Category: Holistic Educational Resources

6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play

Children are naturally curious and sociable beings. They love to explore, learn and play with others. As a parent, you want the best for your child; you want them to be happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. However, when it comes to playtime, parents may be hesitant to let their children play with kids of all ages. This is understandable for several reasons, one being that parents may want to ensure their children’s safety. However, there in fact several known benefits of encouraging children to play with peers of various ages. Encouraging your children to play with kids of all ages has a positive impact on their social emotional development. In this blog, we will discuss the 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play.

It’s Important to Encourage Multi-Age Play; It Sets Children Up Both Personally and Professionally

Here Is A List Of Our 6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play:

Playing Across Ages Builds Empathy and Understanding

When you follow these 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play, you can help children learn to empathize with others and understand different perspectives. Playing with kids of all ages can help your child develop empathy. By interacting with others who are different from them, children learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives and experiences. This can help them become more compassionate and understanding individuals. Also, while playing with kids of all ages, children see their metaphorical journey reflected in the overall group. They see what lies ahead of them, as well as what they’ve already gone through. This helps build empathy for others, regardless for others, no matter their age or abilities.

6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

Inter-Age Play Develops Social Skills

Playing with peers of all ages can help develop important social skills. Younger children can learn how to communicate with older children, while older children can practice leadership and communication skills when playing with younger children. Children of different ages also have varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, which can challenge children to adapt their play style and collaborate with their peers. Children are challenged to design games and cooperate in ways that meet a wider range of needs and skill levels. Younger children learn from older children’s experiences, and older children learn to be patient and nurturing toward their younger peers.

This interaction can foster a sense of community and belonging in children and create a more accepting and inclusive environment. Additionally, when children play with kids of different ages, they learn how to interact with others who have different needs, interests, and abilities. 6 reasons you should encourage multi-age play helps them develop important social skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and respect. Playing with older children can also expose younger children to more advanced language and social skills that they can learn from and develop.

6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

Cross-Age Play Encourages Creativity and Imagination

    When kids play with others of different ages, they are exposed to more diversity. This means that children of different needs, skills, and interests are included. This exposure encourages more complex conversations, problem-solving and critical thinking. Playing with peers of different ages can encourage children to use their imagination and creativity in new ways. When children play with peers of different ages, they are exposed to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences. This can inspire them to think differently and develop new, innovative ways of playing and problem-solving. Older children can introduce younger children to new games and activities that they may not have thought of before. While younger children can bring new perspectives and ideas to playtime. This interaction can inspire children to think outside of the box and explore their creative sides.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

    Having meaningful interactions with kids of all ages can help boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Younger children look up to older role models and develop a sense of confidence from keeping up with older peers. Interacting with older children challenges younger children, which encourages them to push themselves to do better.  Therefore also encouraging younger children to scaffold their learning and challenge themselves in both their cognitive and physical development. Older children will feel pride and accomplishment when they teach younger children new skills. This skill transfer will help younger children to succeed in play. Similarly, younger children look up to older children. In this instance, they rely on them for guidance and support, which can make them feel important and valued. 

    Encouraging Multi-Age Play and Interaction Can Inspire Kids To Problem Solve And Create Innovative Ways To Play

    Promotes Positive Behavior

    When children play with kids of all ages they are exposed to a range of behaviours; helping them to learn what is acceptable and what is not. Older children can model positive behaviours and attitudes for younger children, who can then learn from these examples. 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play can help to promote positive behaviour in your children. It can also discourage negative behaviours, such as bullying and exclusion.

    The presence of younger children allows older children the opportunity to learn about caregiving and leadership roles. This practice of caregiving can also lead older children to take responsibility for more vulnerable members of the group. Moreover, playing with kids of different ages can help your child build friendships with a much wider range of people. This can be especially helpful if your child has trouble making friends their own age. By playing with kids of different ages, they may find kindred spirits who share similar interests, values, or hobbies.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    Multi-Age Play Prepares Better Children for the Real World:

    Finally, 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play can impact your child’s future. Playing with kids of all ages will help your child prepare for the real world. When playing and interacting with others of diverse ages, all children are able to experiment. In these groupings, children have space to take on various roles. They can experiment with hierarchies, power dynamics, leadership roles, and group rules in a way that reflects real life. In real life people of all ages interact with each other in a variety of contexts. Therefore, having the ability to communicate and collaborate with people of all ages is a valuable learning opportunity for children. They have the space to prepare for their future personal and professional life without adult consequences.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play; It Sets Children Up For Life

    In Conclusion;

    There are many benefits that can be seen from our 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play.  Making space for children to play with peers of different ages has a positive impact on their socio-emotional development. In doing so, they develop important social skills, build self-confidence, foster creativity and imagination, encourage empathy, build friendships, foster confidence and self-esteem, promote positive behaviour and finally help to prepare them for the real world. 

    As parents, knowing that this type of mixed-age interaction is crucial for your child’s socio-emotional development; it is, therefore, essential for us to intentionally create opportunities for our children to interact with peers of all ages, whether it’s through playdates, community events, family gatherings or extracurricular activities. By doing so, we can help our children develop important socio-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their whole lives and can help you to set them up for future personal and professional successes. So, the next time you’re arranging a playdate, consider inviting a child of a different age group and watch your child’s development soar!

    We hope you enjoyed reading about the 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play. If you would like to read more helpful articles about child development or homeschooling please visit our Blog. 

                            

    How to Bring Writing into Other Areas

    Sneaking It In: How to Bring Writing Into Other Areas

    By Chelsea McLeod 

    Sneaking it in: Writing

    Writing in school is often seen as a skill linked only to English. It is often viewed as an immovable part of the curriculum and focus in this class. While this is technically true, it is not the whole picture. Not only is writing helpful in other areas, but it is also essential that it is practiced in more ways than can be offered in a single class.  Furthermore, while many of us inherently “know” this fact, it is often difficult to wrap our minds around it when planning the homeschool day and to try to incorporate writing with other subjects less traditionally associated with it. 

     

    How To Incorporate Writing Into Other Subjects

    So now, how does one add writing to other subject areas? When we traditionally think of writing, we think of essays, stories, paragraphs, spelling practice, etc. These are all great ways to practice and can be very effective in building skills, there are many other engaging ways to work on writing while learning other subject matter, and you can make it fun while you’re at it!

     

    Science

    • Experiments 
      • Before you complete the experiment, have your learner make a prediction of the outcome and write it out. You can also have them include why they think what they do and have them add some proof or detail their thinking. 
      • For older students, you can create an assignment where they need to complete some research and explain in written form why the outcome was a certain way.

     

    Math

    • Journals
      • Math can be tricky, but one of the best ways to incorporate more writing is to have your student journal. They can ask questions in their journal, formulate hypotheses, and even explain their thinking when it comes to solving problems.
      • They could also have a few minutes each class to write about their frustrations in math or celebrate successes they have been working hard to achieve.
      • Finally, in these journals, you can have them use the 3, 2, 1 method of exit slips (an informal assessment of understanding). They could write three things they learned in the lesson today, two things they found interesting and one more question they still have about the topic.  

     

    • Story Problems
      • You should assign your student to write a few story problems. You can give them an equation they can use, or they can come up with their own. They then write a short trial that can be solved using that equation. 
      • This can be done with another homeschool family or a group, and then the students could trade and solve the problems. That way, they are practicing their problem-solving skills and writing.
      • These are hard for lots of students to solve as it takes some higher-level thinking. It is important to piece together the necessary information and separate that won’t be used to solve the problem. For this reason, this might be a more effective exercise for older students who have had some practice and success with story problems.

    Helping your kid write

    Art

    • Explain Artistic Expression in Detail
      • Learners need creative freedom, but sometimes it is difficult for us to know what they have made/drawn, especially when they are younger. In this case, you could have them draw a picture and then explain it in written form. You could also ask them why they decided on this particular thing. 
      • They can draw a story’s characters and setting and then write it. This way, they can bring words to their visual work and a visual to their story. In many ways, this can sometimes even help to overcome a block. If they struggle to write or draw, you can have them do the opposite to spark their imaginations.

