Online Maths Courses for Primary Schoolers

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Free Maths Worksheets for Years 1 - 6

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The post Returning to School Parents’ Guide | March 2021 Update appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Online Maths Courses for Primary Schoolers

Register today! Courses are running from April 19th – July 17th, 2021.

Learn more

Free Maths Worksheets for Years 1 - 6

Download and print our teacher-approved study packs, for free!

Download now

The post Returning to School after Lockdown, a Parent’s Perspective appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

In 2020, a poll suggested that parents are considering this route for safety reasons. Parents did not feel safe sending their children back to school, stating it was not secure enough. The poll additionally suggested that almost 30% of parents planned to continue to homeschool for the foreseeable future. 

Until recently, UK parents viewed homeschooling as unconventional; however, choosing to homeschool is not a decision to be made lightly. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve broken down the potential positives and negatives of how this may or may not be suitable for your child. 

What is Homeschooling?

In the UK, it is a legal requirement that every child gets an education. However, this does not necessarily mean that they have to attend school to get this education; this could be in the comfort of their own home.

Parents have the right to teach your child at home, and this is called “elective home education” or “homeschooling”. You can get help with this from your local council. You may wish to either have your child attend school part-time, whilst you take the other half’s responsibility. Or you take the sole responsibility for your child’s education. 

Whichever choice you use, please note that not all schools will accept taking part-time pupils. Additionally, schools and local authorities are not required to give homeschooling parents any support.

Please note there are requirements you must meet, before thinking of homeschooling: 

According to the government website, if your child is currently at school and plans to take them out, you need to inform the school. If you need to take them out completely, the school is obligated to accept. But, if you still want to send your child part-time, the school can refuse. 

Furthermore, you need to request your local council permission if your child is attending school because of a school attendance order. It’s also relevant if your child has special education needs (SEN).

Additionally, if you withdraw your child from their school roll, their place will not stay open. If homeschooling doesn’t work, you may not be able to send your child back to the same establishment.

The homeschooling debate, why are parents choosing to homeschool? 

There are several reasons parents are now choosing to homeschool; this can range from health issues to special educational needs. However, recently the most significant factor influencing parents to homeschool their parents is the coronavirus pandemic. 

Parents who may never before have considered homeschooling are now worried that their children’s potential exposure to the virus at school can impact their health. 

In March 2020, a report showed interest in homeschooling skyrocketing by 119% in parts of England. However, the pandemic is not the sole reason, but parents claim that the online course schools provided were just not good enough. And others claim that their children just worked better at home than they ever did at school. 

Looking at both sides of the homeschooling debate:

The increase in parents wanting to homeschool has raised the question of is homeschooling better than the regular school attendance? Learn with Think Academy the advantages and disadvantages, and you decide if it is the option for you. 

Advantages of homeschooling

It keeps your child safe. 

The most significant advantage of homeschooling you can keep your child from the exposure to the coronavirus. It is the perfect way to social distance and staying clear.

Freedom to structure a curriculum and schedule. 

When you are homeschooling, you do not need to follow the national curriculum. What this means is your child can lead their learning. It leaves you and your child time to focus on things you enjoy, and may not have time for under normal circumstances. 

It also means that your child is not restricted to a timetable, hence if your child is more receptive after three o’clock, you can start school then. 

Moreover, parents can include subjects not typically taught in school, including their cultural heritage, religion and language. 

One to one benefits.

Most schools around the UK will have filled classrooms with over 25 students. It eliminates the possibility of one to one teaching, but this may be overwhelming for many students. 

However, with homeschooling, your child will get the benefit of one to one teaching, whilst understanding their struggles.

You get to spend time as a family.

You can spend more time with your child when homeschooling and parents can journey with their children when they go through challenging times.  

Moreover, there are no rules if you take breaks or holiday any time of the year. You can also make these as educational as you want. 

Disadvantages of homeschooling

You will be with your child constantly. 

There will be no breaks at all and you will have little time for yourself. This will be especially difficult when children become restless and misbehave. It can take a toll on yours and your child’s mental health. However, some families don’t mind being together all the time. 

