Lockdown learning and how to cope.

The first thing to remember is that you are not alone.  There are thousands of shattered and stressed-out parents who are all dealing with the same problems facing schooling from home. 

No-one is sure yet how school closures are going to have effected our young people, but one thing is for sure, there will be gaps that need filling or consolidating in their education.

I often receive phone calls and emails about this, and my advice is the same to all parents:

Firstly, don’t stress.  Everyone is in the same boat.  Schools and the government are fully aware of the situation and will try their upmost to ensure that all children and their situation is considered whether it be for an entrance test, exam or where they need to start from when students eventually return to school.

Secondly, you know your child better than anyone.  If you start to see worrying signs in their behaviour, ask for help.  When it comes to their education, do the same.  Ask their teachers and expect some advice.  It may not be instant, but I can assure you, as a fully qualified teacher myself and with many years’ experience of being in a classroom, teachers take their roles very seriously and would not want to see any of their charges in trouble.

Here are some hints and tips of things you can do easily at home that may help with your child’s learning.  Please do not use this as a ‘must-do’ list.  They are merely suggestions.

Take time to talk. 
Even if it’s twice/three times a week, sitting around a kitchen table for supper and talking to your child/children is really good for their communication skills.  Ask them questions, talk about the book they are reading or what they did in ‘school’ today.  Expect them to ask questions back and ensure they know how to listen and respond.   This is also good practice for when it comes to interviews.

Times tables. 
Learn them.  There is no easy or magic way, but maths will be so much simpler for them if they know them.  By rote is best (and the most boring) but they and their teachers will thank you.

Telling the time.
Try and teach telling the time and try to make it practical.  Ask them the time (I’ve lost my watch!) or leave your watch somewhere and ask them to find it and tell you what time it is. 

Try to make maths real. 
As teachers,  we can do all the maths on paper and explain theories and equations, but if children have no idea why they are doing it or how useful it is in the real world, they will not see the point. 

Ask your child to weigh the flour for your cake, convert the g to kg, ask them if their bedtime is at 7.30pm and it’s 6pm now, how long have they got until they have to go to bed in hours and minutes. 

Spending money is a tricky one at the moment, but you can still give pocket money or reward them with the odd payment if they do a chore.  Ask them to write something down that they really want, and they can save up for it.  This will introduce them to the importance and value of money. 

Reading.
If your child is a reluctant reader, read the book together – a chapter a night or even just a couple of pages.  As a parent, read a few pages quickly so the story is not lost, then ask them to read because you are tired!  You can take over again later. 

Choose a book which has been adapted to the screen, whether in live action or cartoon form.  Once your child has read the book, schedule a movie night with popcorn and watch the film. 

Invest in a kindle.  Children love electronics, but this does not have to be a negative thing.  You can bargain with them that if they read one ‘real’ book, then the next one can be on the kindle.  Ask questions about the book; did they like it? What did they not like? Who was the main character and what did they think of them?

Purchase The Week Junior or First News. They are brilliant publications that offer current affairs in a child friendly way, but also quizzes and research topics that your child may be interested in.  They also provide great conversation pieces around the kitchen table.

Whilst this is not a definitive list, I hope it helps.

I read this article recently which made me chuckle…The Guardian written by a parent during the first lockdown.  I’m sure it will resonate with some of you.

In the meantime, good luck, stay safe and try to stay sane .  Happy New Year to you all.