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Here we are again bit as always Tainui is ready. A lot is going on in our world right now, and my first instinct is that we need to slow down and focus on what is most important to you and your whānau so as I have mentioned before if you have a day or days during the distance home based learning time where your child/ren is just not up to doing the learning we set; then that is okay. Your priority is to make sure your household is safe, happy and everyone is taking this opportunity to just be together. Breathe, stay calm and be kind!
Please note that learning can happen anywhere, and in many ways. Learning does not just happen at school. You now have an opportunity to explore and try learning in different ways at home. We do not expect you to recreate the learning environment we have at school or set up a place for your child/ren to sit to do their work. Life skills type activities is learning, so bake a cake, play board games, make a shopping list, make cards to be able to give to others once this is over…etc.
Setting Up Routines At Home
Think of the structure of your day ahead. Discuss and write these down – and try to stick to them vigilantly. And if they don’t work? Simply review and adjust.- Break the day up into a number of activity sessions, which will depend on the age of the child.
- Such activity sessions can range between 15-40 minutes, depending on the activity and the age of the child.
- When are your meal and snack times?
- We persevere as much as we can and then try to extend that time a little longer (eg if 5 minutes concentrating is hard, celebrate that success, and extend the goal to 6 minutes using a timer).
- We allow short brain or fitness/moving breaks to keep developing focus for gradually longer times. Fruit breaks are great. And plenty of water helps with the learning and concentration.
- Give yourself as parents/whānau time out (“me time”) during the day, and when the tamariki are on their beds (ideally) reading a story and, if not, listening to a story
- Have strong limits on the use of devices! These should not be used for entertainment during the day.
- And remember – While working with others is good, also allow your child to play on his/her own. You do not have to organise “every minute” of the day. Children need to learn to entertain themselves without a device or TV.
