Parenting

How to help your child learn at home

13 April, 2020 . 0

Schools out – but for how long, only time will tell. So if you suddenly find yourself playing teacher to your kids, try these homeschooling tips.

Schools across Australia have closed as part of coronavirus containment measures, which means students from prep to senior high school are studying at home indefinitely.

Most schools will use technology to help students stay in touch with teachers and classmates, and to minimise disruption to learning during the COVID-19 outbreak.

But families will play a vital role in helping children learn while they study from home.

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Raising Children Network executive director Prof Julie Green shares her top tips for helping kids keep up their learning:

1. Create a dedicated study space

Creating a work space and a study routine is vital, says Prof Green.

“Younger children are more likely to work better in a family area, like the kitchen table. Older children and teenagers will most likely need their own quiet space, although it can be useful to be near family members who can help with the learning,” she says.

“Choose a spot with minimal distractions – turn off the TV and ask young children to play elsewhere. Where space is tight, make up a roster for sharing the space with children of different ages.”

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2. Stick to a routine

Sticking to a school routine as much as possible is a good idea, says Prof Green.

“Include children in the negotiation, design and monitoring of the home timetable,” she says.

“Get children to their learning space by 9am, and have regular breaks for snacks, lunch and physical activity.

“Begin and end each day with a check-in. Look together to see what work has been assigned and what progress has been made or work completed.”

3. Set ground rules

How do you ensure time away from the school classroom is treated seriously?

“Be clear from the beginning that it’s important that learning will continue from home. Discuss the expectations set by the school of work to be completed and when it is to be completed,” says Prof Green.

“Ensure children have the materials and equipment they need from school, as well as contacts for technological support.”

4. Ensure kids have some downtime

Build in time for physical activity, play and social interaction, so children can look forward to those breaks during the day, says Prof Green.

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5. Stay connected to school

“Keep in touch with the school, get some tips from other parents about how they are managing learning at home and monitor communications coming from teachers,” she says.