The
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc in almost every area of our lives, grinding the
economy to a halt and putting a stop to our educational system. Of course, as homeschoolers,
everyone else's new normal — being thrust into the role of at-home educators —
is the old normal, at least when it comes to being our kids' teachers. That's
why we're in a unique position to offer a few tips on helping your children
make the most of these extraordinary circumstances. Here are a few of the most
helpful.
Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels
1. Create a Structure
Experts
say implementing a daily routine helps kids (and adults, for that matter) deal
with the uncertainty and anxiety that times like these can foster. You'll want
to set a time to wake up, a time to eat and a time to start lessons and you'll
want to stick to it. Many parents find it useful to have a physical schedule,
whether it's on a whiteboard, a printed piece of paper or the family's virtual
calendar. Others choose to use a timer to keep the day from getting off track.
Here are some more detailed pointers on creating an effective
homeschool schedule.
2. But Stay Flexible
A
little bit of routine helps us accomplish goals and stay on task. Too much
routine is jail. There's no perfect answer to striking a balance between the
two. Some parents might find it helpful to schedule plenty of play and free
time without organizing or directing it. At first, taking those reins off might
lead to some bored, or even destructive, moments. In time, though, this freedom
can help rekindle a passion and reignite imagination.
3. Encourage Passion Projects
Now's
the perfect chance to funnel all that extra downtime into something your
child's passionate about. Maybe they want to hone their muffin baking skills or
shred on the guitar. Maybe it's building a roller coaster in Minecraft or
perhaps it's writing the great American novel. Passion projects work on so many
levels: they bring joy, they kill boredom, they connect kids to the broader
world around them, they invite new friendships and they help kids see that
learning doesn't have to be a chore. And, if they love doing it, you won't have
to push them into it.
4. Allow Time for Processing
We
don't yet know the long-term effects of Coronavirus
school closures on students but one thing is certain: our kids are constantly
processing and internalizing this experience. Finding healthy ways to do this
is an educational experience that's just as important as any textbook subject.
This might mean encouraging them to keep a video diary or their experience,
helping them express their feelings through art or having family sit-downs
where you discuss the emotions — negative and positive — that you're all going
through.
5. Make Use of Resources
There's
no shortage of homeschool resources out there, and that's more
true now that we're all in the same boat. These resources include lesson plans
you can implement at home, web-based courses from major schools, ideas for
creative playtime, free virtual concerts and plays, online museum walkthroughs
and games that inspire learning. There is so much out there, in fact, that it
can get overwhelming. To not get bogged down, try to stick with what's working
for you or what makes your child's eyes light up.
The
beautiful thing about times like these is they inspire resilience and show us
what we're made of. Yes, they're tough, but they also create beautiful moments
of togetherness, love and creativity. Take a deep breath. Throw out the idea of
perfection and focus on those moments.