     

    Social & History

    • Write a Textbook
      •  A great way to review and solidify information is to compile it into a cohesive and informative text. This assignment is best done with older students as it can benefit from lots of cumulative knowledge. I have used such an assignment in a High School Class in place of a final exam. 
      • A similar concept can be used with younger students. However, it would need to be a modified assignment that may include less extensive writing. 

     

    Physical Education

    • Plan a workout
      • Your student could plan a workout, including the warm-up, all the exercises and cool down. They would then complete the training themselves or lead a small group. Once that is done, it would be a perfect opportunity for a reflection. A written piece of their thoughts on what went well, what didn’t and what they would or could do differently next time. 
    • Keep a Journal
      • They could keep a journal for a week or two. In this exercise, they could keep track of what they are eating and how much exercise they are getting or reflect on what they could do to change their habits or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    Some Other Ways to Get Kids Writing More

     

    Thank you cards

    Thank You Cards

    • For example, if you go on outings to the museum, a lecture or a play, you can have your students write a thank you to the workers or speakers. 
    • If you are a part of a homeschool co-op or group hosted at several different houses, your student could thank those hosts. 

    Introduction Speeches

    • Similarly to the above, if you have a guest speaker at a homeschool co-op meeting, or maybe you put together an assembly in honour of a particular day, you could have your student plan and write an introduction. They could research the speaker and include some information about 

    Pen Pals

    • This one is a classic! There are often programs in schools that connect kids to this type of thing. Similarly, several online programs or even Facebook groups explicitly aim for homeschool kids and connect them globally. 

     

    You can get creative with incorporating writing practice into your homeschool day. Writing practice doesn’t have to be specific or focused in only one area; it can also be spontaneous, like writing a grocery list or planning out a phone call you have to make.

    So, as you can see, there are many different ways to get your learners to write; honestly, this isn’t even an exhaustive list. There are many more ways for your student to strengthen their skills.

    In the end, the more exposure they have to writing in their various subjects, the stronger they will become. So take some ideas from this list or come up with your own but most importantly, focus on the practice and not the subject matter and see how much growth your student writer can achieve. 

     

    Getting started but aren’t sure how? Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 




    Running Records: How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Level

    Running Records: How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Level

    By Chelsea McLeod

    Reading is a fundamental skill; it is an essential building block that supports all other types of learning. If reading is not developed, a child will struggle with other things in their schooling experience, which is just as crucial in a homeschool environment as in a traditional one. Therefore, while we all know that teaching our children to read is vital to their proper development and learning, it can be overwhelming to dive into and assess.

    Running Records: Assess reading

     

    Determining reading level is an integral part of the learning journey. Your learner should be reading differently levelled books depending on what situation they find themselves in. When reading on their own, they should be reading at an independent level, but when reading with you and learning, they should be reading at an instructional level.  An excellent tool used to assess reading levels is called a Running Record. This type of assessment can give a lot of information about your child’s reading skills; a running record can provide a whole picture of your child’s reading, what level they are reading at and how to move forward in teaching them. 

    What is A Running Record?

    A running record is a great tool to assess your learner as a reader. It is a snapshot of their reading. A running record evaluates a student’s word identification skills and fluency level. These are essential pieces of the puzzle of building strong, confident readers. Completing a running record involves writing down everything happening in the order it happens. Limiting the amount of editing you do as an observer as you record is essential. The idea is to record as much as possible so that you can gather a lot of information in a relatively short period and perform this type of assessment without much prep time. 

    Choosing a Passage 

    When completing a running record, ideally, both the observer/teacher and the learner/student view a copy of a passage. Also, because this is a tool often used for assessment purposes, the passage being read should be new to the student. When ready, the student reads his/her passage out loud; the instructor records any errors on their copy.  It is also important to time the student for one minute to measure reading fluency, and finally, the instructor calculates reading accuracy. If your learner/reader can read a section from a book of choice with an accuracy between 90-95%, then that passage would be a great choice to use for a running record.

    To calculate accuracy, you will need to have them read 50-100 words from the text. Then count their errors as they read. Finally, subtract the number of mistakes they made from the total number of words in the passage. When you have this total, you divide this number by the total number of words. For example, if the passage has a total of 50 words and they made five errors, 45 words are correct (50 – 5 = 45). Then, 45 divided by 50 times 100 (45/50 = 0.9 x 100 = 90) is 90. Therefore, the reading accuracy is 90%. 

    Running record

     

    How Running Records Can Help Guide Instruction

    Running records can give you real-time insight into your learner’s strengths and struggles, which can help point you to what they need to work on. The information gathered from this type of assessment can be used to determine if your current reading instruction methods are effective concerning word identification and fluency; if the time spent on reading instruction in your homeschool day is enough, and finally, if any other areas require further assessment or if more focused intervention is necessary. Therefore once completed, you should be able to create a more well-rounded picture of what you are doing well, what needs more attention and how to proceed during your reading instruction time.


    How To Complete A Running Record

    First, you need to sit down with your learner, and you both need to have a copy of the passage to be read. You can use a typed copy on white paper or get free templates for this purpose, like this one. Second, since a running record is not a standardized assessment, you can mark the information in any way that makes sense. 

     

    Here are examples of some of the common coding that you can use:

    • Incorrect word or mispronunciation – write the word said above the printed word
    • Inserted word – draw an arrow where the word was inserted and write in the word inserted above
    • Omitted word -draw a line through the skipped word
    • Self-corrected word – write the word said above the printed word and write SC over it. Or I place a slash mark after the word and SC beside that. 
    • Repetitions – underline the word or phrase that was repeated however many times it was repeated.

    Finally, some of us like to check off each word that is read correctly. Some of us have an easier time following along and being present when doing this during the assessment. Also, be sure to time the passage and include a mark after 1 minute of reading. You can use a slash mark or a straight line after the last word read at one minute. This will provide the student’s fluency rate when you are completing your final calculations.

     

    How to Calculate and Assess

    When counting errors, it is common practice that mispronunciations, repetitions, and self-corrections are not included in the error count. Repeated errors are calculated as follows; for example, if the child always says “to” every time they come to the word “the” in the passage, this is only counted as a single error. When you have all the mistakes tallied up, you will calculate the reader’s Accuracy (Please see above).

    Once you have an Accuracy percentage, you can calculate the fluency rate. Look at where you marked the passage after the 1-minute timer, then count all the words that were read before this mark. For example, if there were 100 words before this mark, the student reads 100 words per minute. Reading comprehension is also essential to reading skills but is assessed separately. 


    Running Record: Assess

    Deciphering the Final Results 

    Now that you have your reader’s accuracy, you can determine their reading level. As stated during the opening of this piece, a learner must be reading at an independent level when they are reading alone. This is a book at a level they can read with 95% accuracy and above. This is because they need to read fluently (without interruptions) and with minimal word decoding to clearly understand the text and comprehend the message they are reading.

    If there are too many misunderstood words, they may not get the intended meaning when they are reading with you, during the homeschool day or whenever they can read a more challenging text that falls into the Instructional level. This is usually a text they can read with 90-94% accuracy. This is because they now have the added benefit of reading with a partner who can fill in the missing pieces or answer the questions that come up when they do not know all the words they are coming across. If a book or text falls under 90% accuracy for your learner, it is too complicated and should be set aside until they are better prepared to read it. 

    Lastly, once you have determined your child’s reading level, you can better cater your teaching to their needs. You can also look at the marks you made on the running record to determine if there are any patterns to their mistakes. For example, if they are continually having trouble with double consonants or the long o sound. You can use this data to inform your next steps during your teaching day. Hopefully, this has been informative, and you feel better prepared to assess your learner. Happy Reading!

     

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 



     

    Teaching Financial Literacy

    Teaching Financial Literacy, Why is it Important?

    Written by Nakisha Blain

    Teaching financial literacy is crucial to a well-rounded education because money is security. If we skip teaching our kids about money, we set them up for unnecessary hardship later on in life.

    What is Financial Literacy? 

    Financial literacy is understanding how money works and how to manage money. 

    Despite being able to summarize it in a sentence, teaching financial literacy, and learning about financial literacy is complex and often challenging. 

    We start learning about it from a young age by watching our parents and their money-spending habits. 

    Then we learn things in elementary school, like how to count coins and bills and make change. In high school math, we practice calculating interest and principal. 

