Navigating “Home Schooling” and Shelter in Place

"If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. If the lemons are rotten, take out the seeds and plant them in order to grow new lemons." - Louise Hay

When our fourth child entered her unknown kindergarten class, an older, rigid teacher greeted us.  Thus, began my rebellion as a parent on what was asked and what we did.  Each week this teacher handed us a thick packet of busy, meaningless homework. The first assignment was always copying bad poetry.  By week two of watching this precious 5-year-old plod along with the work, I made a parenting decision. I scheduled an appointment with the teacher and very kindly said, “I just want you to know that Rebecca will no longer participate in this extensive packet. It is taking away from playing with her siblings. It is taking away from family game nights.  It is taking away from her creative spirit. We want to be clear that our kindergartener’s homework is play.” She looked at me like I was from another planet, and we proceeded on through the year. We learned from each other and always showed kindness and respect.
 
This is a virus pandemic not an education one. PLEASE parents take a breath and take a break.  If you feel like you need to homeschool for 6 hours a day and it is too much, cut it in half.  This can be some of the most memorable times your family has ever experienced. The unknown with school and the panic is spreading throughout the world. We have the ability to maintain calm and be healthy, one child at a time. If you have children in preschool and elementary school PLEASE read your children’s cues and trust your own gut on what is best for them. You can use the prepared assignments as activities in moderation if you feel you must, otherwise here are great ways to spend time with your children. Just like I did with Rebecca so many years ago, I hope you all can do this with your own children and maintain or increase their love and interest for learning and exploration. 
 
My recommendation is to think of a variety of 10-30 minute activities and weave them into your day. Here are some of my own suggestions: 
 
ALL RESEARCH SHOWS that the best readers are read to and read for pure enjoyment. The strongest test takers throughout their education are readers. Make reading a joyful activity not a pressured one. Just snuggle in and read aloud.
 
Have a read-a-thon every day. Have everyone snuggle with their own stuffies, pillows and blankets and read on their own with a little bowl of healthy snacks (my preferred read-a-thon snack is GORP). 
 
Have a read-a-loud every day. With younger children, have each parent read two books out loud. With older children,  have them start some of your favorite chapter books. Emerging readers can read aloud books and then memorize or sound them out. Pre readers can tell a story. Make sure to not say that anything is too easy to read-- let your children choose their read aloud.
 
Have blank paper and create poetry, books, or picture books and have a sharing time.
 
Play cards instead of basic math. Many card games fill the same purpose of flash cards, for example the game War, which teaches the concept of higher and lower numbers.
Kids can learn so many card games that teach basic math skills.
 
Make a different fort each day. With a shoebox your child can make a fort for their favorite stuffed animal. With blankets and a couch your kids can make a fort to play in. Go outside and pick up sticks and make a fort for the ants on your sidewalk.
 
Have a Dance Party. At random times have a one to two song dance party. Blast music and let loose. Join our Tiny Treks Dance Party Fridays at 6:30 PST.  
 
Have free play time. Do absolutely no directing or advising. You will not believe what can unfold with young children. Let their creativity fly.  
 
More ideas to come each week. The basic idea is if you have “school work” that must get done, don’t expect it to go well at home if there is not LOTS of play in between. Remember we are in no rush. The days are long and have a completely different pattern to what our busy kids are used to. Make a schedule. 
 
This is a template for a schedule filled with a variety of activities. Necessary school stuff that is mandated is mixed in. 
 
7:00AM- PJ time, breakfast and free play
8:30AM- Morning walk
9:30AM- First school assignment or Zoom with Tiny Treks
10:00AM- Read-a-thon with gorp for snack
10:15AM- Second school assignment or Zoom with Tiny Treks
10:45AM- Blast music and dance to two songs
11:00AM- Third school assignment or Zoom with Tiny Treks
11:30-Free Play
12:30PM- Lunch
1:00PM- Quiet free play time or nap
2:00PM- Creative time
3:00PM- Fourth school assignment
3:30PM- Wrap up any necessary school stuff
4:00PM- Dinner prep together
5:00PM- Dinner
5:45PM- Games and fun
6:45PM- Bubble Bath fun 
7:30PM- Storytime and winding down to bed
 
This is a whole unplugged day except for any online school stuff or a fun Tiny Treks class on Zoom. Having a flexible schedule, yet creating a pattern to the day is extremely helpful. 
This is a template, create what your family needs.