Home teaching for kids

How to teach your kids at home — Quartz

More than 861 million children are learning from home now, as schools globally shutter to try and slow the spread of Covid-19.

Parents are all teachers now. A Quartz team made up of education reporters, former teachers, and parents have compiled useful resources to help parents navigate this transition. They are neither comprehensive nor meant to replace the learning your kids’ schools are trying to put in place. They are things to use to augment school assignments and help fill the other hours in ways that that you, and hopefully your kids, can feel good about.

We all know there are special challenges to every age, but high schools kids can direct their own learning, and younger kids need socialization and less focus on academics. Much of this guide is focused on elementary (primary) school children, ages five to 12. But there’s a special chapter for 0-3 and some links for older kids too.

Here are the basics: make a schedule—we need to create order when there is none—forgive yourself when you realize you are a terrible teacher (and then send a note to your teacher expressing appreciation), recognize that kids will be on screens way more than anyone wants, and keep an eye on their well-being and yours.

In many cases, the goal is not to make sure they stay exactly on target (or to scramble to catch up if they are behind), but to give them routines, make sure there is variety in the day—outdoors! cook! read! play games! socialize in safe social distancing ways! and provide comforting continuity. There will be days when they binge-watch The Magic School Bus (words you never thought you would see together) or The Great British Bake-Off (again). Older kids will waste time, obsess over friendships and connecting, and discover that they can do a whole day’s work in three hours. Give yourself, and your children, a break.

Table of contents

Schedules | Languages | Reading and Writing | Math | Science |Art | Fun | Wellbeing | General Learning Resources | Recommendations from Quartz Parents 0-3 |

Schedules

Kids need structure. Schedules achieve this. Your little learners may resist at first, but they will thrive with order, and so will you. For older kids (five and up), co-create the schedule. Think: orange post-its are required learning (maths, reading, science) and yellow posts-it are fun (TV, iPad). Parent picks two, kid picks two. Exercise, some mindfulness, art, drama, and music can all get time slots too. Where possible, make following a schedule fun—ideally, switching tasks shouldn’t feel like a drill but like an opportunity.

Khan Academy schedule for school closures K-12 schedules to follow, with links to resources. By age. This is cool.

CDC tips for building structure with children The building blocks of creating a structured, scheduled day, with examples for multiple kids of different ages.

Reading and Writing

Primary/elementary school:

Epic Digital library for students 12 and under with books, learning, videos, and quizzes.

Spelling City Build vocabulary for grades 1-6 (reception to Y5). Ad-free, but not free.

OxfordOwl Free e-book library for ages 3-11.

BBC BiteSize British kids use the BBC a lot for learning. There is a National Curriculum, which this follows, but the “bite size” nuggets are easy enough to follow by topic. For example, Key Stage 1 (pre-K to around first grade) has sections on significant people (monarchs and leaders, engineers, nurses) and time periods (Roman Empire), and themes (distinguishing between fact and opinion; place value).

Middle school:

Best Middle School Books, As Chosen by Teachers Exactly what it sounds like: teacher-selected, enriching books (mostly novels).

US common core middle school books Approximately 40 books for middle-school readers, in genres including novels, memoirs, poetry, and historical nonfiction.

For teens:

The New York Times Learning Network has free writing prompts (log-in required) for students 13 and up and guidance for creating meaningful student projects in response to crisis.

A teacher-created list of 100 books high school students should read before graduating mixes some lighter reads in with the classics.

More reading lists:

K-12 reading list by age — a list for each grade level; its UK-based sister site has even more reading material recommendations, including magazines.

121 Books: A Very Subjective Guide to the Best Kids Books of All Time Amazing list curated by Jenny Rosenstrach (author of Dinner, a Love Story, among others) and Andy Ward, book agent extraordinaire.

Mathematics

Primary/elementary school:

Dreambox Has 2,000 math lessons for K-8 (Y1-Y9). It’s an adaptive platform which users would usually have to pay for but you can sign up for 90-day free trial here.

Hit the Button Interactive math games for ages 6-11 with quick-fire questions on everything from number bonds to multiplying and dividing. Kids love the race!

Cool Math 4 Kids Kindergarten to sixth grade (Y1-Y7) math games by topic (addition, fractions, etc.) or by grade.

Marble Math Solve math problems by collecting numbers while moving a marble through a series of mazes. In the Apple store. Very addictive.

