Whether you are homeschooling, home learning or just have your kids at home for a short time and are keeping up with their education, making it work for you can occasionally (ahem) be a challenge. We chatted to the UK’s top parent influencers about what they do, whether they are juggling homeschooling with multiple children, as a single parent, as working parent or as a parent of that special creature: teens.
The #HomeSchoolResources Twitter chat was sponsored by Learning Resources. Learning Resources recognises that each family must take their own approach, one that works for them. That means combining your particular style with the things that support learning and fun in your family: things like printables, activities and playtime to keep everyone’s interest and energy up (especially harried parents!). Learning Resources is the #1 resource to spark your child’s curiosity and encourage learning through hands-on play. Find ideas for home learning, science discovery, coding, teaching, STEM, printables and more from Learning Resources’ award-winning educational toys, games and classroom essentials.
Acknowledge sometimes it’s difficult
My sweet little girl has turned into the naughty kid of the class!! They don’t listen to me!! @tazarazamuffin
Hi all. Needing to get some tips for exciting resources to get my kids attention! #HomeSchoolResources pic.twitter.com/vvIguHO7I9
— The Autism Page (@theautismpage) May 4, 2020
Embrace your family’s learning style
We like anything involving getting outside and being creative. Our favourite so far was recreating Columbus’ voyage to the Americas with some small world play. We like to take our learning outside as much as possible. @LiquoriceUK
Get older children involved
Having older ones prepared to help out really isn’t putting their needs aside, it is enhancing their skills as well as the younger ones. I LOVE them all working together on things! @BritMums @LRUK #HomeSchoolResources pic.twitter.com/TCAl5ig4KO
— Ruth Davies Knowles (@rocknrollerbaby) May 4, 2020
What works for other parents
We have been doing lots of crafting as my daughter who is 5 loves this the most. She happily crafts away while I help my son who is 12 with his work online and when he’s happy I craft with her. Then we have the afternoon off just to play in the garden @charlychoc2
I love to setup my table the night before with our stationary etc… shows the girls that I mean business with schooling too lol @Sooz_1
Embrace ‘life skills’
Not every lesson comes from a book. As parents we should feel good about preparing our children for the world as well as for exams.
Baking, chopping to make dinner, life skills 👍 @BagsofJan
So much learning goes on with board games @LauraBritton16
Part of our ‘doing something kind’ she made letter writing packages for a local care home @missielizzieb
Growing veg has been a great education for him. We do it every year but not with the science of pollination and plant life cycles. I love it @SingleParentPes
At the start of lockdown, my little one planted seeds – they needed planting for the allotment anyway, but tied in with her interests and her learning at school too – winning all around – she’s loved caring for them @mymummysworld
Keep things in perspective
This is especially important if you have taking on teaching in the short term and wondering how you’re going to do it all.
We’re lucky that our school hasn’t set any work. They’re being quite chilled and more concerned about the kids’ mental health. They support whatever we manage! Some days are better than others 😂 @Angep1969
Break up the day
I’ve found doing it in smaller chunks (20 mins) helps, and starting with physical activities to get him centred for work @SingleParentPes
I break the day up into hours. An hour on, then an hour off. School lessons are 9-10, 11-12, 1-2, 3-4. @DonnaDyble1
It’s difficult getting Amelia to do the subjects she doesn’t like. We found getting her to do 30min sessions in these subjects better than an all out war. #compromise @DonnaDyble1
Toys & resources that make learning fun
One thing we’ve learned is one size or approach does not fit all children! Need some fresh inspiration? Check out Learning Resources Home Learning advice blog.learningresources.co.uk
These binoculars would be great for mini beast hunting 😍 #HomeSchoolResources. It’s amazing how much there is to learn in your own garden 😍@angep1969
I didn’t even realise there was free resources on there. May be a good way to mix up our learning now @MyMummysWorld
Thank you for sharing – the @LRUK resources have really helped us get through this! I bought a whole bundle when the lockdown was starting, such as learning bugs & phonics dice, which have so many different options for activities to keep her motivated 🙂 @snowkaz84
More advice for teaching kids at home
11 easy ways to homeschool better
Visit Learning Resources to discover free resources as well as fun supplies you can get to make learning at home more fun at any time. https://www.learningresources.co.uk/
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.
#HomeSchoolResources: 11 easy ways to homeschool better
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Some great tips. We have done the life skills bits and bobs, from jobs in the garden to baking and cooking and food prep. Board games are great to make learning fun, and using certain tech like apps and ebooks on their tablets. Tech such as the Nintendo switch have been used as rewards for good school work.