Schools are closed and life is crazy! Give Yourself Grace!
These are strange times!
Everything is closing and if you're like me you sort of feel like a bug caught in a jar. Hopefully you've got the essentials and you can focus on what the day to day is going to look like in the next few weeks.
The latest panic I've been seeing is everyone worried about school closures. It's not ideal. It's not what any of us want for our teachers or kids but we all can see the value and appreciate the measures to keep our families as un-exposed as possible. The chunk being taken out of the academic calendar is hard to swallow. I get it!!
I see people making charts and rigid school schedules for their kids. I see moms posting on social media about how they are fighting with their kids trying to get them into this "homeschool" routine and the rigidness of this plan they created.
All I can say is... slow down, breath and take time to take stock. Do you need a reality check? I do sometimes.
We all want our kids engaged and the common goal is to keep them current and progressing. Most of all we don't want them to backslide.
As a teacher of elementary school kids and a mom of a Kindergartener and 2nd grader, here is my 2 cents for elementary school families. I know that parents of older kids have different struggles but I think this message is something we all need as parents especially in times like this.
First, the reality check. It's a big one!
You can't build a classroom and make it successful overnight. You might or might not be a teacher. If you had a passion for that profession or a gift for teaching, you would likely know that about yourself. It's ok if that's not you. You have other gifts. I am sure of it. The reality is, you may not even like being home. You might prefer to work and that might make you a better parent when you are home. That's great too. You be you. Don't be a copy of someone you're not. Your kids will know. They know their parents. They are so intuitive. You want them to be themselves. Show them how by knowing yourself and your limits.
You can't build a classroom and make it successful overnight. You might or might not be a teacher. If you had a passion for that profession or a gift for teaching, you would likely know that about yourself. It's ok if that's not you. You have other gifts. I am sure of it. The reality is, you may not even like being home. You might prefer to work and that might make you a better parent when you are home. That's great too. You be you. Don't be a copy of someone you're not. Your kids will know. They know their parents. They are so intuitive. You want them to be themselves. Show them how by knowing yourself and your limits.
Right now, my kids have 4 weeks off school and the possibility of more beyond that. Keep in mind that teachers spend at least the first 6 weeks of school conditioning kids. They have to learn the routine. They have to learn the rules. They have to know the teacher and their teaching style. so... in 4 weeks you'll be making a small dent. Teachers train and go to school for 4+ years to learn about child development and learning/teaching strategies. They also have real life practical knowledge of working with kids in flexible groups. They spend days, weeks, months, sometimes years perfecting lessons and planning to teach. Teachers don't become teachers overnight just like classrooms aren't well oiled machines overnight. The kids that are acting out and struggling are in a period of transition. We parents are also in transition and our patience is likely shorter than normal. I need this reminder right now. Anyone with me?
I've also heard the argument that "we will just be homeschoolers now." Let's take a step back. Unless you are in fact a homeschool family, you aren't homeschooling. I could be. You could be. But, not by tomorrow. Homeschool parents are part of a large support group. They buy a curriculum. They spend time planning ahead. They have a community and they typically start when their kids are small and gradually get immersion training. They have worked out a routine and figured out how their homes run while they do this. I repeat, It doesn't happen overnight. Let's not oversimplify what true homeschool parents do. Let's not put ourselves in a position to fail.
Many are out of work or trying to work from home and figuring out that schedule and the stress that comes with that. Throwing a rigid school program in for your kids on top of all of this is not practical. You'll also have more messes to clean up and more thought that needs to go into groceries and basic needs. There will be 47 interruptions and other tasks to be completed. And, some of us are still basically in winter. I am so jealous of anyone who is getting solid warm weather right now so their kids can be outside and play regularly. Come on Spring. We are ready!
Ok. So with that bit of reality check let me toss one more out there. Most schools would have spring break coming up. Give your kids spring break. They have earned it! That leaves us 3 weeks off and the possibility of four weeks beyond that before our schools would be out for summer. So... we are looking at a grand total of 7 weeks. Yes, that's a lot of time. Now, subtract Easter break (some schools have a day or two and some use this week as spring break.) Next, take into account that the last 2 weeks are cleaning out the classroom, wrapping up and a lot of fun to send the kids off for summer and recap all the fun and learning they just accomplished. There is also at least one week worth of assessments and end of the year wrap up. That leaves you with about 4 weeks left in the school year. Now, yes, well trained teachers and well set up classrooms can get a lot done in 4 weeks. But as stated above you aren't likely in that position and you have a lot on your plate. We also don't know that kids will be out of school that whole time. So, let's take things as they come.
