How to set up a summer homeschooling pod... overnight

Plan ahead

Don’t wing a session and make sure the subject matter is varied.

Stay socially distanced Adhere to the Government’s social distancing guidelines for schools and the creation of educational bubbles, so no more than 15 children per bubble. Make sure the children bring lunch and a water bottle, and organise regular hand washing.

Less is more

Lessons should be shortsharp sprints of up to 45 minutes, and make sure the adult-led introduction to a topic is no more than five minutes long.

Play-based learning Younger children (reception and year one) will benefit more from picking out what they are interested in from different stations.

Make your children the teachers

Letting your kids do the teaching is a great way to keep them interested and it stops learning becoming repetitive and boring. Give them topics to choose from and let them decide how to present their learnings – or even teach each other.

Read, read, read

This is a great time to foster a love for reading, whatever their level, and it is a easily managed group activity.

Praise them

Children respond really well to individual praise as opposed to just general group-based recognition. They like to know they have done well and why.

Limit screen time

Of course, screens are inevitable in today’s society. But overuse can fuel feelings of isolation and anxiety. Set rules early and use screen time as a reward at the end of the day.

Don’t try this alone Parents need social interaction, too. Working together to run a homeschooling pod can also give adults a sense of achievement and purpose during a difficult time.