Bedtime Math Offers off-screen, fun activities to engage kids in building numeracy in ways that don’t feel like school, aimed at kids aged 3-9. (They also have iOS and Android apps.)

Science

Mysterydoug.com Five-minute inquiries used to start the day, take a break, or spark curiosity, with prompts like “Can turtles live outside their shells?” and “Why are rubies red?” Doug is a former elementary school teacher who guides questions, uses visuals, and asks questions. “There are mysteries all around us. Have fun and stay curious.” Bless you, Doug.

Kids.nationalgeographic.com There’s “discovery” about animals, science, history, and geography, then games with fun quizzes by topic (like dinosaurs, comets and meteors). But a real gem is “Primary Resources” which are learning materials by topic (history, science, geography, math, art and design, and PSHE, or personal social, health and economic education, which is a subject in the UK). Registration is free and you can access topics within each (science: humans, plants, evolution; geography, places, water cycle, history, Aztecs).

Frontiers for Young Minds Innovation at its best. Distinguished scientists write about their cutting-edge discoveries in accessible language for young readers, and then kids—with the help of “science mentors”—provide feedback and help the authors improve the articles before publication. Topics include new cutting-edge research (new discovery) or core concepts, key ideas that are fundamental for understanding a scientific field. Includes astronomy and space science, biodiversity, health, neuroscience.

Skype a Scientist This usually matches scientists with classrooms, but there’s a sign-up for families too. One of our colleagues says her 7-year-old son just learned about fossils from participating in this program.

YouTube channels for science and computing:

• GEOgraphy Focus Maps, country descriptions, flags, and more.

• Crash Course Kids Fifth grade science made cool.

• Free School Short videos about art, classical music, children’s literature, and natural science..

• SciShow Kids For younger kids (3-7) on everything from coral reefs, why is fire hot to how to say goodbye.

• TheBrainScoop Emily Grassley, chief curiosity correspondent for the Field Museum in Chicago, shares the work and research of natural history museums with the world.

• SciShow The secrets to what makes the universe tick.

• Science Max Science experiments at home.

• Geek Gurl Diaries Carrie Anne is a self-described geek, and has a collection of video logs about using and making technology, along side interviews with inspirational women in the fields of computing, science, technology, and engineering. Learn about “adventures in Raspberry Pi” or how to program Python.

• Mike Likes Science Math and science raps (“you have two points on a line; you need an equation but it slipped your mind; slope-intercept is what you need; y=mx+b”). Need we say more?

Languages

Duolingo’s motto is “Learn a language forever. Free.”

Babbel is free for students for three months this spring.

Busuu provides free online language classes for kids affected by school closure, taught by expert teachers. Teachers have started offering classes online, such as these instructional YouTube videos in English and Spanish.

Art

One couple is hosting art lessons on YouTube at 2 pm ET for two weeks (starting Mar. 16). Lessons will be archived.

Lunch doodles with Mo Willems The beloved, award-winning children’s book illustrator (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, etc.) invites kids to draw along with him daily at 1 pm ET on YouTube.

DIY.org This marketing line got me: Imagine if Netflix were educational and YouTube were safe. Yeah, imagine. Until then, this site is packed with creative projects, videos on photography, drawing, animation, and music.

Fun

Outschool Connects teachers to kids for small video conference classes. From Shakespearian insults, fashion design through the ages, Harry Potter-themed chemistry, fractions, and the sociology of Disney villains, there’s something for everyone.

List of documentaries for children and families from Common Sense. You know it feels better to watch a documentary than another episode of iCarly. You’ve heard of March of the Penguins, but what about Babies? Or Imba means Sing, two on offer?

Typing Club Fun? Maybe, maybe not. But certainly a useful life skill. Special offer now for Covid-19.

238 activities for kids from the RealPlay Coalition From narrating the world to War (the card game), this is a useful list of the obvious (rock-paper-scissors) and the not-so-obvious (shoe shambles).

Raddish Kids, the kids culinary subscription kit, was giving away 10,000 free cooking kits to families as a way to make the most of their quarantine. Make them give more!

Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Home Cooking Show/Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course – learn to cook.

Stuck at Home Pineapple Street Studios is inviting kids to make a podcast about their experiences being, as the title says, stuck at home.