    But even with all these lessons, the financial education of most people still needs to improve.

    Teaching Financial Literacy: Parental Habits.

    Whether you realize it or not, we start teaching financial literacy when our children are young by them observing how we use our money. 

    It starts with children observing our spending habits. I tell my children when the budget is getting low. And then I explain to them why I have to save the money we have left for bills or emergencies. 

    We can either support their learning of this or damage it. So, for example, when people give my kids money as gifts, I rarely let them go over their budget for things. 

    If they get $20 but want something that is $25, I do not give them the extra $5. So they have to pick something else or save their money for that $25 item.

    By being firm with spending limits, I am teaching them to prioritize and do their best to make their money count. And I am constantly reminding them that they can choose to save their money, although they rarely make that choice. 

    Simply put, as parents, we are most responsible for modeling and reinforcing good money habits. However, we also need to show them how to prioritize and be happy living within their means.

    Teaching Financial Literacy: Academics 

    Financial literacy is also full of academic skills. 

    In younger learners, that looks like learning to recognize coins and count them based on their value. In older kids, that may look like understanding and calculating interest. Both of these skills are covered in most math curricula. 

    However, there are other essential skills that are necessary for financial literacy that often aren’t covered in general math classes. 

    One example of that is saving for retirement. Did you know that depositing small amounts over a long period is more profitable than depositing large quantities over a short time? 

    Another example is amortization calendars. Many states require new homeowners to receive an amortization calendar from their mortgage company. It is a spreadsheet showing exactly how much interest and principal you will pay on each payment until the debt is repaid. 

    When you are choosing a curriculum for your financial literacy studies, it is essential to make sure they include critical, and also practical skills like balancing a checkbook, tracking spending budgeting, and saving for retirement. 

    Teaching Financial Literacy: Entrepreneurship.

    Another essential piece of the financial literacy puzzle is understanding entrepreneurship. Building a business requires very different skills than managing a family’s finances. Including important lessons about entrepreneurship is important. 

    Check out the Entrepreneurship Special Interest Unit. 

    Entrepreneurship, Academic Skills.

    Entrepreneurs must be able to raise capital, valuation, set prices, and evaluate return on investment. 

    While these seem like complex skills, even young children are capable of building successful businesses with help from their trusted adults. 

    Entrepreneurship, Character Traits 

    Entrepreneurship also teaches a lot of great character traits, too. 

    Patience

    All young business owners must be patient while building their businesses. But, unfortunately, it takes a while for word to get out, even for the best products or the tastiest food. 

    Diligence 

    To build a successful business, one must work on it every day, even when you are tired or distracted. And in doing this, we can learn diligence and the satisfaction of doing something hard. 

    Social Skills 

    First, selling a product or providing a service means getting out there and interacting with people. So you have to learn how to get their attention and open up to you about what they want. 

    Second, working in a business is rarely done solo, so our young leaders will get first-hand experience working with people, organizing projects, and keeping people focused. 

    Third, it will allow our kids to practice celebrating hard work and experiencing failure. Both are experienced together when you are part of a business. 

    Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills 

    The most important part of teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship to kids is the benefits of their problem-solving skills. 

    By giving kids real problems to work on, you motivate them to try harder and work longer to solve their challenges. 

    Kids and Entrepreneurship 

    And while not all children will grow up to be entrepreneurs, their lessons can be life-changing even for a 9-5 employee. Things like hard work and problem-solving can have benefits that spill over into all parts of our lives. 

    Why Use a Curriculum? 

    A financial literacy curriculum will ensure you don’t miss essential skills like budgeting, balancing a checkbook, or reading an amortization calendar. 

    You will feel confident that you are working hard to ensure no gaps in their education and that you are doing your best to provide them with an excellent education and set them up for success.

    And Schoolio has you covered for affordable financial literacy unit studies for grades 3, 4, 5, and 8. 

    Conclusion 

    Teaching our kids about financial literacy is a long process that takes years and years instead of days or weeks. 

    It’s very important that we be good role models and stewards of our money, because our children will learn more from watching us than they can from academic exercises. 

    However, academic exercises are also essential to ensure they get a rigorous and diverse education, whether they are just managing their family’s finances or a business. 

    We’d love to hear from you; what topics do you want to see in our next financial literacy course?

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

     

    Does Your Student Hate Writing?

    Does Your Student Hate Writing?: 

    Tips and Tricks to Make It Easier

    By: Chelsea McLeod

    Hate writing?

    Has your writing time become the bane of your existence, the most challenging part of your homeschooling routine? Is your kid miserable when It comes time to practice writing? Are they pushing back, getting easily frustrated, complaining, avoiding and completely shutting down and refusing to do it? 

    At Schoolio, we get it; writing can be tricky even for adults. Many of us don’t practice it regularly.  Unless the writing is work-related, it’s not something we would sit down and do in our spare time. So while we all understand that it is an essential skill that we all need to learn and practice often, it is also crucial to keep it fun, light and engaging if we want our kids to practice it without a fight. 

    Writing Doesn’t Have to Be Boring! Keep it Kid-Friendly.

    Just like with anything else, kids need us to change things up. Do you like it when things are always the same at work? While routine is essential, and our days should be structured similarly in the homeschool environment, adding different activities and trying new things is essential. So here are some kid-friendly ideas to keep your student guessing and having fun while doing something they don’t particularly like: Writing. With any luck, doing some of these activities might make them forget about their dislike for a while!

    Kid Friendly Writing

    Have You Tried to Have Them…

    1. Write what they want to write about

      • Practice makes perfect, right? So what better way to influence your student to want to practice than writing about whatever they want? What we are trying to encourage here is to get them writing. It doesn’t matter what it’s about or why they want to write it, just that they are writing and therefore practicing a critical skill. They can write a letter to a friend, a diary or a journal entry, a story, a description of a game they created, etc. You get the idea; the sky’s the limit, and they will want to practice more because they aren’t being told what to do and how to do it.  

    2. Write a step-by-step instructions piece, and you do what they write about… This is hilarious and very informative on missing steps rather than you harping on it.

    • Speaking of being told what to do, your student could write a step-by-step instructional guide on a topic of their choice or one you give them but keep it fun. For example, “How To….” Make a Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich, as seen in this video. The kids have written the instructions, and the Dad follows them to the letter.  (TW, you will have to gauge your learners here, this may not be an excellent option for students who are easily frustrated or discouraged because it will be wrong several times before it is done correctly.)
    • The key here is first to have your students write uninterrupted with no interference from you. Then you try to follow their instructions exactly as they wrote them. This is not only fun but also an “experiential learning opportunity” for them. Watching you complete their step-by-step, they can see in a funny way where they missed an instruction (or 3). In this way, they will learn that they need to be more detailed in their writing and have fun watching you perform a silly task. They might not even remember their writing because they will have a great time!

    3. Write an alternative ending to their favourite book.

    • Again, writing doesn’t have to be boring.  It doesn’t have to be a miserable part of anyone’s day, which can be highlighted by using their favourite stories as inspiration.  Reading is a fun way to use imagination, support, and develop writing skills.
      Listening to books activates the same part of the brain as reading them. Therefore if they don’t have a favourite that they have read yet, they can choose something you have read to them. Often our kids and we have books we wish ended a certain way or want them to continue because we love the characters and story so much. So why not use that to your advantage during your homeschooling day? 

    Creative writing

    • Having them choose a story they already enjoy and continue it the way their imagination leads them is an excellent way to promote longer writing. In this case, students will often write many more lines or pages than before because they aren’t worried about what you may think or what is correct. They are just following their imagination and writing for themselves. Maybe they will be so engrossed in this task that they will end it in such a way that they can write their very own sequel too!

    Having fun is the easiest way to engage your student.

    Sometimes planning and preparing for the homeschooling day can get overwhelming. You want to make sure you cover all required, touching on necessary topics and subjects, all while you fill the day with skill practice to ensure your student isn’t falling behind their peers. And while it is crucial your child learns the necessary skills and required curriculum to help them out in the world when they grow up, it is also important to remember that kids also learn while they play.

