1. Make a plan together
· Let kids help create a daily plan/schedule that can hang on the refrigerator
· It’s ok to do what your kid wants to do first
· Give choices. Independence gets more important as children get older, and yet kids this age still need parents to provide structure.
· One way to give your child more independence is to offer choices within each of their daily activity categories.
· Be flexible with the schedule for the week
· Fill with a variety of activities
· regular meal times,
· physical and imaginative play,
· artwork, building,
· helping with housework,
· thinking and learning activities,
· free time.
· chore time
· Remember school goes faster at home because you get 1-1
2. Set goals together.
· Forward thinking (like planning, anticipating and estimating),
· Goal setting is a great exercise for brains.
· It encourages to think about possibilities, and to make plans for how to get there.
3. Keep a routine
· Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast at the normal time.
· Normal bedtime routines as much as possible – get enough sleep.
· It can be as structured or unstructured as you want.
· It doesn’t need to look like a traditional classroom
· School on the couch or at the table
· A Quiet Place
· Be Flexible and creative ….i.e. Math in the kitchen with measuring-baking
· Double up if you have more than one child.
· Have older child help younger one
· Have a kid on each side of you taking turns reading the same time to maximize your day
· Take breaks
· Have dinner together as a family and discuss the day.
· Enjoy the evenings, play, read, watching a movie.
· Doesn’t need to look like Pinterest photos... or if a Pinterest school area motivates and excites you...do it! Just don’t expect it to stay that way.
4. Monitor Screen time …
· Kids' screen media may increase when home schooling.
· Choose quality content and use trusted sources
· Use media together
· Know what your children are seeing online
· Media can entertain for long stretches, making it easy to let it go
· But be aware they do not always make good time management choices.
· Give some structure and schedules and regular check-ins
· Limits are important.
· Technology use should not push out time needed for sleep, physical activity, reading, or family connection.
· Use social media for good. Make it a positive not negative outlet… Check in with your neighbors, friends and loved ones.
5. Show extra kindness/love
· No matter the age of your child, take a moment each day to just be there.
· Listen to your child's thoughts and concerns,
· enjoy some playtime.
· Give them the ability to be more independent, which will hopefully buy you some extra free time too!
· Be kind to yourself too. Eat healthy, exercise and get enough sleep. Find ways to decompress and take breaks.
· If more than one parent is home, take turns helping the children