Well being

We are back to helping our children learn at home. 

These helpful tips were published on The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation website. While we have all experienced it before it may be useful for you to run your eyes over these hints to get you on the right track again. 

1. Make space for learning – Many adults have a specific area of the home in which they do work, and it’s important you create a similar space for your child. Your children will achieve their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space strictly devoted to learning. This space doesn’t need to be excessive (can be the kitchen table!), but should be a different area to where they usually play games or watch television.
2. Maintain breaks such as snack time and recess – Routines and schedules are extremely important for children at school, and this is no different in their at-home school. Children will function best if they maintain their routine as close to normal as possible. Setting alarms similar to those they would encounter at school (i.e. school bell) can be helpful for keeping kids on a schedule. Around lunch time, encourage them to get up, get some fresh air, if possible - go for a walk or bike ride, or have a snack so they are not sedentary for the entire day.
3. Limit distraction – Try to limit children’s use of devices, other than what is needed to complete their school work, until their lessons are done. If you choose, you can allow your child to play on a device during a designated break, but make them aware they only have a limited amount of time until they need to get back to work.
4. Allow them to interact with friends via video chats – As children are used to lots of social contact at school, they will inevitably feel the social impact of being away from their friends. While it might not be safe for children to see their friends in person, they should be allowed to interact with them online, beyond social media or text messaging. Video chats are often the closest thing to seeing someone in person, and can be a great way to connect with peers whilst remaining socially isolated. Consider speaking with other parents to organise a video chat playdate.
5. Mix screen time with traditional learning mediums – Overuse of screen time can have adverse impacts on young minds, so it’s important to mix it up. It is likely children will want to continue to use a screen of some sort during their breaks from doing work, so it’s important to limit screen time by mixing in old school mediums as well. As much as possible, parents should try to encourage handwriting, as well as print and book reading.
6. Stay in touch with other parents – Staying in touch with others at this time is important for everyone to avoid feeling socially isolated. Check in with other parents to see how they’re going, learn how they’re adapting to schooling at home and ask if they need help as well.
7. Don’t let your children think of this time as a holiday – It will be easy for children to feel like this time at home is a holiday. It’s important to remind them their education still comes first. Class assignments, tests, exams etc. aren’t going away just because classes have moved online.
8. Remember to schedule time for fun – Don’t forget to have fun with your children while they are at home. It’s a great opportunity to bond over family card games, charades, or chess, or getting outside for a hike, bike ride or walk together (being mindful to observe social distancing and government advice)

Please remember at St Anne's we are all working in partnership with each other. The most important thing is to have calmness in our homes, so please remember to communicate with your child's teacher if you are needing guidance or assistance during this remote learning phase.