So, you need to home school now, thanks Corona...
- Sparrow Home School
- Mar 26, 2020
- 3 min read
There are so many things online with regard to many families having to (or choosing to) educate their children at home, trying to keep their loved ones safe from this virus that is spreading across our world.
Firstly, this is a scary time, for all. Staying home and stopping the spread and doing our best hygiene wise seems to be the biggest message. Let's learn from the countries who sadly are in the worst of times and ensure our own countries don't suffer the same fate. We are ALL responsible to do our bit.
So, if you as an adult are scared, imagine how our kids are feeling. They more than likely have no reference point for stuff like this. There are lots of sites and You Tube videos guiding parents how they might talk about this virus to their kids, for various ages. Google and see what you feel is best fit for how you can talk to your kids. I've just chosen 3 sources from Googling but again, see what sources will work for you and your family.
Secondly, I want to say, taking on a 'teacher' role, will seem scary at first, that's normal. But, the great thing is, you are not taking on a teacher role, so phew, take that pressure right off yourself.
Most home schoolers want to extend a helping hand to those who are having to educate at home not by choice. We can help you find some simple resources to keep numeracy and literacy ticking along (not too much, a small amount maybe a few times a week) and really, I think after that just get hands on and have some fun. Give your kids lots of time and space to follow their passions and interests. Learning happens everywhere, all the time, for everyone. It is not (and never has been) limited to the four walls of schools. This is worth a quick read -
And this...
Things you can do:
- Ask them what they are excited and passionate about then let them do it, join in and learn what makes them happy, what makes them tick
- Cook
- Play board games
- Watch some movies together
- Watch some documentaries
- Do some gardening
- Play THEIR games, show an interest in what they love to play (NOTE: they will want to do their computer type gaming, they are kids, why would they not. This is still a source of learning. My now 12 year old used to love Minecraft when he was younger, and how he played helped him learn and remember his 8 times tables, so there you go).
- Art (Pinterest all the way for ideas)
- Crafts (Pinterest again)
- Cool at home science experiments (Pinterest, do you sense a theme here...)
- Stop motion animation
- Read, and let them choose what they read
- Lego
- Learn to knit
- Learn to crochet
- Learn how to tie different knots
- Sing
- Music
- Practice your musical instruments
- Play backyard games
- Talk, like really listen and talk
- Learn about your family history
- Take photos from around inside and outside your house in the garden (there are some cool ideas on, yes, you guessed it, Pinterest).
- Daydream - give time to daydream and ponder, - so many ideas can appear during this time (also helps the brain consolidate any learning).
- Get onto Pinterest and you will have zillions of ideas to choose from
And who cares in they are in their PJ's all day (and hey for us ladies, Bra O'Clock could be like all day)!
For the older kids:
- Get online and learn about how to buy a car, car loans and stuff like that.
- Print off some forms and get them to learn how to fill out forms
- Learn about how to do a tax return
- You can even learn how to use the stock exchange via ASX
- Teach them some basic car maintenance - how to check the oil, water, change windscreen wipers etc
- Show them how to pay bills online, online banking and other stuff like that
- How to start a small business (so much cool stuff there)
And the list goes on and on...
If you want them to do some academia (keeping in mind, all of the above and more IS learning), then here are a few ideas:
- Lots of freebie math games can be found for iPads, Tablets etc
- Read, again like above, does not matter what and let them choose
- Audio books
Here are some links you might like too:
Remember, kids have holidays all the time, especially the big Christmas time holidays. They won't lose what they have learnt so far, they will not damage their futures, they will not fall behind.
And most importantly, this...
Love your family, use this time to reconnect, have fun, enjoy each other.
Be safe, be patient, be kind.
Sparrow Home School
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