Tips For Homeschooling
Tips For Homeschooling During School Closures
6th April, 2020 | 3-4 minute read
Schools around Australia have shut their doors as a precautionary response to the growing effect of the Coronavirus. Subsequently, many families have turned to homeschooling to continue their children’s education throughout this uncertain time.
Making the decision to homeschool may seem overwhelming at first. If you have never homeschooled before, where do you start? We have compiled a list of our top 5 effective yet achievable tips to make these uncharted waters feel a little less deep. If you are new to homeschooling and need a little nudge in the right direction, keep reading.
1. Set Up Your Learning Space
Your learning space should be an area in your house where your child can focus on their tasks at hand.
Ideally this space will have minimal distractions such as TV, consoles and other devices (unless you are using an electronic device eg. iPad to support your learning).
In saying that, there is no set rule as to where learning can take place. Sit at a table or take it outside. Every child has their individual way of learning so ensure your space works for you and your child.
2. Create a Structure and Maintain Routine
Just because schoolwork is taking place in a familiar environment, this does not mean your child has to lose their routine. Schools have a timetabled structure throughout the week which you may wish to follow in a similar way.
Creating structure will allow them to concentrate on their studies first, however you can make a judgement by how your child is progressing as to how flexible your structure can be.
3. Get To Know What Your Child Should Be Learning
It is highly likely your school has moved to online learning. If so, materials and resources will be made available from your school or classroom teacher. This will take a bit of pressure off you as you are simply helping to facilitate their learning rather than replacing their teacher. If not, you may consider emailing your child’s teacher for an indication on what topic they would be learning in class.
There are also plenty of free online recourses from a multitude of platforms you can find on Google. eBooks, printable PDFs like worksheets, educational games and art and craft ideas are just some things you could use at home.
4. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to practice mindfulness or meditatation at least once daily. This unprecedented situation we find ourselves in has caused high levels of stress for many families.
Naturally, children and adults respond to stress in different ways. You may notice you child becoming insecure, angry or withdrawn. On the contrary they may become over excited or hyperactive, affecting their concentration. There are free downloadable apps such as Headspace that are designed to help guide you through breathing exercises that are quick, easy and effective.
5. Practice Life Skills
As important as is it to learn literacy and numeracy, this couldn’t be a more perfect time to get your children practicing important life skills.
The options are limitless and many are imperative to practice now to prepare them for life outside of school. Take learning into the kitchen! Follow some easy, child friendly recipes and learn to cook something new. Learn about sustainable living, what is currently implemented at home or what new ideas can be implemented to live sustainably? Other ideas can include domestic chores, social skills and manners or gardening.
This list has been inspired by suggestions from Health and Education professionals. There are many articles available online that explore tips and tricks to start homeschooling.
If you are looking for creative ideas on different activities you can do whilst your children are home from school, you can read our article here.
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Homeschool
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Coronavirus
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