Just Dance 2020 Dance while working up a sweat. Tweens love this (hold a dance-off if the sibling rivalry won’t ignite WWIII). Game console needed.

Charity Miles Kids may be understandably feeling sorry for themselves. Help them help themselves by helping others with greater needs. Charity Miles is a free US mileage tracker app that donates money to charities based on the number of miles you walk, run, or bike.

Axios on jokes for kids You know you will be telling them, and retelling them, forEver.

Soul Pancake Kid President Inspirational videos from a kid who is clearly the kind of president we all need now. Will make everyone feel good.

Minecraft Create a family server and get everyone on it for some co-creation.

The Week Junior magazine and podcast: This staple in many UK homes digests and packages the news  news for tweens and just landed in the US. One Quartz’s employee’s 11 year-old reads the magazine cover to cover and loves the games at the end. (At her age she was was reading cereal boxes over breakfast: this is progress.)

But Why: The podcast for curious kids This podcast treats young listeners, and their many, many questions with a deep sense of respect without taking itself too seriously. Produced by Vermont Public Radio and hosted by radio veteran Jane Lindholm, it interviews scientists, historians, and experts of all stripes about some of the most pressing issues of our times. Do animals get married? How are noodles made? Why do we poop and fart? Adults are guaranteed to learn something in each episode, and to actually enjoy listening.

Wellbeing

Advice from a teacher on how to stay calm and focus

Guide on how teachers and parents can sustain well-being

The meditation app Calm included in its free resources for pandemic anxiety three meditations aimed at kids age seven and up.

Cosmic Kids Yoga Banish any assumptions about woo-woo soul searching for the kindergarten set. Hosted by a yogi with an aggressively cheerful Australian accent and a big imagination, this is an indoor workout that’s fun, requires zero equipment (other than wifi and access to YouTube), and will get their wiggles out.

General Learning Resources

Khan Academy Free nonprofit with courses in math at all levels, as well as science, humanities, test prep, and computing. There’s also Khan Academy Kids, an app for kids ages two to seven.

Quizlet Quizlet is an app for making flashcards and diagrams. Kids can design their own or find study sets that already have been created, whether by their own teacher or somebody else’s. It’s free (you can, however, purchase study guides created for specialized exams like AP tests, the MCATs, and the CFA), and kids can seamlessly switch between mobile and desktop versions.

Kahoot Game-based learning platform where your own create quizzes or take theirs (US presidents, the ultimate 2019 challenge). By subject, by grade. One Italian teacher who uses them says the best part of remote learning was muting the Kahoots she was doing online. When she does them in class it’s pandemonium.

Code.org Online coding classes.

Teachers Pay Teachers lesson plans A lesson plan is a structure for teaching something specific—what needs to be learned, how it’s being taught, and how learning will be measured. Most are designed for a single typical classroom period, but some are extended. These are lessons created and shared by teachers, for teachers. Many, but not all, are free.

For older kids and parents:

• EdX

• Coursera 

• A list compiled by UCL of all free educational resources

• School Closures – Relief for families impacted by school closures

Other lists:

• PBS Kids for Parents

• KQED At-Home Learning Resources

• New America Tips and Resources for Online Learning

• Common Sense: Resources for Educators During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Recommendations from Quartz parents of children 0-3

Zero to Three Screen time, aside from video chatting, isn’t advised for children under two by experts who worry it will interfere with critical development. If you’ve exhausted your repertoire of nursery rhymes and your baby has had enough of blowing bubbles, this organization offers a list of play activities for children aimed to stimulate the senses, build language and thinking skills, and encourage activity and quiet time.

Sesame Street Games, videos, coloring pages, and a reassuring Elmo await on Sesame Street’s website.

Vooks A library of ad-free streaming storybooks for kids, grouped under categories like “be kind,” “friendship,” and “biographies.” The service’s premise is that being read to aloud, paired with animation, can help focus children’s attention and encourage them to retain stories. Vooks encourages parents to watch along and discuss the books with children, adding the caveat that “there is no substitute for quality parent-child conversation.”

Tinkergarten Provides outdoor, play-based learning lessons from trained leaders who deliver a curriculum of activities to build social and emotional skills, thinking skills and body skills. Differentiated by age, ranging from 0 to eight.

Toca Boca games Play-based educational apps, including Toca Life, Toca Lab and Toca Blocks provide a digital solution to unstructured play.

