New to Home School??

So it’s Monday morning and your first day of Home School - YAY….no??

I know that this is a huge WTF moment for all of us but for those not used to being home with their kids and worrying how they’re going to school/entertain them, here are a few tips that I learned along the way. I hope they help.

A primary aged child only needs 1-2 hours of school per day. Early secondary school 2-3 hours and GCSE/A’Level 3-4 hours. These are max. You have to remember that your kids are now getting 1:1 - 1:3 schooling so they can get the information quicker and get attention they need because their teacher isn’t dealing with 30 other kids. (Teachers SO need a pay raise!!). There are a ton of resources out there - USE THEM. You are also homeschooling at a time when suddenly everyone is offering resources - make the most of them.

Let them sleep in. It’s good for their immune system and really - what are you getting them up for? Don’t rush them to get dressed.

Talk to them - ask them what they’re interested in, what they want to work on. Let them do that. Let them plan it out, make their own schedule and you’ll be surprised that they actually stick to it.

Get outside. I know that this is hard right now, but vitamin D is great for the immune system and they need to blow off some steam. Let them play in the garden - make an obstacle course. Go for a bike ride. But please practice physical distancing.

Spend and hour reading.

Get them to do some jobs around the house - empty the dishwasher, tidy their room, clean the bathroom… whatever.

Cook together - let them in the kitchen!! Loads of maths is done in the kitchen - measuring, timing….

I have found that the less I try to parent (interfere…ahem), the easier it is and the more stuff they do and want to do.

Lastly - this is a stressful time for all of us. Some kids will initially think it’s exciting, others will be anxious. I know I am. Be gentle with your kids - this is a marathon, not a sprint - you’ll find your rhythm. Be gentle with yourself too. If it becomes annoying, just walk away….. (Pour a glass of wine, swear into a pillow….).

Some resources:

Twinkl - they are offering a free parent code for you to access worksheet and projects etc….

Teach Your Monster to Read - this is a phonics game which is loads of fun - you can also get it as an app which is now free!

Edinburgh Zoo - visit the zoo - they have live webcams.

Virtual Museum Tours - Time Out Magazine has a list of all the virtual museum tours you can take. A great way to experience something from home that can add to projects or fire some interests!

YouTube - You can find tutorials on here for everything and anything. Just supervise so they don’t get sucked down some random rabbit hole!!!!!

Duolingo - a free to use language site and app. 10 mins a day and they can start to learn the basics of loads of languages…

BBC Bitesize - the BBC has stepped up here and is now adding more content for kids.

Oh and Joe Wicks is doing a daily PE lesson for kids at 9am. My kids would be spitting chips if I woke them up for PE at 9am but from all accounts it’s great and a fab way to expend some energy at the start of the day!!

Outschool - these guys have loads of classes on offer for loads of ages. Some of them are themed and fun.