The start of this week saw the UK enter its third lockdown, with school closures announced again for the first time since September. Seemingly without warning, parents have once again been given the role of teacher having to dust off the home-schooling timetable. Despite this being the second time, many are still struggling to adapt. But, with lockdowns ongoing and little end in sight, the ability to get on top now is becoming more fundamental than ever for your child’s education and prospects.  

Of course, the reasons for schooling setbacks vary, and can include anything from your own knowledge gaps to timing issues. If you have the time and knowledge to teach your kids, though, stalling lessons may be a result of something a little closer to home. 

After all, schools work around a strict set of rules that keep kids in the mindset for learning, and letting those go is a sure way to unravel every lesson. We aren’t saying, of course, that they need to sit at home desks with blazers and ties, But you may find that focusing on keeping standards high will help your kids with that A-grade at last. Make sure your home-schooling timetable sticks with a routine, so they wake at a reasonable hour to commence studies.

Homework

While any parent will have spent their share of time cussing homework, some solo work outside of school is fundamental. As well as helping children to take responsibility, homework provides the ideal test of understanding, and that’s ultimately how you know that a lesson has gone well. You don’t need to go crazy, but making an effort to set one or two ‘homework’ projects a week will certainly help your teaching goal.

Bedtime

When everyone has to get up for school, bedtime, and awake time for that matter, are non-negotiable. Now, though, many parents let the kids go to bed a little later or lie-in longer than normal. Sadly, this is something you need to tackle sooner rather than later. After all, a decent night’s sleep on a quality kids bed like those offered by The Sleep Station is the only way to ensure your little ones are ready and raring to go each morning. Much as we hate to say it, getting up at the same time each day is also a must to get those motor neurons firing. 

Healthy eating

Since Jamie Oliver hit our schools back in 2005, healthy eating has been on the lunch agenda, but no such rules reign supreme in the home kitchen. Rather, busy parents are liable to reach for freezer food that doesn’t take much time. Unfortunately, saturated fats are known to cause lethargy, while healthy options such as wholegrain foods improve concentration and memory. By tackling food prep once a week or keeping healthy, easy options like wholegrain bread and pasta to hand, parents turned teachers will certainly see a difference. 

Home school is hard and make no mistake. You certainly aren’t alone in letting these disciplines slip a little. But, trust us when we say that getting on top will make your life easier and help your kids buckle down at last.