It can be expensive 

This is one of the main reasons parents opt out of homeschooling because of the financial restraints. You will need to either work part-time or not work at all; this guides your children with homeschooling. 

Similarly, it is expensive to hire several tutors, as you will be responsible for all educational tools and activities. This includes sports activities or if you go on educational visits. 

Furthermore, if you plan for your child to take exams, you will be responsible for the cost. 

Limitations to your child. 

Homeschooling can come with several limitations, including fewer social interactions and limited exposure to the world. Their view of the world may also be narrow and biased. 

Also, your child may not be able to differentiate between home and school. This can result in your child having an unhealthy routine and limits their focus. 

As a parent, you need to consider all factors before taking this decision; you need to weigh both the article’s advantages and disadvantages. This is not a decision to take lightly. For more information on how to get educational resources from Think Academy, click here. 

About the author:

Dania is a mother of two and has been writing for almost five years. She has recently created her motherhood community “Mom Thinks”. Dania is an expert in writing articles about Education, Lifestyle and Parenthood.

Read more:

Top 10 Parenting Websites and Communities

Lockdown Learning: Top 10 Teacher-Approved Tips for Supporting Your Child at Home

Low Attainment in Maths: How Should I Support my Child in Lockdown?

The post The Homeschooling Debate: Considering Homeschooling after Covid? appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

The post Parenting Websites & Communities: The UK’s Top 10 for Parenting Information appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

As a teacher myself, I know how hard it is to juggle conflicting demands in less than ideal conditions, and I understand the pressures everyone is under to make sure students do not fall behind. However, there are practical solutions that parents and students can adopt to help make remote learning easier, more effective, and less stressful for everyone.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 1 – Organise a clear study space

Everyone’s home environment is different, and this will inevitably be easier for some families than others. However, it’s important that students feel ownership over a space that is ‘theirs’, and that this space is clean, tidy, and – as far as possible – free from distractions. 

As much as possible, students should avoid working in spaces that are associated with relaxing, for example, their bed or a sofa – they need boundaries between ‘workspaces’ and ‘chill spaces’ to help them transition between work and play mindsets. Anywhere they may be tempted to lie down whilst they work is not only bad for their posture but also their motivation levels! 

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 2 – Make the most of free online resources

Your school should be providing you with plenty of tasks, but if not there are a wealth of free resources available online, with ParentKind and Oak National Academy being excellent places to start. 

You may also want to try BrainPop for animated videos on topics in maths, science and English; YouTube Free School for videos on subjects as diverse as the US constitution, coral reefs and the solar system; BBC BiteSize and BBC Lockdown Learning for going over the National Curriculum; Times Tables Rock Stars for mental maths games and Help My Kid Learn for suggested activities for different age groups.

Some schools also update their websites regularly with resources – you can try Emsworth Primary School’s site which has timetabled resources for every year group, or Parson Street Primary School’s list of helpful links as starting points.

Get more learning resources:

• Year 1 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 2 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 3 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 4 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 5 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 6 Maths Worksheets and Games

Read more:

• White Rose Maths: 80+ Free Printable Workbooks
• 30 Fun and FREE Primary School Maths Games
• Top 50 Home Learning Resources for UK Primary School Maths
• Think Academy’s Podcast for Kids – Click here to listen to Perfect Numbers for FREE!

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 3 – Take regular breaks

Staring at a computer screen all day is a huge test of concentration for anyone, let alone a primary school child. Taking regular breaks is important for children’s mental health and wellbeing, but also their eyesight. 

Studies have shown that students can risk developing myopia (short-sightedness) from too much screen time, and therefore it is vital that they balance all that time looking at screens and books up close with also looking at objects far away. Spending time outside can be difficult, but it is the best way to help their distance vision.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 4 – Exercise daily

It is hard to overstate the importance of making sure children stay active – for their physical and mental health, but also to help them overcome boredom and burn off excess energy. 

Going on one daily walk is a great way to get fresh air and a change of scenery, but there are also lots of online, family-friendly workouts to choose from. A good starting point is this list from Twinkl of ten YouTube workout channels (including PE With Joe Wicks) for a variety of ages and fitness levels.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 5 – Avoid distractions

One of the most difficult challenges for parents during remote learning is managing screen time and the distractions that come from using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Whilst these devices are vital for studying and therefore cannot be removed completely, there are things parents can do to mitigate the risks. 

