Business as usual for homeschoolers during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many schools to stop in-person classes and quickly shift to online classes, a frustrating change for many.

However, for children who are homeschooled, little has changed.  Learning at home is the norm for my third grade brother Matthew and our mom, Katie.  They have been homeschooling since September.

“Not much has changed for us.  I guess you could say we’ve been preparing for this all year without even knowing it,” she said.

The only major adjustment has been having the rest of the family, including my dad and my two other brothers, home from work and school, she said.

“I don’t get to go on any field trips anymore, but we can do everything else the same as before,” said Matthew.

Matthew’s school tasks include whiteboard math, music lessons, outdoor exercise, and reading.  But Matthew’s favourite activity is a geography game he plays on Mom’s iPhone called Stack the Countries.

“[Stack the Countries] is my favourite because I get to learn about the continents but it’s also really fun.”

With the weather warming up in New Brunswick, Matthew has been able to spend more time outside lately.  Basketball is his favourite sport, and my dad and I set up our outdoor basketball net last week.

“Mom makes sure I’m exercising for an hour every day for gym class,” Matthew said.  “I like to play basketball.”

Mom and Matthew spend much of their school day reading and writing.  Audiobooks are also a popular option.  They work on puzzles and listen to audiobooks in their living room most afternoons.

With social distancing measures in place, some of Matthew’s extra-curricular activities can’t take place in-person.  Matthew’s weekly piano lesson now takes place over Zoom.

“Calling my piano teacher over Zoom isn’t as good as being at her house.  It’s hard for her to see the keys when I’m playing.”

While Matthew’s schooling hasn’t changed, he still doesn’t get out of the house anymore.  Mom has found the drastic and immediate change of lifestyle has been hard for him.

“Matthew is a social butterfly, and he loves to talk to other people.  He hasn’t been able to do that recently, but we’re finding other ways to make it work,” she says.

Since people have been ordered to stay at home worldwide, many celebrities and public figures have been connecting with their audiences through the internet.  Kennedy Center Artist In-Residence and children’s author Mo Willems has been encouraging kids to draw while stuck at home on his YouTube channel.

“I really like doing Lunch Doodles,” Matthew said.  “I learned how to draw the pigeon from Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”

In New Brunswick, where we live, schools are closed for the remainder of the school year.  At the elementary school level, no remote teaching is happening.  Knowing the present circumstances, mom is happy with her decision to homeschool.

“Because we’ve homeschooled, this hasn’t been as big of a change for us as it has for many people.  We’re lucky that way.”