How’s your children’s homeschooling going so far?
It may not be easy for first-timers but we basically don’t have any choice… ?
One of the hardest things about studying at home is the sight of their bed / Xbox / TV that beckons them pretty much every hour of the day… That’s why we’ve gathered ‘studying at home’ tips that’ll help you survive your new profession — a homeschooler! ?
1. Don’t let them study in BED!
If possible, create a study space that works effectively for them with no unnecessary distractions. There could be times where they’ll think their desks which are usually facing walls can be a little bit suffocating as well so let them use the living room or even the dining table from time to time (it’s just like changing classrooms in schools!). But whichever room they use, what’s most important is they’ll be able to learn and ready when schools are back.
It also helps them create a boundary between ‘working time’ and ‘not working time’.
2. Put away the phone.
Everyone has different studying methods that work best for us. Some can focus better without their phones in sight, but most teenagers can’t live without them even just for a minute!
It can be a good thing though if they can find apps that can help them study – like music apps and timers that can determine the amount of time they used for studying and for breaks. (‘Forest’ app is great for helping them focus.)
3. Take breaks.
Keep them hydrated! Stretch out those muscles! Don’t forget to eat!
This is not school, so they don’t need to stick to the same amount of time per lesson – with less distractions, they’ll probably find they get their learning done faster at home!
The Pomodoro technique is used by lots of people to stay more productive – you work solidly for 25 minutes (but that’s all), then take a break. You can find out more here.
4. Stick to a schedule.
Include a time for them to eat, rest and have a little bit of fun as well.
We have a Revision Planner for Y10 students that can help them auto-generate a study plan (and it’s FREE!).
You’d be surprised how much most teens appreciate a schedule of some kind – it’s the structure that they normally get from school, and might help make this feel a little less weird.
The key thing here is to ask them to choose a structure. Yes, you can guide it, but if they feel in control of it, they’re more likely to stick to it.
This is a skill they’re going to be using for life – managing their own time wisely – so let them figure this out for themselves if you can.