    They often learn best by doing or playing through scenarios they live in, which is also something they could write about! Having fun is often the easiest and best way to engage their brains, and Writing is no different. We hope that this list has been informative and will help you move forward in planning your homeschooling time. School can be fun, and it doesn’t take complicated projects with many supplies to achieve—just some good, old-fashioned paper and a pencil, coupled with creativity and an open mind.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Affordable Homeschooling Curriculum and Price Increases

    Inflation is a word that makes many of us cringe as we watch the price of groceries, clothes, fuel, and everyday essentials rise. Finding ways to afford essential items has become a challenge for many people worldwide. Many people are concerned about their homeschooling curriculum needs as they continue to watch the cost of everything rise. How can they find an affordable homeschooling curriculum with these price increases?

    Inflation is having a significant impact on everything.

    According to the US inflation Calculator, “the annual inflation rate for the United States is 8.6% for the 12 months ended May 2022, the largest annual increase since December 1981.” Following suit, according to Statistics Canada, Canadian consumer prices rose 6.8% in April.

    The price of groceries continues to increase and overwhelm many people as Canadians paid 9.7% more in April 2022 for food purchased when compared to April 2021. Worse, this increase exceeded 5% for the fifth month in a row, and much like the United States was the most significant increase since September 1981.

    Groceries aren’t the only thing impacted by inflation. There are also substantial increases in gas prices, rent prices, general product prices, car prices and even school supplies.

    Does inflation impact homeschooling?

    The bitter answer is yes. Many homeschooling families are already single-income families struggling to find an affordable homeschooling curriculum. While some states/provinces offer financial support for homeschooling families, many states and provinces throughout North America do not provide any financial help for homeschooling families.

    Unfortunately, many homeschooling families have been struggling to put food on the table, fuel in the car, a roof over their heads and an affordable homeschooling curriculum in front of their children.

    So it’s with incredible frustration that many homeschooling families find that even the cost of a quality homeschool curriculum has increased.

    How is a digital homeschooling curriculum affected by inflation and price increases?

    You may have noticed that some of your favourite homeschooling curriculum companies have increased the prices of their products. While we cannot speak for all companies, we’d like to address the 15% increase you may have seen in our own Schoolio Curriculum network.

    Since our beginnings in 2020, we at Schoolio Learning have been committed to offering you a secular, inclusive, open-and-go, affordable homeschooling curriculum. So, why have we increased our prices?

    Why is there a price increase on our homeschooling curriculum?

    There are two reasons you will see a 15% increase in our homeschooling curriculum.

    Inflation affects our employees too.

    Our team is growing to provide you and your child with the most up-to-date homeschooling curriculum to keep your homeschool running smoothly. As such, we need to take care of our team members. Inflation affects everyone; therefore, we must accommodate our team members and customers.

    This slight price increase helps our team members to still provide for their families while writing and working on the best materials to keep your family learning at an affordable price.

    We’ve enhanced our homeschooling curriculum to serve you better.

    This is the most exciting news that we wanted to share with you. We have enhanced all of our curricula from Kindergarten to Grade 8!

    What does that mean?

    If you were a previous customer of Schoolio Learning, you would remember that we recommended you purchase the Canadian Curriculum workbooks or other practice workbooks to help your child get the essential practice work they needed? Extra workbooks are no longer required with our enhanced curriculum. It now includes all the necessary practice content to help your child learn and understand the concepts better.

    To sum it up, why has Schoolio Learning Curriculum increased by 15%?

    • Inflation costs for our team members mean we must aim to meet their needs.
    • We have enhanced the curriculum, so you no longer need to search and spend money on additional practice workbooks.

    Is Schoolio still an affordable homeschooling curriculum option? Let’s compare.

    Before you jump to the conclusion of assuming you should find a cheaper homeschooling curriculum company because the 15% increase makes you cringe. Let’s look at another popular homeschooling curriculum company and its pricing compared to ours.

    Schoolio Grade 3 Complete Bundle:

    Our grade 3 bundle includes all the core subjects, Math, Social Studies, Science and Language Arts. With over 1,200 pages, lessons, teaching plans/discussions/ as well as countless activities.

    The cost for the Schoolio full-year curriculum bundle: is $399.84 (digital) or $563 (books, printed and shipped).

    Alternative homeschooling company Grade 3 Bundle:

    A popular homeschooling curriculum company provides a complete kit much like our complete bundle for grade 3. A full kit includes the four core subjects, Math, Social Studies, Science and Language Arts, teaching instructions and lessons.

    The cost for this homeschooling curriculum full-year: is $1,090.45.

    As you can see, that’s a pretty huge price increase for comparable homeschool learning content.

    Please don’t take our word for it; check it out yourself.

    We want you to excel at homeschooling, which means finding the best option for your family and budget is essential. So, please research and compare our prices with other popular homeschooling curriculum companies.

    We stand behind our price and will continue to provide an affordable homeschooling curriculum for all your learning needs.

    Don’t forget our promotions.

    Price increases and inflation can cause a lot of stress for families. We don’t want you to feel that you must stop homeschooling because you have to choose between a homeschool curriculum and groceries. So, please know that we periodically offer excellent promotions to help make our curriculum even more affordable for your homeschool. If you don’t see a promotion being advertised on the website, reach out to our customer service team members, and they will be happy to provide you with all the knowledge on current or upcoming promotions.

    If you aren’t sure if we would be the best fit for your homeschool, check out our free sample packages to view just how authentic, simple and wholesome our curriculum is. We look forward to providing you with the best and most affordable homeschooling curriculum for all your homeschooling needs.

    Check out our free sample packages today to find the perfect curriculum for your child’s grade and learning needs.

    See for yourself:  


    Click here for samples

    Signs That Your Child Needs a Tutor.

    Is your child struggling with their grades? Are they having constant meltdowns whenever they do homework? Does school cause them to feel immense amounts of stress? These may be clear signs that your child needs a tutor. Children everywhere benefit greatly from tutoring; some of these benefits are that tutoring can help boost their academic performance, and they have the opportunity to develop learning and study habits. So, how can you tell if your child needs a tutor?

    Signs that your child needs a tutor.

    Declining grades.

    Have you noticed that your child’s grades are steadily declining? Whether that is in a particular subject, two, or all subjects. This is a clear indicator that your child needs help.

    No progression in school.

    Is your child struggling to keep up with what they’re learning in class? Has your teacher noted that your child is falling behind their level? If you’re homeschooling, have you noticed that your child can’t understand the concepts taught?

    Taking too much time to complete assignments.

    Does your child spend hours trying to complete a homework assignment? Even if it’s a simple assignment, that should take less time. This is another one of the signs that your child needs a tutor.

    Constantly having tantrums and meltdowns when doing homework.

    When it’s time to do homework, does your child have meltdowns? Are nightly homework assignments ending with your child hugely frustrated or in tears?

    Lying about tests and homework assignments.

    Does your child tell you they have no homework or upcoming tests to study for? As a result, they don’t study or complete homework assignments, which causes poor grades and concern from you and their teacher.

    Having a poor attitude towards school.

    Does your child dread going to school? Do they constantly say phrases like “I hate school”? Does your child not like a subject that they used to enjoy?

    They are struggling to manage their time.

    Are there not enough hours in the day for your child to finish their work and assignments? Are they having difficulty completing what they need to when needed?

    Low self-esteem.

    Does your child lack confidence when it comes to a particular subject? Or school in general? Have they stopped applying themselves to their schoolwork? Whether in class or at home?

    Anxiety and meltdowns when going to school.

    Are you finding that your child is getting very stressed, upset or anxious before school in the morning? Is your child complaining of headaches, stomach pains, or other symptoms that only occur before school?

    Demonstrating signs of learning difficulty.

    Is your child having difficulty writing, reading, math, or another area of study? Despite your efforts, are they still showing little to no improvement? Is your child having difficulty behaving or paying attention in the classroom or during learning?

    Struggling with organization.

    Do you know your child is intelligent and understands assignments but cannot prepare for what needs to be done? This could be another one of the signs that your child needs a tutor.

    Doing an excellent job with homework but failing tests.

    Getting high marks on papers, assignments or in-class participation but failing a test can cause significant frustration for your child. Test preparation is a skill; not every student can focus on what needs to be done before a test.

    How tutoring can help.

