Homeschooling (and keeping kids busy)during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on people’s lives, and we’re all trying to adjust to the big changes that have taken place in the last few weeks. One of the biggest challenges, for parents and carers, is that many kids across the nation are no longer physically attending school, or care arrangements. This has meant parents and carers have found themselves having to guide their children through ‘at home’ learning.

Assuming a new and unfamiliar role can be tricky, especially if you are also trying to work from home or look after younger children.The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on many parents trying to teach their kids while school is out.

Schools across the country are canceled or closed, some indefinitely, as COVID-19 continues to spread. This has left many parents stressed or confused about what to do with them and how to keep them learning while they’re stuck at home.

Below are some tips and resources to help you keep the kids happy and learning.

1)DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF

For many parents, teaching their kids at home is something they’ve never had to do before.So it’s important to remember that your homeschooling techniques, whatever they are, don’t have to be perfect or like regular school, experts tell media outlets.“Your ‘school day’ will not be perfect, and that’s OK. Just try to remember that you’re both adjusting to something new and there will be some bumps along the way.”“We just need to try to do our best, whether we’re teachers, parents or working professionals,” he said. “There’s no map for this journey that we’re on.”

2)HAVE FUN

Homeschooling during the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t have to be taken so seriously.

“Grocery shopping can be lessons on everything from color, shape and sizes for the young ones to multiplication and percentages for your older ones,” she told TODAY. “Taking a long walk can be a lesson in botany or biology. And those experiences that you seek out become field trips that will be a blast and something special because you are schooling your children.”

You can also have kids do crafts or art projects with items you have around the house.

3)BREAKS AND DOWNTIME

Regular school has breaks and “moments of downtime.”

“Remember to give them the same while they’re at home,” she told the news outlet. “Believe me, when you’re struggling through a math assignment, a quick 15-minute break can do wonders for both your patience and their ability to get through the material.”

Kids should also still be getting some outside time, like they would during recess.Giving kids some freedom is a good thing, especially for parents who have to work.

“I think parents might be surprised that if they give their child more freedom, that they will find time to do things besides just playing video games,”

4)MAKE A SCHEDULE

It’s helpful to have a daily schedule that includes learning time, chores, meals and other activities, experts say.

Students are used to having a schedule at school, so having one at home can make the situation easier on everyone, But it’s important to make sure your family’s schedule isn’t too ambitious.“Yes, your kids are probably used to being at school for about six hours a day,”“But they aren’t doing six hours of schoolwork while they’re there.”

5)RESOURCES

There are many resources to help keep kids learning while out of school.

Scholastic created a free “digital hub” for kids stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. It includes access to “daily learning journeys” for students at four different grade levels.Some internet companies are also offering free services for families with students.Most schools also have online resources for students or might have given the assignments to do while home.“Talk to your child’s teacher and find out exactly what is expected from them in terms of assignments and school work during this time.”