Published on: 25/01/21
Despite many months of restrictions, January’s lockdown and the sudden return of homeschooling took many families by surprise, especially as schools moved from children being in school to online learning at very short notice.
Most schools remain open for vulnerable children and keyworkers’ children, but the majority of families are back at home and memories of how challenging this situation was in Spring/Summer 2020 have come flooding back.
Mum Sarah describes one of the challenges in her home: “My little girl struggled last lockdown with the amount of work she had to complete and with both parents working we decided to do a little bit as her mental wellbeing is more important.
“But this lockdown the school have said the government have said children must progress so my daughters’ school said now they ‘have’ to complete ‘all’ the work. I can understand schools need to show progress but children don't learn the same at home as they would at school with a teacher.”
To deal with this challenge, Sarah introduced a tick list. She said: “My two daughters can tick off when they done a piece of work so they can see progress and see what they have left to do. Just this little thing can motivate them to continue with their work.”
Other parents have said that their children's schools are putting a bigger focus on wellbeing in this lockdown compared to Spring 2020, with some putting maths and English as the only core subjects to complete, and children being encouraged to have more fun. It is far from a universal picture with variation between different schools.
Help simplify it
Schools are also using different teaching methods for pupils, with many secondary schools using live lessons while in primary schools, online pre-recorded videos and Powerpoints seem more common. Some of this information can be hard for children to take in.
Sarah looks at the work her daughter’s school has sent and advises simplifying the work if it looks too complicated for your child.
She said: “You know your child so make it simple; this will give your child a positive feeling knowing they Can Do It.”
Getting outside
It feels colder and wetter than the last lockdown but it is important to get outdoors when you can.
Sarah said: “It’s really busy with work and homeschool but we try and get out for one walk and if we can’t we will go in the garden or even just open the window... fresh air is amazing to make you feel good.”
Good luck with homeschool this week - you can read more tips on living in lockdown in our piece looking at Coronavirus – tips for families following a brain injury.
Sarah's 3 tips for homeschooling
- Make a tick list so your child can see their progress on the school work to complete and what they have left to do. This can help motivate them.
- Simplify the work if it looks too complicated for your child. This will give your child a positive feeling knowing they Can Do It.
- Get outside - fresh air is amazing to make you feel good.
