The UK lockdown has resulted in many changes to our everyday lives - a basic food shop has become impossible, with many leaving the shops with only half of their shopping list in hand. Social events are banned, resulting in many of us feeling the stress of isolation and loneliness. 

However, for parents this lockdown has brought with it a new change to our lives; one that some have welcomed with open arms while others crack the gin open at 5pm due to ultimate stress! Homeschooling - unchartered territory for many parents across the UK. 

I am in no way a teacher. I have no PGCE to help me through this bizarre experience. However, I have found myself enjoying the time I spend teaching my son, the best I can. Although it is indeed daunting, stressful and time consuming, I have managed to find the fun in this once unwelcome adventure and I hope I can help you the same way. 

SO, how can we reduce this particular anxiety and get the most out of this experience? 

PREPARATION 

You may roll your eyes and think “well, duh!” but I can honestly say preparing lessons in advance has helped me in ways I didn’t think possible when the word “teaching” is involved. Preparing my lessons a week in advance means I not only have time to gather my information, thoughts and create exciting lessons for my son; it also means I actually feel excited to teach! 

I plan my lessons for the entire week with the help of the school curriculum sent across when my son’s school was forced to close. Schools have provided parents with the right tools to ensure at home learning is in keeping with their child’s abilities based on key-stage. 

Using the information packs sent across from your child’s school, sit down with a cup of tea, a note pad and your laptop and begin creating a fun filled week! 

Be a Prep-Queen:

• Twinkl has free resources available.

• Buy a notebook you’ll be proud of and get filling with lesson plans.

• Use a basic lesson plan template to learn how to plan like a pro.

• Join parenting groups on Facebook to gain amazing lesson plans and share your own.

• Create a parenting group on WhatsApp with your fellow parent friends and support each other.

• Caffeine is your friend! Enjoy a cup of tea while you prep and remain calm.

KEEP IT FUN 

When I think back to school I feel dread; I was not a natural learner, I found it hard to focus and the thought of a times table still to this day sends shivers down my spine. Focusing on my time within early years I remember how fun learning used to be, which is probably why I still love the smell of playdough! 

Children love to play, they enjoy hands on tasks as their attention span is not as advanced as ours. In my first week of homeschooling I made the mistake of providing my child with endless amounts of worksheets, by the end I was screaming the three times table and my son was gazing out of the window refusing to comply. Although worksheets are fantastic, the best way to teach a young child is to provide them with practical tasks combined with related work. 

I enjoy teaching my son science as this gives us the opportunity to complete experiments and the information is retained extremely well. I even have the opportunity to learn myself! If that isn’t the definition of fun I don’t know what is. 

Fun lesson ideas:

• Build your own volcano, complete with a ‘real’ explosion

• Create your own nature den

• Make your own story

• Salt dough creations

• Make jar fireworks with food colouring

CALM 

It is understandable that you may find it extremely difficult not to lose your cool in the current situation. Stress seems to come hand in hand with lockdown and I have to admit I don’t understand how teachers remain so calm throughout the day. Although I do struggle to stop myself from screaming, I understand remaining calm while homeschooling is vital to the process. 

I have found lesson planning and preparation has allowed me to remain cool, calm and collected which means my son gets the most out of his lessons. Frustration comes easily when you find yourself in situations you may find hard to control, it is the same with your child. Your child may find it difficult to focus and remain calm when learning something new, for example my son gets frustrated while learning times tables. Ask yourself; “how can I set an example to remain calm if I myself get frustrated?” 

How to keep calm and carry on teaching:

• Preparation is key! If you know what you’re doing you will keep your cool.

• Listen! Listen to your child and understand what they find difficult and learn together. 

• Keep it fun - if something is interesting you are less likely to get frustrated.

• Stick to 30 minute lessons - don’t do too much all at once, 30 minute stints is enough for you and your child.

• Add in YouTube videos! After all you’re not a teacher right? YouTube is full of educational videos, and this can give you time to sip on a cup of tea and chill out.

• Put time aside to just be with your child. Sit down and read a book together and don’t pressure yourself or your child to focus for too long.

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ENJOY IT!

Ultimately, you need to remember this is time you have with your child that you have never had before. This valuable time your child is at home and out of school is unlikely to come around again, it is rare and a blessing! Enjoy every moment you have together - learn new things, craft, read and have fun with homeschooling. It doesn’t have to be a battle!

Written by Alicia Potts

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