The impact of lockdown on learning

The effect of school closures on education and family life - experts look at how to get families through our uncertain times

TASH ROSIN, TEATIME TUTORS: HOW TO ALLEVIATE HOMESCHOOLING ANXIETY

During these unprecedented times it can be difficult to remember that you are doing a brilliant job. Your child or children are safe and well and that is because of you. You are not home schooling; you are supporting their learning at home; your child’s teacher is doing the schooling; they are the qualified teacher, but your support is invaluable and much needed.

Here are a few hints and tips for you to help you and your child try at home that will hopefully alleviate any current anxiety you may be feeling.

  • Designate an area that is your child’s learning area. Ensure it is quiet and think about purchasing some headphones so that any external noise is muted or silenced. Once this area has been defined, keep it. Children will associate this space with where they are learning, and the consistency will help them study.

  • Eliminate the problems that are stressing you out. If you have to print work, make sure you have printer ink and paper. Ask your teacher to send out the following day’s work the night before if they can.

  • Be prepared to assist your child, but do not do the work for them. This helps no-one and the teacher will have no idea what your child can or cannot do. If your child is really struggling, let their teacher know and submit their work regardless.

  • Create a visual timetable – children like and are used to routine and this sets up their day, so they know what they are working towards or what is coming up on that day. The Times Educational Supplement have some for free. Build in breaks for them, we all need a break from our computers; let them have time between their lessons to gather their thoughts, have a snack or go to the loo. They do this at school so let them at home.

  • Be consistent – find the pattern to the day that suits you and your family environment and stick to it. The more your child does this, the more open they will be to focusing on their schoolwork.

  • Communication is key. Communicate with your child. Ask them how their day was, how were their lessons and what did they learn? Ask them if there was anything they didn’t understand and what or how their day could have been better and communicate with the school.

  • Get your kids outside. They need the fresh air, and they need to let off steam. Please try and make sure they get a good run around regardless of the weather. Add this into their timetable so they are working towards their outdoor time.

  • Schedule in 30 mins of quiet reading time daily. Your child can use a Kindle, a paper book, read a magazine, but it is an important part of their day and hopefully also give you 30 minutes peace. Remove any distractions so they must focus on this one task. Make this totally independent and daily – get them into the routine of it and be consistent.

  • Allow them time to talk to their friends. Either on the phone, using House Party or on Zoom. They need to socialise with their friends and talk nonsense; they do this in school so there’s no reason they shouldn’t be doing it now.

  • The wider curriculum – if your child loves the subject Space, let them do a project on it. If they like gardening, ask them to plan a garden, draw a scheme, add colours….if they like cooking, they could produce a cookbook. There are so many ways to keep their minds active; let them do what they like doing, they will be happy and occupied and they will still be learning.

  • Tutoring – if feel you need some extra support, call in a tutor. Treat your tutor a bit like a personal training session. Get them in for a few sessions to support or boost subject knowledge and confidence. All tutors out there are fully prepared for these types of calls and are willing to help, whether it’s for a few weeks, a month or longer. You would call a PT in to build some muscle so call in a tutor to help your child.

Finally, take care, stay safe and remember you are doing amazingly well.

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