Either way, here are some things you should know that can help you make the most of the educational opportunities out there as we deal with this unprecedented time we’re facing.
You CAN take time off from school
Depending on how long your school will be out of session, you could simply let the kids take a break from formal lessons.
Focus on building practical, hands-on skills such as learning to cook, do laundry, etc. – this is the perfect opportunity to help your kids gain independence and grow their self-esteem by contributing to the family.
School at home
Formal schools have played a huge part in our culture that we often forget it wasn’t always this way. Parents taught their children at home for millennia…and many still do…so this is something you can definitely do.
If you prefer, instead of following a set curriculum, make the most of the thousands of resources that homeschooling families have used online to supplement what they’ve learned so far this school year.
Keep the following in mind
Schooling from home WILL be different than a formal classroom. And there’s NOTHING wrong with that. You’re talking about educating one (or a few) kids as opposed to 20+…of course it’s different!
Don’t copy what the school is doing…build a schedule that works with you and your family. Nobody says that kids learn any better sitting in a chair and absorbing information that’s spoon-fed to them rather than directing their own learning.
We all learn more when we’re exploring things that interest us…your kids are no exception.
The school day will be shorter
Teachers – and other educational experts – say that actual learning time during a regular school day is around 2 ½ hours.
The rest of the time is taken with the logistics of shuttling kids from place to place, playtime, etc.
Interestingly, studies on the brain chemistry of office workers show that productivity is greatest within a 2 to 4 hour time period, so it doesn’t get any better as we age.
How to organize your school day
A simple way to organize your school day is outlined below:
Begin by choosing the days you will be schooling…you don’t necessarily have to school five days a week. Remember, this is your school, so decide what will work best for you and your family.
Next, block out 3 hours that work for you to set aside for homeschool activities on the school days you’ve picked.
These hours can be consecutive or split up as needed.
Decide what is and isn’t acceptable activity during these three hours.
For example, no social media, but regular lessons (or online learning provided from your school) audiobooks, reading, or educational videos, drawing, etc. are allowed.
Set a schedule for each hour.
For example, hour one can be academics (math, language arts, spelling, etc.)
Hour two can be books (audio, reading out loud, individual reading, etc.)
Hour three can be documentaries, online learning, documentaries, games, etc.
You don’t have to spend a solid hour on each of these activities. Depending on your kids’ academic level and age they may only need 30 minutes. Or in some cases, they may need more. Adjust to fit your family’s needs.
Finally, it’s not always necessary to hover over your kids as they learn; just give them direction and observe as they become self-directed (a/k/a lifetime) learners!
