Parents, I know….you have now realised how hectic it is playing the teacher role. Now with children still staying at home and schools sending work to the children to complete and to keep up to date with. You have probably realised too, how difficult those maths problems are, and trying to understand science and its methods and formulas, is very complicated. It feels like you’ve gone back to school and you’ve realised how much you have forgotten (and how much you don’t miss).
Due to this, your child is getting all frantic because you just cannot explain it as well as the teacher does, your child is stressing because now they don’t get it and they have to “hand it in” soon. You are losing your patience and your cool because not only do you now have to assist your child in their school work, you too have your own work to think of and fulfil. Some of you are probably even grateful now for the typical house chore to do (just to get away from tackling that frustrating maths problem).
Your children are already feeling very overwhelmed and bombarded with the amount of work given by their school teachers, but if you feel you need some assistance to understanding some of the subjects, if your child is not getting it, then try some of the links below and explore other perspectives that may explain it differently and that could assist.
Just remember, parents, when you are losing your patience and the child is shouting back at you, it means you are under stress and the child is anxious and overwhelmed. You both need to stop, have a break, reassess the situation later, help one another through this, listen very carefully what the child is ACTUALLY saying to you. You do what you as parent and child can manage during this difficult challenging time. There are no deadlines or due dates, just keep the brain active and as up to date with school work as you can, on your own time. The level of expectation now is different (you’re at home, not at school), learning and curriculum is going to change.
In this article I have posted a few links for you to connect to, to assist you and your children, if you get stuck with school work, and if you or your child is just not understanding the teacher’s explanation. You will also find links for the younger children to keep occupied with as well as some learning material, so they also don’t fall behind.
Remember to allow them social time with their peers, even if virtually. Don’t put too much pressure on them as each one has different learning skills and they, like us have to adapt to this new way of learning and life.
Do what you can!
Online Resources:
- Khan Academy
- Read Works
- BrainPop
- Curiosity Stream
- Tynker
- Outschool
- Udemy
- iReady
- Beast Academy (Math)
- Creative Bug
- Discovery Education
YouTube Channels:
- Crash Course Kids
- Science Channel
- SciShow Kids
- National Geographic Kids
- Free School
- Geography Focus
- TheBrainScoop
- SciShow
- Kids Learning Tube
- Geek Gurl Diaries
- Mike Likes Science
- Science Max
- SoulPancake
Some other resources:
*Scholastic has created a free learn-from-home site with 20+ days of learning and activities:
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
*Pretend to travel the world.Go on a virtual tour of these 12 famous museums:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
*This is the awesome free curriculum. Everything from preschool activities to 12th grade is here!
https://allinonehomeschool.com/
*List of thinking games by grade:
https://allinonehomeschool.com/thinking/
*More awesome free learning websites to use
- https://www.starfall.com/h/
- https://www.abcya.com/
- https://www.funbrain.com/
- https://www.splashlearn.com/
- https://www.storylineonline.net/
- https://pbskids.org/
- https://www.highlightskids.com/
- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
- https://www.coolmath4kids.com/
- http://www.mathgametime.com/
- https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/
- http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp
- http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/
- https://www.switchzoo.com/
- https://www.seussville.com/
- https://www.turtlediary.com/
- https://www.e-learningforkids.org/
The link below is an article that provides you with a list of Learner Support Programmes and resources from Department of Education and various platforms to assist and support your children in their education during this lockdown:
Make the learning fun, inspirational and helpful!
