Looking for ways to make home schooling your kids a little more fun? We took to Facebook for advice from parents and teachers! Here are some of the best ways you can create a healthy and fun routine for your kids as they learn from home.
Keep a Schedule
Keep a regular routine! Kids need structure to help them adjust to learning away from their teachers and classmates.
Parents can keep kids on schedule by:
- Waking them up the same time every morning
- Serving them a fun, healthy breakfast
- Getting them dressed in school clothes
- Setting an alarm for the start of the school day, which will act as a school bell
Set Up a Home Classroom
Inspire your kids to get into learning mode! Set up an organized, fun environment.
Ways that parents can create a fun learning environment at home:
- Set up desks with TV dinner tables or create space on the dining room table
- Keep books, learning props and pencils in reach
- Set individual seats with custom place mats with each child’s name
- Set up a makeshift teacher’s desk, complete with a red grading pen and desk plate
- Hang a chalkboard or white board and keep a checklist of assignments
- Create a reward system with fun stamps or stickers
Have Recess
Breaks should still be a part of each student’s day. Take them outside for some fresh air. Parents can have fun working and teaching from home by:
- Setting up a 30 minute to 1 hour recess each day
- Creating a fun outside lunch picnic
- Teaching science outside, or do art projects outside
- Finding ways to incorporate learning into games
- Setting up a snack station (and coffee station for yourself!)
Divide the School Day into Sessions
If time and curriculum allows, parents should spend about an hour per day on each school subject. Younger children can spend less time with hands-on assignments. “The routines for elementary should only include one to two hours of academic instruction, with breaks,” says fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Fuller.
The following daily habits can help maintain stability and growth as kids go to school from home:
- Set an alarm on your phone to sound every 1.5 hours. This can act as a school bell, and remind everyone to take a breather
- Work with your child’s teacher to set up face time a couple days per week, or as time allows
- Keep the same class schedule each school day. If math class is at 9 am on Monday, keep it the same each week day
- Set an end-of-day alarm at 3 pm! Separate school (and work) from personal time by creating a real ending to the day
Follow Guidelines from Your School District
School districts across the United States are responding quickly to COVID-19 prevention and school closings. Many districts, such as Duval County in Florida, have programs such as “Duval Homeroom.” Through programs like this, which will begin with an online orientation, curriculum and courses are set up online. Learning packets for small children are also provided and delivered to bus stops. Free lunches are still available for pick up, while some are even being delivered to bus stops! Parents with limited access to technology can request a laptop. Resources are readily available to assist parents with homeschooling their children.
Teachers are on board and prepared to assist in home schooling efforts, especially for special needs children. “It’s important for parents to relax and allow their children to adapt to the new way of learning away from the classroom,” says Duval County fourth grade teacher Mrs. Fuller. “Don’t freak out or force worksheets on your kids.
Parents across the US should stay in contact with their child’s school district leaders and teachers, who are available to provide coaching, learning materials and meals for students.
Here is what parents have to say about home schooling:
“I make a lesson plan that also includes time to play games or chill out for breaks, and I make the plan from 8 to 4”
-Chloe, mom to 7-year-old Kaylee
“We put a lunchbox on the counter with her cup and snacks for the day to prevent her from raiding the pantry more than usual”
-Stephanie, mom to 4-year-old Mae
“When working from home, let the kids sleep in a little later. You can get up early and get your important things done first”
-Nichole, home school parent, and mother of 3 teenage girls
“Some parents drive their kids around the block to give the feeling of being dropped off at school”
-Nick, dad to 3 girls
