Did you ever think you’d be homeschooling your kids?
With nearly 50% of the country ordered to shelter in place because of the coronavirus, approximately 55 million students are now stuck at home. As a parent, you don’t only have to find ways to preoccupy your kids – you also have to keep exercising their brains, so they don’t fall behind.
Today, you’ll discover some fun ways to keep your kids academically engaged while their schools are closed.
7 Ways to Keep Your Kids Academically Engaged During Shelter in Place
These are unprecedented, unnerving times. You can bet if adults feel this way, kids are feeling it, too. Structure and academic engagement can help kids feel like there’s some normalcy in their life, which can reduce their stress levels. That, in turn, will keep their immune systems strong and their brains functioning properly.
1. Create a Choice Board
A great way to keep kids engaged is to give them some control over activities or curriculum. Throughout the day, have your child use a choice board, like the one created by This Reading Mama. Your child will have fun choosing their activities and you’ll have an easy way to keep track of what you’ve covered that week academically.
2. Turn Everyday Activities into Math Lessons
Math is everywhere. Take advantage of it. Have your kids help you in the kitchen or work on a craft project together. Making math fun will make the lessons stick with them and help them grasp future lessons, whether they’re at home or at school.
3. Take Advantage of Your All-Natural Science Lab
Some people can safely leave their homes and go to parks or go on a hike – as long as they stay away from other people. If you’re in a place where you can do this, by all means, turn it into a science lesson. Study everything that nature has to offer.
If you’re stuck in the house for good, you can create science lessons in the kitchen with certain cooking lessons or by letting your kids help you take care of indoor plants.
4. Make Your Own Art Supplies – Then Have an Art Class
For an art lesson, start by making your own supplies. You’d be surprised how many materials you can make with the ingredients you already have at home, including:
- Paint
- Playdough
- Sidewalk chalk
- Love
- Recycled crayons
- Air-dry clay
- Paper beads
- Glue
5. Have Fun with P.E.
To get some physical activity into the mix, go on a walk or hike (if that’s possible in your area). Workout as a family to YouTube videos. Or, have a fun dance party and let your kids go wild with their artistic self-expression.
6. Take Advantage of Online Teaching/Learning Resources
Due to so many students staying home, schools and educational organizations are providing resources online.
Zoom has now become a common virtual classroom for many teachers and students. Not only are kids’ educational needs met, but their social needs are met, too. They get to interact with their teacher as well as other students.
Other resources online include instructional materials, like PDFs and apps, like a handwriting app from Kaligo for younger learners.
7. Sign Up for Bricks4Kidz Free Online S.T.E.A.M.
Bricks4Kidz is currently offering its Virtual LEGO Class Homeschool program for free via Zoom. There are two programs to choose from:
- All Ages LEGO classes
- 3rd – 6th Grade Coding Classes
The classes are a wonderful way to keep your kids engaged in fun activities that will benefit them now and into the future, as these classes teach:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Art
- Mathematics
Create and Stick to a Plan – Consistency is Key
With the fear and uncertainty circulating right now, consistency is something that will bring your kids some comfort.
Create a daily plan to keep your kids occupied and engaged. It will serve them well physically, emotionally, and academically.