2020 is not shaping up to be a year any of us planned or hoped for. For many this is a year of incredulity, foolishness and despair. For many it is the worst of times. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes to our lifestyles, our work and our learning and this transition to new ways of living and working are at best bumpy, at worst heartbreaking. In amongst it all, may families find themselves 'accidentally homeschooling' - whether they are pulling their children out of school to home educate, or whether they are using the distance education and online learning platforms schools are now scrambling to create to support students and parents at home. Learning at home is now a thing. And parents are feeling the pressure. However, although the transition and the days ahead will require consideration and care, although there will be tough moments, this period can also bring the best of times. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Life, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us..." ~ Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities ~ I'd like to share a few tips for making a start as many families begin the adventure of Term 2, 2020 - accidentally learning at home. 1. Start Here - Where You Are As you think about setting up your children for learning at home don't begin with a school mindset. You are not a school at home and your children's education during this season will look and feel different. You are a home and family first. Your wellbeing comes first. So stop, take a look at your home, your children and yourself. - What do you enjoy doing together as a family? - How can you set up your home to support each member of the family as they create their new normal for now? - How much support can you realistically provide for each child? - Are your children dependent on you for guidance and presenting their lessons or are your children independent workers who need check-in times at points throughout the day? - What internet and digital technology do you have and how do you need to use it? - - Will you need to work together in shared spaces or can you use different living spaces for different learning activities? 2. Prepare - Setting Up and Planning Planning for Weekly Schedules and Daily Rhythms - Give consideration to times for waking up. Allow time for the extra sleep that we all need but don't usually get. - Can you enjoy breakfast together before the 'work day' begins? - Does your day flow smoother when you all get in and get your work done and then enjoy some play, relaxation and fun. - How will you need to balance quiet alone time with together time? - Will you work independently and gather together for breakfast, lunch and dinner? - Do your children work best after they have had active play time outside or before? - Can you set up regular special events throughout the week so each day has something different to look forward to - like Family Movie Night, Family Game Night, Backyard Stargazing, video chats with family and friends? - Can you connect with friends and family outside your home - maybe through phonecalls, video chats, online games? Setting up for learning - How to set up your space? Desks in bedrooms, the dining table and kitchen bench, the couch and the backyard all lend themselves to different learning activities. It can be a good idea to set up learning stations around the house with the resources on hand in that space. Dining table might be good for online learning (so parents can be in the same room when children are online) and bookwork or projects they can do in a shared space. Desks in bedrooms are ideal for independent learning that requires quiet space for high levels of concentration. Couches are great for reading and watching documentaries etc. Outdoor spaces are great for science, nature study, art projects. If you are able to have the key resources ready to go in that space - like a bookshelf of workbooks and a place for laptops, book baskets in reading areas, project shelf with paint, pencils, glue, paper etc - you are able to set up a flow in your home where you and your children can spread out or work alongside each other as needed. - How to set up your resources? You may think you need a tonne of expensive specialised resources in order to educate your children at home. You don't. Paper, pencils, books, a laptop or tablet/ipad is all you need. Start small with the essentials and slowly add as you need. Take your time. Also include resources for things that your children love to do - whether it involves lego, sculpture, digital design, writing, drama, sport etc. 3. Atmosphere, Discipline, Life As you settle into routines and build your days around your home remember that the atmosphere of your home, the habits that you have as individuals and as a family, and the life of ideas that permeates your family culture are important. While you are looking at the practical and the essential of the day to day, this atmosphere, discipline and life will go along way into helping this strange season be closer to the best of times and a highlight in your family life when you look back.
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AuthorI teach with the Charlotte Mason method in home education, tutoring and P-12 Christian school contexts in Australia. Archives
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