Covid-19
has brought about more than a few challenges for most people, and for
many parents, one of those challenges has been homeschooling. In
Arizona,
schools have been closed since March, and there are talks of them
re-opening again for the start of the new school year - this will be
music to the ears of many working parents and guardians. But what of
those that have caught the homeschooling bug?
Some
will have seen the many benefits of educating from home for both
themselves and their little ones and may wish to continue once the
schools re-open. Here are 3 things to consider if you are one of
them.
1.
Create a routine
Humans,
both young and old, respond well to structure. Try
to schedule the day, as much as possible along the same lines as
the school day, starting at the same time and allowing for breaks and
lunch.
Try
to designate a room or small area for workspace and aim to make it
study-friendly, full of natural light, and kept at a comfortable
temperature. If an area is allocated purely as a work zone, it
becomes associated with study, which not only allows for improved
learning capabilities but also the ability to switch off when
occupying other rooms in the house.
2.
Keep
healthy and active
'An
apple a day keeps the doctor away'...Or
at least a healthy meal plan does. Healthy eating is not only
paramount, but it is also conducive to children's learning
capabilities. Ensuring that your children are eating well as well as
getting daily exercise will benefit them in their studies. Recent
research has shown that exercise has a significant effect on the
learning power of young children, especially. If you wish to seek
professional medical advice on other ways to keep healthy, then Velda
Rose medical center in Mesa,
Arizona, will help you create a customized healthy lifestyle
that's right for you.
3.
Be guided by your child
There
will be requirements about what curriculum is followed and subjects
taught. However, subjects can be studied in any number of creative
ways, and if your child has a particular interest in cooking or
gardening, for example, these activities can provide the perfect
opportunity to incorporate a math or science lesson. If they want to be skilled at math try to get them to practice questions for the primary 6 maths questions even if they aren't taking the exam.
Children
enjoy learning more when they have a natural interest in the topic,
and they are being taught in a non-traditional manner. Teaching is so
much easier if you already have a captive audience.
The
benefits of continuing
Homeschooling,
although not for everyone, can and does have many benefits. The
one-to-one support a child gets is invaluable and can boost
confidence levels immensely, especially where children are struggling
with certain subjects or the social environment of a large school.
The
flexibility that educating at home offers allows for the family to
have more freedom not only on a day to day level - no more school
runs! - but also in arranging family holidays.
Parents
who choose to teach their children beyond lockdown in their own home,
and indeed those who took this option to educate their children
pre-coronavirus, should be aware that there are certain
regulations for homeschooling in Arizona. Check with your local
district to ensure you are abiding by the law and following any
requirements.
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