We are experiencing a new moment in history. The outbreak of COVID-19 practically shut the world down. Restaurants are closed for dine-in, people are working from home, and schools across the country have closed. While this is necessary to protect our more vulnerable citizens, there have been difficulties due to these closures.
One that a lot of parents are feeling is the new pressure to be a working parent as well as a homeschool teacher. Here are a few friendly tips for those of you who are overwhelmed with your new role.
Employ a Routine
Something that aids kids development, during a crisis or otherwise, is a routine. Studies have shown that keeping to a routine helps kids ease their anxiety and developed good habits for their adult lives. Especially during times of crisis, a routine gives your kids a safe space and makes them feel like they’re still in control. Keep your homeschool routine consistent to maximize learning time and peace of mind.
Keep a Healthy Level of Activity
As a part of your routine, try to include physical activity. When your children stare at screens and online games for hours at a time, they don’t take in information as effectively. During a regular school day, students get breaks, lunchtime, recess, or passing periods. Even while homeschooling, be sure to give them that time to be active. Maybe a walk around your neighborhood or some time playing catch outside. If you can keep their bodies moving, it will help stimulate their minds as well.
Keeping your child physically healthy during this time will help with their stress levels. All this uncertainty can worry kids, so maintaining a healthy diet with a good amount of activity will help that. And you don’t have to do that all alone. Vitamin supplements like hiya can help guarantee your kids are still getting all of their daily vitamins. Hiya understands that you’ve now taken on the role of a full-time teacher and full-time cook for your family. Let them relieve that pressure and help keep your student healthy and strong.
Let Your Creativity Shine
Teaching at home doesn’t have to be a bore. There are plenty of ways to embrace creativity during the quarantine. Even teachers are encouraging their students to sing and dance or play board games or just get their brains working in any way they can.
So maybe today’s math lesson is less about formulas and more about balancing a budget during a game of Monopoly. And science won’t be all in the books when you and your kiddos can make volcanoes and bottle rockets right in your kitchen. You don’t have to be an expert in every subject, you just have to put the fun back into functionality. Let your creativity shine to make learning entertaining for your students and for you.
Find Virtual Resources
Also remember, you are not alone during this time. Thousands of parents are also homeschooling for the first time. And lucky for you, these other parents and organizations across the globe are sharing their resources with you. The internet is a wonderful place, so utilize all the virtual resources and distance learning programs you can find.
For example, museums and gardens across the country are allowing for virtual tours or a unique discovery experience. You can go on a field trip from right in your home. Also, teachers are learning this new system as well, but they are still available to your students digitally. Reach out via email or Zoom to connect with these educators who are still passionate about helping your child learn.
Of course, during quarantine, we’ve all been relying on our internet service providers more than usual. Now more than ever we need our wireless network and wifi router to be top-notch. When most of our learning is happening online, we need a guarantee that our wireless routers can handle the pressure. The more we can connect digitally during this time, the safer and more confident we will feel.
Relieve the Pressure, For Your Student and Yourself
One last tip for you while homeschooling, and it’s a pretty simple one: give yourself a break. Right now, the whole world is coping with new situations and fear that we never expected. It may be a traumatic experience for a lot of us. Relieve that pressure from yourself and your student.
The last thing they need right now is to worry an assignment isn’t 100% perfect. And the last thing you need is to worry that your student isn’t learning enough while you’re also keeping up with cooking, and paying bills, and maybe a loss of work.
It’s a stressful time for everyone, try not to let homeschooling add to that. We, as a nation and a global community, are all in this together. Cut yourself some slack and try to just enjoy the extra time with your family as much as you can. We’ll get through this. One day at a time.