For example, having ‘phone-free’ time where everyone puts their phones or tablets in a locked box or separate room (the group element of this will help to encourage buy-in) or using software such as Qustodio to limit the amount of time your child can spend on certain apps or devices.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 6 – Try and stick to a routine as much as possible

All of this constant change and uncertainty can be very difficult and stressful for some pupils, and so maintaining a familiar routine can provide much-needed stability and it will also prepare them for the inevitable transition back to school. 

While it may take some time and some trial and error, it is worth working out a schedule that can provide your children with some consistency in terms of what time they get up, go to bed, eat lunch, exercise, do homework and relax. 

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 7 – Offer lots of rewards

It can be hard to keep students motivated in the long-term, and so it is important to make the experience as positive as possible; think carrot not stick! Twinkl have some great templates for behaviour or homework charts which students can use to track their progress and earn rewards, whether that be pocket money, food treats or the opportunity to do something they really enjoy – even something as simple as choosing a movie to watch on a Friday night can be a great incentive and add a bit of variety.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 8 – Maintain good communication with the school

In my experience, even with the best will in the world, it is much easier for students to fall behind or slip through the net unnoticed with remote learning. If you have any worries or concerns about your child and their progress, then it is worth contacting the school as soon as possible – keeping an open communication channel with their teacher(s) will help to nip any problems in the bud early on and get any necessary support systems in place.

Lockdown Learning  Tip No. 9 – Encourage your child to turn their camera on

This will depend on how much ‘live teaching’ your child is receiving, but turning cameras on is a vital part of recreating a school setting and helping teachers to track pupil engagement. 

Many students are tempted to keep their cameras off for a variety of reasons – they may be genuinely self-conscious, they may not want to show where they are, or they may just want to try and play PlayStation unnoticed – but doing so will stop them from being able to participate and engage fully in their lessons. It’s also a good way for them to reconnect with their peers and practise vital social skills like eye contact and sitting still.

Lockdown Learning Tip No. 10 – Try online tutoring

The quality of online teaching will vary greatly from school to school, and some parents may feel that engagement in an online classroom with up to thirty or more other pupils is simply too difficult for their child. 

At Think Academy, we provide a safe, engaging and cost-effective way to help students, offering a personalised service that can be tailored to your child’s needs. Whether they need help catching up on a particular topic, guidance on how to revise for exams or just want more of a challenge, our online small group tuition courses keep learning fun, boost mental health and wellbeing, and also give parents time off as well.

Read more:

• Top 5 Reasons to Choose Group Tuition for Your Child in 2021
• Use Online Tuition to Support Lockdown Learning at Home

Want more resources like these? Enter your email and we’ll send them directly to your inbox, for free! 

About the author

Kristina is an Oxford English graduate and qualified English teacher. She trained through the Teach First programme before working at one of the top independent schools in London. She is now a private tutor and freelance writer.

The post Lockdown Learning: Top 10 Teacher-Approved Tips For Supporting Your Child At Home appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Many parents may find it difficult to support their child with remote learning when they do not understand the technology involved, and so this guide aims to give parents the information and tools needed to become more familiar with their school’s set-up.

Before we look into each of the tools in turn, Think Academy’s team of education experts and tutors have worked hard to create remote learning packs for primary schoolers learning at home.

Remote Learning with Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is, to put it simply, a chat-based workspace. This means that students can chat with their whole class, in groups with other students, or one-to-one with their teacher, and they can also make video calls – this is often how schools host ‘live’ lessons.

Each of your child’s classes (if they have more than one) gets its own team, which is set up by a teacher or IT admin. Their teacher is the ‘host’ and therefore can control the class’ activity; the teacher can mute any students who are not participating sensibly and can also delete any inappropriate messages. 

Advantages of learning remotely with Microsoft Teams

The biggest advantage of Teams is that it has an in-built ‘Assignments’ app, which can allow teachers and pupils to track homework and input deadlines; if parents want to check what homework their child is being set, they can simply ask them to show their Assignments. Teachers can also set up weekly email notifications to parents.

