For some parents, homeschooling is not an easy task.  As an educator, I am providing you with some suggestions to help make it a little easier for you.
 

Tip 1: Establish a schedule.  If school usually runs from 8am-3pm, or half-days sometimes, build a schedule that includes learning activities that last during those hours.  Be stern about sticking to the schedule, unless extenuating circumstances occur that require you to change the schedule.  This will be beneficial to your peace of mind and time management skills, as well as your child getting the best out of an online learning environment.
 

Tip 2: Take a break for lunch, quiet time or nap time, play or activity.

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Tip 3: Speak with the teacher and ask them for a copy of their lesson plan. Follow the lesson plan instructions and ask the teacher questions if there is anything that you do not understand.  Explain the instructions to your child/children and make them accountable for doing the work.

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Tip 4: Don't be afraid to ask for help.

If you are a single parent with no support system and you work during the day or if you are a couple who both work during the day, you might have to make the sacrifice of hiring a tutor or babysitter, who can help make sure that your child is engaging in the learning process.  A tutor is probably better, especially if there are concepts that you might not know or understand.   Make sure that the tutor or sitter wears a mask, can medically prove that he/she is COVID-free, and practices good hygiene (hand washing, sanitizing, etc).

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Tip 5:  Be accountable for checking their work at the end of each day to make sure that they are actually completing the work accurately.  Hold your child accountable for completing their schoolwork. 

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Tip 6:  Speak with other parents who have children who attend the same school and determine what they are doing that is working well with their children and try to model it.

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Tip 7: Monitor how your child spends their time, make sure that they are doing their classwork.  When you do not put them on a schedule, it is difficult for the child and you to keep up with assignments and this can become overwhelming.   Do not let them play outside for long periods of time, to get out of doing schoolwork, and do not let them play video games to get out of doing school work.   When they are finished taking a break, transition them back into doing their schoolwork.  After the schedule has become routine, you will see less resistance.  In the beginning, be prepared to be met with resistance.  This is why keeping the schedule is important.  The more your child has to repeat the same schedule, each day, the more open he/she will be to staying on schedule.   The minute you let your children do something off schedule, the harder it will be to get them back on task.    

 

Tip 8: If you are not a teacher, it is okay that you do not know how to teach your child in the best way that is conducive to their learning style.  Teachers are trained for this, so Speak with the teacher about teaching strategies that he/she uses in the classroom to teach your child. 

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Tip 9:  If you cannot afford to buy the technology tools needed for your childs’ learning experience, speak with the teacher and ask to speak with the principal at the school and explain your situation, to see if they can offer you a loaner computer or laptop that you can borrow or if they know of any other resources that are available to your child.

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Tip 10: Some students have a difficult time learning in an online learning environment.  Try to find fun learning activities online like activities on abcmouse.com, sheppard software, pbskids.com, etc. that can supplement learning and make learning fun.

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Tip 11:  Set up an environment at home, that is distraction free (no noise, or television or video game) and design the room as if it is a classroom and dedicate that space for your children to engage in learning.  A headset is good, when your home is noisy.  You can purchase classroom decorations at any dollar store, and get a desk or folding table from a retail store. 
 

As you try these techniques at home, you will see what works best for you and your children.  Just make sure that your child is learning, despite his/her environment.  Learning is always by design.

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By Lynnette Clement