You would think that by now we are all accustomed to the virtual world and Zoom calls. But it can still be daunting for some parents (and children!) Here are some tips you can use to make the most out of your Zoom class to make the experience enjoyable and beneficial for all!
1. If it is your first class, talk to your child in the lead up about what we will do in class. Tell your child they are going to have a fun meeting with Katie and we will share songs and silly stories and meet some other kids and cute friends (like Billy the bee!) Talk about the class in an excited, positive way and your child will likely react positively too!
2. Arrive at least 5 minutes before class is due to begin. This helps your child to settle down and adjust their focus onto the next "task" - our class! Give a 5 minute reminder if your child is playing with or doing something else to prepare them to finish that activity and get ready join the class. Many parents tell me that their kids don't need a 5 minute countdown - they are already sitting and waiting for class to begin!
3. Make sure there is space to move around. Many of our songs are seated but for the movement songs its nice to have some space for your child to Dance with Teddy or Shake their Sillies out!
4. You can hook your laptop up to the tv using a HDMI cable - the webcam I use for class should support a high quality image on a larger screen and it can be really entertaining for the children to see it on a big screen! If you have Apple TV or a Google Chromecast you can mirror your phone or tablet to the TV too!
5. Have your child's camera on during class. It really helps me to see the children following along with the movement and they love when I can see their cool moves! Engagement and interaction with the children is one of the best parts about our classes and creates a real connection. Microphones can be turned on at the beginning and end of class for our Hello and Goodbye chats and songs.
Do you have any other tips that help you during Zoom classes? I'd love to hear them! Let me know in the comments!