Here we go again with Distance learning.  After 15 years of classroom teaching, and now home learning……I'm sharing seven things that I think will make all our lives easier.

7 Home Learning Tips Guaranteed To Make Your Life Easier

This is tough friends.  Whether you are a home schooling parent or this situation is NOT something you expected…..it looks different than our norm.  Days seem to be on repeat.  Our kids (and us adults) are craving social interaction.  We don't have a firm timeline or end date, and that's HARD.  These are things that have REALLY helped me to keep going and to take care of myself (and my child's) well being.

1. Make a List The Night Before: Put pencil to paper (or pen to white board) and make a task list the night before (our daily routine chart is great for this).  You'll feel a lot more relaxed in the morning, and your day will get off to a better start.  When you wake up you can focus on mental readiness, and know that you've collected your thoughts and know what you need to do.
2. Prep Your Materials: Preparation is key.  Especially if you are trying to work virtually at the same time as home learning is happening.  Take ten to twenty minutes the night before (or in the morning before the kids wake up) and prepare.  Print worksheets or assignments, pull out workbooks, organize art supplies (our homeschool organization bin system is really helpful with this).    The more prepared you are, the more likely it is that independent learning will happen.
3. High Interest Is KEY: Kids are a million times more likely to do their work when it's OF INTEREST.  Whether we're talking independent reading, hands on projects, science experiments, or art……take their interests into account.  Let your child have some say in their projects or books.
4. Movement and Sunshine are Important: I vastly underestimated the power of sunshine and movement.  The days we don't get outside? I'm a bundle of sadness and anger.  It's absolutely amazing what a little outside time and fresh air will do for your mental state.  We recently ordered clipboards, and sometimes we just sit in our driveway to do our work.  It's crazy what a difference it makes!
5. Online Tools Are Your Friends: From Online Reading Programs  to Disney's Magic at Home Activities…..there are a million online tools to help with home learning.  It's helped us to pick one or two new things a day for Lydia to explore.  It gives me a little down time and her something new and fun to explore.
6. Home Learning Doesn't Mean Alone Learning: Man, social interaction is important.  And it's TOUGH right now.  I'm trying to remind myself that home learning doesn't have to be solitary (especially for us one child households).  We've been doing Zoom Calls with friends, and Lydia is going to join Facebook Kids Messenger to communicate with friends.
7. Quiet Time Is Important: On the flipside? Quiet time is key.  For all of us.  We've been devoting a certain amount of time each day to all retreat to our own spaces.  We read, we relax, Lydia is allowed to do art or play dress up or whatever else she wants.  It's important so that we can come back together and feel refreshed.

Stuggling to get ready for distance learning? Click here to sign up for Distance Learning Bootcamp (more like gentle let me help you get ready camp.  You'll get a simple series of emails, with easy to do tasks that will help you prepare.  I promise, nothing crazy.  But these tasks? Will help you prepare for distance learning so that it's easier for your whole family!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR DISTANCE LEARNING BOOTCAMP (it's not scary I promise!)

What is your best home learning tip? What's helping YOU right now?