There are two ways students can submit work: either by attaching it to the Assignment or by uploading it to their Class Notebook on a programme called OneNote. This is an interactive word space similar to Google Docs – students can make notes, complete tasks or reference resources in a way that allows their teacher to oversee everything.

The disadvantage of remote learning with Microsoft Teams

The main disadvantage of Teams is that it does not sync with email very easily, and students are not always notified of changes or updates (for example, if a teacher adds a document or changes a homework assignment). It is, therefore, necessary that students check the app regularly so that they don’t miss any important information.

Using Google Classroom for Remote Learning Activities

Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams are actually very similar: both allow teachers to make assignments, communicate with their class, upload resources and materials and enable students to chat with each other. Microsoft Teams is integrated with Office 365 (i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint), whereas Google Classroom is linked with Google Drive, which means that students can integrate and switch between other apps such as Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.

Advantages of learning remotely with Google Classroom

There are two main benefits to Google Classroom over Microsoft Teams. Firstly, it is very user-friendly, and there are numerous helpful guides online (plus Google’s support forum is excellent for finding answers to frequently asked questions). 

Secondly, it is incredibly easy for teachers to give written feedback using the in-built commenting tools, whereas on OneNote teachers either have to input extra text boxes, or they may handwrite on the screen with a pen, which is not always easy to read.

One really helpful activity that parents can do is encourage their child to check their homework after they have submitted it, or even whilst they are working on something. Many students upload assignments and forget about them, and see it as a box-ticking exercise rather than something they need to actively learn from.

Similarly to Teams, you can also ask your child’s school to enable email summaries, which give you a weekly update on submitted and outstanding work. If you are unsure about any aspect of their homework, you can ask your child to check the ‘Stream’ tab on Google Classroom, which is where teachers post any assignments and communication.

Remote Learning using Zoom

Zoom is more straightforward than Teams and Google Classroom, but it is also more limited. As a video-conferencing software, Zoom allows hundreds of participants to attend online meetings, but it does not have any other features, like the ability to set assignments. This actually makes it more user-friendly though for younger students, who may need their parents’ help to navigate Teams or Google Classroom, which are more complex.

Read more: Top 50 Home Learning Resources for UK Primary School Maths

Advantages of using Zoom

There are still lots of features on Zoom to make learning as interactive as possible; users can share their screen; use a digital whiteboard; go to ‘breakout rooms’ where they can talk in smaller groups; use icons for raise hand, disagree, clap, speed up or slow down; send messages to the entire class or direct messages to the teacher.

Zoom is also ideal for events such as online assemblies, as it can host up to 500 members. Teachers can also see up to 49 members in a single grid layout, and so it is easy to keep an eye on everyone at the same time; this is not the case with Google Classrooms and Teams, where you can only see a few pupils at once (normally the ones who are speaking), and so it easier for students to fly under the radar.

Disadvantages to using Zoom in your remote learning routine

However, a potential disadvantage of Zoom is that it requires quite a lot of bandwidth, and so families may struggle if they have a poor or inconsistent internet connection, or if they have lots of people using the wifi at the same time. 

A final word from a teacher and tutor

It is inevitable that there will be technical difficulties and challenges during this period, but it is vital that parents and teachers do not let students fall behind because of technical issues or misunderstandings (some of which may be genuine, some of which may not be!)

All schools should have an IT department or an IT spokesperson who they can contact, and many school websites have guides to their chosen software. Communication is key, and it is important to keep checking in regularly with your child and their teacher.

More resources:

• Year 1 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 2 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 3 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 4 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 5 Maths Worksheets and Games
• Year 6 Maths Worksheets and Games

Want more resources like these? Enter your email and we’ll send them directly to your inbox, for free! 

About the author

Kristina is an Oxford English graduate and qualified English teacher. She trained through the Teach First programme before working at one of the top independent schools in London. She is now a private tutor and freelance writer.

The post A Parent’s Guide To Remote Learning: Online Classes on Microsoft Teams VS Google Classroom VS Zoom appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Many children are supported at school with extra teachings if they are struggling with a specific subject. For obvious reasons, this is no longer available when all learning is remote due to social distancing measures and the current lockdown.

