09 Sep How to prepare for home-schooling if your child’s school is closed
Children across the UK have made an historic return to school over the past week and a half, but unfortunately reports already show that some pupils across 92 schools have had to self-isolate due to COVID outbreaks. This also comes hand in hand with the news that Coronavirus cases are on the rise, with 2,420 new infections yesterday alone. There are many areas in the UK where local lockdown has been enforced, or where the threat of lockdown is present.
Research from MyTutor – the UK’s leading tutoring service – shows that 26% of parents agree that their child feels their long-term university and career prospects have been damaged by COVID-19. And now, should local lockdown be enforced, parents may be worried about have to resume home-schooling once again. Plus, it is beneficial for parents to be prepared for the eventuality that their child may have to self-isolate. For those who may be apprehensive about having to provide teaching at such short notice, MyTutor has tips to help reassure and prepare parents:
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Make sure they’ve got a space to work and the equipment they need
In the event that your child is sent home, set up a desk in a quiet corner of the house where they can keep their laptop, textbooks and notes – they’ll find it much easier to focus and the rest of the family can continue life as normal. As schools would normally provide things like flashcards, exercise books and planners, it may be worth preparing these items now should closures be enforced at short notice.
2. Have some go-to resources lined up
If you have to home-school again, you’re likely to run into situations where your child doesn’t understand some of their course content and you’re unable to help. In these situations, having some resources ready is wise. Look up the specifications for the subjects your child is studying from the relevant exam boards and bookmark any online resources that can help you out. Save My Exams and S-cool are two handy sites.
3. Set good habits around phone use
Teens spend a lot of time on apps speaking with their friends anyway – and isolation will only increase their desire to communicate socially, especially now they have had a taste of freedom. While some communication will be positive for their mental health, the opposite is true when social media fuels feelings of isolation and anxiety. You’ll need to set some ground rules for how phones are used dsuring the day, and keep an eye on your child’s mood.
4. Help them organise their day
Without the set structure of the school day, and without the engagement of peers, motivation and energy can take a dive. Help your child set up a timetable that’ll work for them and covers the subjects they need. Divide up periods of study with active breaks. Make sure your child moves around, eats meals at the appropriate times and has offline conversations.
5. Look for online support
Self-study is an incredibly hard skill to master and some pupils may struggle without someone actively explaining concepts to them. It’s worth finding an online tutor who can help your child fill in any gaps in their knowledge. Online lessons are like having a face-to-face skype call with a tutor but with an interactive whiteboard on the screen too so students can upload documents and make notes. A tutor can keep students on track with the syllabus and give them a much-needed boost of confidence in what is a confusing and challenging time.