Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with adding “virtual learning” to your daily routine? I can promise you this…you are not alone. If you take 5 minutes to scroll social media on any platform, you will likely see parents across the country trying to manage this new school year, their work schedules, home responsibilities and life in general. And honestly, it can be overwhelming. However, just like with anything else we don’t have to fall victim to the overwhelm. We can take charge of what is within our control, make the most of the situation out of our control and still create the good and the joy every single day. So today I’m sharing my 5 tips to a successful and joyful homeschool/virtual school year!
Something important to remember before we get started, we are all approaching this from a different perspective. And that is not only okay, it is good. We can learn from each other and support one another even if our decisions look a little different. The options given to us by our school district, our work responsibilities, our strengths and weaknesses, family health situations, our kids’ personalities and needs along with many other factors play into our decisions. There is not a right and wrong to this. Our only job here is to make the best decisions for our families with the information and resources we currently have. And that decision will likely evolve and change as our circumstances change.
Take a deep breath Mama. It will all be okay.
I understand that some working mamas will be leaving their homes making virtual school that much more difficult. These tips will still apply. You can also set a routine for your kids to follow even if you aren’t physically there. A bit more challenging I agree but still an option.
Whether your virtual learning experience is just to start the year, subject to change throughout the season or a year long commitment, here are my 5 tips to a successful and joyful homeschool/virtual school year.
Create a designated school space
We don’t have an extra room to dedicate solely to virtual/homeschool but I wanted to create a space that set the tone for productivity. Teachers spend hours organizing and planning their classrooms for a reason. An environment can encourage or discourage focus and learning. So my first tip is to find a space in your home that can transition to a “school space”.
We used a small area in our toy room. I purchased inexpensive desks from Wal-Mart and we are organizing and decorating this space together so they feel ownership over their area. There are so many cute ideas on Pinterest for inspiration when designing your space.
Take advantage of free resources
So many companies are offering free or discounted subscriptions to their programs. This may not last so take advantage of these opportunities while you can. Your school will likely be able to provide a list of credible programs as well.
You can check out this article by USA Today for free online resources available to kids.
Set School Hours
Setting school hours creates separation from “home” time and “school” time. This is so important for not only our kids but for parents as well. Just like with work, our kids will need to be able to “shut off” school time to enjoy play, family time and rest.
I recommend getting an early start to the day. Typically, our minds will be more focused and we are more likely to avoid school and dinner time overlapping if we start early. We will also set a routine that will make transitioning to traditional school easier whenever that is the case.
I approach the day split into 3 blocks.
Early morning – “Me” time, Work time (can’t wait to share some of the new stuff coming in the next few months), Exercise, etc
Daytime – I consider this “kid time”. My primary focus will be school time, engaging with my kids and household chores.
Evening – Family Time, Dinner, Bedtime Routines, a little more work time, etc.
Find what works for you.
Be Flexible
Even if it is hard to see in the moment, there are benefits we can take advantage of during this time. Flexibility is likely at the top. Virtual school will be challenging in many ways and allowing for flexibility will make things more appealing. Maybe you start your school day at 9:00am instead of 8:00am? Take your classroom outside on pretty days. Longer recess work best for your active child? Take it! Need some extra time on a particular concept – now you got it. Maybe a Saturday morning school day will make up for a spontaneous Friday fun day. Be flexible and find out what works best for you and your kids this fall.
Give Yourself Grace
The most important tip of all – GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. It’s a global pandemic people. Everyone is learning. Nothing is typical. WE WILL BOUNCE BACK. Give yourself the grace to try, fail and try again. And all the many successes in between. Our kids are learning to adapt, resilience and the importance of grace during this time too. And they are learning this from us. Keep the big picture in mind, take a deep breath, live every day with intention and create the happy. Yes it’s possible even in times like these.
I hope these 5 tips for a successful and joyful homeschool/virtual school year are helpful. I hope you feel encouraged to begin this year strong even if it looks a little different. It would also be a great idea to ask the teachers in your life their best tips. I’m sure they can provide great insight!
Stay Strong Mamas!
Let me know your best tips in the comments below! Calling all teachers – what are your recommendations for this year?
Much love, prayers and positive thoughts your way today!!
Jess
Brigette says
Great tips Jessica! One thing I added the last several years of my career was a quick ten minute Movement time. Do this first thing or no later than 30 minutes into the child’s schoolwork time. There are so many fun Indoor Recess and Yoga for kids videos on YouTube to choose from. Or try (for younger kids learning their math facts) rolling dice and doing the number of jumping jacks, pushups or marching steps shown on the dice. There’s so much research on how good movement is for our brain be sure to take these breaks often, especially if they’re in front of the computer a lot.