29 books to read to your kids if you want them to be kind and brave A list of character-building books tried and tested by this reporter.

—Holly Ojalvo, Jackie Bischof, and Annaliese Griffin contributed to this guide.

8 Tips From an Elementary School Teacher on Teaching Your Kids at Home

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Rachel Beaton

2020-03-31T13:15:00Z

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• Rachel Beaton is a third grade elementary school teacher, and after having her third child in June 2019, she began a full year of maternity leave.
• The coronavirus outbreak has caused schools across the country to shut down, and Beaton has developed tips to be productive and have fun while teaching her kids at home.
• As a teacher, Beaton stresses the importance of having a schedule, setting daily expectations, and being understanding to your children's emotions.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

My husband and I had our third child last June.  The wonderful school where I teach third grade granted me a full year of maternity leave. Our two older children are 7 and 5, so they had been at school while I was enjoying a leisurely home stay with the baby.  People had been saying to me all year, "Three kids! I don't know how you do it." Every time I replied, "I'm very lucky; there's no way I could do this if they were all home."

Cue: Foreboding music. Enter stage left: COVID-19.

To be clear, we're privileged even in the current circumstances. My husband has a secure job, we're all currently healthy, we have food and a place to live. Sure, we have to take care of three children in our apartment for an undetermined amount of time, but who's here to take care of them? Their parent, who has two education degrees, an impressive history of being able to corral children in various situations, and just happens to be on maternity leave. Not to mention, her sister (a beloved librarian) is also staying with them. Windfall!

Since we have the luxury of not having to worry about necessities, I've had more time to think (stress) about other things. When it became apparent that I was really going to be caring for three children within a confined space for possibly months, I went with my first instinct honed from years of teaching: I made a schedule.

I've been planning, prepping, and instructing. We've read books, written letters, and played math games. We've had socially distant morning walks and drawn with chalk on the roof. We've had video chats with family, and ample amounts of screen time. This has all been possible because I'm not currently working, and we just started distance learning with their teachers, which means we have even more support.

This all sounds pretty rosy, and, in many ways, it is. I've gotten to know my kids as learners. I've been able to spend some much needed quality time with them, and they have had more time with each other. We have yet to have more than three major quarrels in a day, thanks to bribery! So you may be surprised that the other day when a friend asked how I was doing, I said, "It's like I've been training my whole life for this. And then someone asked me to do it while holding a baby."

I am sure that there are people who are reading this thinking, "Why doesn't she just let it go? Just relax without worrying about a schedule!" I wish that I could do that — I wish that it worked for me and for my kids. But it doesn't. It is better for our family to have an imperfect day attempting to follow a schedule than no schedule at all, and that's okay.

Flexibility and differentiation are key in the classroom, and they're also key at home. There's room for us all to parent the way that works for our nuclear unit to prevent things from going … well … nuclear.

These are my top tips for how to manage your kids at home.

1. Make a schedule

It doesn't matter if your schedule is all academics all the time or barely glances at a book. Kids benefit from knowing what to expect throughout the day.

2. Have a morning meeting

Morning meeting is a staple of classrooms across the country and is a great time to go over the schedule of the day, discuss the weather, talk about how the day before went, and remind kids of any behavior management plan you've created. Which brings me to my next point ...

3. Create a behavior management plan

It can be logical consequences that enforce themselves, positive praise, a points system, or really any system that allows kids to reflect on positive and negative behaviors.

4. Provide a model

Whether or not your kids are working on math or working on sharing the couch while watching a movie, I have found that success is much more likely if you show kids what you expect from them.  Show them how to play a board game without arguing. Write an example of what a paragraph should look like. 

5. Reach out to teacher friends or use the internet

If you need help understanding the academics that your kid is working on, reach out to their school or find online resources.  

6. Feed and water your kids often

Kids are infinitely better able to self regulate when their blood sugar is level and they are hydrated.  We're keeping water within reach at all times and granola bars on standby.

7. Honor kids' feelings

This is a time of immense change and they are going to struggle. We instituted a new family rule — anyone can ask for a hug at any time and it will be delivered post-haste by as many people as are in the vicinity.

8. Be kind to yourself

There is no other job besides teaching where you receive performance feedback on a constant basis. It's okay to decamp to the bathroom for phone time or to plop the kids in front of the TV for however long you need to reboot.  Are the kids relatively happy, safe, and fed? You're doing a great job, and they're lucky to have you!

