How to homeschool your child

Now that classes have been suspended to prevent the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19, many parents have had to take up the work that teachers do every day and homeschool their children. Here are some tips on how to get the best out of studying at home with your kids.

Education Otherwise, the primary English home-schooling organisation, describes two core approaches: structured or autonomous. Structured learning follows the school day and curriculum; and there is a solid argument that, since you intend for your children to go back to school and the school will give you materials (all primary and secondary schools are making plans to this effect), this is the way to go.

If you are of an autonomous bent, that is also legitimate. Your children are unlikely to get hopelessly behind.

Adopting a structured approach benefits the child immensely. Start every morning with a timetable and stick to your timings. Use language such as “now” and “next”. For younger children, you can build in very clear timings such as 10 minutes’ reading followed by 10 minutes’ Lego, role playing, chase games or exercises.

For ages five to eight, this is the hardest age to do yourself. Whether you have one, two or three under-fives, all those situations are uniquely challenging (loneliness, squabbling or constant squabbling).

On the plus side, a lot of the formal learning requirements are things you would do instinctively: communication and language development; fine motor movements; large movements and coordination; reading and writing; counting and adding; shape, space and measures; and expressive arts and design. There is a section on understanding – the world, people and communities, technology – and, sincerely, where would any of us start? The challenges in this age group will be around letting off steam, especially if you can’t leave the house, not being able to socialise, especially for a child without siblings, maintaining concentration, especially your own, and mess.

Keep your timetable realistic. You will not conclude a slime-making session in less than an hour; you will probably not spend more than 10 minutes at a go, reading. Make as much use of your garden as you can (for communication, all motor skills, understanding the world). In the pre- or only just-verbal age group, it’s hard to explain what’s going on in a reassuring way; you can download a really good, illustrated booklet here.

Go to https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/mar/21/try-to-minimise-stress-how-to-home-school-your-child to read more.