Thanks to the pandemic, it’s not a normal school year for families as virtual learning has become the norm. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro at homeschooling kids, it can be tough to teach several kids at the same time — especially if they’re different ages. Many homeschoolers are also unused to being stuck at home with siblings.
To help out, here are some tips on how to make things easier when you have more than one child to homeschool — from how to structure your virtual learning curriculum to keeping your homeschooling kids energized and engaged.
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No matter how many kids you have, these suggestions will make your homeschool day much easier.
10. Make sure your children get enough sleep
Getting sleep will help kids have better attention spans, memory, behavior, and general mental and physical health. “Keep bedtimes the same and practice good sleep hygiene, especially since screen-time will inevitably increase due to schoolwork,” suggested pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Dr. Steph Lee to Mom.com. They will also hopefully fight less!
11. Get moving
Physical activity is important both for health and focus. “The AAP recommends at least 1 hour of physical activity several times a week,” advised Dr. Lee. “Get the body really moving, sweating, and loosening up bad postures from sitting all day.” Schedule a group dance break or music session to get all of the kids out of their chairs.
12. Schedule breaks
With our kids being required to be in front of their screens for longer periods now, they’ll need to rest their eyes, brains, and bodies more frequently. Encourage them to listen to music, take a walk, or replenish their bodies with snacks. Who knows, your kids may even surprise you by playing together peacefully!
