Nobody would have guessed two months ago that you’d be sitting with your kids through school lessons, trying to ensure they get their education. But that’s been the state of things with schools closed for an indefinite period. While homeschooling as a concept is not new and many parents choose it over the regular schooling system, getting your kids to sit attentively while you teach takes effort. To start things off in the right direction, we’ve compiled a list of basic things you can do as a parent while homeschooling your children.
Learning Corner
With young impressionable minds, it is important to create the right learning environment. A school does that with its organised classrooms and study periods. While at home you can develop a similar area and make the kids feel like they are at school. A quiet room with sufficient daylight along with a sturdy desk and chair works best. In case you do not have a room to spare, a corner in the house without the usual distractions like pets, TV or computer should be good enough. You can make space by moving the furniture to one side and using custom sofa covers to protect the upholstery. Make sure you keep this space dedicated solely to schooling so your child doesn’t get confused. A little structure goes a long way if it stays consistent.
Creating A Timetable/Schedule
Having a study room for the kids is a good thing, but that study room won’t be of any use if the children do not stick to a learning schedule. An effective teaching schedule should take into consideration factors like the child’s attention span and their interests. If your child does not like math and you end up spending the whole day with algebra, it will create a negative impact in their minds, leading to an ineffective teaching routine. A good plan is to use the same school that they are used to in school. If you don’t already know, find out how their normal day is structured and follow it as your blueprint. Then you can break the monotony with some fun learning videos or activities that will deliver the lesson without the fuss. Display your weekly schedule on a wall clearly for the child to see and be prepared for ‘school time’ without being asked.
Regular Breaks
All work and no play… we all know how that goes. Well, now is the time to put it to use. Give your kids some time away from the books. Make a snack together or play a game to further enhance your bonding. This will positively impact the way your child will learn during those lessons and you can pat yourself in the back for being a great teacher. While spending time with the kids has its benefits, they should also get some ‘me time’ where they can pursue a hobby or spend time relaxing before you can start the learning sessions again. Suggest activities like learning a new language or a musical instrument that will work up their excitement to learn.
Managing Screen Time
Technology has been a lifesaver in many situations but sadly it is also the number one reason for all our distractions. Social media, video games, apps, and pictures can wait while your child learns from books. Using your computer to view educational videos with the children can be helpful, but watching negative news on your daily newsfeed (especially in times like these) can give the children a sense of unease which will take their minds away from the learning. Keeping the child’s age in mind, it is imperative to manage their screen time by using items like a TV cover or an activity monitoring app. This will ensure the kids don’t spend too much time glued to the screens.
Many parents are currently finding themselves in situations they were never prepared for, and homeschooling is one of them. While ‘learning on the job’ seems to be the only available option, it is also great to share your experiences with other parents, this way you can learn from their mistakes and have the best homeschooling experience for your children during these testing times. Happy homeschooling!
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