The upcoming school year is approaching fast, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it looks like many students will still be schooling at least partially at home for the foreseeable future. As such, parents and caregivers will need support and a plan for making schooling at home easier for everyone. While some school districts made a smooth transition to at-home learning in the spring, most of us struggled to learn new programs and to help our children meet all the requirements. With no end in sight to COVID-19, I’ve put together four helpful tips to make schooling at home easier this fall whether you follow the guidelines of your child’s school curriculum or decide to entirely create your own curriculum and homeschool fully, which is an option many people are taking.

Create a Designated Learning Space

My son used a desk in his bedroom to complete his schooling in the spring, and while it worked okay, there are definitely improvements I plan to make should his school decide to continue with complete or partial online learning this fall. It makes homeschooling easier when you have a designated learning space away from common areas. If children are near their televisions, video games, phones, and beds, they are likely to utilize them. Set up a bright, engaging space in your home with limited distractions and all needed materials handy. This will help your student stay focused and motivated during Zoom classes and school work.

Create a Visual Schedule

A consistent routine is going to help your child develop the skills for independent learning, so it’s a good idea to create a visual schedule that your child can easily follow without too much prompting from you. Plan out your child’s educational day, both in time schedule and in day’s work. Visual supports are beneficial to prevent challenging behavior, enhance memory, and support communication. Determine your child’s “visual stage.” Do they need actual objects, photos, drawings, or just text? Present visuals from left to right, and remember to give choices when possible. For example, perhaps from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, they can choose between art or physical education. Allowing children control where possible helps both in accepting it where not possible and in growing toward independence.

Accommodate Learning Styles

Each child has a learning style - a preferred way that they best retain and process information. There are 4 styles according to the popular VARK model.

  1. Visual: Your child processes information best using charts and graphs and enjoys images that explain concepts and ideas. Visual learners prefer pictures over words.
  2. Auditory: Your child learns best when the information is spoken. She prefers lectures and discussion and learns best by talking things through.
  3. Reading/writing: Your child enjoys reading and writing assignments, processes information by writing notes, and enjoys written words.
  4. Kinesthetic: Your child learns best through tactile processes and processes information by recreating and practicing. Learns best with hands-on personal experiences.

Once you know how your child learns best, you can find creative ways to accommodate his learning style. You’ll have much more freedom as a homeschooler than in following a particular school curriculum as the common Zoom classes, for example, are difficult for kinesthetic learners, but there are still ways to facilitate your child’s learning either way.

Don’t Burn Yourself Out

Let’s face it, you already had a lot on your plate. Now you have to be your child’s teacher too, at least part time, and it can be a lot to take on! That means you’ll need to get creative about sharing the load and taking care of your needs, too. Consider teaming up with a friend to share teaching duties or join a homeschool group. Follow the routine you set, but don’t become so rigid about it that you make yourself or your child unhappy. Know when to take a mental health day and when to relax on the curriculum a bit, and remember the golden rule of home education: Don’t compare! What matters in the end isn’t that everyone was a star, but that everyone felt loved and supported along the way. Do the best you can and allow your child the same.