KIDS NEED TO LEARN

BUT SCHOOLS ARE OUT

WORKING TOGETHER

 Yesterday was supposed to be back-to-school day for my little monsters but the lockdown has put a damper on not just their plans but mine as well.  I've had to rethink all the work that I had scheduled.  My to-do list seemed to have gotten longer until I realised :

1. there are less clothes in the laundry, ergo less washing, less water and less ironing
2. there is less food wastage because in my house, you eat all your food until it's finished and I don't care how many mealtimes it takes to do it! Which I cant do with uneaten lunchboxes.
3. once the kids know the schedule, in between the fussing and bickering, everything gets done. 
4. My to-do list has more hands to help me
5. We all get to sit down at mealtimes and talk to each other
6. I have help to do those things I've been putting off


So here are a few tips to get everything done (and get some learning in as well) while the kids are at home. Check out my EDUCATION page for online school and higher education learning and resource links. 






















Kids love to help out, even if they are sullen teenagers who think they're acting in an American sitcom. 

Sweeping, washing dishes, taking out the garbage, basically everything that you do as an adult to keep the house clean and tidy are things that you need to teach your kids.

Make a list of things that need to be done and divide the duties.  You've heard the phrase

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Yes, that's what we're doing here.  Dividing the work and conquering that dreaded boredom,
Kids: "Mom, there's nothing to do"
Me: "Must I entertain you?"
Kids: (excitedly) "Yes! Did you get new movies, new books, new apps?"
Me: "A new chore list"  (evil laugh)

Below is a list of age appropriate chores for kids.


No, this is not child labour. So don't let them wriggle out of it by making you to feel guilty.

BENEFITS FOR ALL

1. Firstly, no one person gets to that burn-out phase because they're carrying the load themselves. That means YOU. So less stressed parent = more relaxed household

2.  The kids learn how to accomplish things like taking care of themselves, caring for animals and how to do a job well, just for the sake of accomplishment (sorely lacking skill in society)

3. This is your opportunity to also observe where correction is needed and PLEASE correct gently.  Even of it is for the 100th time.  Remember you were also that age once and your parents had to also tell you for the 100th time how to boil rice!  And no, you were NOT born with it, you learnt how to.

4.  Gets the blood pumping.  The kids get in exercise, both physically and mentally, and you don't feel like Cinderella with cleaning supplies.

5.  This also is an opportunity to teach kids about:
  • science aka chemical safety and chemical reactions like bleach and water, washing powder and water; 
  • life orientation - movement is required for sweeping and cleaning, dance movements can be incorporated when washing dishes, singing while drying the clothes on the line;  
  • life/ natural science- why are the leaves turning brown, how does Covid-19 or Coronavirus infect people, how does washing hands and keeping healthy keep me safe;
  • maths - mom, what's the ratio of rice to water, how can we divide the last 10 biscuits between the 3 of us, how many eggs do I need to fry if everyone is having 2 each?

6. Use what you have to create simple lessons from everyday chores.To your kids, it is not just a lesson. It's the time my mom and dad spent with me, it's a precious memory.

7.  It's survival skills.  Learning to cook and clean up after yourself ensures your kids are on their way to becoming mature and responsible adults. People you can be proud of. Because while they're learning how to essentially survive on their own (which is your parental duty to teach) , they are also learning cooperation and how to work as a team.


The government has instituted this lockdown and people are complaining and fighting about it. Acting like toddlers who don't  want to take a nap, basically 

But we needed this, all of us.  Our families need us and we need them.  

Business and the economy will survive, history proves it over and over again.  We can always build it back up, but this Time we have been blessed with, it's time to connect with those we say are the most important to us, our families.

Stay safe. Stay at home.





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