Relaxing and Learning at Home During School Closures

So much has changed within the last few weeks that have caused chaos in the world, our communities and even in our homes. While there is cause for concern, parents actually don’t need to panic about their children’s education. Despite the uncertainty, there are stress free ways to keep young minds engaged and learning at home.

We can all agree that education is important which is why many parents are feeling overwhelmed with teaching their children at home. However, we must remember that children are resilient and have the ability to overcome challenges. Keep in mind that children are, in fact, used to being away from school for an extended period of time during the summer months. Typically there is an 8-week break before the new school year begins followed by a few weeks of review to get everyone caught up. Even though it is not clear when schools will reopen, there are plenty of opportunities to help our children learn. On a basic level, students who continually read, write and practice basic math skills will likely have a smoother transition after a long absence from the classroom.

The following are some stress free ways to keep your kids engaged during this unexpected school closure:

Reading Fun
Allow you kids to indulge in reading leisurely rather than assigned textbooks or novels. Kids tend to read more when they actually enjoy the subject matter; so, don’t worry if they would rather read comics than classical literature. Remember, many local libraries are still offering ebooks to enjoy from the comfort of your home. If your child has a particular interest, there are various age appropriate articles with follow up questions available at: https://www.readworks.org/

And, if you have some reluctant readers try audio books! Currently Audible is providing free children’s stories as long as schools remain closed: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Math Games
One of the best ways to reinforce important skills is through games. When kids are playing they are focussed on winning, smashing records and achieving new levels. Incorporate games that include math facts and problem solving so your kids can have fun while building on their skills. Challenge your kids to answer various multiplication questions to win an extra 30 minutes of screen time or earn extra free time before bedtime. There are also a variety of fun math games online, including but not limited to:

https://www.arcademics.com/

https://www.prodigygame.com/

http://bedtimemath.org

Write Now
Even if writing seems challenging for your kids, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Simply writing about their day or creating fantasy stories helps kids with their dexterity and critical thinking abilities. Daily journals can be used to chronicle their adventures at home while school is closed. This will also serve as an interesting personal piece of history for your kids to share in the future. If you need some help with writing prompts, check out the resources below.

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/how-journaling-benefits-your-child.html

https://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/journaling-for-kids.html

https://pageflutter.com/journaling-with-kids/

In addition, the Ontario Ministry of Education has also provided supplementary resources for students through an online learning portal: https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home. Rest assured, you are not alone and there are options available to support your family during the school closures.

At Nimbus, we know this time of uncertainty is challenging for both parents and children. That’s why we remain focused on supporting families as much as possible. By the grace of God we will get through this together. Please feel free to reach out to us by email: office@nimbuseducation.ca. We are happy to help!