One day this will be over - that is what I’m saying each day to remind myself that this won’t be forever. It is difficult for everyone, for one reason or another, we’re all struggling - some of us with teaching via the computer, some of us trying to be parent/employee/teacher/everything to everyone.
An example of a school from home shelf.
This is in regards to having your child home and trying to manage, encourage and facilitate school from home. This is not, and I repeat, is not homeschool. And I’m not bringing up this phrase that I’ve heard every hour of every day from other educators to insult you - to imply you could never do what we do and therefore are not homeschooling. I’m saying it to let you off the hook! This isn’t homeschool! And it doesn’t need to be! It is not meant to be. This is school from home.
First, take what your teacher is telling you/giving you/sending you and just do that. I know many educators, like myself are adjusting their normal way of teaching (just a little or a lot) to align more with distance learning. I, for example, am choosing weekly themes. They are all subjects we’d be studying in school, but we wouldn’t be hyper focused on one are like we are right now. And that is fine, it not only keeps me organized, but I’m hoping it is helping to keep parents organized and students interested. I am sending paper packets home that is… yes, paperwork, but I hope that each and every thing is also a hands on activity as much as possible. Sure, you can give your child the print off and a pencil and scissors and call it a day, but you can also do something different, if you’re able.
For example, a paper activity that involves coloring, writing, cutting and stapling can be set in a basket or on a tray with all those things that are needed - it can then be left out for a child to find. Yes, this takes a bit of extra time and effort, and probably some work the night before the school week, but it could make things easier for the days ahead (or maybe not), its worth a try if you can swing it.
Teachers are sending home printable resources, daily rhythms/schedules/work plans, posting YouTube videos, having daily zoom meetings - utilize that. You don’t have to do everything but you can pick and choose, like a buffet, the things that work for you and your family.
This week I’m posting How To videos - not for parents, but for children. I hope that my students will see my face, see my familiar lessons and see the reminders of things that they need to “do a work” and will collect those things to set up their own things. This may be a bit idealistic, but I know it will happen in some households, and even if it happens in one, that is a win for us all.
Montessori at home is filled with really, really lovely ideas. Ideas like involving your child in meal time, laundry time, teaching them to fold and hang things out to dry, having them help load the dishwasher and dust the shelves - and if you are in a situation right now where you can facilitate that - then that is certainly amazing and continue to do that! But, if you’re not, then stay up a bit later on Sunday night after your kiddos have gone to bed, clear off a table, a shelf, a cabinet and print out those printables and make them slightly more enticing by adding a basket with the necessities for each activity. I suggest hanging the Work Plan close by and encouraging your child to do one thing a day. Add that activity, the zoom, a youtube - and you’ve got some time on your hands. No, it is not 4-6 hours of childcare like you would be getting if your child were at school, but its something.
I know a huge part of sending your young child to preschool is childcare - and if teachers could provide childcare from a distance, I know they would. Unfortunately, its just not possible right now, so we’re left to rely on some of the OTHER stuff your child gets when they’re at school: a bond with their teacher, social interactions (even through a screen), engagement with an academic topic and suggestions for how to make those connections in the real world (may it be your backyard), and most importantly - a continued love of learning. Let’s try with all of our might to keep that.
If one positive thing can come from this, its that teachers have never been more connected with parents. I know, I for one, have way more face time with parents now then I could ever swing while we’re physically at school. We joke that the greatest goal of a Montessorian is to demystify their teaching - well, we’ve certainly done that. Parents are seeing first hand how we teach reading, writing, math, how we dive deep into zoology and botany and how we tie everything back together (hopefully with a bow).
In conclusion, do what you can, leave what you can’t. Provide for your child what your teacher is sending/doing, If you can, take a few feet of your house and replicate some activities for your child similar to what they had at school. If you can’t, turn on the TV - it’ll be fine.
Here are some resources from me: