Homeschool Survival: By Connie Pillsbury

Home School Survival Skills A how-to guide for sheltering-at-home

Now that the kids are there with you every morning, you are probably experiencing some ‘shock’ and wondering, “How do I do school at home?” Don’t panic. You can do this. Here are a few strategies I’ve developed through ‘trial and error’ over the years in different school-at-home settings: 1. Give your school a name, maybe a mascot, a starting time, a permanent place in the home, some ground rules, recess times, and lunchtime. Your kids are used to this kind of structure, and they will feel more secure in it. 2. Before school, have kids (and you) dress for school, comb hair, make beds, eat breakfast, just as if they were ‘leaving’ for school — this reinforces the fact that this is, indeed, real school, even if it is at home. How about a flag salute at the beginning each day? And, oh yes, NO TV on during school. 3. Each child will have their own ‘seat’ at your school table, wherever it is. ( Just like at school, they get a sense of ownership and territory for their spot.) School should not happen on the sofa or on the floor or in their bedroom. Have school supplies ready at your school table: laptops, containers with pencils and pens, pencil sharpener, paper, scratch paper, calculator if needed, ruler, etc. Again, all of this helps get them in a ‘school’ mode of thinking and learning. 4. Most home school moms have found that they get all the academics done in three hours in the morning, 9-12 works well, with lunch and then a play or quiet time break after lunch, maybe 12-2. Some moms find it helps to have everyone go to their room for one quiet hour to do whatever they want, but not computers or social media — this gives mom a needed break to just ‘nerd out.’ (And the kids like it too, after they get used to it) 5. Choose a good book that you will read aloud to them every day, for 15 minutes or so — this is a real bonding time, and you all get to share the story evolving. 6. Fun activities can happen after the noon break. This ‘shelter-at-home’ season opens the door to a lot of old-fashioned activities: bake a cake, cookies or bread; have a cooking contest, cook part of the dinner; art projects galore and setting up an easel for drawing and painting; learn to sew or embroider; glue pieces of scrap wood together; play board games; plant a garden from seed; learning to sing together (find some old song books); puppet shows; create By Connie Pillsbury a mini movie that someone films on their iPhone; take a walk; make a nature scrapbook; take photos, and on and on. It’s amazing how creative kids can be when removed from schedules and computers and watching TV. 7. Speaking of computers, avoid the temptation to let the kids play computer games all day. I know, you can get a lot done while they’re absorbed but it can so easily become addictive and mindless. Computer games should be saved for the last hour before or after dinner, like 5-6, and limited to just that hour (Yes, you’ll have to be tough and consistent on this one!). 8. When in doubt, trust your instincts. You really can guide your children in schooling, and you’ll find you actually have a lot to share with them. Just your enthusiasm in being there with them and for them during this hiatus will really enrich your relationships. Be patient with yourself, don’t expect perfection, and smile a lot. Be long on praise and short on criticism. This time at home may turn out to build some of your best memories with your children. h

Connie Pillsbury is an elementary teacher, resource specialist, home school mom and grandmom.