As another week of self-isolation and staying at home rolls by, parents and carers of school-aged children who are studying from home due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic would have learned by now that home schooling is tougher than it first seems.
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Whether it's motivating your children to stay on task despite being in the relaxed environment of their home, encouraging them to stay off social media during 'school hours' or accessing help beyond what you can provide - there is an art to home schooling.
To help parents and carers of school-aged children who are currently learning from home, the Examiner sought some advice and helpful hints from two highly credentialed sources.
Kate Connor is the teaching and learning head teacher at Irrawang High School who has kindly offered to reveal some of her experiences while teaching her own kids at home while living overseas.
"My advice is based on my own experience as a parent as well as a high school teacher," Ms Connor said.
Tip one: Create a structure for the day that fits in with your family.
"Students generally like to know what to expect in a day at school and will most likely feel more secure and comfortable with knowing what school days at home will look like," Ms Connor said.
"When my kids arise they have to do some exercise before 9am (they know they are happier if they do that). Then they need to check their school timetable and see what is on for the day.
"I don't make my kids sit at the computer for five hours a day and attend every lesson but I expect them to check in with all their subjects and do what they can. They do some work, wander off, I guide them back for a while."
Tip two: Put connections with your kids and value family time before formal learning - don't fight about the work.
"Have some expectations and negotiate what works for your family so you all still like each other at the end of this period. Learning is a lifelong process, so there is no rush to do all the formal schooling now - it could be an opportunity to discover new passions. You know your children best and you know when to push and when to back off. Trust yourself to do what works for your family, there will be no ramifications from school if they give it a go."
Tip three: This is new for everyone, if things are not working at home it is okay to stop, regroup and try again in a different way.
Tip four: Take time to teach them some life skills.
"If your child learns to prepare a few meals over this time, or do something kind for someone else, these are great life skills and a fantastic gift for their future," Ms Connor said.
Tip five: Find ways to keep your kids connected with their mates.
"Kids are usually pretty good at communicating digitally so they are probably more comfortable with this than most parents. I had been resisting letting my 13-year-old son into the world of Instagram but realised he needed to connect with his buddies. We did have to set some boundaries of course."
Tip six: Parents don't have to be teachers, home-schoolers or experts at home.
"Just be a family who is doing your best with the resources you have."
Tip seven: Get in touch with the school if things are not working, if your child is stressed or if you want some guidance around assessment tasks or school work.
Tip eight: If you have a child doing their HSC, encourage them to keep working and keep in touch with their teachers.
"Reassure them that all students in NSW are having to deal with these same changes to their schooling."
Sven Wright, the NSW Department of Education communications manager, has also provided 10 tips aimed at primary school children, originally used by the Broken Hill School of the Air:
One: Write your children's daily subjects on a whiteboard, blackboard or large piece of paper, then get them to cross them off the list once completed. This is an easy way to foster a sense of accomplishment once they've completed a task.
Two: Remember that the classroom is not always the classroom and you can learn in your everyday environment. For example, use chalk to conduct spelling exercises on the veranda or in the yard, or learn maths while measuring food portions in the kitchen. There's always opportunity to educate young minds in creative ways.
Three: Never stay on one subject for longer than one hour. Follow the school period timelines.
Four: Remember that your children will feed off your mood and attitude, so try to be engaged with the subject at hand (even if you really hate maths). It's more important for you to give them your time and attention right now than it is to ensure you have a perfectly tidy model home.
Five: Try to create a routine that works for you and your children so the kids then know what is expected of them. Your child can be involved in creating this as well, as it gives them ownership of their work.
Six: Try to ensure your child has the right sized desk and chair for them. A comfortable study area aids learning.
Seven: Use a tone of voice that you yourself would like to be taught with. Home schooling doesn't mean you need to morph into a movie caricature of a strict teacher. It may help to let your children know you are only helping their teacher and not taking the place of their teacher. This is temporary, and you will be only parent again soon.
Eight: If you children need it, take lots of brain breaks. If they start to lose focus, send them for a snack, a drink of water, a run around the yard or do 10 star jumps.
None: Preparation is key. Make sure you know what you have planned for each session so you're not reading instructions on the fly.
Ten: Even in normal times where we are all set up and prepared for home schooling it can be really challenging. Don't make excuses for not getting stuff done, but cut everyone some slack when you know you need to, including yourself. Ask your teachers what the "non-negotiables" are and try your best to accomplish those."
Parents can also find help at: education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/learning-from-home.
