Learning (and thriving) from home
Around the globe, both kids and parents have found themselves navigating education in a whole new way. At the moment Tasmanian students are still encouraged to learn from home where possible.
Distance learning is not without hurdles and can bring to light issues faced by our learners when they leave the classroom environment including; variations in internet connectivity, access to technology, the challenge of adapting to a new routine or even having to sit next to siblings at the kitchen table instead of their classroom friends.
Schooling might look a little different this term but rest assured that your child’s usual classroom teacher will still be leading their learning. As a parent or carer, your role will be to support your child. You will stay connected to your child’s school at all times and learning will be adjusted for the home environment.
If you feel inspired to spend the extra time with your kids at home in a fun and educational way (especially with weekend sport and extra-curricular activities on hold) there are some great accessible learning activities you can try at home. Keep the kids entertained, build up their skills and create lasting happy memories. Kids thrive when they spend quality time with adults and feel like they are part of the conversation. Just being present with your kids and doing an activity together is a great bonding experience and will leave a positive impression on them long after the activity is over.
Read together
Read a short story to your kids whenever you can or for older children, get into a chapter book together. Try taking it in turns to read a chapter each.
You can sign up for a Libraries Tasmania membership online and gain access to a world of free reading resources including Story Box Library. Story Box contains a huge array of books read by some of Australia’s most beloved personalities.
Record your experiences
Are your kids interested in writing or see themselves as budding film stars or content creators? Now is a great time to start keeping a diary of their coronavirus experience. What have they learned about themselves? What are their thoughts and worries? How have they been adapting and what have they noticed? Get creative and set a new theme for each week of this log, or, take it online by creating a web blog or video vlog. Think of it as a time capsule you can explore in years to come to remember what this historic experience was like.
Go on an excursion
You can still head out on an excursion with the kids as long as you stay close to home. Take a walk around your area and try to look for new things that you have not previously noticed. Find out a bit about the history of your town, suburb or local features and on your walk try and learn more about it. Are old building still there? Are there notable landmarks nearby? It can be really rewarding to learn more about your home turf.
If a virtual excursion is more your kids’ style there is a massive array of museums around the globe offering virtual tours and information. From modern art to ancient history, there is something for every curious mind. The famous British Museum and Louvre in Paris are just a couple of the places open to explore.
Maths and science learning
Lots of parents find maths and science daunting subjects to support their child’s learning in. Don’t overthink it – maths and science are a part of our everyday experiences. Go for a science adventure in your own backyard or the park – what insects are there in your garden? What types of plants and trees do you see on your walk? What types of rocks, pebbles and soil do you notice? Get your kids to take photos or make sketches of what they find and try to identify them online or in books. You could find out what types of plants and animals are native to your area and then see if you can find them on your walk.
There are lots of quality resources available that support maths and sciences learning. For maths support and lessons that your children can follow, check out Eddie Woo’s YouTube channel. For a huge range of resources that span every learning area including mathematics and science ABC Education is a great place to start.
The Tasmanian Department of Education has a newly launched Learning from Home Hub. Check it out for regular updates on resources and ideas for learning at home.