    A tutor can provide additional support that a teacher or parent may not be able to give them. Tutors can help slow things down by teaching your child how to adequately schedule their time, prioritize which assignments must be completed first and customize learning to meet your child’s needs. A good tutor will take the time to teach your child the skills they need. Tutors also have the unique ability to focus on one or two skills that can significantly impact the child’s education.

    Not every child needs a tutor to succeed in school, but for some students, a tutor can make all the difference and help to change the outcome of your child’s education. Tutoring doesn’t need to be a permanent solution, as just a few sessions with a tutor can positively impact your child and provide them with the necessary tools.

    Learn more about the Schoolio Digital Platform and how it can help your child get back on track. 

    The Schoolio Digital Platform is the perfect addition to help children get back on track. Whether the child is working with a tutor, a parent, a teacher or independently, the Schoolio Digital Platform can help. With 4,000+ video lessons, worksheets and activities. Your child will thrive with this program. 

    Click Here to learn more about the Schoolio Digital Platform. 

     

    Aren’t sure where to begin? Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Remarkable Women Who Changed History That You Should Teach Your Kids About

    March 8th is marked annually as International Women’s Day (IWD). A day to celebrate women’s achievements while raising awareness about women’s equality. International Women’s Day has been celebrated globally for over a century. With it was first recognized in 1911. Educating our children about International Women’s Day is essential. We wanted to share with you some remarkable women who changed history.

    Remarkable women who changed history that you should teach your kids about.

    Throughout history, we have seen some extremely vibrant, unique, powerful, and intelligent women who inspire your heart. These remarkable women range from scientists, leaders, inventors, Queens, activists, and politicians. All of these had the same common goal, to make the world a better place. This is why they’re included among the remarkable women who changed history.

    Maya Angelou 1928 – 2014

    First, Maya Angelou

    She is known as one of the most influential women in American history. Maya Angelou was a poet, memoirist, singer, and civil rights activist. Maya had a difficult childhood as a black woman growing up in Stamps, Arkansas. She experienced discrimination and racial prejudices throughout her entire life. Her trauma was so deep that she was a virtual mute for many years in her childhood. However, she found her voice and used it for freedom; she worked as a civil rights activist for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Additionally, Maya was an educator and Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

    Maya was the author of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” an award-winning memoir. She is an inspiration and an example of how you can still rise above and use your voice for good, even throughout the darkest circumstances.

    Learn more about Maya Angelou.

    Anne Frank 1929 – 1945

    Second, Anne Frank

    Anne Frank wrote one of the most powerful, honest and saddening accounts of World War II. During the German occupation of The Netherlands, Anne Frank wrote in her diary about her family being in hiding for two years. As a result, her diary became classic war literature. When Anne turned 13, she received a red-and-white plaid journal in which she wrote her deepest thoughts. Her diary has been translated into more than 65 languages. And is also the most widely read diary of the holocaust.

    When Anne was writing her deepest thoughts, she had no idea that they would one day become the most-read diary of all time. While her life was cut short, she still significantly impacted history. She truly is someone worth learning about.

    Learn more about Anne Frank.

    Rosa Parks
    Rosa Parks 1913-2005

    Third, Rosa Parks

    In Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks chose to sit in the front of the bus when she boarded it. Knowing that the back of the bus was for African Americans, she decided to protest by sitting in front. Soon the bus began to fill up with white passengers, and the bus driver told Rosa Parks to move to the back. She refused. By doing so, her resistance caused one of the most significant social movements in history, the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

    Rosa Parks is an incredibly inspiring woman that has left a strong legacy of resistance against racial discrimination and injustice.

    Learn more about Rosa Parks. 

    394033 03: (FILE PHOTO) Amelia Earhart stands June 14, 1928

    Fourth, Amelia Earhart

    The amazing Amelia Earhart was born in 1897 and passed away in 1937. Amelia was adventurous and independent as a child. Following the First World War, she entered a program at Columbia University in New York City in 1920. Then in 1921, she purchased her first plane, a Dinner Airster, before she even had a pilot’s license. In the mid-1920, Amelia moved to Massachusetts, where she worked as a social worker at the Denison House. The Denison House was a settlement home for immigrants; while working there, she continued to work on her passion, aviation.

    In April of 1928, promotors selected Amelia as the first woman to fly across The Atlantic Ocean. Besides being a fantastic pilot, she was also known for encouraging women to reject social norms. Instead, pursue the opportunities they’d like, especially in aviation.

    Learn more about Amelia Earhart.

    Remarkable Women Who Changed History That You Should Teach Your Kids About
    Marie Curie 1867 – 1934

    Fifth, Marie Curie

    When Marie was a child, she was well-known for her incredible memory. She was the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne, and in 1910 her fundamental treatise on radioactivity was published. Following that, Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the isolation of pure radium. Furthermore, she with her daughter Irene devoted themselves to developing and using X-radiography during the First World War.

    She is an extreme example that you should never stop learning and always stay curious, being the first woman to have been enshrined in the Pantheon in Paris because of her achievements.

    Learn more about Marie Curie.

    J.K. Rowling 1965-present

    Sixth, J.K. Rowling

    She went from being a single mother living on benefits to an author making millions, all within just a few short years. J.K. Rowling received multiple rejections from publishers and finally secured a print run of 1,000 copies for her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. She has sold over 400 million copies and started an entire film empire. Her story is a clear example of why you should never give up on your dreams.

    Learn more about J.K. Rowling.

    Malala Yousafzai 1997-present

    Seventh, Malala Yousafzai

    When she was only 15 years old, Malala survived an assassination attempt. When Malala was 11 years old, she gave a speech: “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?” Which was published throughout Pakistan. Following this, all girls’ schools in Swat were to be shut down. In 2012 Malala was shot by a TTP gunman on the way home from school. When she recovered, she returned to her studies and activism.

    Her bravery is admirable, and her determination to advocate for girls’ education is breathtaking.

    Learn more about Malala.

    What can we learn from these women?

    While we only listed seven remarkable women who changed history, it’s important to note that there are thousands of others you can learn about—names like Edith Cowan, Viola Desmond, Queen Elizabeth I, Princess Diana, and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few.

    Each woman has a unique story that inspires us and future generations to be the best they can be. Learning about them and sharing their stories is a way to honour them and keep their incredible legacies alive. Happy International Women’s Day!

    Add a fun history unit to your learning journey! 

    Benefits of Tutoring

    Many parents understand the frustrations of watching their child struggle in school. You are just unsure how to help them, so you take a closer look at tutoring. Only then you’re faced with questions like, “How do I choose a wholesome tutoring program that will work well for my child?” “How will tutoring help?” “And what are the benefits of tutoring?”

    How does tutoring help a student?

    Parents choose to get tutoring for their children for a variety of reasons. Some of them are that their child is struggling in school, they aren’t challenged enough, or they need a little extra help to master a particular concept. A personalized learning experience with the gift of one-on-one attention can give your child the support they need. This help translates into better study skills, a massive increase in their knowledge and a love for core subjects. While also igniting a passion for learning.

    When deciding which tutor your child needs, it’s important to consider critical factors about your child, like their age, grade, and any diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disabilities. These all can impact what type of tutor your child needs. This is why it’s essential to get familiar with the tutoring company you are looking to use and meet with the tutor beforehand to discuss.

    Which children need tutoring? And what kind of program should you use?

    Tutoring isn’t just for children that are struggling in school. Most children can benefit from one-on-one tutoring. While it’s true that children struggling with a learning disability or struggling with a particular subject will benefit the most from tutoring, children who are doing well in school can also greatly benefit from the fantastic boost that tutoring will provide them with.

    When looking for a suitable tutoring program for your child, you should look for one that focuses on your student’s needs. A program with customizable learning solutions and one-on-one sessions is essential. If your child is struggling in school, then it’s necessary to find a program that has a supportive environment. This way, they can have the freedom and flexibility to work through those complicated concepts in a specialized course that works for them. Avoid large classes with little to no one-on-one help because a program like that will only cause your child to struggle more and feel behind.

    Programs like Schoolio After-School check all the right boxes (more information below).

    Benefits of tutoring:

    First, one-on-one attention.

    A good tutor will get to know your child while learning about their learning style and needs. The tutor will then adapt their teaching strategy to match the child’s learning style. They are acting as your child’s private teacher.

