Keep your expectations in check



5064125-18351500159385-18114100A Parents’ Guide to Home LearningWe are sure that home schooling your child is not what you were expecting to do. It is important to realise that your children are also feeling confused, scared and unsettled and need you to remain calm and in control.? Children thrive in consistency which is why school is so reassuring each day. We have put together some tips to help you and your child make the best from this situation. Keep your expectations in checkWhen at school, children spend many hours a day learning subjects from across the curriculum, as well as special extracurricular subjects such as music, art, and PE. That said, It is unreasonable to believe any parent can mimic the usual school day, especially in the midst of a national crisis. It’s important to remember that expectations should be lowered substantially regarding what parents can do as teachers, the amount time spent working on homework, and the progress that can reasonably made in such an environment. It’s natural to be afraid that your child will fall behind, but when parents stress themselves out by holding themselves to unrealistic expectations, children and their parents, struggle even more. Keep in mind that it will naturally take your child longer to do assignments, that not as much will be done at home as in the classroom, and that teachers are planning to remediate for learning gaps when school does start again.Accept that screens will be on more often than offSomething important to remember is that the virtual learning your child is engaging in is unavoidable. And so is the need for parents to get their own work done, oftentimes at home. If your child sneaks in a few TV shows or video games while taking a break from classwork and while you’re on a conference call, it’s okay.?If possible, do try to create a reliable schedule where the kids can get outside to run and play in between classwork, or whenever meets your own personal work routine. Take laptops outside to supervise, or schedule around your working hours. Regardless, don’t worry if children are spending more time on screens, because once school starts up again, the kids will be engaged with friends and teachers in real time once more!Arrange Virtual Play datesYour children will be missing their friends. Arrange virtual meet ups for them each week. This will help regulate their emotions and have a positive impact on their well- being. It may also be a platform for them to discuss any of the home learning they have been doing.Cooking togetherTry to organise a time for you to make something together with your child at least once a week. This is an excellent way to develop a multitude of skills, have lots of fun, develop purposeful talk and give you precious time with your children.Teaching is a challenge, and so is distance learningAs a parent, remember that teaching is tough. It’s even tougher for the parent who isn’t accustomed to it, let alone when navigating all new apps. Allow yourself a little extra grace knowing that you’re out of your element and comfort zone.Tricks of the TradeNow that expectations have been adjusted, it’s time to talk about tips for harried parents in the midst of online teaching alongside working full time. Utilize the following advice to maximize your days:?TimetableUse our school's timetable to structure your child's day - wake up at normal time, have breakfast as usual and then where possible stick to lessons as normal9:00 – 9:45Reading9:45 – 10:45Maths10:45 – 11:00Break time11:00 – 12:00Writing12:00 – 1:00 Lunch1:00 – 3:00Art, History, PE, Geography, music Don’t do it alone - take full advantage of online resourcesAs a working parent, the only way to catch a break to get something done is when the kids are otherwise occupied! Look at the school website for ideas on what your child can do Choose a good place to learnYour family’s regular learning space for occasional homework might not work for extended periods. Set up a physical location that’s dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions and, if possible, has a good internet connection. Make sure an adult monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety. Stay in touchTeachers will mainly be communicating regularly through our online platforms and weekly phone calls. Teacher may be calling from a private number so please answer these calls. Stay in contact with the school but understand it may take a day or two for us to respond. If you have concerns about anything, let someone know.Establish times for quiet and reflectionFor families with children of different ages, and parents who may also be unexpectedly working from home more often, it’s good to build in some time for peace and quiet. Siblings may need to work in different rooms to avoid distraction. Many families will need to negotiate access to devices throughout the day. Reading is fundamental and must be done daily.Encourage physical activity and exerciseLiving and working at home, we will all need some room to let off steam. Moving (independently and together as a family) is vital to health, wellbeing, and readiness for learning. It’s a great opportunity to practice exercising ‘alone together’ with digital workouts and online instructors. Set new fitness goals and plan hands-on, life-ready activities that keep hands busy, feet moving, and minds engaged. You may want to think about how your children can pitch in more around the house with chores or other responsibilities. Now’s a good time to think about increasing personal responsibility and pitching in.Don’t give up… but know your limitsThere have been many articles circulating in the news and on social media about frustrated parents giving up on their children’s’ virtual learning. We get it: homeschooling while working full time can take multitasking of epic proportions, that are sometimes not even possible! But take heart; the end of the school year is near, and students will hopefully be back in the classroom in the Autumn TermWith that said, try your best to keep going, as anything worth doing is difficult. But also know your own limits, and that of your child. If something just isn’t working out, leave it for another day. Take things one day at a time and accomplish what you can.No matter your situation, the most important thing is to come to terms with what you can and cannot do within a scope of a day, and plan for how it affects your family. Until the pandemic is brought under control, it seems that for now, we must adjust to a new normal when it comes to work and school. Try the tips and tricks above to see how they can help your family navigate this uncertain time!Useful Links: ................
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