Daily Routine For Families During Coronavirus Outbreak

People love their daily routine, especially children. It instills confidence and helps quell anxiety. Things just got a little crazy, though!

Things are tense around the world as the global pandemic, Coronavirus, makes its way across the world. Here in Ohio, as a method to slow the spread of the pandemic, public schools and universities are closing for an extended spring break.  While this is a necessary step that surely wasn’t taken lightly by government officials, it is producing a lot of questions from parents.

Most districts are sending packets of work home or are implementing some form of distance learning during the closures. With that in mind,  many parents are finding themselves in the role of teacher for the first time.

Since most families aren’t used to completing schoolwork at home, I’d like to offer a few tips and a free, printable sample schedule to help parents feel confident in moving forward.

School At Home? What?!

Many parents are undoubtedly full of questions and concerns in regard to their child’s education right now. The idea of closing down schools and sending students home to learn for an extended period of time is unprecedented here in the U.S. The disruption of a daily routine sparks fear and uncertainty.

Along with all of the confusion, there’s also the logistics of making it all work. People across the country were caught off guard as these closures were handed down by government officials. Working parents are now taxed with figuring out childcare, all while urged to keep their youngsters away from older people like grandparents.

What can parents do to help learning happen at home?

Learning takes place at home each and every day across the world. There are many opportunities for learning activities and teachable moments. Heck, this whole pandemic is a teachable moment. We are ALL learning things right now.

With learning in mind, it is important as parents to try to set up a daily routine for their family. Routines help kids to feel confident and will help keep their anxiety levels low, even if their parents’ anxiety levels are high.

Why routines?

Routines are my recommendation for families with multiple children because life is happening all the time. A strict time schedule for a family under these circumstances will undoubtedly cause undue stress on everyone. This is a new thing for everyone, so it will take some time to adjust.

A routine is simply an order of events that our children can learn to expect. They can anticipate what is coming next without asking a zillion times when they can have a snack or go outside. This helps moms and dads eliminate some of the confusion that can happen when everyone is home and thrown into a new normal.

Routines offer flexibility that schedules just don’t. If I have a timed schedule and get behind, I start to feel like I’m failing. I get upset with myself and frustrated. And inevitably I’m setting myself up for disappointment because I may not be able to get back on schedule.

With a routine, you can start whenever you’re ready to start the day and work through each step as it comes. Some families will be awake and ready to start their day at 7, while others prefer a slower morning and won’t start until 9 or 10. Neither one is right or better than the other! Each family’s unique dynamic will require something slightly different. Customizing your routine will allow you to find a rhythm that works for everyone at home.

Sample Daily Routine

If you’re looking for a sample of how my homeschooling family structures our day, sign up below and it will fly right to your inbox!

A final thought on schoolwork at home

Your job right now is not to replicate the brick and mortar education your child is used to getting. Your job is to help your child practice things they know, and learn valuable life lessons. Playing board games, watching educational videos, doing simple science experiments, playing cards, and getting out in your yard are all great ways to help your children learn. You’re the most important teacher your child will ever have. Remember to act like it! You’ve got this, parents!