top of page
Search
Writer's picture99math team

[EN] 5 Tips for Homeschooling During the Lockdown

Best practices from teachers to parents.


You can do this! And don’t let others tell you otherwise.


With schools closed, parents find it overwhelmingly hard to organize their daily lives, but there is one thing to keep in mind: schools will reopen! And everything will go back to normal.

In the meantime, we would like to share some tips we collected from our amazing community to help you navigate through these new circumstances.


Playing 99math over a video chat.

Photo by Jen Harding, 3rd grade teacher, Haddonfield Public Schools


1. Explain what is happening.


Children are shaken up by these changes in lifestyle the same way we are.


The best thing we can do is to explain calmly why all of this is happening, and that schools are closed as a precaution to prevent the virus from spreading.


It’s not an apocalyptic scenario, where we need to fear for the possibility of tomorrow. Yes, we need to stay home and keep our distance from other people, but tomorrow will come, and we have work to do to keep our kids moving towards their educational goals. Education is not cancelled, let’s make sure our kids understand that.


Here are a few resources that can help you explain the situation to the kids:


  1. Amazing cartoon about safety measures for Coronavirus

  2. A video answering kids’ questions about the Coronavirus

  3. Visual aid from Amanda McGuinness, the Autism Educator, to explain COVID-19




2. Create a schedule for the whole family to follow.


Following a daily schedule seems to have a soothing effect in the times of uncertainty.

Knowing exactly when something is going to happen gives you a feeling of control over the situation and a strong foundation for successful household management.


Have your kids discuss their milestones for the day, and introduce a simple reward system for every completed task.


Use a whiteboard or a piece of paper to write your schedule, put it on a visible spot, and make changes if necessary. Be flexible, and don’t forget to schedule entertainment. Also, don’t wear pajamas all day, it may send mixed signals to your children about the seriousness of your homeschooling intentions.


3. Help your children maintain online connections with their teachers and classmates.


They will find comfort in seeing familiar faces and discussing things unrelated to virus outbreak. If your school is providing live video sessions, make sure to have your kids listen in. Social activities and interactions with peers are extremely important in times of distance learning.


One of the ways you can connect your children with their peers is by setting up an online playground within educational context. The trickiest subject to teach at home is probably math, especially if you are not comfortable with your instructional skills.



To get your children to improve their math skills, you can set up real-time math games on 99math for kids to play with each other. Invite other parents into the game, and establish an ongoing math tournament: the more kids join in, the better.


Learn how to organize social math tournaments from home: 99math


Also, consider sharing this advice from John S. Thomas with your child’s teachers as a great way to initiate interaction: “Have students share a photo or video of a toy, hobby, collection, stuffed animal, pet, or favorite book—students can share only with the teacher using Seesaw, not with each other, but teachers can create a blog to choose what gets shared with the whole class.”


Read more “How to Support Home Learning in Elementary Grades” by John S. Thomas


4. Focus on review.


By now, your child’s school should have sent you a list of activities and homework assignments to complete. That alone is great help in homeschooling your little ones. Stick to review, because new information might be overwhelming for you to teach, and for children to process.


Here is a list of FREE educational resources recommended by the Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia.


5. Teach them how to behave online.


While schools are closed, your child will be learning more about the digital world, social media and technology in general. Let’s not forget about digital citizenship, and precautions you need to take in order to keep your children safe.

Common Sense website will help you to guide your kids through the possibilities of the 21st century while also teaching them how to behave online.


Check out this series of videos about privacy and internet safety: Common Sense Media



Conclusion


Everything seems difficult before it is easy. Follow these simple tips to make your homeschooling experience successful:


  1. Calmly explain why schools are closed and make it clear that they will reopen.

  2. Create a schedule for your whole family to follow, and don’t wear pajamas all day.

  3. Help your children maintain connections with their teachers and classmates by organizing educational game sessions.

  4. Focus on review, not new topics.

  5. Teach your children about privacy and internet safety.


Stay strong and healthy.


99math team



21 Comments


xohuc
18 hours ago

In everyday writing, bracket braces can also serve a purpose. They can be used to add clarifications or comments within quoted material. For instance, in academic hawley retainers writing, one might write: “The results were significant [in the context of the study].” This usage helps maintain the original text's integrity while providing necessary context to the reader.

Like

xohuc
18 hours ago

For those who live in gated communities or areas with strict HOA regulations, ceramic coating can help keep your car looking presentable without violating any rules. Some communities in Las Vegas have guidelines about ceramic coating las vegas the appearance of vehicles, and a well-maintained, ceramic-coated car can help you stay in compliance. The glossy finish and protective properties of the coating ensure that your vehicle looks clean and well-kept, making it a practical choice for residents of these communities.

Like

xohuc
18 hours ago

Child custody cases are a sensitive area that family law firms address with great care. Lawyers assist parents in understanding the legalities of custody, aiming to secure arrangements that serve the child’s best interests. Whether advocating for joint custody, sole custody, or visitation rights, https://www.laiturnerlaw.com/ attorneys consider various aspects like the child’s age, emotional needs, and each parent’s circumstances. This dedication helps establish parenting plans that allow children to maintain strong, supportive relationships with both parents, contributing to their stability and well-being.

Like

xohuc
18 hours ago

When you purchase a home in Sea Pines, you're not just investing in property—you're investing in a lifestyle. Residents enjoy access to miles of walking and biking paths, making it easy to explore the neighborhood’s natural beauty. With the beach, shops, restaurants, and recreational Condos for sale Hilton Head facilities all within close proximity, Sea Pines is the perfect blend of luxury living and convenience. Living here offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful retreat and a vibrant community.

Like

xohuc
18 hours ago

Individuals who have used phony diplomas and been exposed often face social stigma and embarrassment, as their actions reflect poorly on their character. In a world where integrity and honesty phonydiploma are highly valued, being caught with a fake diploma can cause a person to lose respect in their personal and professional networks. For many, the impact of this social fallout can be more damaging than the immediate career consequences, as rebuilding trust is often a slow process.

Like
bottom of page