A South African teacher shares her homeschooling tips

Parents have been forced to become teachers, and it has been quite a challenge. Not only are parents trying to figure out how to make homeschooling work, but children are also trying to get used to having mom and dad as a teacher.

So, who can parents get advice from regarding making homeschooling work?

Someone that has been teaching for over 10 years.

Kassandra Strydom is an experienced school teacher and is currently a Deputy Principal for Foundation Phase at Trinityhouse Little Falls Preparatory School. She notes some important tips for making homeschooling work.

Reset your expectations

Nothing is the same, so parents should not expect that it will. Parents should, therefore, acknowledge their new normal and make it work. Your child will struggle to sit at their home desk for hours on end doing online lessons. So, take it a day as it comes and change your plans as you go. Both you and the kids will not get it right every day, so be as realistic as possible about what they should be learning daily.

The reality is that your home will never run a classroom. Even adults struggle with discipline when they are not used to working from home. Kids are also experiencing their own challenges in adjusting to studying at home. “If you only get to half the work you planned to do that’s okay (it happens in the classroom as well, we are not superhuman)” says Teacher Kassandra. So, reset how often and how much you want them to learn.

Take teacher breaks

A five-minute break may sound like something minuscule, but it can make the world’s difference. A break either early morning, in the afternoon, or between lessons can make the work more fun. Teaching can be overwhelming, and children can pick up on those energies. So take a break when you are feeling overwhelmed. Give your children breaks when you can see that the work is getting to them.

Create a routine

Set school time in a day can help your children a lot, even if it just an hour. Choose that hour and stick to it. Ensure that schoolwork is done every day during that time. Parenting Author Dr. Laura Markham says “a predictable routine allows children to feel safe, and to develop a sense of mastery in handling their lives’.

This routine might not work every day, and on those days that it does not, forgive yourself and try again tomorrow.

Create a designated learning space

This should be a space just for their learning, and you can purchase cute stationery for them to make their learning fun.

Use humor in learning

“When you are in such a horrendous argument and a lesson is not going well, try to find a joke to get out of the battle to distract them and to save their dignity”. Play Therapist Lawrence J. Cohen teaches parents that playful parenting helps children break through frustrations, anger, shyness, and fear. Using playful parenting when your child is challenged during a lesson, gets an answer wrong, or is frustrated will create a bridge for both child and parent.

Lastly from Teacher Kassandra says: “Don’t beat yourself up and don’t let the mom guilt take over, you are doing the best you can. You will have great days and terrible days but, tomorrow is going to be better”.

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