The lockdown has left many parents wondering how they can best support their child’s learning? This is quite common in maths as parents and carers struggle to keep up with the current teaching methods. Additionally, many parents find maths difficult, suffering from maths anxiety themselves, which can then have a negative impact on their own children.

What is low maths attainment?

Low attainment refers to the achievement of a pupil in primary school. It is often used when a pupil is falling behind the expected level of an average student. Low attainment in maths is a persistent problem in the UK’s education system.

Unfortunately, experts have concluded that this may become worse with the existing lockdown measures that are in place.

There are concerns that low attainment in maths may increase as the help available can be difficult to access remotely. Research has shown that pupils who are from medium-wage income families are spending longer on home-schooling and are able to access more resources than others, which as a result will create educational inequalities.

How do schools support their lowest attainers in maths?

There are several effective techniques that schools use to support their pupils. Here are the most effective.

The concentration of resources:

Creating a lower attainment group in small numbers allows support and attention to the pupil. The pupil can access qualified bodies including teaching assistants, learning mentors and sometimes more senior pupils to help with their learning support. Technology is also available at school to access curriculum materials.

Customisation to specific learning needs:

Pupils can access materials to support their specific educational requirements. This includes effective school monitoring systems and curriculum programs. Additionally, schools will implement in-class groups. This is to promote engagement within the pupil’s learning.

Creation of a positive learning environment:

Creating a positive learning environment has proven to strengthen communication between teachers and their students. This encourages the pupil to participate and engage in learning. A more relaxed classroom atmosphere is recommended to promote teamwork, and positive affirmation to encourage the pupil.

How are schools supporting their lowest attainers in maths during a lockdown?

This is a challenge that many schools are confronting. Implementing these techniques can be difficult with existing social distancing measures. Schools are reporting that pupils are falling behind due to school closures. This is highlighted in this report.

The report also found that 98% of teachers stated that their pupils are falling behind and are not at the expected level. Additionally, the teachers estimated that 44% of pupils need intensive catch-up support.

This is why the government has proposed that schools invite 20% of low attainment pupils in each year group for one day a week.

According to the government report sent out, children will receive intensive tutoring that is designed to prevent them from falling behind. This scheme is yet to be put into place but the proposal states that this will not have compulsory attendance. Two weeks into lockdown nothing has been implemented yet.

What can I do to support my child if they struggle with maths?

As a parent, you are not responsible for solving this issue. The school will have a procedure in place. If you do have a concern that your child is falling behind, we suggest you contact the school or your child’s teacher. Various schools are working around low attainment students, it is always helpful to ask.

There are several maths online resources, you can access to help support your child. We have previously created these to help assist parents. You may want to try 81 free White Rose Maths worksheets for primary schoolers. Simply print these out at home.

If you’re concerned that getting your child excited about maths is a problem, why not try our very own podcast for kids? Created by Think Academy UK, discover Perfect Numbers, a selection of short, fascinating stories about the history of maths! – perfect for Key Stage 2 pupils.

Want more resources like these? Enter your email and we’ll send them directly to your inbox, for free! 

Can online maths tuition support pupils with low attainment in maths?

All of Think Academy UK’s maths learning resources are free. We also provide online maths tuition to support with low attainment in maths. We invite you to learn more about our courses here.

Our courses are taught by verified tutors and are delivered using our parent-approved online learning platform. Of course, parents are rightly concerned about their child’s use of screen time. However, our tutors actively encourage participation in class. This means that every child enjoys learning, ultimately making progress in maths.

At Think Academy UK, we believe that technology is a universal language, empowering children’s education through the wonders of EdTech.

The post Low Attainment in Maths: How Should I Support my Child in Lockdown? appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

This creates digital exclusion, with many children across the UK unable to learn at home as they cannot access online learning resources. According to research, this gap will grow further if it is not tackled head-on. That is why the government has now introduced a school laptop scheme to help tackle the growing digital divide.

What is the schools laptop scheme?

The Department for Education has launched the schools laptop scheme to help those who are at a current disadvantage. The DfE will provide families with laptops and tablets if schools are closed and children need to learn due to the coronavirus.

