents immense stress. What is it about home-schooling that drives many parents to the verge of a psychological breaking point?

For working parents, who spend their days enjoying the success of managing projects, driving sales or providing professional services, it is extremely frustrating to not be able to accomplish the seemingly simple task of having a six-year-old sit still and finish his homework. Having young children do as they are told seems like mission impossible.

Is there a magical strategy that parents can use so that children will listen? Perhaps understanding the dynamic that drives the homework struggle can help us approach our children differently.