It is essential to look after your children’s wellbeing in such a difficult time. Here are some ways to help your kids cope without school during the coronavirus lockdown.
A tough time for families without school
With closures of educational institutions across the country, life is in a state of uncertainty. While children may be looking forward to a long summer without exams or schoolwork, the lockdown won’t be as idyllic as they might imagine.
They will have to spend extended amounts of time cooped up indoors with parents and siblings while being unable to socialize with their friends. Tensions within many households will rise, and many kids will find themselves struggling to handle the tricky emotional situation. The financial and personal pressures many parents are facing will only put more stress on the household.
Establish a consistent routine
Without early morning school runs and homework deadlines, it can be easy to discard routine when it comes to your children. However, structure is essential for maintaining a sense of normalcy.
Your child’s new routine could consist of a few hours of schoolwork in the morning, followed by a lunchtime walk. They might spend some time on a creative hobby too, such as drawing or playing an instrument.
Help them to keep in touch with classmates and friends via Zoom or Skype video calls, and spend as much time with them as possible. Don’t leave them to fend for themselves.
Get outside when you can
Although government advice says we should spend as little time outdoors as possible right now, exercise is still an essential human need. Children need time outdoors for their physical and mental well-being, and it will shake off some of the claustrophobia of being stuck in the house.
Taking a lunchtime walk as a family or going for a short bike ride around the park will boost everyone’s mood. Just ensure your children understand how they should be taking care to maintain social distancing precautions.
Without school, continue their learning at home
For a lot of children, education has been effectively put on hold. But this doesn’t mean you can’t help them further their learning at home.
There are many online resources available to help you keep them on track when they return to school. For those unlucky enough to be facing exams, there are plenty of revision resources to test their knowledge and help them practice for the SATs, available here.
Stay positive
There is a lot of doom and gloom in the news right now. You’ve probably already observed the negative effect this can have on your mental health.
Help your kids by limiting their exposure to negative stories about coronavirus. While they should understand what is going on and how to stay safe, it’s not healthy to spend too much time thinking about it.
Adapt and overcome
Whatever measures you put in place to help your kids cope without school, take stock periodically to ensure they’re effective. Perhaps have a review at the end of each week to discuss how your family is holding up. Ask what steps you could each take to make life easier for everyone.
Things are challenging right now, but they will get better in time. Look for the silver linings where you can.
I full agree to Resa. Caring for kids never had been easy..But in these times it can become horrible.for parents with children living only on a few squaremeters.
It’s so tough on families!
This is good advice, Christy. I am trying but it is not easy to keep Michael’s spirits up all the time. He is a very social kid.
I’m so glad Michael has such great family support, Robbie. I think about those kids that are in unhealthy home environments and my heart breaks.
This is a tough time to have kids. My hat off to all parents!
Yes!!!!
I agree. Routines are important. I have a special needs son so they are definitely important to him.
I hope you and your son have a good week xx
As a former elementary school teacher for thirty-one years, I know the challenges that this situation has posed to everyone. I think most important of all is to consider a child’s mental health through this entire experience. They miss school (even the ones who don’t like school), their teacher, and especially their friends. Children are not going to be “left behind” as so many worry about. As a parent, I would be more concerned about my children’s mental health rather than their academic progress.
There’s so much to think about~!
great post. Thanks for sharing. I’m finding the desire to keep a routine is far outweighing the reality but all good.
I hope you find a routine that sits you and the kids soon xx