    Second, improved academic performance.

    Your tutor has the skills to prepare your child for necessary tests and exams. While also working with your child’s problem areas. You will see an improvement in your child’s grades and understanding of the program subjects when working with their tutor.

    Third, unique and individualized learning.

    Through tutoring, your child will have the opportunity to receive an individualized learning experience. This unique experience isn’t always offered in a traditional classroom. Your child’s tutor will work to customize lessons and activities to meet your child’s needs.

    Fourth, it significantly improves your child’s attitude toward learning and school.

    Learning will become fun for your child when your child has access to one-on-one tutoring through a unique tutoring program like Schoolio After-School. The tutor will encourage and praise your child, which will help your child not feel frustrated and overwhelmed by school.

    Fifth, it can encourage self-directed learning.

    Your child will benefit from learning at their own pace. When working with a tutor, your child will learn how to take the initiative with their school. While also learning how to control their own learning pace.

    Sixth, improved study and work habits.

    Your child will learn critical study and work habits. These crucial habits will prove to be useful throughout their life. These skills will help prepare them to succeed when working to achieve their goals. These results will be seen both inside and outside of school.

    Seventh, a positive impact on self-esteem and confidence.

    When a tutor provides your child with the resources and skills they need to excel in school, you will boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence.

    Eighth, responsibility and independence are encouraged.

    One benefit of tutoring is the ability to do schoolwork independently. With a tutor’s help, your child will soon do school work independently while noticing their personal growth.

    Ninth, creating a positive workspace for ideal learning.

    An environment free of distractions, with fewer or no other students, will help create that positive workspace that your child needs. One without the disruptions the classrooms are usually full of. This will help your child to focus better on their learning.

    Tenth gives your child the encouragement they need while helping them feel confident enough to ask questions.

    Sometimes children may feel uncomfortable when asking questions in front of their peers. A tutor will work on helping your child feel comfortable about asking questions and doing so without feeling self-conscious.

    Eleventh, it teaches them how to overcome learning obstacles.

    Your child’s tutor will take note of the areas your child is struggling with the most, whether math, writing, or reading. Then your child’s tutor will target the learning area they are having the most trouble with.

    Twelfth, it helps them improve their behavioural and social skills.

    A good tutoring program will help your child develop better communication skills. While also allowing them to form better relationships with their peers. And help them to make more behavioural and social adjustments.

    Thirteenth, it helps your child manage their learning.

    Tutoring helps your child become more capable in their learning. While also allowing them to be more successful when managing their schoolwork.

    Fourteenth, it helps children who are bored in school.

    Some children may appear to struggle in school when they are bored and under-stimulated. One of the benefits of tutoring is that it will help your child reach their full potential.

    Fifteenth, it can better prepare your child for what’s ahead.

    One of the other benefits of tutoring is that it will help them prepare for what’s ahead by creating crucial study skills and learning superior time management skills for more advanced grade-level plans.

    Try the Schoolio Digital Platform for free! 

    The Schoolio Digital Platform has 4000+ videos and interactive lessons to help your child excel in their learning. Whether you are a parent, teacher or tutor, this program is the perfect fit. 

    Sign up for your free 14-day trial today! 

     

    Lessons We Can Learn From Past Learning Interruptions.

    The COVID-19 pandemic saw education systems worldwide close, and billions of children go without consistent learning for months. Society wished the pandemic would only last a few weeks and things would return to normal. During those first few weeks of the pandemic, no one realized how long it would last and how deep the learning loss would run as billions of children were displaced from their education. Now we are asking ourselves how to help our children catch up. Are there lessons we can learn from past learning interruptions? 

    This generation of students is at risk.

    According to a report published by the World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF: “This generation of students now risks losing $17 trillion in lifetime earnings in present value. Or about 14 percent of today’s global GDP (Gross Domestic Product), due to COVID-19 pandemic-related school closures.” More information is here.

    “The loss of learning that many children are experiencing is morally unacceptable.” Said Jaime Saavedra, World Bank Global Director for Education. Parents across the world echo his sediment. Parents are concerned for their children’s educational well-being and their futures. Jamie Saavedra continued by saying: “… the potential increase of Learning Poverty might have a devastating impact on future productivity, earnings, and well-being for this generation of children and youth, their families, and the world’s economies.”

    “The loss of learning that many children are experiencing is morally unacceptable.”

    Jaime Saavvedra – World Bank Global Director for Education

    Education disruptions aren’t unique to this generation. Are there lessons we can learn from past learning interruptions?

    You don’t have to look too far back to find pinnacle moments in our history where learning was interrupted. World Wars and pandemics are just some causes of historical learning interruptions. So, what did parents, students and educators do during these educational interruptions? And are there lessons we can learn from these past learning interruptions to help our children in the future?

    Education and the First World War, 1914 – 1918

    The history of schools during the First World War has been heavily neglected. Until recently, several detailed written studies (monographs) were published during the last decade. These monographs have started to fill the knowledge gap about education during the First World War.

    The studies focused on how schools functioned during the war. Especially in the major countries that were affected by the war. Education was disrupted during the First World War. But just how much? Schools were disrupted in many ways in the combatant nations (in Europe). The armies often reassigned the schools as hospitals, barracks, or military offices.
    Additionally, many young teachers were entering the military, which caused a significant teacher shortage in countries with prominently male teachers. For countries in Central Europe, there were significant shortages of food and coal. Which then played an essential role in school closures.

    Some European schools attempted to stay open, despite all the setbacks. However, the lack of teachers proved to be a significant issue. School administrators were desperate to find replacements for these teachers. So, they turned to retired teachers or teachers still in training. Schools tried to mix classes, but the crowded rooms caused disease and other issues with the children. Many schools tried half and sometimes even one-third-day sessions with little success.

    In Canada and the United States:

    Italy, France, Great Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States faired much better than countries in Central Europe during the First World War. One reason was 60-80 percent of teachers were female. The children and teachers in these states also didn’t suffer from severe malnutrition like those of Central Europe. However, many children could not attend school because they had to start working from a young age to support their families as their fathers were away. Comparatively, some children had to watch their younger siblings while their mothers went to find work, so the children would inevitably miss school.

    The First World War played a significant role in interrupting the lives of children worldwide. These children faced school closures, educational uncertainties, absent parents, deaths of loved ones, poverty, and malnutrition. Children at this time struggled to understand why? So, the emotional strain also contributed to the loss of learning during The First World War.

    The Spanish Flu Pandemic 1918 – 1920

    As if children didn’t struggle enough from the terror of The First World War. They now faced a global pandemic. Following the end of The First World War in 1918, countries worldwide were thrown into a worldwide pandemic by soldiers returning from Europe with the virus. The Spanish flu resulted in school and business closures across the globe. In Ontario, Canada, the pandemic primarily affected students from prior years to university. In the fall of 1918, the Ontario School Board forced school closures across Ontario. These closures lasted from one week to over three months.

    The prolonged school closures caused significant educational delays for students. In New York, schools claimed that “the school work of half the year will amount to little or nothing.”

    The Great Depression

    During the 1900’s many generations struggled with proper education. In 1932 The Great Depression played a significant role in halting education for many children. Budget cutbacks, fewer school hours, increased class sizes, teachers being paid less, and school closures all adversely affected children’s education. Teachers struggled to teach the children that would come to school because they were undernourished as their families were unemployed and unable to provide food.

    Education during the 1930s became a luxury, one that many children were not able to obtain.

    The Second World War 1939 – 1945

    Children’s education suffered intensely again during the Second World War. In Britain, bombing and military requisitions caused 1 and 5 schools to close. Families were separated, homes were destroyed, parents passed away, and emotional trauma was high. Many children were evacuated, leaving their homes, families, and schools.

    Elementary schools, high schools, and universities were affected in Canada and the United States. There wasn’t enough manpower to keep the economy running. Due to this, teachers and professors had to work or enlist. Causing there to be a mass shortage in teachers, professors, lessons and curriculum. The war wasn’t just academically disruptive; it was also socially disruptive. This is similar to the disruption in education and children’s social lives today.  

    Looking back…

    The 1900s were riddled with traumatic events that halted education many times. Despite the educational ups and downs and significant uncertainties, we can now look back and see that many of those generations’ children laid the groundwork for our lives today. 

