Home Schooling Tips We Can All Use
For many of us, getting our children to do homework can be a chore, but things have now ramped up to a whole new level. Welcome to homeschooling 2.0
As well as trying to work from home, we are now having to help our children with at least 3-4 hours of schoolwork every day. More often than not there will be multiple subjects ranging from Biology to Spanish and perhaps the dreaded Pythagorus Theorem! Younger kids in primary school also offer a challenge as in many cases a lot more supervision will be required.
We all know it’s not going to be easy, very few of us are teachers but we want to do the best we can for our children.
Here are some tips we are going to be employing in the hope that it keeps everyone happy and makes the coming weeks a little easier.
1. Remove distractions
It’s hard to focus when the TV or radio is on or there are other things needing your attention, so try to get rid of the distractions. Concentrating is easier when you are in a quiet, comfortable place, with everything you need to hand, notes, pens, water, jotters. If you can, set up a small workstation for your child so they know when they are in that space it’s school time.
2. Divide up the work
Sometimes it can be difficult to motivate yourself and others when you’re faced with a mountain of work or a really difficult task. We suggest you break it down into smaller pieces and plan out the various stages that need completing before you start. That way, your child will know what needs to be done and you will both be able to see some progress to encourage you to finish the task.
3. Try and provide a structure to the day.
This does not need to be a strict timetable, but routine is important to us all. With younger children, you could encourage them to work in the morning knowing they have more fun activities in the afternoon such as art, exercise, crafts, and cooking.
4. Take regular breaks
Your kids are used to breaks at school and they are there for a good reason. Breaks can help us refocus and also get away when things are getting tense. You and your children will appreciate breaks in the day, and you can go back to being Mum and Dad for a bit.
5. Help is online
If you are looking for creative ways to teach and learn, websites like BBC Bitesize and Geography Games are great for delivering educational content in a fun, engaging way that you can all enjoy.
6. Escape the screen
If like us, you’re not keen on your children being at a screen for large chunks of time, remember, talking, reading and writing don't need devices and are important skills. You can practice basics with multiplication tables, playing with money, or imaginative role-play.
7. Don’t be shy
If you or your child is struggling, speak up. Talk to friends in the same situation to see what they are doing that’s different; you can always contact the teachers to see what advice or help they can give you.
8. You can do it.
Remember, this is short term. Your children will be going back to school, and your life will return to normal. In the meantime, you will be creating memories with your family that you wouldn’t normally have the chance to do. Take a day at time and remember on line home schooling offers flexibility that normal schooling does not. The lessons don’t have to stop at 3pm if that doesn’t fit in with your family life.
