3 top tips for homeschooling during coronavirus

Moving from school to homeschool? Here are three top tips to help soften the transition...

1. Get to the Heart of it

In the words of Julie Andrews, ‘let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.’ Whether your child is 5 or 15 years old, chances are they’ve been studying lots of different subjects at school. The key is going for the core: English, Maths and Science. Make a list of what they’ve been learning in each and as use that as your blueprint (and do it quick before they forget!)

Once you have these cornerstones in place you can build the other subjects in, but make sure you lay the foundations first. If your child can’t remember the capital of Kazakhstan come September it’s not the end of the world. If they’ve forgotten how to multiply we have a bigger problem on our hands…

2. An Environment for Education

Take a moment to consider your work environment. Can you concentrate in a noisy office with a cluttered desk and your phone bleeping constantly? It’s exactly the same for children.

Let’s start with the basics. Students need a dedicated, organised study space in order to flourish. That means a proper desk and chair in a ventilated room with natural light, ideally not their bedroom. They should have a constant supply of water (avoid fizzy and caffeinated drinks) and healthy snacks (fresh fruit and nuts etc.) Siblings and pets should be kept away and general distractions kept to a minimum. This includes smartphones, as much as your teenager may disagree with you…

One study showed that students who text or use social media more frequently get lower grades. Another investigation by the University of Southern Maine revealed that the mere sight of a mobile can be distracting. This is a battle you may or may not want to pick with your child, but science suggests that phones need to be put away!

3. Parent First, Teacher Second

The world is going through a period of unprecedented change. Since Covid-19 hit our lives have changed beyond recognition; we will continue to be affected by this pandemic in the months to come. It’s a strange, scary time to be alive as an adult. Imagine experiencing all this as a child?

Take time to outline the situation to your son or daughter. You can’t except a student to study successfully if they’re expecting the world to implode any minute! Not sure where to start? There are lots of handy, child-friendly videos explaining the pandemic in a calm, informative way. Even so, don’t be surprised if your child seems quiet and subdued. Last week they were joking with friends at school, today they’re facing months of isolation at home. That’s a huge change for a little person!

It’s important to try and implement a routine to soften the transition from school to homeschool. Schedule in break times and a lunch hour just as before. That said, be observant. Is your child withdrawn? Shake up the learning style (can you bring Science into the kitchen?!). If that fails take a break. Walk the dog, throw a ball in the garden or read a passage from their favourite book. Yes, learning is important. But right now maintaining a good parent-child relationship is crucial.

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We hope these homeschooling tips are helpful. If you find your child requires individual support from one of our expert tutors just get in touch.

In light of the global situation My Private Tutor Online is offering 20% off tutorials for the rest of March, just quote ‘SUPERTUTOR’.

Stay safe and happy learning!