Schooling At Home – Tips for Success
So many of the families we know are going to be doing school at home this fall. Some will be there a few days a week, others will have full time school at home for at least the fall term.
So, we thought we’d try to accumulate some Schooling at Home tips that might help out.
Obviously, the number of kids at home and the number of adults working from home will impact some of these suggestions. But be ready, be adaptable and go in with a great attitude…because it’s the only choice we have!
Tip 1: Find a great space for learning. Your child needs a place that has a few key learning tools: no clutter, low distractions, consistent. If you have to use a kitchen table, remove the items that are there for meals and make it a school only space during “school time.” If the space is in a study or bedroom, find a way to remove toys or other distractions until “school time” is over. The space needs to be consistent every day and should have a degree of quiet or “moderated noise” that keep distractions to a minimum. Determine if headphones make sense for computer learning so they can hear and communicate better.
Tip 2: Create a consistent routine. Routines help keep things normal. School at home needs to feel different than summer vacation. Have a bedtime followed by a wake up time that gives time for getting up, getting dressed, eating a good breakfast and being ready for school. Staggering out of bed to the “school room” kitchen table makes school seem less important and less serious. Show them you are as serious about schooling at home as you were schooling at school.
Additionally, build in breaks for exercise (bike riding, walking the dog, jogging, etc.) so that the day isn’t just sitting in front of a screen for hours.
Tip 3: Communicate with your child’s teachers. Much of this schooling at home is as new for your child’s teachers as it is for you. Reach out (with empathy) and find out how your child is doing and how you can help. Also, it is possible that extra help is needed or more communication is needed for you or for your child. Let the teacher know what you need and it will likely make things easier for you, your student and the teacher. Just remember that the teachers need our support, too! They are doing their best.
At United Faith Mortgage, helping you with the finances of your home is what we do. And now that your home might also be your office AND your school and a lot of other things — if you’ve been thinking new home — trying to save money on your current home with a refinance — or maybe trying to update your current home using a cash-out refinance… know we’re here and we’d love to help!
Have a great school year!