Parents would have received an email from the school. This is to ask if the family is eligible for this scheme. If you believe you are eligible for this scheme and have not yet received an email, it is a good idea to contact your school as soon as possible.

Free internet access to support remote learning – part of the schools laptop scheme

Additionally, the Department for Education will be assisting disadvantaged families who need an internet connection to get internet access. They have provided free mobile data increases or 4G wireless routers to the schools, trusts and local authorities to carefully distribute those who are in need.

You may be eligible if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You do not have fixed broadband at home.
• Are unable to afford additional data for your child’s devices.
• Experiencing disruption with face-to-face education.

Please note:

Parents, carers, and pupils will not be able to apply for digital devices or internet access through this scheme themselves. They should contact their school to discuss requirements for accessing remote education.

When was the schools laptop scheme introduced?

The school laptop scheme was initially introduced back in May 2020 to July 2020 with an award of £85m and 220,000 laptops with 4G routers, where needed. This was later awarded again in August 2020, the purpose of this was if bubbles were to close or if there was a ‘local lockdown”.

This scheme will award schools £2.7m till March 2021, however, due to the current national lockdown, the government is being pushed to extend this deadline.

Many primary school parents feel that the government has focused too heavily on secondary school education, and less so on primary education, leaving primary school children vulnerable and at a disadvantage.

Is my child eligible for the schools laptop scheme?

Unfortunately, not every child can access this scheme. Schools will decide who is eligible and allocate devices to those children. According to the Department for Education, a child must be considered disadvantaged and also meet the criteria below in order to be considered eligible.

• In Years 3 to 11 with no access to a device and whose face-to-face education is disrupted.
• Be in any year group who have been advised to shield. because they (or someone they live with) are clinically extremely vulnerable.
• Attending a hospital school.
• Disadvantaged children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are included within this offer (more on this here).

There are some disadvantaged children who are likely to be excluded. This includes school children in Years 1 and 2. There has been no allocation for these students, and this could worsen the digital divide. If this is affecting you and you feel you are at a disadvantage do not hesitate to contact your school. The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has pointed out that you are now able to directly contact Ofsted if you feel that your school remote learning is poor.

How can you get a device from the schools laptop scheme?

Schools have been given the authority to support disadvantaged children during this difficult time, they are the ones responsible for allocating devices. This means that if you meet the following, schools will be obliged to send out a device:

• You do not have a digital device in your household.
• Only possess a smartphone.
• Have one device in your household that’s being shared with more than one other family member.

While many children are benefitting from this scheme, there are still concerns that it is not reaching enough disadvantaged children. The National Association of Head Teachers General Secretary Paul Whiteman said that the demand for key workers and vulnerable places in schools has significantly increased from the previous lockdown. This is because the scheme is not reaching enough children. The government is simply not supplying enough devices for all children.

Want more resources like these? Enter your email and we’ll send them directly to your inbox, for free! 

Read more:

White Rose Maths: 80+ FREE Maths Worksheets for KS1 & KS2 Primary School Students 

Year 6 Transition to Secondary School and The Secret Assessment that Teachers will NOT tell you About

Podcast for kids: Introducing Perfect Numbers, A Selection of Short Stories by Think Academy UK

The post Schools Laptop Scheme: Helping Children to Access Online Learning at Home appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Free Maths Worksheets for Years 1 - 6

Download and print our teacher-approved study packs, for free!

Download now

The post Primary School Lockdown Ideas – 8 Awesome Activities to Engage Your Child at Home appeared first on Think Academy Blog.

Read more:

Key Stage 1 SATs –  Cancelled

2021 KS2 SATs Cancelled – Primary School Closures

How British mum Dania Jasem is coping with the UK schools lockdown in 2021

This may come easy to some but will be overwhelming for others. Parents across the UK are struggling to juggle working from home, supporting their child’s continued education, and keeping up to date with everything else. As a working mother of a primary school pupil and a 1-year-old, I find myself in the same situation as many of you.

We have lived through this before, but it does not make it any easier. If you are like me, feeling confused and overwhelmed with multi-tasking, then you know the struggle. It’s challenging, to say the least.

