St Albans mum gives tips to parents about home schooling their children during lockdown

Karen and Warren Binedell, from St Albans, spent last year travelling with their three children and volunteering in several countries.

Their children attended Verulam Boys School and St Albans Girls School before travelling around in their family's caravan.

The family are currently at their 17th volunteer project on a farm in Portugal, where Sebastian is studying for his IGCSE exams in November.

Warren Binedell helping his daughter. Credit: Binedell family

Sebastian studying. Credit: Binedell family

Mrs Binedell said: "With almost the entire world in lockdown, life as we know it has changed completely.

"There is a whole new army of mum's and dad's out there home schooling through necessity, rather than choice."

Mrs Binedell has listed some tips that she has picked up while travelling with her family.

Schedule

According to Mrs Binedell a family timetable can help with focus and motivation. A general idea of when your child will do schoolwork, exercise, play and when they're allowed to have screen time can help set guidelines for everyone in the family.

Talk to your children

It can help if you encourage your children to talk about how they're feeling and about any worries they might have.

Mrs Binedell said: "We're all experiencing a variety of emotions from boredom to frustration and anxiety, so we can explain this is normal right now.

"Encourage them to stay in touch with their friends and relatives as maintaining these social connections really helps boost morale."

Try something new

Mrs Binedell suggests families could try and learn a new skill or hobby during lockdown.

"It could be learning some simple phrases in a foreign language or developing your own veggie plot.

"Children might also like to record this notable period of history in a journal."

Screen time boundaries

Parents can also decide the amount of time children are spending watching tv or using certain devises, which could help them disconnect and to "focus on the positives".

She added: "While it’s great we can all keep in touch while we are isolated, we do need to monitor how much we’re watching the news and going on social media.

"There is quite a lot of negativity circulating so while children should be aware of what’s happening, there is also a time to disconnect."

Try not to worry

She added: "It is hard for us all not to feel anxious during these uncertain times so worrying about our children falling behind with their schoolwork is another stress we don’t need.

"Schools will understand the juggle working families are having so even doing a little is plenty good enough."