It’s clear the pandemic isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and your kids may be home for school for at least part of the year. The end of the last school year was just about getting them (and yourself) through it. Now you have the opportunity to set your kids up for success. Here’s what you can do around your home to make this a better distance learning experience for everyone.
Designate a Space
You don’t have to have a big home for this. You just need a place you can designate as a “learning space” during school hours. This might be your kitchen table or a small desk in the corner of the living room. It needs to have good lighting and enough room for the computer your child will use with space for them to write, read, and do other activities.
Provide Organizational Tools
Nearly everything may be digital for distance learning, but your kids will still have plenty of stuff as part of their school experience. Set up a calendar where due dates can be written down to check at a glance instead of relying on crumpled papers or endless email reminders. Use a storage tote or small set of plastic drawers to house pens, pencils, paper, and headphones when not in use. This eliminates a lot of clutter and means everything has a place to live when school isn’t in session.
Limit Distractions
Kids get distracted — their teachers work hard to keep them on task in a classroom. Make sure their at-home learning space is free from as many distractions as possible. This includes turning off the television during “class time” and not allowing other mobile devices while they’re logged in for school. Your kids shouldn’t eat or drink at their desk, either. For young kids, set aside break times for snacks so they don’t go hungry but while they’re learning they can focus.
Establish a Routine
One difficult part about learning from home is the lack of a clear routine between home and school. You may have experienced this if you worked from home at all. Have your kids wake up and get ready at the same time every day. They need to get dressed, too. It may be a good idea to create a transition from “home time” to “school time” like finishing up breakfast and brushing their teeth or watching one last video before school starts. This will help their mind switch gears and help them start on time.
If you’re part of a parenting group considering a homeschool pod, talk to your home insurance provider about your liability coverage. You may want to consider increasing your limit, in case there’s an accident with one or more kids while they’re in your home. If your liability coverage isn’t high enough, you’ll have to pay any difference in a claim out of pocket.
We know this is a stressful time for everyone, including parents and students. Stay safe out there, and for any questions about your homeowners insurance, contact Charlotte Insurance. We’re happy to help.