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Prevention Action Alliance
Know! Six R’s for Less Stress Homeschooling
The pandemic wreaked havoc on many families’ summer plans, and now as
school starts back in session, it appears the turbulence will continue.
Some schools plan to take place in-person, some plan to go virtual,
some are planning for a blended version. Regardless of how it starts
off, most schools have been clear that all plans are subject to change
depending on COVID-19 numbers—which gives way to more uncertainty.
Uncertainty means different things for different people, as we are each
faced with unique family dynamics and circumstances. However, we are
all in the same boat when it comes to the concern for how these changes
will impact our children’s academic success, mental health, physical
well-being, and futures.
Whether your children are at home from the start or may be learning
from home at some point, here are some tips to keep in mind to help
them achieve success academically, stay physically and mentally
healthy, and forge ahead with resiliency.
Six R’s for less stress homeschooling:
Realistic
Expectations: This is a key starting point. Set your standards high but
be sure to give yourself and your children grace along the way. Don’t
strive for perfection. Don’t be too intense. Don’t overschedule. Simply
do your best as you step into this type of teaching role while
encouraging your child to do the same.
Requirements:
Be clear on what is required of your child weekly and daily. Monitor
their ability to comprehend the task at hand and complete the
assignment. Depending on your individual child, your necessary level of
involvement will vary—which means potentially more work and more stress
for some families than others.
Rules and Routine:
Create rules surrounding time for work and play. Many families find
that it works best to get the schoolwork completed first, then have the
rest of the day for play. If your child’s school requires them to be on
live sessions, that will determine their schedule to some degree.
However, it is up to you and your child to come up with a routine that
fits best—then stick to it.
Relief:
This comes in the form of self-care for you and for your child so that
you can be in the best frame of mind to be helpful, and your child can
be in the best frame of mind to continue learning. It’s essential that
all parties involved are getting enough sleep, eating well-balanced
diets, getting exercise, and making time to relax.
Resources:
Check first with your child’s school to see what they have to offer,
then go online as there are endless free resources to help with
homeschooling.
Many of us got our first taste of homeschooling back in the spring when
schools were shutting down across the nation. Depending on how that
went for you and your child(ren), you may be feeling more or less
stressed about beginning the new school year at home. You are
encouraged to take it one day, one subject, one lesson at a time, and
remember that we are all in this together and that this too shall pass.
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