No doubt about it: school in 2020 is quite different than ever before.
Parents have had to scramble to find a plan that works.
Homeschooling families have found that supplemental classes and activities have disappeared.
And no one wants to repeat the ineffective, tedious experiences that teachers threw together last spring!
So, with school at home again, how can this school year be better?
First off, no matter what the plan is going to be (employment in or out of the home, home with kids all day or sending them off to grandmother’s and catching up at night, etc.), the first thing to remember is that we’re human. We’re not droids or computers and our humanity cannot be boxed and processed.
Children will still only learn within their ability and parents will still have a limited amount of time and energy for each day. Just because a school curriculum and weekly schedules are set up doesn’t mean everyone will fall in lock step. Life happens.
Which brings me to an important point: we and our children are doing life together. That can be our focus. Yes, education is a big part of the picture for growing kids. But can we be a little creative about when and how that happens?
For instance, if your public or private school is requiring online education this school year, you could consider other options. There are lots of interesting ways to homeschool (besides the public school offerings) and maybe something different would work for your family. (See this post for further ideas.)
But even if you feel that your current school is offering what is necessary to cover your child’s basic education, here are a few ideas to help things go more smoothly and increase your quality of life and education.
1) Have some type of rhythm to your days and weeks
This may sound rudimentary but having a master plan for the day and the week can help everyone’s mood, ability to concentrate and also to relax. Having a daily set time for meals, educational focus and free time can keep everyone moving in the same direction. Each weekday can also have priorities, such as hiking day, deep dive into studies day, baking day, history day, tech day, errand day, or whatever fits your family’s plans.
Think about screen time, bedtime routines (regular sleep is essential for a functional family), outdoors and exercise to break up the time and keep days operational.
The idea is that everyone knows what to expect each day and each week. This does not have to be rigid. In fact, once you begin “scheduling,” your family will naturally fall into a rhythm that works.
2) Eat good food and fun food
What does this have to do with a successful school year? Everything!
Fresh, whole food fuels your bodies, giving everyone the balanced energy needed to study and get along with one another. Not used to cooking with unprocessed foods? Start small, perhaps with breakfast, and go from there.
Fun food doesn’t necessarily mean donuts and pizza. Instead, try some food explorations! Look into ethnic cuisines, challenge yourselves to create tasty vegan snacks, experiment with seasonal produce or make that pizza extraordinary by starting from scratch. Using kids’ cookbooks for unfamiliar foods makes an easy introduction when trying something new. Don’t forget beverages! Mix up some homemade (with real lemons) lemonade and add your own flavors or learn how to brew your own kombucha (it isn’t that difficult).
Another take on “fun” food is that you can share it with neighbors and friends: you can add pizazz to someone’s otherwise hum-drum day and experience a recharge yourself.
3) Invest some time in creative endeavors
There’s a time for academics, but creative pursuits shouldn’t be ignored. Following interests and passions is fun, enriching and opens the mind to appreciate and understand the world around us. Learning deeply and acquiring skills bolsters self-confidence. And the world needs innovators. In this article, Harvard Business Review reveals that “the best and brightest jobs – the ones that create new ideas, new technology or new content” – go to the creatives. In a related article, HBR also suggests that delving into creative activity engages a different part of the brain, which opens up different ways of thinking: an excellent asset for launching into adulthood and the workforce.
Not sure what to learn about? When you think “creative,” let your mind run and I’m sure you there will be something of interest. Just a few ideas are: mixed media art, coding, drafting, architecture, music (start a Zoom collab, learn an instrument or write your own music), song writing, creating planners or calendars, creative writing, writing books, poetry, film, photography, sewing/needle work, crochet/knit/hand knitting, weaving, make paper dolls of different cultures/periods, wood working.
Ages and abilities of your children and amount of time available will put some parameters on what is possible. But encouraging creative activity is worthwhile and can make this otherwise frustrating school year one of new interests and personal growth.
Remember, 2020-21 will be a year of life together: work, school and so much more. Whether you’re going to be home all day with your children or are making different arrangements, incorporating these three suggestions can help transform what might be a dreaded school year into a favorite family year.
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For further thoughts and suggestions you might enjoy:
Homeschooling: Just Starting Out
School at Home Now? How Can I Do This?
Getting started but feeling stuck? Lots of solutions here