This has been an incredibly difficult time for so many. I'm worried about our healthcare system and what this means for the national economy and the  individuals who've lost their jobs. I mourn for the people who have gotten sick and those who have lost their lives. I worry about my family members who are high risk.  I am fortunate to have someplace productive to channel my energy into — nurturing my children's academic and emotional growth — and the time to do this. It is an opportunity for me, both as a teacher and as a parent.  How can I strengthen my bond with my kids while also practicing self-care? How can I use my knowledge as an educator to continue to foster my kids' love of learning during this challenging time? How can I find time to go to the bathroom and eat lunch without all three children winding up in a pileup with the baby on the bottom? I don't know the answers to these questions, but I do know snack time is at 9 a. m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. 

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3 types of home education: home, distance and family

Forms of education

“In the Russian Federation, education can be obtained in organizations engaged in educational activities; outside organizations engaged in educational activities (in the form of family education and self-education).
Article 17 of the Federal Law "On Education in the Russian Federation"

Basic general education in our country is compulsory (Article 66 of the Federal Law "On Education in the Russian Federation"). Every citizen must graduate at least 9classes.

In schools, education is carried out in full-time, part-time or part-time.

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In Russia, you can get an education at home without attending school and other educational institutions. Outside educational institutions, education takes place in the form of family education (from the first to the ninth grade) and self-education (grades 10–11).

There are many ways to study at home. We will talk about family, home and distance learning. They differ in the legal side and the relationship of the student with the school.

What is family education

This is a form of education outside of an educational institution. It implies a conscious voluntary departure from school and the education of the child by the forces of the family. At the same time, the child, like all schoolchildren, receives a certificate, since he is obliged to pass the state final certification.

The reasons for leaving for family education at home are varied:

• Parents and children are dissatisfied with the school, where they teach something and somehow or there are constant conflicts.

• The child's abilities are above average and he is bored in the lessons at a regular school. The opposite is also possible, when the student needs his own pace of classes.

• The child is a professional athlete or musician and does not have time to attend classes.

• The family often moves or lives in another country.

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The transition to family education is carried out as follows: notification of local authorities, selection of a school for passing intermediate (final) certifications and organization of the educational process. The organization of the educational process lies with the parents, in some regions compensation for family education is provided.

Foxford Home Online School is an assistant in teaching a child at home. In the classroom, you can communicate directly with teachers and peers. Classes are taught by teachers from the best universities in Russia, each lesson is accompanied by interactive homework and electronic notes, and personal mentors will monitor progress and maintain motivation, who will help the child receive education at home. Try it - the first week of training is free!

Advantages of family education

• This is a complete form of education.
• This is the most flexible form of education, giving maximum freedom - from choosing a program to choosing a school for certification.
• Available to all.
• Allows you to give your child quality knowledge, taking into account his interests and needs.
• You can study online at your own pace, without being tied to the place and rules of a particular school.
  

Disadvantages of family education

• Not all children are able to learn without school supervision, and parents do not always have the resources to improve the learning process.
• Family education in Russia is still new. I have to explain that you can study outside of school and that's fine.
  

What is home schooling

Home schooling is a way of organizing the learning process for children who are seriously ill. According to the law, home schooling is not an independent form of education.

The confusion between family and home education arises because in both cases the child is at home. But home study is not a form of education, but a necessary measure for children with disabilities. The homeworker is assigned to teachers who receive a salary at the school.

With the preservation of intelligence, the child can study according to general education programs, but at home or in the hospital. For example, if it is necessary to give injections on an hourly basis or the school is not adapted for a wheelchair.

"For students in need of long-term treatment, disabled children who, for health reasons, cannot attend educational organizations, education in educational programs of primary general, basic general and secondary general education is organized at home or in medical organizations."
Article 66 of the Federal Law “On Education in the Russian Federation”

A home-schooled child remains in the school contingent: receives textbooks, writes tests and passes exams. If desired, he can attend some lessons at school, and if possible, study using distance learning technologies.

‍The list of diseases that give the right to home education was approved by the Ministry of Health in 2016. To transfer a child to such training, a conclusion of a medical and social examination and a statement from the parents are required.

On the basis of medical documents and regulations of the subject of the Federation, the school issues an order to organize individual learning at home, and also approves an individual curriculum, schedule, determines the teachers who will visit the child.

