From mY Heart to YOur HOme...HOmeschooling through Covid-19

 
To my Fellows Parents and Caregivers,
 
Take a deep breath you made it through labor and potty training you are surely equipped to rise to the occasion of homeschooling. You have and always will be your child’s first teacher. You taught your little one to eat, tie his shoes, and brush her own hair. Be encouraged homeschooling is simply an extension of all the instruction you already engage in with your child/children. Partnering with your local school district to educate our child/children can be an amazing experience for all.  Provided below are a few tips to get started I pray such tips will ease the transition.
 
 

• Create a schedule for the day.  An order of operations will allow all in the home to know what to expect.

 

• A schedule which allows for the following times:

 

• Time for formal education or curriculum to be taught. This time is critical for your child’s development, learning, and continued growth.

 

• Time for sharing what has been learned. Create an exchange with your children. Let them share what they have learned and its value and parents please share what you have learned throughout the day. The dialogue will allow your children to see that we all are learning and growing and must continue to do so whether at school, work, or home!

 

• Time in the sun with siblings. When the clock hits 10:30ish your children, now students will need to move! Let them move and the results once back in the kitchen turned classroom will be multiplied.

 

• Time to cook. In order to ease your new commitments allow your children to begin prepping dinner and lunch (for the next day) once the day is coming to a close.

 

• Time to explore something of great interest independently. Your children have interests that you may not even know about. Give them a library code or a computer and be prepared to discover an expert on a specific topic of interest in your own home!

 

• Time to read aloud and cuddle!

 

• Time in the Word!

 
 

• Set a side time to connect as a family. Time aside from all the new commitments will allow space for you to fall in love with your family all over again.

 

• Be available to help those in need in your community. Send video messages to a neighbor, cards to a grandparent, or reach out and deliver needed supplies to someone at risk. (Or thank an online teacher for their devotion and commitment to teaching during this more challenging time)

 

• Create a homeschool group (via text or email)  within your community to connect with other moms and dads turned teachers. The sharing of ideas and tips will be invaluable.

 

• Above all as my dear friend wrote,” Before you begin this new journey, dedicate it to the Lord! This single act changed everything for us in our homeschool! It’s not in strength or creativity that homeschooling will be successful . It’s in HIS strength and way in your life.

 

• Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish it!

 
 
 
                                                        Many Thanks, Much Love,
 
                                                                 Bree Lukens
                            Follower of Jesus, Homeschool Mom, and Licensed Teacher