If you are homeschooling during coronavirus, because you are stuck at home, my heart is with you. I homeschooled three children for 8 years while running a part-time sales business and working part-time at night. I signed up for and made a conscious decision to homeschool. If you’re reading this, chances are, you did not.
For this moment, I can give you some tidbits in hopes they will help. Set aside blocks of time for learning, playing, housework, and self-care.
Learning
There are tons of free online learning sites such as Khan Academy. I used Khan Academy when I was in college for accounting. For fun, I’m currently playing on this site: Seterra to help you explore the world.
Google the type of learning resource you need and see what you get.
Also, use tactile learning. For example, when I was teaching the little ones to count, I pulled out popsicle sticks and beans. We cut some sticks in half and glued 5 beans to those. Then we glued 10 beans to full popsicle sticks. The kids learned how to count by fives and tens.
They learned about how people lived in different time periods by building homes from the period they chose, making food from that period, and then sharing a report with their siblings.
If you’re not creative, Google: creative ways to teach _______. Fill in the blank.
Playing
Face Time with friends, WhatsApp, or others. Idea – Set up a type of treasure hunt for all of their friends in a social media group or one of the online programs like Zoom. Make up a list and tell them an item to go find in the house and come show it to the group. For your own kids if you have more than one, play tag or hide and go seek in the yard.
Everyone can play old fashioned games together while in a chat room. However, find a chat room you’re comfortable with if you are concerned about security. I don’t endorse any of these programs or companies and am not associated with any of them, other than using them when needed.
Here’s a list I found online:
Zoom
GoToMeeting.
Cisco Webex Meetings.
Google Hangouts Meet.
join.me.
BlueJeans.
Cisco Jabber.
TeamViewer.
GlobalMeet Collaboration.
Here’s a website to give you insight into some of them:
https://9to5mac.com/
Housework
Because everyone is home all day, and because of the coronavirus, it is important that they all participate. I know you know this. The kids need to understand this too. Have a hard discussion about what is happening and how important keeping the house and their bodies and personal belongings clean. It’s even more important now than before.
I used to give housework classes when I homeschooled. Kids need to learn how to clean for when they are out on their own. It seems simple enough. However, I can’t tell you how many of my kid’s roommates or friends have no clue how to clean, what to clean, or don’t feel a need to keep themselves or their home clean.
Self-Care
Primping, dressing for the day and caring for our mental, physical, and emotional health is pivotal during this time. Get creative with what you and your family members can do for self-care.
For example, I’m inviting to get friends together in a chat room and telling them to get dressed, put on some makeup, and show me some jewelry they haven’t worn around me before.
Setting aside hours during the week to just call and check on friends and family does wonders for the soul (most of the time). Going through old clothes and rearranging bedrooms oddly enough can make some kids feel good or better.
Honestly, even during times where we are not stuck at home, homeschooling during coronavirus, we can implement these tips. Kids…families…people remember experiences, not material things.
If you have young, elementary-age children and want to brainstorm some ideas, I’d be happy to do so. PM me and we can chat.
Recommended reading:
Homeschool Tips
Dealing With Time From A Different Perspective
Blessings and Peace,
Speak Your Mind