So, what can we realistically do?
In short, give yourself some kindness. Give your kids some understanding. In my opinion stressing everyone out in an already stressful situation is not going to serve anyone well. Don't set unrealistic expectations. Don't expect to slide right in without a transition period. Take a week of spring break and focus and regroup and decide what is necessary and critical to your situation. Also, try to stick to your typical bedtime routine. It will make things easier when they go back to school and be one less thing in transition. It will be some certainty and give them continuity.
In short, give yourself some kindness. Give your kids some understanding. In my opinion stressing everyone out in an already stressful situation is not going to serve anyone well. Don't set unrealistic expectations. Don't expect to slide right in without a transition period. Take a week of spring break and focus and regroup and decide what is necessary and critical to your situation. Also, try to stick to your typical bedtime routine. It will make things easier when they go back to school and be one less thing in transition. It will be some certainty and give them continuity.
The best thing you can do to keep elementary kids current is read with them, get some math work in to keep their wheels turning and have them write every day. Make it fun!
Make learning organic and fun!
My kids are seriously snorkeling in the living room.
No, I am 100% NOT joking.
They pulled out the summer tub for a beach party yesterday. Naturally, haha, this is a game they invented today since they found snorkeling gear. It's crazy and not structured and when they were done it was also a great time to turn on the magic school bus deep sea adventure and read some books about sea creatures. That turned into looking up more videos on specific creatures and apparently, tomorrow, we are going to go on a safari. LOL.
No, I am 100% NOT joking.
Don't underestimate the quality of learning through imagination and organic play.
A daily journal telling of the fun they had each day is a great way to get the writing bit in and is easily done while dinner is made. Another way is to keep a list of needs like grocery items and such and have them add to it as needed. Also, start a summer bucket list of fun. Give them some things to look forward to. They can sense the uncertainty of the times too. Basically, if something needs to be written out, have them write it out instead of you doing it.
For math, bake with your kids. Cook with your kids. Make slime and measure with your kids. (I HATE SLIME! But I will make exceptions and it entertains them for long periods of time.) Have clock breaks and ask them to tell you the time. Dump the piggy bank and count. Put money in an empty egg carton. Have them shake it and count the amounts that land in each cup. I also have several favorite math games that are adaptable for many ages. They are linked below if you are looking. If you have others leave a comment. It takes a village.
And... the big one... READ. Have them read to you and you read to them. Also, each day set aside a quiet time. You're going to need it! This could be 15 min or longer depending on ages. During this time, read together. Not to each other. Let them browse their books
and you read your own too. This modeling is a great way to encourage reading.
and you read your own too. This modeling is a great way to encourage reading.
If you are reading to them or they are reading to you or your doing silent reading take it a step further. Share what you read and where the book took you. Talk about the author and illustrator and have them retell what they read if they are at that level.
Most important, enjoy the fact that they are home. Yes, it's a change. Yes, it's an inconvenience. Yes, it can also be joyful and fun and a precious time together. When you feel you're getting overwhelmed, take time to regroup and focus on the important next step. Have them help with laundry, folding towels, putting away dishes, bring in trash cans, etc. In fact, pay them a random coin for helping each time and add up the coins at the end of the day for a quick math lesson. Let them put the coins away for some summer fun!
Don't try to climb a mountain in a day.
Don't try to climb a mountain in a day.
Movie marathon days are fun. Having a little tv time while you get some work finished is also fine! Not doing housework in the name of a good snuggle is required. Build a blanket tent. Join your kids in the blanket tent.
Play non learning games too. Have a beach party. Have a dance party in your kitchen. Have a picnic inside or out if weather permits. Have a campout in a room they don't usually sleep in. It's all ok and how you survive and find joy in the chaos!
If you're a little stir-crazy, it might even be a great time to get some projects done around the house. After all, you're going to spend a lot of time at home.
Take care everyone. Stay healthy and get through this mess and Make A MERRY MESS...and I am sure some other kinds of messes as well. ;)
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