News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Parents of students unexpectedly out of school for precautionary measures in the wake of the COVID-19 virus spread may find themselves in need of ways to keep their kids learning.
Homeschooling mom and founder of Upper Cumberland Inclusive Homeschool Co-Operative, Shannon Hood Hayes, says identifying plant species is learning. Preparing a recipe, measuring and cooking provide learning opportunities. Thinking outside the box is key.
“Learning does not have to traditionally look like it looks in public school. It doesn’t have to look like a book and a notebook and a desk or a computer even. Learning can happen inside the home, out in the yard,” Hood Hayes said.
It’s important to try to maintain a somewhat regular schedule, especially for children who attend traditional, public school.
“With our homeschooling, you know, we’re used to home schooling and that’s the one big difference, these kids and parents are not used to homeschooling,” Hood Hayes said. “So they are going to need to keep some sort of routine that loosely resembles what they’re used to.”
Even if you can’t stay home with your kids while schools take extended spring breaks, in many cases, in attempt to halt the spread of COVID-19, avoiding kids camped out for hours gaming, is key. Carol Buckner, retired Putnam County English teacher, said we don’t want our kids to lose ground.
“When kids are not learning new things, they’re brains are not even staying they same,” Buckner said. “They’re not stagnant. They’re not just not progressing. They’re actually regressing.”
“It’s not in their best interest. What’s in their best interest is to continue to challenge themselves every day.”
One way to challenge kids is through free online resources. Hood Hayes said there are plenty available, and not just to the homeschooling community. Availability exists for art tutorials on You Tube, for example.
“There is a guy, his channel is called art for kids hub,” Hood Hayes said. “He has the most amazing thorough and fun art tutorials. There are all sorts of Youtube channels for exercise, yoga for kids.”
Hayes said there are currently many resources being published free for kids, due to COVID-19.
“One website that has a lot of those corralled in one place is SchoolChoiceWeek.Com,” Hood Hayes said. “They have almost 40 resources that were listed there as of this morning.”
