By Mariana Hladik
No one panic! You only need to have your child(ren) sit down for hours at a time, stay focused, attentive and quietly complete a days-worth of homework each day in an environment they are normally able to play and relax in – no big deal, right? If this seems at all daunting to you, then you aren’t alone – trust me! Many of us have already had a taste of what home-schooling looks like in our family. It may have been messy, unproductive, frustrating and all-together very overwhelming. Or, maybe you managed quite well, and the work got done quickly. If so, I am thoroughly impressed and would love to hear some tips from you! Either way, the whole experience is a learning curve for both the parent and the child.
But, let us take a moment to get a little more perspective on the reality. As part of our parenting or caregiver roles we are naturally called to teach our children about the world around us. Starting from the littlest word or simplest fact. We feed them information, answer their questions and help them problem solve. This teaching happens on a daily basis without even considering ourselves as ‘a teacher’. No, most of us may not have a Masters in Education, but we have had some practice and now we can graduate to the next level.
As a guide, here are a few tips to try when home-schooling this coming term:
- Stay positive. Take a deep breath and start each day with positive mindset. As St Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron saint of Catholic schools, said, “cheerfulness prepares a glorious mind for all the noblest acts.” No matter how bad yesterday might have gone, today is another opportunity to try again for both you and your child(ren). Staying calm and positive will be far more beneficial and productive in the moment and in the long run.
- Create a study space. Having a dedicated area they are meant to work each day will give some consistency – ideally if they have their own desk at home then make sure it is cleared of clutter, welcoming and clean. Otherwise, if they need to share a table with other siblings or mealtimes, then have a think about what adjustments need to be made for study time.
- Eliminate distractions. Reduce the noise, clutter or toys to help them stay focused on their work. Consider removing any electronic devices they may have during your ‘school times’ especially if this is a practice held at their school.
- Keep a routine/schedule. Having their usual school routine will be so helpful in keeping things “normal” and predictable. Have them get up, get ready and eat at the same time each day. If they have a morning chore or would normally have enough time for play or exercise in the morning then make sure this happens before they start their school work. Keep to their usual subject timetable and days as well, so this adds familiarity and consistency when working from home. It will also ensure an easier transition back into school when that time comes.
- Allow mistakes to happen. It may be difficult to resist the urge in giving your kids the answer to their homework or just doing the work for them, but you must try! Allow them to make their mistake in order that they actually learn from them. Also, give yourself the freedom to make a few mistakes during this time as the teacher – there will definitely be the need to trial and error and that is ok too. Be patient with yourself and your kids as you work through this time together.
- See the perks. Home-school does not need to be looked at as a negative for either you or your child. Notice the positives and embrace an opportunity for this flexibility in your day. As much as it is important to maintain as schedule, take a small break to stretch or have a cup of tea if frustrations are building – it will be a helpful way to reset are try again. Or, encourage your child to finish their work quickly in order for them to have more free time – timers work wonders to get them to speed things alone!
Remember to be kind to yourself – for most of us, this is uncharted territory and we are not going to have the perfect methods or answers to everything; sometimes ‘good enough’ is truly good enough. Write yourself a little note and stick it to the wall if you need this reminder each day. It may be a new challenge, but it is a doable one. Don’t worry, go easy on yourself and try and have fun with the experience.