    While there were many negative impacts on education and children’s lives during these trying times in history, it’s important to note that many positive opportunities also arose from these intense times.

    Some positive results in education: 
    • Women were offered many more opportunities in education and the workforce. 
    • Traditional teaching methods were rapidly changed. 
    • Physical education and health became a priority in education. 
    • Education became much more accessible, regardless of what class you might come from. 
    • History and Social Studies were revamped entirely. 
    • Systems were set up to help to return soldiers catch up on their education. 

    Looking forward to the lessons we’ve learned. 

    Education isn’t something that can only be obtained in a classroom. And that is one of the best lessons we can learn from history. Many of the children from these generations still excelled, despite the closures and chaos. How? Because education is all around us, it’s everywhere. And the sooner that we see that, the better.  

    Children still managed to learn during those times, just like they continue to learn during these times. Yes, children will have a much more difficult time catching up without proper intervention and recovery. So, we must remind ourselves that we have the tools readily available to help our children now. 

    And while it’s nice to think, ‘my child will be fine, many kids back then were!‘ it’s essential to remember that not all lessons from the past are positive ones. Looking back at the 1918 pandemic, history tells us that many children from that time lived a much more difficult life. Because, following that pandemic, there was no solid plan to help children recover from the learning losses they had experienced. 

    Taking action. 

    You must be your child’s advocate because no one else will be. You know your child, and you are aware of the areas in which they struggle. At the same time, we can’t talk to the successful people of the past generations and find out how they overcame these learning losses. We can assume that someone created an action plan for those children to help them get back on track. 

    Don’t feel intimated; you have been creating action plans for your child since they were born, whether you realize it or not.  As your child’s parent, you have been there to help them learn and grow. This is no different. Even if your child appears to be doing just fine, they have likely missed areas of their education. This is why you must take action to help them catch up. 

    While we would love for the education system to develop some action plan to help students, we know the sad reality is that many schools are simply pushing students onto the next grade even though these children need help. 

    You must take action, be your child’s advocate and help them. 

    Student Action Plan: 

    1. Defining areas of struggle.

    First, you need to identify the areas of your child’s education they are struggling with. These are the areas that you need to help them with immediately. Make a list of the academic sites they need the most help with, bearing in mind that it might not be ‘all of the math’; it could be a concept from math that they need help with. 

    2. Brush up on all areas of learning. 

    Even if you’ve noted that the problem area is reading and writing, they seem to be doing well with math. You should still be helping them with their math skills. Because even if they appear to be doing well with one subject area, there might be (and likely are) key concepts they have missed. This will then appear as a problem later on down the road. 

    3. Keep frustrations low. 

    If you are addressing an area of struggle, please remember to be patient. Your child may become frustrated with themselves and overwhelmed. You must keep the child calm during these learning times, so they can better process what they need to learn. 

    4. Communicate with their teacher/school. 

    Talk to their teacher! Voice your concerns, and ask for directions on how to catch them up. If the teacher cannot help, go to the principal for help. This is your child and their future. It’s okay to ‘be annoying’ when advocating for them. 

    5. Be consistent. 

    It’s so easy to hand your child the iPad and hope they can figure it out. Or somehow miraculously catch up on their own. But the reality is, they likely won’t. You, as the parent, must be consistent. Read with your child, and go over different concepts with them. If you cannot do this, outsource to a tutoring program. That can help your child catch up and excel. 

    Parent Action Plan: 

    1. Be their advocate.

    You are your child’s advocate, so be that for them. I know how intimidating it can be to stand up and voice your concerns. But if you don’t do it for them, who will? 

    2. Talk to your child about their concerns. 

    Your child needs someone to listen to them, to hear their concerns and frustrations. Be sure to communicate with them openly. Let them talk! Don’t judge. 

    3. Address your issues. 

    Yes, you read that right. If you feel like this is “all your fault.” That’s a problem, and you have to address it. The pandemic was not, and is not, your fault. Your child’s learning loss is not your fault. We can’t control most circumstances like we can’t fix the past. But we can put in the work to make the future bright. You have that ability, so don’t stop working on yourself. 

    4. Ask for help! 

    If trying to tutor your child is just not working, or you don’t know how to help them. Ask for help! Reach out! Do some research, and talk to experts. You aren’t alone! While it’s essential to be your child’s advocate, it’s also important to realize that so many people care about this generation’s future. Find people with the same mindset and who can help where needed. 

    5. Take care of yourself. 

    You’ll notice that above I wrote that it’s easier to hand your child an iPad. Because, as parents, we are tired and burnt out. Taking care of everything all the time is exhausting and overwhelming. So, you must take time to work on and help yourself. Programs like The Burnout Blueprint by Daddy’s Digest can be beneficial. Take time to work on yourself and do things that you love. 

    We must move forward. 

    It can be easy to slip into a place of negativity and feelings of ‘they’ll never catch up.’ Don’t do that. You must remain optimistic as you look to the future. I’m sure that if you could go back and pick key successful people from each of the generations that faced intense trauma and learning losses. You would find that successful people chose to look forward, not back. They decided to learn the lessons that they could when they could. And didn’t worry so much about the things they had missed. 

    Pairing a positive mindset with a carefully cultivated action plan will impact your child’s future best. So, let’s move forward together! 

    Check out the Schoolio Digital Platform. 

    We hope you and your student will enjoy The Schoolio Digital Platform with over 4,000+ videos, interactives, and pre-made or custom lessons to suit your student’s learning style. If you are confused about how to get started, we are happy to help.

    Resources:

    Schoolio Now Offers After School Tutoring.

    We remain committed to bringing the best education resources to all families. While our main focus has been on homeschooling curriculum. It has become evidently clear that families involved in all sectors of education need help right now! Schoolio now offers after school tutoring, as a response to the many cries for help from families across Canada. Our tutoring program can help get your child’s education back on track.

    Benefits of Schoolio After-School include:

    • Tutors who follow Canadian Curriculum Standards.
    • A Schoolio Subject Bundle of your choice included.
    • Qualified teacher, as your tutor.
    • Tutoring lessons that mirror what your child is learning in class.
    • Our tutors are trained to catch your child up on previously lessons that they may have missed.
    • We work to help your child understand concepts that they may be struggling with.
    • Our digital platform gives your child access to quizzes, certificates, and special points for engaging. These points can then be used on The Schoolio Marketplace.
    • Access to your child’s progress through the Parent Portal.
    • Students can reference Schoolio Subject Book every day. Even when their tutoring has been completed, as the book is theirs to keep.

    Schoolio After-School tutors are:

    • OCT certified.
    • Experienced teachers.
    • Have a clean CPIC and Vulnerable Sector Check.
    • Are accountable. 

    Schoolio After-School Pricing:

    • $49/hour with a minimum of three hours per week for four weeks.
    • Includes Schoolio Curriculum Subject Bundle of your choice.
    • Additional curriculum bundles available for a discounted price.
    • Custom pricing available for multiple months.

     

     Register for Schoolio After-School Below

    Schoolio After-School is more than just tutoring:

    One hour, three times a week, for four weeks. During that time we can cover anything being taught in school. All Schoolio After-School tutoring packages include a free printed and shipped subject bundle, for your child to use. The subject bundle will be printed and shipped right to your door. You as the parent, can select what subject your child needs help with. Along with what times work best for your student to learn with the tutor.

    Tutors will be available Monday-Friday from 4:00pm – 8:00pm EST. As well as on Saturday afternoons. Classes are interactive, on Zoom. Tutors can walk the child through the curriculum or help them with homework. While also helping your child catch up, using The Schoolio Subject Bundle. Sessions can be recorded, if requested by the parent. This way parents have the opportunity to view how their child is doing. Along with how they are interacting with their tutor.

    One-on-one tutoring can help!

    Large class sizes, educational uncertainties, and school closures. These three aspects all play a part in your child’s learning experience. We know that one-on-one tutoring can help kids flourish on their learning journey. Which is why Schoolio now offers after school tutoring as an option to help your child get back on track.


    REGISTER NOW

    Make Learning a Priority Despite School Closures.

