Firstly, Schooling at Home Requires a Paradigm Shift.

With the global pandemic and most countries shut down, millions of children are now having to do school at home. It’s a huge paradigm shift for everyone and an enormous adjustment for both children and parents. I realize that new beginnings are scary and one certainly needs support.

Having homeschooled my children since kindergarten, I have learnt a number things along the way. I shall share some of my knowledge, with parents who are now trying to school at home.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Firstly, there is an enormous difference between homeschooling and schooling at home.

1/. Homeschooling.

• Most homeschoolers follow a program which is designed for children learning at home. For example, the program I use (ACE) has been around for 50 years and was created by professionals.
• It is specifically for children educating themselves at home, with a supervisor.
• ACE is also designed to be used without internet.
• Homeschooled children associate school and home as being in the same box.
• These children don’t associate school with friends.
• And are used to a quiet schooling environment.

2/. Schooling at home, with children who are used to going away to school.

• Parents who are now schooling their children at home, due to the pandemic, are trying to teach their child a system designed for a teacher, who supervises and teaches. This is not an easy task and requires much more assistance from the parents.
• This is often a more visual way of learning, as opposed to a self reading method of learning.
• Schooling at home usually requires fast internet. This is not readily available in some parts of the world, and for many it is just too expensive.
• These children associate school as being away from home, so they need to change their thought processes, to enable them to associate school with home. This takes time and will only be achieved one step at a time.
• These children also associate school with friends. Therefore they will feel the loss of friends, whilst having to stay at home.
• They are used to a bustling, noisy classroom not a quiet room at home.

It takes time, effort, and energy to help your child adapt to schooling at home and to achieve the goals required by their respective schools.

“So this is our little reminder to you. Stay nimble. Stay flexible. Don’t allow your roots to grow too deep in anything other than God. You never know what He’s got up His sleeve for you. By being closed-minded you might ruin the chance for your next and possibly greatest blessing.”

 Bob at Seedtime.

How to Achieve the Most out of Schooling at Home.

1. Start how you want to finish.

• Find a quiet place in the house, to convert into work stations for each child. I like my school room to be centrally positioned in the house.
• Set a school starting time for each day.
• Aim to enable your child to take control of their own work.
• Always do Math first, as it requires a fresh brain.
• Set a number of little breaks for your children.
• Embrace learning about your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed.

2. Set realistic daily goals for your child, depending upon age and ability.

• Remember, there are days when your child will be tired. I have learnt to address this and work with it, not against it.
• Boys especially, need time to be physical, as they can get fidgety after 45mins or less. I make my children create an obstacle course in the garden each morning, which they run around, after each subject.
• Realize that some subjects will take longer for your child to complete. Don’t rush them, – allow them to take the time they need.
• Remember each child is different, so don’t attempt to measure your child’s achievements against others.

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3. Reward with gifts, hugs and fun time.

• Hugs speak volumes and I use them daily.
• A little treat at the end of the week is also a lovely way to end the week.
• Scheduling a fun documentary for your children to watch is another way to encourage them and gives them something to look forward to.
• For my son, just being able to head off to the tractor, after school, is enough to keep him focused.
• Work with your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Make sure the core subjects are addressed daily.
• Things like art and sport are easy to catch up, as and when there is time to do so…
• Encourage your child to question what they are learning.

4. Be kind to yourself.

• Teaching takes loads of energy and, as a parent, you will be drained by lunch time. Take time out to recuperate.
• Google has almost all the answers, so use it daily, to assist you with the education of your children.
• Remember there will be days when nothing is perfect and some days will be messy! Always remember that Rome was not build in a day.
• Embrace the fun times and let go of the bad times.
• It will take time to get into the swing of things and it will definitely get easier, as the days go by.

The effort is for your children.

Remember you are doing this for your children, which should be enough motivation.

Try your best to ‘keep it straight and simple’ – (KISS)!

No parent or teacher is perfect, so pray each step of the way, and God will lead you to your desired destination.

“New beginnings are scary, the middle is an adventure and the ending can be sad”…

Help Others Around You.

It’s sad to realize that most of our country(Zimbabwe) is not being educated during this time. These children have no access to internet, teachers, nor to books and libraries. Here, many single mothers have to work, so are unable to teach their children. This situation will result in children not reaching their yearly academic goals.

I urge you to look around and help those who have no help. Encourage those who struggle and always be prayerful.

Look to God for Guidance, Strength and Wisdom.

Always ask for help, when needed, and feel free to contact those who have the knowledge to assist you. God knows the answers, so continue to seek Him daily and He will guide you. Walk by faith and not by sight and you will succeed in the end.

Go now – and be Awesome!..

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please instill in me patience, wisdom and strength, as I school my children at home. I know, with your guidance, I will achieve what I thought was impossible. In faith I take each day as it comes. Thank you for being my partner. In Jesus name I pray… Amen.

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Please let me know whether this article has helped you?….