Covid-19 Home School Survival Tips!

1. Establish a study location – and the bed doesn’t count!

Students need a place to focus on their studies and it should include adequate lighting and space for writing. A kitchen/dining table would do just fine, just make sure it isn’t too high/low.

 2. Centralize school materials and supplies.

Clearing the kitchen table is quick if school books and papers can be loaded into a box and put away. Lidded containers and magazine files are great for this.  My favorite container is the LatchMate bin sold by Michael’s craft store because it has a removable bin to hold smaller items.  Having all the supplies in one location will eliminate the wasted time used to search for things.  Along with common school supplies, remember to include those items needed for e-learning like power cords, storage devices, and headphones!

 3. Make an “Inbox” for schoolwork.

If your student has work that you will need to review/check (workbooks, worksheets, written reports, etc.), consider having a place for them to turn their work in.  I always know if my children are accomplishing anything with a quick glance at the turn in box. 😉 Dollar Tree has a great assortment of plastic baskets!

 4. Set a schedule.

Establish a time for study, breaks, and even meals. By giving students clear start/stop times, they are more likely to focus on the task at hand. Apps like Time Timer help students visualize the passage of time.  Keep in mind that school-at-home will function more like a tutorial program so your “school time” is likely to be much shorter than a regular school schedule. It might be simple to allow high schoolers to study subjects in the same order they did at school, no need to reinvent a perfectly good wheel.

 5. Build sibling partnerships.

Older brothers/sisters can help their younger siblings with their schoolwork too! Young children receive assistance; you can turn your attention to other students or tasks, and it allows your older child to master basic skills. It might be fun to turn this upside down and give younger children a chance to boss around their older brother/sister by allowing them to choose the activity every once in a while.

 6. Stagger difficult lessons between students.

Plan teacher intensive lessons with students at different times.  This way, you can focus on a single subject with one child while the others work independently.

 7. If working at home… communication is key.

Make your children aware of any conference calls/meetings on your schedule.  Let them know ahead of time that you will be available to answer any questions at: _______ (time meeting ends) and what they should do while waiting for your business to conclude.  If they can’t continue the current assignment without assistance from you, allow them to choose from a set of predetermined alternative activities. 

 8. Have a centralized information center with a calendar.

Be sure that everyone knows where to find important “school-at-home” information. This includes school/teacher contacts; how to sign-in for e-learning classes; and important dates to remember. If mom/dad have standing appointments, include this information as well.

 9. Rotate toys.

Bring out special toys at a time when independent play is most needed.  Not allowing access to EVERYTHING also cuts down on the clean-up and toys hold their excitement longer.  Trust me, the Law of Diminishing Returns seems to attack children’s toys first!

10.  Most importantly, remember to have fun!

Now is a great time to connect as a family, so pull out the board games for game night or have a family movie night!  When the work for the day is done remember to reconnect as a family – in your home!  While work needs to happen at home for a while, don’t let it redefine your home.  Home is the place where families go to unwind, relax, and enjoy each other’s company away from the chaos of the world around them.  Make sure that school (and work) get put away – out of sight preferably, so that the family can return to normal “home” activities each day. 

Even 20+ years of homeschooling later, I still employ the tips on the above checklist.  Whether your children will be at home for a week or the rest of the school year 😲, taking these simple steps can help everyone stay on track and maybe have loads of fun at the same time.

Chanin L. King is the homeschooling mother of eight children, four of which have graduated from high school and are actively pursuing college degrees.  Chanin is also the founder and owner of Ordered In All Things LLC, a professional organizing company in Chicago, IL that specializes in helping families with three or more children.  Chanin is a member of NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals) and has earned certificates in both Residential Organizing and Household Management from NAPO.  When she is not spending time with her husband of 26+ years, Chanin enjoys binge watching her favorite home repair tv shows and DIY crafting.