Quarantine Chronicles: Class is in Session

Alright parents, you’ve got about a month to prepare for the colossal upheaval of your child’s schooling. After talking with some parents who are going through the horror of working from home and also home schooling, it was apparent to me that there should be some guidelines for those needing some guidance when it comes to virtual learning and setting up your home learning centers.

Make sure there are no distractions. Young learners need consistency and structure. Make sure the space you put them in is free from distractions like TVs, iPads, Video Games, etc.
Create a space for them. Include things like a good table/desk to do their activities at. Organize all their school materials using shelves or cubbies so they can find them easily. Make sure they know to put things back where they found them so it stays nice and neat and teaches them to take responsibility for their own materials.
Schedule. Make sure they have a consistent schedule every day so they know when to work and when to take a break. Get them a special clock or set up an alarm to ensure they are moving through the day with full activities.
Download materials for them. There are some wonderful websites where you can download and print material to further their curriculums.
Do not interact with them while they are in “school”. Don’t disrupt the schedule. Keep them focused on their work so you can do yours.
Eat lunch with them. This will help you stay connected and create a nice little family break with them, you can ask them about their day and what they are learning so they feel like there is some separation from home and school.
Make sure they go outside. Give them a recess time for them to play outside, it’s important for them to get some energy out so they can concentrate when they come back to learning.
Make sure your teens are staying on track instead of social media’ing their way through the semester. Take away cell phones while class is in session, and although, they don’t require a specific work station, you might want to check up on them from time to time to make sure they are actually working. They will soon understand what your life has been like!

Some of you might not have the space or money to create a learning center in your home. Here are some easy fixes to ensure your student is getting the space, quiet and materials they need.