Tip 1. Keep it manageable

Learning at home works best when it is enjoyable too. This helps children, young people and you as a parent. But how do you keep it enjoyable? You can do this by keeping things relaxed and not putting the pressure too high.

Reduce stress

After the first lockdown, we know that combining working from home with providing homeschooling is complicated. Realize that this is the case in all households at the moment. It is good if you can find a suitable routine together as a family and alternate exercise, play and relaxation with work. When tensions, irritation or stress run high, do not force yourself to complete the entire program as planned. Look for a way to experience relaxation and enjoyment again.

Parent or teacher?

The relationship between parent and child—as teacher and student—can create tension. Be aware that the relationship has changed. In most cases, parents are not trained as homeschool teachers, and they also have to combine this with work or caring for other children or family members. It is good to realize that at school, children do not have an adult by their side all day. This is precisely where they are challenged to solve things independently and work on a task by themselves. Depending on their age, children therefore do not need your attention as a parent all the time. For example, agree on a period during which they are not allowed to disturb you while working on a task. If it does not work one day, then it does not work. Find relaxation together through other activities. You remain a parent first and foremost.

See also these pages:

Tip 2. Alternate work and exercise

Keep moving

It is important for all children to exercise during the day. Some children have a particularly strong need for movement and sports. It is good to encourage physical activity.

Fortunately, children can still exercise and play sports outdoors, for example in squares and parks.

For more information, see the page about staying healthy.

There are also opportunities through the municipality for children who are not members of a sports club to take part in sports.

Regular routine

A regular routine helps keep things enjoyable for everyone. You can spread schoolwork throughout the day and alternate it with relaxation, meals or drinks, and playing outside. Do not follow the schedule too rigidly. When children lose focus, become restless or, conversely, become lethargic, it can be helpful to switch to another activity for a while. You can find more information about this on the page Structure and daily schedules.

Secondary school students also benefit from a regular routine. Especially when the school week consists of both contact sessions and online lessons, as is currently the case in practical education and for students preparing for exams.

More screen time

Much homeschooling takes place digitally. When children are homeschooled and spend more time at home than usual, there is more time for digital distraction. Screen time has therefore increased in many families. You can find tips and advice about screen time at: Media use by children during the coronavirus period

Tip 3. Use teaching materials from school and elsewhere

There is now a great deal of digital teaching material available. Teachers in primary and secondary education usually give assignments online. The work children have to do is ready for them. The teacher can see how and when the work was completed. This provides support and structure.

Teachers of course make sure that the material is appropriate for the child’s level. If you use teaching materials from outside school, it is important to pay attention to this as well. Teachers can provide advice on this.

Tips for digital teaching and digital teaching materials

  • On the Les op afstand website, you can find good advice on designing online lessons.
  • Consult the school if there is no device at home, such as a laptop or tablet.

Homeschooling children with additional support needs

The Passend Onderwijs Thuis website contains tips, tools and information about homeschooling children with additional support needs. Topics include giftedness, autism and dyslexia. The information is intended for parents, professionals and children themselves. It is also possible to contact specialists for help and advice. There is also a platform for sharing knowledge and experience.

Digital material for relaxation

  • ThuisBieb: through the library app, one hundred audiobooks and e-books are available free of charge for young and old.
  • Various museums offer online tours, such as the Rijksmuseum.
  • Lessons about nature. A number of nature guides have posted nature videos on YouTube for primary and pre-vocational secondary school students.
  • Read more on this page about celebrating together, for example birthdays.

Tip 4. Talk to others about how things are going

Make sure everyone has space to talk about how things are going and to ask questions. Everyone is doing their best and trying to follow the measures as well as possible. Getting used to changes sometimes goes well and sometimes does not. Sharing these experiences with one another and with others can help. Explain what you do yourself when things are not going well. This may help others. This is important at home among family members, but also in contact with the school and with support workers, if there are any.

It is nice for children to talk briefly after working for a few hours. For example, ask what they have learned. Not to check up on them, but to show that you take their schoolwork seriously and to bring the activity to a good close together.

Tip 5. Arrange help in time

If providing or receiving homeschooling is not going well, it is important to seek help. Sometimes distance education does not work well because there are tensions at home or because resources such as a computer or internet are unavailable. You can contact the school about this. They can help think of solutions. Also read what you can do to prevent tensions and what you can do if they become too high.

It can sometimes be complicated to organize the activities for the week. For example, younger children in the family may be going to school while older children are not. Contact the teacher or someone else at the school if this causes difficulties.

More information