Home-schooling Your Kids? Then Learn These 7 Hacks And Keep Your Child’s Education On Track

    We have seen our lives and ways of doing things undergo a gradual disruption to the point where nothing seems the same anymore. Everything, from workplace culture, to our children’s education, has taken a significant hit. Home-schooling your kids, now, is a good fit.

According to UNESCO, 290.5 million kids have had to stay at home. With schools shut down, many parents/guardians have turned to the concept of homeschooling in order to make sure their children/wards don’t regress. And as you’ve most likely encountered, home-schooling your kids isn’t really easy. It’s tough and demands a lot.

1. You Are Not A Teacher, And This Is Not A School

One of the biggest mistakes many, many parents will make is trying to mimic the best impression of a schoolteacher they know. Done that, right?

Well, stop. It is not effective.

Why?

• Homeschooling learning concepts differ from classroom learning.
• You are not a school teacher. Who are you? A parent trying to teach their child from the comfort of their home.
• Different settings. Different elements. Hence, different methods.

Be natural. Your kids are not wolves – they don’t have vicious fangs waiting to tear you into pieces. Or do they?

Quit trying to instill fear with rules and disciplinary measures.

        <h2>2. Have A Schedule, But Not The 8 to 4 School Schedule</h2>     
    <p>We have stressed the importance of <a href="https://irebel.com.ng/fast-track-way-to-keeping-your-kids-engaged-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-lockdown/"><strong>creating a schedule</strong></a> for your kids, especially one where their inputs are felt.

Give your kids the chance to sleep in, particularly if they are allowed to watch TV or play games into the night on certain days.

The home schedule should be flexible.

3. Get Your Kids Outside, SAFELY

Do not bury your kids under the weight of math exercises from morning till the next morning. It is counter-productive to the learning process, and hardly healthy for your kids.

Fresh air is good for your kids and the environment is a big part of the home learning process.

If you have a garden or a spacious compound, take your kids outside at least twice a day, whilst observing the WHO preventive, like not interacting with anyone else, not touching their faces and washing their hands, as well as yours, properly.

Here are more tips on how to keep your kids healthy in this period.

4. Cherish The One-On-One Moments With Your Kids

The best schools cannot give every child hundred percent attention, but homeschooling your kids can!

Cherish this time together. Get to know your kids better. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their attitude towards learning, their fears – basically, everything!

PS: If you have any trouble getting any of your kids to study, improve on the quality of your one-on-one sessions with them.

Remember, the pandemic is not here to stay, and this amount of time won’t always be available.

Cherish it.

5. We All Know The Internet Is Amazing – But Do You Know Just How Much?

There are so many valuable resources and platforms made available by the internet that you should be tapping into while teaching your kids at home. From watching YouTube tutorials to using tools such as Twinkl, you will definitely find yourself immersed in discovering resources to help your kids grow.

Here are some other learning platforms:

• TES
• Conquer Maths
• Khan Academy
• Add more

        <h2>6. Enough Of Books, Books And Books</h2>        
    <p>Yes, enough of books, books and more books.

Schooling at home calls for a fine blend of learning methods.

Use audiovisuals like songs, movies, games, documentaries, TV, podcasts, radio, and traditional learning materials like folklore, dance etc.

Also, find a skill for each of your kids in this period. They can begin to learn an international language of their choice, craft, or tech skills such as graphics design, coding, deep thinking, ethical hacking, and so on.

To make things more interesting, learn the skill with them.

Amazing, huh?

7. Make Your Approach Open To Adjustments

Classroom learning programs and curriculum changes, yours should as well. This is another reason why you must be fully present in your kids’ learning schedule – to know what is and what isn’t working.

Most importantly, listen to your kids. Don’t take their complaints as mere whining, “book-hating” or laziness. Be open minded and objective about their complaints.

We might not all be classroom teachers, but we can teach our children. Teaching kids at home should not overwhelm you, take your time and enjoy home-schooling your kids.

Do let us know what you think about these hacks in the comment section.

Nuel Essang

Nuel is a lover of books, kids, tech, art and beautiful women. He’s also an advocate of independent thinking and hopes to one day prove to the world that Amala is the truth, the way and the light.