Benefits of home schooling

• Gives sick children the opportunity to study in regular rather than specialized schools.
• Keeps up with the school curriculum during long-term treatment or rehabilitation.

Disadvantages of home education

• Can be used only if the child has certain diagnoses, disabilities or during long-term treatment or rehabilitation.
• The curriculum for home schooling at school includes only basic disciplines. According to technology, life safety and other “optional” subjects, the child, most likely, will not be certified.
• Often, teachers have no material or personal interest, and they are not very conscientious about their duties towards homeworkers.
• Virtually complete lack of socialization of the child during home education.

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What is distance learning

Distance learning is a form of implementation of an educational program. With this interaction, children communicate with teachers via video link, do assignments online, or simply send completed work electronically. At the same time, certifications, as a rule, are given in person.

Family and distance learning are confused due to the fact that parents often connect online schools for their children. This is really very convenient, since moms and dads no longer need to deal with the guys themselves. For example, at the Foxford home online school, lessons are held in the format of webinars, and they are conducted by professional teachers.

Legally distance learning is not a form of education. Children who study in this way are usually on a family or part-time basis and master the program using distance learning technologies (DET).

"Distance educational technologies are understood as educational technologies implemented mainly with the use of information and telecommunication networks with indirect (at a distance) interaction between students and teachers. "
Article 16 of the Federal Law "On Education in the Russian Federation"

In ordinary schools, they are used most often as an aid in teaching children with disabilities, as well as for conducting lessons in remote settlements.

Source: freepik.com / @karlyukav
‍

Advantages of distance learning

• Allows you not to go to school every day. This is especially true for children who live far from it and have health problems.
• You can study without leaving your home. The main thing is to have a computer and the Internet at hand.
• Training is comfortable. You can have a leisurely lunch between lessons and practice in comfortable clothes.
• The process is automated. No time wasted on roll call or disciplinary lectures.

Disadvantages of distance learning

• Not all schools work with DOT. Most often these are private and paid institutions.

In Russia, you can study in and out of schools. In schools, education is carried out in full-time, part-time or part-time form. Outside of schools, education takes place in the form of family education (from 1 to 9class) and self-education (grades 10–11).

Family education is a form of education established by federal law. It is available to everyone, while home and distance learning are not independent forms of education. Family education is confused with home education, since in both cases the child does not go to school. Family and distance learning at home are mixed because both there and there learning takes place remotely, using gadgets and various programs.

For greater clarity, we will demonstrate the differences between the three types of homeschooling using a table.

Three ways to study at home

Tips for transitioning to family schooling

Learning your favorite subjects, not depending on anyone, planning your own time sounds great. But the process of home education does not always go as rosy as you want.

Let's try to figure out what dangers are fraught with home schooling.

Problem 1. Lack of knowledge among parents

The Law “On Education in the Russian Federation” does not require parents who decide to transfer their children to family education to have teacher diplomas. Often home education brings pleasure from the learning process to all family members. Moms and dads remember what they taught at school and institute, and together with the child they master modern science.

But sometimes parents do not have enough knowledge or time to understand complex topics when they switch to homeschooling. For example, a professional teacher knows how to solve a problem in different ways, and mom and dad know the way they remember. A real teacher speaks with a great British pronunciation, and mom and dad say “hello, how ar yu” and so on.

Solution

The output will be numerous online and offline assistants: tutors, additional courses, distance schools. At the Foxford home online school, children from grades 1 to 11 systematically master the school curriculum at a pace convenient for them. You can focus on individual subjects that are of interest to the student, prepare for olympiads and exams.

“Homeschooling takes into account the strengths and interests of children to stimulate learning motivation. In our home online school, for example, from the fifth grade, in addition to the basics, you can take in-depth and olympiad courses in disciplines in which there is interest and inclinations. And with them - courses on the development of emotional intelligence and the skill of self-education.
Julia Sharovatova, Head of Externate and Home School
Foxford

<< Form of Demode >>

Problem 2. Pressure and criticism

Despite the growing popularity, family education is still covered with myths. Proponents of traditional schooling are skeptical that teaching a child at home is almost a crime against humanity.

