How to Homeschool During the Coronavirus Pandemic

First, don't feel bad that you are not adequately prepared for this crisis—most of us aren't. "What we are being asked to do is not humanly possible," says Emily W. King, Ph.D., in a PSA that she published on her Facebook page. "Working, parenting, and teaching are three different jobs that cannot be done at the same time. It’s not hard because you are doing it wrong. It’s hard because it’s too much. Do the best you can," she continues. This is a mentality that I am finding comfort in, as my own daughter embarks on her fourth week home from school—and our overly-ambitious schedule for homeschooling that we put together on day one has slowly fallen apart (much like me on a few occasions) and I am sitting here wondering if this will go down as the year that she didn’t finish fourth grade.  All the experts agree that it is important for children to have a designated workspace.  Courtesy of Michelle Young Photography I am not alone. Across the world schools are closed, some through April (for now), and others for the foreseeable future—with the situation changing daily. Schools are offering different levels of support: Some school systems and private schools were immediately ready to launch into remote learning, while others are still working on putting systems into place. Either way, the sudden shift from sending your child off to school every morning to learning from home is a huge adjustment for both parents and students—and needless to say, it can be overwhelming. But as homeschooling is suddenly a part of our new normal, it's important to remember that we all are struggling to adjust to online instruction and trying to find ways to keep our children engaged. It's a great time to let kids be a part of the decision-making, if that is age-appropriate, and help set a schedule. Give your child a chance to take the reins and engage in child-led learning.  Photo: Mike Sinclair Jamie Heston, a veteran homeschooler, homeschool consultant, and a board member of the Homeschool Association of California, advises that you should be gentle with yourself, your child, your partner, and your coworkers. "We are in an unprecedented situation and everyone is under stress," Jamie says.  She also recommends designating some time to teach your children "real life" activities, like cooking, gardening, and sewing. "Ask your children what they’d like to learn," she says. "Self-directed learning is the best. What is your child passionate about? Learning doesn’t only happen with a book at a desk." And most importantly, always remember to be flexible: "It’s going to be messy, and that’s OK, this is 'crisis schooling', not planned, thought-out homeschooling." Shop the Story Easy Peasy: Gardening for Kids An introduction to easy gardening so you can grow everywhere and anywhere. Whether you live in the city or the countryside, there are plenty of places you can plant and grow. For a new generation of green fingers there are different ways to bring nature into the home. Make your own pots, build balcony boxes, create your own bird feeders and even get friendly with worms! Each activity has been carefully chosen to create living, renewable and sustainable environments for kids and their families. Each activity has been carefully written by Kirsten Bradley, a leading practitioner in permaculture for kids and co-founder of Milkwood permaculture farm in Australia. The simple steps and beautiful spot illustrations make activities fun and easy to follow. The book will also feature non-activity spreads explaining the importance of why and how nature works. Illustrated by Aitch, a Romanian artist whose folkloric illustrations pay homage to vintage botanical books while giving each page a sense of modern magic. Publisher: Little Gestalten Photo Courtesy of Amazon Frank Lloyd Wright Geometric Shapes Wooden Tray Puzzle The geometric shapes in this puzzle set show the major forms Wright used in his decorative designs and modern architecture. These shapes can be found everywhere in Wright's work, from buildings to stain glass windows. Frank Lloyd Wright Geometric Shapes Wooden Puzzle Set from Mudpuppy includes 3 colorful shaped puzzles embedded in a wood tray, allowing children to explore with shape and form. Photo Courtesy of Mudpuppy This Book Is a Planetarium: And Other Extraordinary Pop-Up Contraptions Never has humble paper had such radical ambitions. Defying every expectation of what a book can be, this pop-up extravaganza transforms into six fully functional tools: a real working planetarium projecting the constellations, a musical instrument complete with strings for strumming, a geometric drawing generator, an infinite calendar, a message decoder, and even a speaker that amplifies sound. Artist Kelli Anderson contributes enlightening text alongside each pop-up, explaining the scientific principles at play in her constructions and creating an interactive experience that's as educational as it is extraordinary. Inspiring awe that lasts long after the initial pop, This Book Is a Planetarium leaves readers of all ages with a renewed appreciation for the way things work—and for the enduring magic of books. Photo Courtesy of Chronicle Books This is a wonderful time for children to pursue passion projects. Photo: Sunshine MathonSee the full story on Dwell.com: How to Homeschool During the Coronavirus Pandemic