How I Build Real Connections with My Online Students (+ a Free Easter Activity They Loved!)

 

Queen Of Curiosity Abridge Academy

As an online teacher, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is building real connections with my students—even though we’re separated by screens. Whether I’m teaching science to a 12-year-old or playing vocabulary games with a 6-year-old, creating a positive relationship is the key to engagement and success.

Over the years, I’ve found a few simple but powerful strategies that help me build trust and open communication with my learners, no matter their age or ability level. Here are three of my go-to methods:


💬 1. Start Every Lesson With a Personal Check-In

One of the first things I do in each lesson is ask a question like:

  • “What emoji describes how you feel today?”

  • “What was something good that happened this week?”

This is more than just an icebreaker—it shows students that I care about them, not just their academic progress. It also helps me adjust my teaching if someone’s having a rough day or is bursting with excitement over something cool.

For younger learners, this might take the form of a feelings chart or choosing from picture cards. For older students, we might chat a bit more freely. Over time, these quick moments build real trust.


🎧 2. Use Voice or Video Feedback

Especially for younger learners or those learning English, written comments can be hard to process. That’s why I often send short voice notes or video messages in between lessons.

Hearing my voice helps them feel connected and supported. Plus, it’s just more fun! One of my students once told me, “It felt like you were right next to me!”

Even a 30-second clip saying, “You did a great job explaining your answer today!” can go a long way in helping a learner feel seen and valued.


✅ 3. Ask for Feedback Regularly

I’ve learned that online teaching should never be a one-way street. Every now and then, I ask:

  • “What part of today’s lesson did you enjoy?”

  • “Was anything tricky or confusing?”

Even young learners can give great insights. I once changed the pacing of a lesson after a student said they needed more time between activities—and it made a big difference the next week.

You can collect feedback in a poll, exit ticket, or just ask casually in conversation. What matters is that learners feel like their voice shapes the lesson experience.


🐣 BONUS: A Fun Easter Activity My Student Loved!

Queen Of Curiosity Abridge Academy


Last week, I tried something a little different. I used one of Abridge Academy’s free Easter-themed lessons with a 6-year-old learner—and she loved it! The lesson was colourful, interactive, and just the right level of challenge for her.

Even though English isn’t her first language, the vibrant images and game-like structure made it really accessible and fun. We laughed, clicked, matched eggs, and learned new words—all without the pressure of a typical lesson.

💻 How I Used It

Queen Of Curiosity


I used the activity on Classin, but instead of screen sharing, I took a slightly different approach.
I used the browser option, which allowed me to copy and paste the Abridge Academy link directly into the in-class browser window. This way, the student could interact with the activity herself—clicking, dragging, and exploring independently. It’s a small tech shift, but it made a big difference in how engaged and empowered she felt.

If you're using a platform like Koala Go, this works beautifully too—just open the activity in the co-browser tool, and your student can interact directly on screen.

Abridge Academy offers a growing range of holiday- and theme-based lessons, and I’ve started using them not only for English support but also as brain breaks or creative warmups between more content-heavy subjects like science.

👉 If you’d like to explore their free lessons, here’s my Abridge Academy link. (I may earn a small percentage if you sign up—thank you for the support!) Whether you’re teaching online full-time or just looking for something to brighten up your lessons, I highly recommend giving them a try.


💡 Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a thoughtful check-in or a playful holiday activity, it’s those little moments that make a big impact on our students. Teaching online doesn’t mean losing that personal connection—it just means being intentional and creative in how we build it.

With the right tools, strategies, and a little bit of heart, online classrooms can be just as engaging, relational, and memorable as any in-person space.

🎉 Do you have a favourite tip or platform you use to connect with your students? Share it in the comments—I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas! And if you try out Abridge Academy or any of these strategies, let me know how it goes. Let’s keep growing together.

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