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Reading @guardian today RE support for parents in lockdown. There's some real issues for me in this guidance, as someone who holds the roles as a psychologist, educator&parent and can see across the three domains.
Here's my attempt to balance out some of their advice (Thread)
Here's my attempt to balance out some of their advice (Thread)
1) Set out the expectations and ensure they are met. Sorry, but schools will be picking up from were home ed. left off. Don't compromise your relationship with your child, but ensuring that basic expectations (log on to lessons, complete the work) are met is important.
Think of the message. Do we want to send the message that school expectations are optional? Now, manage your expectations. Personally, I double down on literacy and maths and ensuring these are done and done very well. The projects etc my kids do but in a far more relaxed way.
The key I think deciding what you will ensure your child will put their foot on the gas for (and making sure the expectations are high) and knowing when to relax them. See my e.g. above but speak to your school. See this as a volume control or sliding scale.
2) Back the school. Yes allow kids to follow own lines of enquiry. But they already have access to a rich curriculum. Remember, the school are partners in your children's education and the school need your help. Trust the school here.
3) Instead of giving your child an opt out - ask your child how you can help them complete the task. You're not a teacher, and that's ok :) but there's many lessons on Oak, GLT and BBC that can provide extra assistance in a range of topics.
Its very clear from my own experience and that of learning science - if you raise the bar, children will reach...but, like any human, if you give an opt out or bypass, we are predisposed to take it. Knowing what your goal is and what needs to be achieved is therefore key.
4) Routine! They know timetables, they adore them in school. Set out the tasks at the start of the day in a timetable, and what needs to be achieved. Book in morning break, lunch and afternoon tea together. Keeping to a regular structure of what's done when will help you and them
5) Reward. How do we keep motivated during our work? Show up with the biscuit half way through the task when they are working hard, praise working hard, get some well done/good effort stickers. Make opting in the valued thing in the house.
6) Worried about screen time, walks etc? Use the timetable to structure their day to include walks , family time etc. Take control of the time spent.
Anyway, hope this helps. Take it or leave it if you wish :)
