Do Christmas holidays and homework mix?

Endless family films on TV, chocolate packed full of e-numbers and presents that are begging to be played with until bedtime: so how is it possible to keep young children on task when they need to complete their homework during the Christmas holidays?

As loud as they may protest, most children between 5-12 years have homework to complete over Christmas. If they can be pulled from the TV to do their homework it is often to sit at the computer where they can get distracted by social networking sites and instant messaging. Research conducted by The Learning Bubble and Qubiq Online revealed that two thirds of parents questioned felt the need to supervise their children in order for them to do their homework and a further 65% would like help setting specific homework time and free time on the computer .

The Learning Bubble lets parents have complete control over which internet sites their children can visit between specific times, preventing unwanted interruptions by blocking instant messaging, unauthorised websites, games and email during homework time. Instead, the software comes complete with a range of learning aids, quizzes, games and a growing list of educational websites, carefully chosen for their relevance to the curriculum. A Learning Button also enables children to log onto their own school’s learning platform, an online system designed to support teaching and learning.

Dan Du Preez, Education Consultant, The Learning Bubble, says: “Using The Learning Bubble parents can choose how much time should be dedicated to homework and determine which sites may be accessed, while tracking the sites their children have visited via an activity log. This means they finish their homework first before being allowed to access social networking sites and email that may distract them. It also features a direct link to the Child Exploitation & Online Protection (CEOP) agency where children or parents can report inappropriate or suspicious behaviour, harmful content, cyber bullying, hacking and viruses.”

Father of three, Keith Wright, says: “As working parents, we don’t always have the availability to manage how our children use the internet. Unfortunately negative influences are always available: The Learning Bubble provides the reassurance that is needed.”

The Learning Bubble is available to download now at www.learningbubble.co.uk and is competitively priced at just £12.60. A free 15-day trial is also available. Parents can keep up to date with everything educational for children and much more at http://www.thelearningbubble.co.uk/blog

In addition to the software for 5-12 year old children, The Learning Bubble has developed ‘Teen Learning Bubble’, aimed at 12-16 year olds. The new software offers the same benefits for teenagers, providing a dedicated learning space free from distractions. Rather than whitelists, parents can create a blacklist of websites and prevent instant messaging and email from disturbing them as they work during dedicated learning times. As teenagers become more internet savvy with age and need access to further resources for homework, Teen Learning Bubble allows them to explore and research various websites while supporting their learning by preventing distractions. Like The Learning Bubble, young people using the software can access their school’s learning platform at the touch of a button.

Further information on The Learning Bubble can be obtained from Dan Du Preez, Education Consultant, Email: info@thelearningbubble.co.uk; Website:
www.thelearningbubble.co.uk