Congratulations to all parents who are currently home-schooling, whether you are working from home or not, because home-schooling isn’t easy at all.

Some days are definitely easier than others and the biggest challenge for parents working from home is to sit and support their child(ren) while staying focused on their own work. For those with multiple children, you might even want to pull your hair our having to supervise them all at once. Here are a few things to consider when home-schooling.

1. Create and establish a routine by waking up in good time to have breakfast and get ready so your child and/or you don’t feel rushed. Especially if there is a time for morning registration.
2. It’s good for them to not stay in pyjamas all day but rather get ready as if they are going to school.
3. Look through the work your child has to do and plan together. Depending on the child’s age, work out what they can do by themselves and what they’ll need help with.
4. If you have more than one child, create a rota when it comes to using devices for their work or ask the school for print outs.
5. Sit your child in a comfortable space in natural light (if possible) with minimum distractions.
6. Start with their favourite topic to ease them into their work.
7. Be flexible and patient in your approach to their work.
8. If your child is able to work independently, maybe check on them every hour.
9. Try to have a short break between topics (5 minutes) and at least 45 minutes to one hour break for lunch together to catch up.
10. Give a lot of praise as your child is doing his/her best.
11. When you feel like you are getting overwhelmed or frustrated, take a 5 or 10-minute break.
12. For older children; you can set up Zoom groups with friends where they can do the work together, depending on their age, supervised by parents on a rota.
13. Try doing their PE lesson outdoors rather than indoors so you can all get some fresh air and have fun.
14. Don’t be afraid to contact your child’s class teacher or another parent, if you have not understood the work set.
15. Your child’s wellbeing is most important, a couple of hours of schoolwork a day is fine.

This is personal advice I have tried but I’m very conscious that children work at their own pace and have different approaches to their school work. We are all trying our best. Be kind to yourself, you’re not a teacher. Take your time, relax because you won’t be much help to your child if you are stressed out or frustrated all the time.

Remember, this too shall pass.