The homeschooling schedules' parodies in this time of quarantine started almost right away. The originals, also known as an earnest and color-coded, not mention, time included for homework, music lessons, art classes, and chores were changed to watch "Frozen," record new videos on TikTok or stalk people on Facebook all day. 

In relation to this, the high hopes parents have about homeschooling the cruel truth had replaced their kids that being a teacher is undeniably challenging. More so, it needs a degree of planning and concentration that a lot of parents merely don't have at present.

University of Virginia psychology professor, Daniel Willingham said, abrupt prevalent "attempts at homeschooling have largely misunderstood the concept." 

He also added that attempting to duplicate school at home when one is not trained and does not have the materials is "like mission impossible."


Beyond Basic Educational Topics

Genuine learning, according to Willingham, can go beyond the basics, in terms of educational topics. Indeed, according to Willingham, children should be encouraged to do schoolwork. 

He does think, however, that there is a need for both the parents and kids to relax their academic expectations, and more essentially, expand their concept of learning.

Rather than attempting to force academics, it is better to think about what parents are set to do what they know the most about, and probably, what their child's teachers could not do in school. In other words, parents should take advantage of this time to teach their children life skills. 

You, as parents, may not be experts in physics or algebra, or in any academic subject for that matter. Still, you certainly have skills to teach your children, specifically when you have more time on your hands. Parents across the nation have embraced such an idea.


Things Kids Can Learn Outside the Classroom

A father and his son, Henri, 13 years old, are rebuilding a car engine, specifically a 1972 MGB engine in Connecticut. The work is extensively mechanical, accurate, and at times, frustrating. The job's characteristics, according to Patti Woods-LaVoi, Henri's mom, are teaching him both patience and attention to detail.

The mother added, what the father and son are doing is undoubtedly heartwarming saying, she was taken by surprise, finding out that her son opted for auto mechanics "for an elective course at his high school next fall." This, Woods-Lavoi said, was a decision she didn't think he would have made before the lockdown.

Meanwhile, in Austin, Christine Foust Dawe teaches her two small sons to prepare a garden bed, plant seeds, repot transplants, and add compost. 

The mother said she thinks this quarantine has changed her parenting style, which, in turn, has also changed her kids. More so, she happily shared that her relationship with the kids would be better because of what she described as "intense and intentional time."

Parents teach their kids everyday chores, too. Among these include basic cooking and sewing. For instance, Liz Moorhead, a mother with four sons from outside Philadelphia, had been lax on getting her kids to wash the dishes, make their beds, and fold laundry.

"Between rushing to school and soccer," Moorhead said, it has been simpler for her to do it all. Now, she added, there is nowhere to rush to, so there is more time for the kids to sit and boringly fold the same pair of pants repeated times "until they figure it out."

The difficulties many parents encounter nowadays cannot be discounted. Albeit, this strategy may not be possible for those who have to confront illnesses or jobs.

Nevertheless, if families are able to use this difficult time as an opportunity to get involved in their children's' learning, that indeed is a gift.


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