However, first things first, I am not going to bore you with toxic positivity. It’s natural to have questions, and it’s ok to be frustrated. Angry? Well, that’s ok too!

It’s important to try and pick yourself up because eventually, we’ll all have to face this head-on. For our children’s sake, the learning must go on.

Your child’s primary school is closed due to the UK lockdown. What should you do?

The key to facing this head-on is schedule and routine. The school will have already put a draft schedule into place. Follow that schedule, it will help in the long run. Children thrive on routine and will help them excel in education. You’ll also need your own routine in place. Making sure that learning starts at the same time every day, and that your child still gets to enjoy regular breaks and a full 1-hour lunch. If you have a garden, try to let them get some air just as they would at school.

As a primary school parent, my child, like many others, will struggle with the idea of sitting still alone so you may need to assist them frequently. Now, this may be difficult if you are a working parent or if you have other children at home, or in my case, both!

How to help your child learn at home during the lockdown

Let me tell you about my child’s schedule. In the morning, the class has a “registration” session. During this time, I log my child on and attend to the other. Allowing your child to sit independently with their teachers and peers, albeit online, will help them feel as though they’re still at school. They may feel reluctant at first, however, with time they will sit more independently. With consistency, your child will fall into the routine of sitting independently for ‘school’ more often.

The idea behind this is to understand that it is ok to leave your primary school child at the computer to have some independent time. They are at school after all. With that said, make sure to check on them at regular intervals as you can never be too careful when it comes to the web.

This also goes for the independent videos that schools may have set up. You are there to set up the video and deal with all technical issues. However, the teacher is there to give the lesson.

Do not feel guilty that you are not there to always hold their hands and guide the learning. When they have finished the video, you can ask them what they’ve learnt what and look at the assignment that usually follows.

The importance of UK primary school education

Your child’s education is vital, but don’t let it harm their mental health, and yours. Learning at home is tough so don’t try to keep up with everything. Sometimes it is okay to let go of things. I am going to give the advice that my child’s teacher gave me. If you want to focus on anything, focus on maths and English. Try not to worry about every single subject.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to focus on these subjects in your home learning routine. Focusing on less, but more important subjects will help your child not to feel overwhelmed by schoolwork.

Our mental health is important and is a priority over all other factors. I’d like to share something that I read the other day:

We, as parents, are not designed for this. The reason there is a stay-at-home parent, working parent and part-time working parent is that we cannot be two people at the same time, much less three people. We cannot function as parents, workers, and teachers all at the same time.

With school closures and the UK on lockdown, where can you find resources to help your child?

The good news is that schools are more prepared for lockdown this time around. Lessons were planned for lessons online use. Additionally, schools are now able to offer online resources, even those that are already paid for. It is worth checking these resources as they can help you throughout the lockdown period.

The BBC announced it will show curriculum content on TV every weekday from Monday, 11 January:

• Primary-school programming, including BBC Live Lessons and BBC Bitesize Daily, from 09:00 to 12:00 on CBBC
• At least two hours of programming to support the GCSE curriculum on BBC Two

Don’t feel bad about letting your child watch TV. This is educationally nutritious for them. Use this time to get some work done or take a well-deserved break!

The Department for Education is currently running a scheme for disadvantaged children who do not have access to a home broadband connection,  some internet providers are also helping out.

Additionally, Think Academy UK has prepared home learning study packs for Years 1 – 6 pupils that you can download and print for free! Please see the list below:

Year 1 Study Pack

Year 2 Study Pack

Year 3 Study Pack

Year 4 Study Pack

Year 5 Study Pack

Year 6 Study Pack

Finally, if you still feel like you’re struggling, always remember that you can reach out to your child’s school for additional resources and guidance.

From my family to yours, stay safe.

Dania

Read more:

Help with Maths: The Top 5 Reasons to Choose Group Tuition in 2021

Top 50 Home Learning Resources for UK Primary School Maths

Is Online Tuition Right for Your Child? – Understanding how Online Tuition can Boost Performance at School

The post UK Schools Lockdown: Helping Children Adjust to Learning at Home appeared first on Think Academy Blog.