So it looks like for at least some of the time during 2021 we’ll be homeschooling our kids – again!

But although it’s not the optimal learning environment for many kids, it doesn’t have to be a recipe for household disharmony.

Helping your kids to work their way through different curricula, attend online lessons and prepare for tests – while you’re trying to work from home – is tough!

But these five hassle-free homeschooling hacks might help things run smoother, so give them a whirl!

Bitesize study sessions

While our bosses might (weirdly and ineffectively) insist on us taking the same half-hour for lunch at home as we do in the office and staying glued to our screens for the rest of our shifts, we should guard against this type of working pattern when it comes to kids studying.

Research collated in Edutopia reveals that regular short study breaks increase focus and productivity whilst reducing stress and that several ten-minute sessions can be more effective than fewer 30-minute classes.

Rewards & Treats

According to educational gurus Scholastic, rewards and treats can be effective for younger children, but for health reasons, you should avoid doling out sugary treats to young scholars and instead opt for non-edible rewards such as certificates, stickers, pens and pencils, as well as activities like family outings.

These types of treats can act as excellent psychological motivators, without rotting teeth and contributing to obesity!

Virtual tutors

Kids can often do with some formal additional teaching at the best of times and especially so during these current times when there are far more stresses and strains than usual.

So online educators like Teachers To Your Home can provide virtual lessons from professionally qualified teachers in any subject from primary to A-level. With an extra few lessons a month, your kid can achieve a final grade that’s commensurate with their true ability.

Diet & exercise

A healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy proteins, as well as brain foods like fish, is definitely what the doctor ordered for growing kids who want to boost their brainpower.

And exercise also plays its part too – even if kids can’t get to their gym or sports club, aerobic exercise in the house or bopping along to their favourite songs can keep them in trim and keep them calm.

Mindfulness

Mental health is also massively important for kids (as it is for us all), therefore learning a few mindfulness exercises which can easily be performed anywhere can help any child who suffers from stress and anxiety to feel much more chilled out.

If you haven’t heard of this secular form of Buddhist meditation before, here are some mindfulness exercises for kids of all ages from Positive Psychology.

Adopt these five hassle-free homeschooling hacks and there’s no doubt that you’ll cope admirably the next time your young ones are being educated from their dwelling place.

What are your homeschooling tips? Share them in the