Simple steps to help teach children at home
An education expert and former teacher, Dr Noel Purdy talks to Mark Bain about home schooling
DR Noel Purdy is director of Research and Scholarship at Stranmillis University.
He is an education expert, a former teacher, and has a long list of associations on educational thinking in Northern Ireland.
He is also a dad-of-four — with all four kids going to different schools, one in a special school. You would assume that home schooling is a breeze.
But nothing is ever that simple and the reality of returning to the home schooling trenches is sinking in, even for Dr Purdy.
Home schooling for most parents will need to be managed until at least the February halfterm break. And it looks likely that period of school closures will carry on longer as though the number of Covid infections in Northern Ireland is slowing, hospital admissions have still to reach a peak.
Parents are in this for the long haul and the weight of the burden, despite having been through all this last year, is becoming harder to bear.
“First time round, home schooling was very challenging,” he said. “Parents were thrown in at the deep end.
“We have done research and found that the better educated the parents, the happier and more involved with their children’s school work they were.”
That’s only natural, but it left many more struggling.
He added: “The less educated the parents, the more stressed they were, the more stressed the children were and the less able they all were to access the right material. There was a real battle to find the time, with parents still working, to fit in helping with school work.
“A lot of the problem, and it’s something I’m finding myself even now, is that schools use so many different platforms to allow their pupils to access their work. Every school is different, even within every school, every teacher is different. There is no continuity to learning. If you have children at more than one school that multiplies and adds to the problems.
“There’s a real need for more guidance from schools, greater support for parents who might not be able to be around all the time to help, to supervise and, essentially, to teach.”
But schools are definitely getting better at it, Dr Purdy adds. Last year was a steep learning curve, and what was learnt then is helping now, he said.
He added: “From my own experience, the children are much more comfortable with home schooling.
“They know better what is expected of them, the teachers are better at engaging with their students, there’s real progress with some schools now providing live lessons, but the issues still exist in getting access online, though there has been a concerted effort by the Department to make sure the devices needed to do this get into the hands than need them.
“We’re better at it then, but that doesn’t mean things are easy. We’ve all moved on from the shock of last year to the grim acceptance of this year.”
Out of the frying pan, into the fire, then. Neither is the best case scenario and kitchens in homes around the country have transformed into hot plates of frustration.
“There’s still a digital divide,” said Dr Purdy. “Though there has been a stepping-up in providing the right devices, there’s still some black holes out there. Access to rural broadband is an
issue for many. A lot of schools have got round this by providing home packs for pupils who can’t get online, but I’m still hearing stories of some pupils who have to walk outside, maybe down their lane or into their nearest village to start downloading what they need. There are still pockets of pupils being left out.”
There are, though, ways of trying to manage.
Dr Purdy shared his thoughts for parents as they plot their way through round two of home schooling.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
“Parents need to look after themselves,” said Dr Purdy. “Don’t stress about it, try to be a model of calmness and positivity. It’s not always easy, but a healthy, contented parent radiates onto the child. Remember that you’re not a teacher, but also remember that the mental health and wellbeing of your child comes first. Schools will recognise that. Put their mental health first, make sure they’re happy and the work can flow from that.” If in doubt, ask “Remember that schools are still operating, even if it is remotely,” said Dr Purdy. “Teachers are available. They are there to ask for help, guidance and support. Most parents are not trained educators, but teachers will respond and assist wherever they can.
“It’s also good to seek out support from other parents,” he said.
“There are Whatsapp groups, Facebook friends who will be there to help. They could already have asked what you need to know.
“Parents always talked and interacted when schools were open, there’s no reason to act differently over social media now. The answers are there, seek them out. Share ideas”.
Don’t compare yourself to other parents
“Talk to other parents,” said Dr Purdy, “but remember that everyone’s life is different. It’s not a competition. Everyone needs to be realistic about what they can do.
“While it does help to set a timetable, create some structure, everyone’s timetable doesn’t have to be the same.
“And if there is a timetable, allow it to be flexible. Take advantage of brighter days to get outside rather than sitting in the kitchen getting stressed.”
Encourage independence
“Obviously younger children need a more hands on-approach,” said Dr Purdy. “Remember that a lot of time for the younger pupils is spent learning through play. Things like baking are a learning experience at a young age, but older children can be expected to work along happy independently. They do that a lot of the time in school, it should be no different remotely. Parents are not there to do the work for them!”
It’s not all academic — think about arts and crafts
“And take all the opportunities that arise,” added Dr Purdy. “Last week when there was ice and snow, the kids wanted to go outside. Let them have that fun. The school work will still be here later when the evening gets dark.”
Take a break
“If you things are getting too stressed, don’t make it worse by persisting. It might be time to take a step back and go again later in the day,” said Dr Purdy.
“Particularly in younger children, the attention span isn’t as long. Staying at something for too long isn’t the best policy.
“Make sure you enjoy your time together.”
A basic structure is important.
“During the first lockdown my kids would have started every day with exercise,” said Dr Purdy. “They logged on to Joe Wicks and followed his routine.
“Then it was maths, a break, something else, lunch. There are so many other things in their lives in a state of flux, a basic routine grounds them.
“Obviously flexibility needs to be accounted for. Work could get in the way, the telephone could ring, but that structure is a good base to start from.”
Not all children are the same.
“Even within families, children can be of a very different nature,” said Dr Purdy. “Some will be used to working away on their own, but some disengaged for weeks during the first lockdown. Try not to get involved in fights with them about doing school work. Stay calm and as a parent, don’t think you have to do all this on your own.”