    Many parents are once again struggling with how to make learning a priority despite school closures. Chances are that you live in a location that has either just announced school closures again, or perhaps they are leaning that way due to the steady climb of Covid-19 cases, related to the new variant of concern.

    You as a parent may find yourself stuck in the frustration of wanting to keep your child safe while also wanting to be sure they are getting the education that they need at this stage in their life. I don’t think any of us thought that the pandemic would continue for so long, or that school closures and lockdowns would continue to be the method used to combat it. Yet, here we are. So the question is, how can you help your child continue to thrive with their learning, or even catch up, despite the inevitable school closures?

    This is a huge topic, yet there’s not a lot of information out there about it. Doing a quick Google search doesn’t really reveal anything substantial, or helpful. Which is ironic, because education truly is key. Yet, education is one thing that has continually been placed on the back burner during the duration of the pandemic thus far.

    What can we as parents and caregivers do?

    As I previously wrote, none of us thought that school closures and lockdowns would continue to take place, especially not after two years since the beginning of this pandemic. It really puts things into perspective when you think of how a Kindergartener in the spring of 2020 is now in grade 2, and struggling to read. Or how a grade 10 student in March of 2020 is now facing graduation, feeling completely unprepared for university.

    The pandemic has caused all of us to suffer, but no one more than our children. So many life experiences and learning opportunities have been missed. Will life ever return to normal? What even is normal anymore? Is it normal for your child to be falling behind? Will they ever catch up? What can you as a parent or caregiver do to make learning a priority despite school closures and lockdowns?

    The First Step: Just Be There.

    I get it, you’re frustrated and overwhelmed. For many it’s not just education that is affected, but also finances and mental well-being. Your mind is likely wandering a mile a minute, as you try to come to some settlement of peace. So, take a deep breath. Focus on what really matters. Sure, life is a crazy mess. But right now, in this very moment, are you okay? Is your family safe? Are your kids okay? Really focus on being in the moment. Focus on the laughter of your children. Talk to them, help them, because they’re also struggling with big feelings too. Make being there for your children a priority.

    The Second Step: Find Ways to Ease Stress.

    We don’t often realize just how stressed our children can be. The sad reality is that the pandemic, school closures, chaos and financial uncertainties has also placed stress on our kids. We like to think of them as “just going to be okay” but often times they are silently watching as their world seems to be collapsing around them.

    Which brings us to an important point. And that is: Children cannot properly learn when they’re under a large amount of stress. As you probably already know, virtual learning often causes children more stress than anything else. This results in a lack of wholesome learning because of the stress that your child is under when trying to learn. Which is why finding ways to calm that stress is imperative.

    Some helpful stress relieving tips include:
    1. Answer their questions honestly, and have conversations about their feelings.
    2. Let them know that you recognize that they are feeling stressed, and that it’s okay to feel this way.
    3. Contact loved ones, grandparents, family and friends. Let your child connect with them.
    4. Demonstrate how to take care of your own feelings in a healthy way.
    5. Help them with a mindfulness activity.
    6. Offer plenty of hugs and cuddles.
    7. Sign up for a Mindfulness Activity or purchase a Mindfulness workbook.
    8. Teach your child about how to manage their thoughts and feelings.

    The Third Step: Create a Healthy Routine

    Having a healthy routine is extremely important. Especially if you are aiming to make learning a priority despite school closures. It can be so tempting to just let everything go and continue life like you’re on holidays. While somedays that may be okay, it’s important to snap out of it sooner rather than later. Children need routine, it helps them to feel safe, while also helping them to develop important life skills.

    Your kids and yourself have absolutely no control over the pandemic, or school closures. So, help your child feel like they’re in a little more control with a routine. Let them add in parts of the routine that they think are important, and be sure to honour that.

    Routines aren’t just good for kids, they also have huge benefits for you as the parent or care-giver. Having a healthy routine has been proven to help parents feel more organized while simultaneously reducing stress.

    You can add structure to your child’s day by adding smaller routines to your larger daily routine.

    Early Morning Routine: Wake up, get dressed, eat a healthy breakfast, brush teeth, and encourage active play for a bit before school work.

    Late Morning – Early Afternoon Routine: This is when your child can work on their school work, whether that be virtual learning or workbooks. For many children their school board has scheduled times of the day around virtual learning. So, their routine might revolve around those time slots.

    If you have decided to homeschool during the duration of another lockdown, you can use this time to work on two core subjects like Math and Science. Reserving this time for lesson time, work time and a learning activity.

    Be sure to add in lunch, and snack times! And if your child is participating in virtual learning, then make lunch and break times a big deal! Have fun with lunch time, play some word games while you both eat sandwiches. Try your best to make it as positive as possible.

    Afternoon/Evening Routine: Once education time is completed for the day, encourage them to play outside, or in their room while you get a tiny break. If they just want to be with you, then try to make a new recipe together for dinner. Having fun together is one of the best remedies for stress. At the dinner table, ask your child(ren) what their favourite part of the day was, then aim to include more of that in the next day.

    Bedtime Routine: Now it’s time for brushing teeth and bath time. Once that’s complete, be sure to have some snuggles and reading time with your kids. It’s so important to continue to carve out time for reading with each other as it continues to strengthen your bond.

    The Fourth Step: Evaluate the Learning Solutions.

    Many parents hear the words “Virtual Learning” or “Online Learning” and instantly cringe. Because this form of education is anything but wonderful for both students and teachers. If you’ve recently learned that your child has to do online learning, and you know from experience that it will be a disaster. Then take some time to evaluate this form of learning by asking yourself these questions:

    1. Is this helping my child or hurting them?
    2. Are they still learning?
    3. Is the stress from this even worth it?
    4. Are there other options available for learning?

    Once you’ve answered these questions you will have a more clear indication about whether or not this form of education is actually working for you and your child. If you’re still unsure, write out a list of pros and cons. What are the pros to virtual learning, and what are the cons? If you have no other learning choices, then find out what are some ways that you can work together with your child’s school to make it more bearable.

    The Fifth Step: Research Alternative Learning Solutions.

    If you’ve evaluated your child’s education method, and are finding that it’s causing more stress than learning. But you are determined to make learning a priority despite school closures, then you should look for alternative methods of education for your child. You could consider a home-learning option. Remember this doesn’t have to be permanent, this can be a temporary solution until circumstances level out.

    Determining what type of in-home learning curriculum will best suit your family is really important. You can learn about how to choose in-home learning curriculum here.

    Staying on track with their learning is essential, which is why finding a curriculum that follows their grade level standards, and is easy to follow/teach is really important. Be sure to look for a learning solution that reflects that.

    The Sixth Step: Start Learning.

    It’s imperative that you remind yourself that learning is always happening. There are so many life lessons to be learned during any given day. So, please don’t stress yourself thinking that learning must look a certain way, because it often doesn’t. That is one of the reasons why virtual learning can can cause so much stress for some students. Education can’t be crammed into a box. For many, learning is hands-on. Learning through a screen with twenty other children going on and off of mute, isn’t always going to give your child the whole learning experience that they need.

    Read stories with your kids, dive into a Novel Study. Bake cookies, clean the house, do art work, watch an educational show together, and play learning games! Don’t stress about how learning should look, just let it happen naturally.

    Figure out what areas your child needs the most help with and make that a priority. Being sure to add in the extra areas of their education here and there. Just be sure to never overwhelm your child with information, aim to keep lessons short, simple and to the point. Dragging out a lesson just because you feel like it needs to be longer, won’t help you or your student. If your child is struggling with a particular concept, then take a break and revisit it again later.

    The Seventh Step: Let Go.

    Life continues to not go according to plan. Holding onto your ideas of what it should look like, will only bring you more disappointment. Embrace the way life is, even if it’s messy. Because if you continue to hold onto this idea of what you wish life looked like, it will only make it worse for you and your child. Letting go of the original plan, and working together to come up with a new, brilliant plan will be extremely beneficial for your entire family.

    Whether you choose to give virtual learning another go, or you feel like you need to dive head first into homeschooling. Just know that whatever choice you make, it will be a good one for your family. Yes, sometimes you will have bad days, sometimes things won’t go as planned. And yes, you will absolutely make some mistakes. But you’re trying your very best to make learning a priority despite school closures and that is truly what matters.

    Take a deep breath, focus on what really matters, and move forward.