Starting School at Home in Light of the Coronavirus (plus tips, resources)

By Susan Platt from The Modern Mayflower blog

School at home?

As you know, fears over spreading the novel virus are forcing cancelled classes and school closings. Many are opting for an online or school at home model during this uncertain time.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely wondering how to make a smooth transition to schooling at home.

[Guest post by Susan Platt and myself because we want you to thrive despite these challenges!]

I remember when we began school at home many years ago, and I had so many fears, many unnamed, but some very obvious concerns.

I remember two young people sitting at my kitchen table many years ago, both with tears in their eyes. One was me and the other my oldest child who was five years old at the time. “I will never learn to read,” he cried. “He’s right,” I thought. “If he’s counting on me he is never going to learn to read.” 

You see, that’s what fear of the unknown does.  

Fear makes you doubt your own judgment and everything around you.  

Fear is a liar.

That is a fact.

Fear does not equip you to tackle the task at hand.

Fear whispers all the worst cases, probably never going to happen scenarios right into your ears until it consumes your thought life.

Evict it.

Immediately.

Do not rent out space in your mind and heart to it, not for the Coronavirus, the economy, the homeschooling factor, or anything else.  

You were not designed to live in fear.

My humble advice:  

Be careful about how much media and mayhem you consume. 

You see every person, entity, or media platform in existence that shares information with you has their own views and presents that information through a particular lens.  

This includes me as well.

This newest virus, and the unprecedented publicity surrounding it, has us all in a pioneering kind of place.

People who have never had any inclination to homeschool are now without option as schools are closed nationwide and we are faced with the fact that our children will do school at home for the foreseeable future.

As a seasoned homeschooler who has been there and done that (that crying child graduated last year!) this seems like a beautiful opportunity to spread some calm and reassurance in these very uncertain times.

So I challenge myself (and you) to dispute is the mass hysteria, panicking and fear that is being consumed faster than the toilet paper.

Yes, we are living in uncertain times.

We already were – long before Covid-19.

So many things are not within our power to control.

However, there is a silver lining here!

There are so many other things that we do have a say-so in.

Do not forfeit your say-so.

We don’t get to choose what comes at us but we do get to choose our response to it.

If you find your children’s’ schools on hiatus until who knows when and your inner freak out alarm is ringing….just go ahead and hit the kill switch on that. 😉  

I’m about to share some earth-shattering news with you.  

You were already homeschooling.

If you are a parent, if you have children living in your home, YOU already school at home – you are a homeschooler!

Stay with me here…

Who taught your children to eat, sleep, talk, pray, tie their shoes?

You did.

You are the parent, the example.

You are, have always been, and for the better part of the future, you will be their primary teacher.

Academics are important…obviously. 

But academics are not the sum total of raising children.

There is an opportunity here amongst the unknown.

• You have the beautiful opportunity to create calm in this storm.
• You are teaching your children how to handle what life throws at them.
• You are teaching your children how to process, think and react when uncertainty comes their way, and it will again and again.
• You are teaching them so much more than ABC’s, multiplication facts and even the periodic table.  

All of these things, while they have their place, are secondary to the human being you are developing within your own 4 walls.

Opportunity, Friends.

Your children will be home whether it is convenient or not.  

The circumstance is out of our control, the response is well within it.

Use this time wisely.

Imagine you just received a bonus check and you want to allocate each dollar where it will do the most and lasting good.

You have received a bonus.  

You have been gifted some unexpected time with your children, and you get to decide what to do with it. 

Let’s all use this time to reconnect, to communicate, to get to know each other better and at a new level.

• Ask your children questions and listen to them. I have learned so many things about what is going on in the minds of my children just by asking and listening. You will find out who they are if you take the time to look in their eyes and have an open heart to hear and see the world through their young eyes.
• Eat more meals together…around the table…everyone at the same time.
• Learn something new together.
• Read a few good books. (see my book lists below)
• Watch what they watch.  
• Listen to what they listen to (when you can, of course).  This gives you common ground, something to chat about and it ties another string that bonds.
• Take this time to not just live together but to really LIVE together – in a new way.
• Play some board games. Seriously. It’s character building for everyone:-)
• Get them outside in your yard where possible to play! They need to have free play time!
• Be resilient; kids are.

I do not underestimate the difficulties that this situation poses to many families. 

The difficulties are here, they beg attention and must be dealt with.

[At the very end, Susan and I add the top 10 most important resource links to help you get up to speed FAST!]

I could give you a million ideas about academic things and how to create a “school at home.”

That is not where my heart lies.

Do what works for your family. 

Most importantly:

Don’t forget to keep the main things as the main things.

Perspective is a beautiful thing, Friends.

Cheers to a new opportunity and Happy Schooling at Home!

Susan

I’m Susan, imperfect wife of Adam, mother of the 4 C’s and lover of Jesus! I’m always whispering the truths of God back into my own heart. Oh, how quickly perspective can become skewed! I am so thankful for the everlasting word of the Lover of my soul! I’m a girl learning to love to do what must be done, and trying to do it cheerfully!

Susan blogs over at The Modern Mayflower. 

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~Matthew 11: 28-30

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A World of School at Home Resources

Note: Since your child has been in a structured school environment, continue school at home with daily structure:

Just a few ideas on the most popular homeschooling styles:

• Montessori Style Homeschooling
• Lifeschooling (one of my personal favorites)
• Unit Studies
• Charlotte Mason Homeschooling
• Thomas Jefferson Education (TJEd)
• Project-Based Learning
• Unschooling
• Relaxed Homeschooling
• The Hess Un-Academy Method

• Curriculum & Bookseller Catalog
• What About Virtual Charter Schools?
• Talking with Kids About Coronavirus {podcast}
• Tips for Deschooling Your Child
• A huge help and legal resource is the HSLDA 
• Homeschooling High School? It’s Not So Tough.
• How to Homeschool in France
• Tips & Advice for New Homeschooling Moms

Calming School at Home Ideas

My Top 45 Audiobooks For Families On The Go Or At Home

25 Foundational Hymns To Teach Your Children While Young
Deep Roots at Home wholesome book lists: fight back the culture, treasured old books, classic children’s, 60 Titles. Mysteries

These Are Not Wasted Years Dear Parent: A Few Words To You

Resources for Battling the Coronavirus & Staying Healthy

• Can Elderberry Trigger a Cytokine Storm When You Have Influenza?
• Be Ready for Winter: Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup In 20 Minutes
• Good Handwashing Starts in the Home: How to Slow Down an Epidemic
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Need to Know by Elisa Song, MD Pediatrician
• 4 Natural, Science-Backed Ways to be Prepared for Coronavirus Pandemic
• Beautiful Nutrient-Dense Broth For Cold & Flu Season
• Does Elderberry Hold Hope For a Pandemic or for the Immunocompromised?
• Nat’l Acad. of Sciences: Flu Vaccine Recipients Shedding More Flu Virus
• No Flu Shots 4 Us: We Use Elderberry Syrup (99% effective for H5N1)
• Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Children: Guess Who Is Healthier?
• Pepper Juice: A Homemade Preventative Cold and Flu Remedy
• Honey And Cinnamon: Powerful Duo Knocks Colds And Much More
• Fire Cider: Popular Folk Remedy for Digestion, Colds, Chills & Coughs