School at home: finding the right tempo

With the COVID-19 pandemic in France and around the world, many parents decide to go to school at home for their children. While this method can have many advantages such as gaining autonomy, self-confidence, rapprochement with parents/child or even organizational ability, it can be a source of frustration and conflict when misused. Also, it is crucial to find the right tempo in order to give your child time to relax and not see the house as a single place of work and constraints. Our specialists give you some good tips for making school at home, a successful and fulfilling experience for everyone.

What tips for home schooling?

As parents, home schooling for your child can be a source of stress and questioning, especially when juggling work life with your various daily obligations. In times of COVID pandemic, many are also forced to leave their companies to do telework. The boundary of pro/personal life then becomes more blurred and it is more difficult to organize. This uncertainty can easily give way to panic. However, relax, there are many solutions and we will help you manage the school at home as best you can by finding the right tempo.

Building a good practice schedule

Home schooling may at first seem very abstract. To facilitate learning, promote optimal organization and allow a good allocation of time, it is first necessary to establish a schedule of good practices. The latter will have to mention teaching schedules, personal working hours, rules but also moments of relaxation and games.

Keep in mind that this schedule should be fun and not austere at the risk of creating blockages in your child. Don't hesitate to add colors or stickers. You can also dedicate a rewards space to motivate your child to complete his or her school tasks in accordance with the schedule.

Don't put pressure on yourself

For novices in this field, home schooling can be an anxiety-inducing situation. Also, it is very important not to put pressure on yourself or your child because it would be anti-pedagogical. Also, putting pressure on it could damage your relationship.

Adapt to the rhythm of your "student" and consider his difficulties. The goal of home school is also to give him confidence and to accompany him towards his success. Encourage him, use positive terms and use a calm tone.

Use different learning resources

There are a multitude of learning resources at our disposal. In addition to exploiting the official resources provided by the school, nothing prevents you from using the web, documentaries or even video games as well! Depending on your child's aspirations, faculties and desires, don't hesitate to increase learning resources. By doing this, you arouse his interest and make his teaching more playful.

Don't just be the teacher

In addition to a teacher, your child also needs to spend time with his parents. In order for him not only to see you as a "teacher", he must also spend time with him in a context of relaxation and games. The right tempo for home school is knowing how to separate learning and instruction time from moments of relaxation and pleasure. Take part in relaxing with your children to maintain a good relationship with each other.

Don't hesitate to get help

For smaller classes, learning is relatively accessible and parents will generally have no difficulty keeping up with school. However, as the school years progress, the level becomes higher. Also, some years are pivotal to the future of children and teens such as those that lead to a key exam. In order not to jeopardize your child's future, it may be a good idea to hire a home teacher. Depending on the case, it may intervene on an ad hoc basis to give a boost in certain subjects or cover the programme entirely.

See learning at home as an opportunity to get to know your child more

The COVID pandemic is an agonizing time for everyone parents and children alike. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know how to grasp the small benefits it can bring. In fact, by going to school at home, you spend more time with your child and you learn by his side to identify his strengths and aspirations but also his weaknesses. You will then be in a better thrly to help and provide him/her with the resources he/she needs.