OPTIMIZING FAMILY TIME

Suggestions for making the most of time with your children during COVID-19 social distancing

Planning and scheduling the week and following day's studies is important. This lays out the expectations and structure for all family members to understand the time commitment, resources needed, and allows for accountability at the end of the day or week. Ideally, the youth or child structure their time and studies, adapted for the age of the youth or child. Some structure and routine can provide beneficial order to the day.
Set and periodically evaluate progress towards short-term and long-term academic or learning goals as individuals and as a family.
Minimize or eliminate distractions during school time. Turn phones off, avoid surfing the Internet, eliminate TV and video games, limit visitors, etc. during the scheduled study time.
Have everyone get ready for and start the day with some family-together time which may include breakfast, family prayer, scripture study, sharing an inspirational thought, etc.
Note that frequently mornings can be the most productive study time when minds are most refreshed and ready for learning.
Schedule time for breaks between blocks of study time and for lunch. Get some fresh air, go for a walk, close your eyes, stretch, grab a snack, talk with each other, etc. Focused learning for shorter periods with breaks between frequently leads to increased concentration and improved learning.

Preparations and support by parents

Ideally a parent is available as a resource and to answer questions throughout the study time, but does not micromanage the study time.
Create a comfortable study area with good lighting and quiet that can be used consistently and that minimizes distractions. Ideal study areas may be at a desk or table with other siblings that are studying or in a quiet area that it still easily observable by a parent.
If multiple children and youth are schooling at home, perhaps the parent(s) sets aside specific times of the day to focus more specifically on the different ages of children or youth, although frequently all can be studying and learning at the same time.
Go to bed and wake up at a consistent hour.
Parents can participate in the learning process and be an example of an effective learner by reading, studying, etc. A list of classic books, (one of the many available) for adults and young teens is attached for reading suggestions.

Additional suggestions

Limit screen time in whatever form (outside of required on-line classes or homework) to a specific length of time and hours of the day.
Consider having a family read-aloud of a classic book where a parent or youth reads to the family and the family discusses it.
Set aside reading time to read a book of each child or youth's choice and interest. Discuss what each child, youth and adult is reading about and learning.
Besides academic studies, consider hands-on learning activities like cooking, baking, drawing, memorizing poetry, sewing, music, gardening, exercising, sport skills, building, etc. depending on the age and interests of the child or youth.
Discuss what is being learned, successes, challenges, things that may need to be changed to improve the learning environment or experience. Schedule time weekly with each individual youth and as a family to evaluate how schooling at home is going and how it can be improved. Celebrate successes whether big or small.
Recognize that schooling at home is a new experience and will require effort and experimentation with what works best for each youth or child and for the family. Plan, study and learn, evaluate and continue what works well and adapt as needed. Continue the process with optimism and joy. Enjoy the time together and the opportunity to develop a love of learning together. Don't expect perfection and do seek to manage expectations and communication in a positive way.

Free High Personal Finance Course for Teens (but requires some teaching on part of the parent or the student to read the instructor material):

Tons of short educational videos on a variety of subjects. A good spring board to more in depth study.

Wide range of free self paced courses including computer programming and SAT Prep.

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