Daria Gorbacheva, mother of Foxford home online school student Timofey Kozhin, shared her experience in combating teacher bias:

“First, we took the assessment at the school we left. It was not easy to withstand the moral pressure from the teachers. “Rethink!” - they said, they say, spoil the child, he degrades and so on and so forth. At the certifications, they tried to prove to us every time that we were mistaken in choosing a family education.

Decision

When transitioning to homeschooling, be prepared to draw boundaries with people and make it clear that homeschooling is a conscious choice for your family that should be respected. After all, according to the Family Code of Russia, the obligation to provide children with general education lies with the parents. So, you have the primary right to choose the form of education.

Source: freepik.com / @yanalya
‍

‍ Problem 3. Lack of communication

Sometimes home schooling results in a child spending too much time at home. You no longer need to go to school every day, and the motivation to leave the house more often disappears.

Decision

Take care of your child's socialization. Family education allows you to surround yourself with interesting people. Homeschooling has more time to visit museums and exhibitions, as well as for hobby groups and sports sections.

Mikhail Rabinsky, a student at Foxford's online home school, confirms: "Mugs are needed to communicate with peers and broaden one's horizons."

“Socialization is the building of social bonds. And you don't have to go to school to build social bonds. You can go to a museum, or you can go to a circle, or you can have an excellent company in the yard, in which you have a clear relationship.”
Dima Zitser, teacher, author of books

Problem 4. Lack of consistency

Homeschoolers know firsthand that planning the educational process on their own is difficult. You need to independently develop or choose a curriculum, draw up a schedule, determine a schedule of topics, take into account additional circles and sections.

If the schedule is bad or not observed, the child at home schooling starts to get bored, lazy, play the computer instead of studying.

Many families need a teacher or mentor who can competently organize the process for them.

Solution

To relieve themselves of the burden of curriculum development when transitioning to homeschooling, parents often connect online schools. Most often, such schools help to create an individual flexible schedule.

For example, at the Foxford home online school, a mentor helps distribute the workload, taking into account the needs and desires of each family.

Want to schedule your own? Follow our step-by-step instructions so you don't miss anything.

Source: unsplash.com / @emmamatthews
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Problem 5. Attestation

Attestation is a confirmation of knowledge and skills of the child. With its help, homeschoolers demonstrate that their level of education is not lower than the state standard.

At the time of certification, a child in family education and self-education is attached to an accredited school and becomes an external student.

Unfortunately, attaching to a school while transitioning to homeschooling can be a problem. First, not all schools work with homeschoolers. Secondly, a suitable school may be far away. And thirdly, you may be offered an inconvenient certification schedule.

Decision

If they don’t want to “get in touch” with you from the very beginning, then there is a high probability that in the future they will put spokes in the wheels. Find a homeschooler friendly school:

• Study local acts on the school website. They should have provisions on family education and intermediate certification.
• Read reviews of other "families".
• Talk to the director. If the conversation leaves a good impression, feel free to join.

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Problem 6.

Lack of motivation

There are days when you want to lie on the couch and do nothing. Filling out a contour map is laziness, solving a problem is reluctant, reading a paragraph from a textbook is dull.

Occasional mood swings are normal. Perhaps a child in family education needs a rest. But if the homeschooler lacks motivation and interest in studying on an ongoing basis, it is worth reviewing the program.

Solution

In Foxford External, students are motivated by the interactivity of the process and the sincere involvement of teachers.

For completing interactive homework, children receive experience points - XP (experience points). Teenagers are familiar with computer games. This makes learning more fun.

Teaching staff from Moscow State University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Higher School of Economics and other top universities in the country. Everyone burns with their subject, so the lessons are interesting and rich.

Alyona Rudenko, medalist and Foxford graduate, says: “Subjects that were hard to come by turned out to be not so scary. For example, I never liked history, but Elena Valeryevna told so interestingly that I suddenly began to succeed.

Resume

Homeschooling is a great alternative to the traditional school. Homeschoolers receive a quality and complete education from anywhere in the world. Homeschooling Benefits:

• This is the most flexible form of learning that gives you maximum freedom.
• It is available to everyone.
• Allows you to give your child quality knowledge, taking into account his interests and needs.
• You can study online at any pace, without being tied to the place and rules of a particular school.

If you properly organize the process of home learning and foresee possible difficulties, it will be easy to learn. Thus, training at Foxford Home School is based on personalization. We want every child to enjoy the learning process and strive for knowledge.

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