The prospect of home schooling can be pretty daunting. Let’s face it, there are many good reasons we send our kids to school to learn, but necessity is the mother of all invention, so it’s time to get creative and make this work. Right?
We’ve consulted the experts at Parent TV for tips on how to set up a learning space and map out the day, so our kids learn but are not overwhelmed by a new way of doing things.
Getting these things right will also help us parents cope with, and hopefully, enjoy the change.
Parent TV was founded by Clontarf mother-of-three and entrepreneur Samantha Jockel. The website provides short videos packed with advice for parents on a range of topics, and has plenty of information for those preparing for home learning due to COVID-19 restrictions.
School principal Rob Walker appears in videos on the website, offering a checklist for parents setting up a learning space for their children and some helpful tips for setting good routines to make home learning a success.
“The place where kids do their homework might not be the best place for a whole day of learning,” Rob explains.
Primarily, it should have good internet access and be comfortable to work in.
“It’s better to be in an area where you can see what they’re doing. Bedrooms are not always the best places for learning. That will depend on your child and how they work,” he says.
So, if you’re setting up a new learning space or adapting another, he has the following advice …
Rob Walker says setting expectations and establishing a good routine is essential, pretty much from the get-go.
“Students will work well if they have regular and set hours for work,” he explains.
“The school provides a timetable for students to be active, for them to have breaks, drinks and food. It’s important for students to be able to get up and move around.”
Staying up late at night and sleeping in will not result in a productive day of learning.
“It’s important to keep normal bedtime routines in place for students of all ages,” Rob says.
“Try to set the routines as soon as possible after home learning has started, not when students are showing signs of struggling with that home learning.”
Finally, you’ve got the furniture and tech equipment in place, but need ideas to make the space engaging? Here’s some we’ve come up with
If you’re looking for more inspiration to jazz up a workspace for home learning, head online
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