Covid 19 coronavirus editorial: The kids are alright - home learning needn't be stressful

School's out under heightened Covid 19 coronavirus alert levels but still in vogue at home. Photo / Edward Rooney

Editorial

EDITORIAL

Most parents, whether working from home or stood down for the period of the lockdown, will be well familiar by now with the juggle to keep the children's schoolwork on track.

Online lessons are complicated by Zoom or Google Meet sessions which need attending, whether parents happen to be busy at the set time or not. Younger children needing assistance take even more time and attention.

It's easy then to press ourselves too hard to get all tasks completed - or to throw our hands up and wave away the day's lessons entirely.

Some handy advice has been doing the rounds on social media and is worth repeating.

Australian teacher Danielle Therese posted: "To all those parents trying desperately to do learning at home, I had a parent tell me this week: 'I missed four years of school in Bosnia during the war. Four whole years with a war happening. I came to Australia at age 13 with no English and no schooling since I was 8. I'm 33 and I have a university degree and a very good career. The kids will be fine.'"

As Therese says, don't sweat it. "Every kid in the world is in the same boat. They aren't missing out and they aren't in a war zone.

"Their teachers are doing the best they can. You are doing the best you can. They are children. What they want is to feel safe and loved."

Keep an eye on their wellbeing and remember, they will learn even better in a calm environment.