Learning From Home
Home School 101
Our new reality has changed the way we look at the back-to-school season. But, change gives us a chance to define the new normal. If your growing scholars are learning from home, here are some design choices and tips to make the experience a great one.
Setup for Success
Many of us have been working from home since March with little or no notice. Now that we are all “experts” in working from home, your knowledge of your home has multiplied. You know exactly which parts are used and unused and you can put that knowledge to great use in setting up perfect learning environments.
By now, you know the kitchen table can be like the office water cooler, so even though it seems perfect, it can be hard to control as a quiet space. Think of all the private spaces in the home when setting up learning spaces. They will need quiet places where they can think and concentrate. Be sure no keep them close, so the backyard is not an option!
Media and movie rooms can be perfect, should your home have one. These don’t typically get a lot use in the day and can be closed off for a quiet environment.
Make it Friendly and Productive:
The perfect environment should have/be:
- A personalized space with photos of friends and family
- A bulletin board to keep track of assignments
- A quiet place that allows for concentration
- Storage/organization for school supplies
- A place for your personal computer and space to write
- Charging cables!
If you can’t designate a specific place, create a travelling cart of basket with all the must-haves. It’s also important that everyone is aware of the schedule. In many cases two people of the adult kind are also working in the home! Set alarms to take the place of school bells.
The Most Important part of any school day
Yes, we’re going there. It’s lunch! OK, some of the milk shenanigans may not be tolerated by the new principal, but lunch is still an important time to unwind and get a break. Organize lunch the way the school would: set a weekly schedule of what’s going to be on the menu. You know what your kids like (and don’t like), so make sure the schedule is acceptable. Here are some ideas:
- Fruit Kabobs: A variety of fruits or slices of one fruit to a kabob for an easy-to-store single serving of fruit.
- Homemade Lunchables: Crackers, cheese and deli meat can be added to a container.
- Soup: Soups. Everyone loves soup, especially as the weather gets cooler.
- Pasta: Pasta is another easy option that can be pre-portioned. Mac and cheese, anyone?
Love Where You Live and Learn!
This will be a school year unlike any other, but you can still make sure your children are prepared to learn. Normandy Homes have been designed to live (and learn in). Take advantage of your space and get those little one ready for scholarships. And don’t leave out PE!
