Strategies for Working and Schooling from Home in Uncertain Times

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You’ve likely already read the full gambit of preambles we could put here: these are unprecedented times, everyone is shaken by the uncertainty, no one knows how to fill the sudden glut of time we have at home with our children. We are all feeling the strain of worry and isolation, and many of us fear for the health and safety of our loved ones.

We’re feeling it just as much as you are, and it is in times like these that we must turn to each other for resources and support. In that spirit, we’re dedicating this week’s blog to compiling some helpful resources for anyone in need of some tools for homeschooling kids, resources to stay calm and mindful, and some outdoor activities to help keep the worst of the cabin fever at bay.

Our Favorite Homeschooling Resources:

The Montessori Notebook is a great resource with practical activities for young toddlers. Many of the items you need are things you may already have on hand, and these simple yet effective tasks will keep your child engaged as they learn essential skills.

They also have a great breakdown of Age Appropriate Chores

The Oxford Owl has compiled games and activities for children of all ages. most of which need no special equipment.

We are always big fans of Khan Academy, who offer outstanding learning resources for people of all ages (yes, including adults!) As a response to COVID-19, they also have daily schedules available for kids 4-18.

When You Need to Get Outside

Taking a walk (or two, or three) each day will definitely help everyone stay calm and healthy. Some things you can do with children on your walks are:

  • Make it into a scavenger hunt. See if you can find certain colors, different types of cars, animals, flowers, whatever happens to be in your neighborhood.

  • Take pictures of any interesting plants, bugs, or animals you come across. Look at the pictures once you get home and see if you can identify the things you found.

  • Stop and listen- ask your child what they hear. Are the birds singing? Or are you on a busy street? Is there a loud dog nearby, or a friendly cat?

  • For very young toddlers who are just acquiring language, it’s helpful to describe things as you go. Is there a chilly breeze blowing their hair? Did a loud truck just rumble by? Help them identify the words for all of the things they encounter on their walk.

  • Collect interesting leaves and make nature rubbings when you get home.

  • Identify all of the signs you see on your walk. If your child is young, read out the signs and explain what they mean.

  • Play a game of “Simon Says” as you walk.



Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

You don’t need to take up a 45 minute daily meditation routine to stay sane- there are a lot of simple things you can do for your own mental health during this stressful time. Some of our favorites are:

  • Keep up with physical activity.

    • If you usually go to a gym, you can still do a lot of strength training from home. We personally love The Green Door Life app for more guided workout routines, but there are all sorts of resources on the App Store and for free on YouTube.

    • If you prefer cardio, a quick run around the neighborhood in the morning is a great way to jumpstart your system.

    • If you’re working from home, don’t forget to get up, move around, and stretch periodically.

  • Take a Deep Breath

    • Sick of singing while you wash your hands? Stop and do three or four deep belly breaths—in through your nose and out through your mouth. You’ll walk away from the sink feeling more centered.

    • If you’re into using an app, Headspace is a highly rated app that includes stress management, helps with sleep, being more active, and trying something new.

  • Find Ways to Stay Social

    • We’re lucky to live in a time where we can video chat with friends and loved ones around the globe. Plan to grab a ‘digital cocktail’ with a friend or two in the evenings!

    • Call and check in on elderly family members.

    • Play games with friends online (Scrabble anyone?)

  • Enjoy the Solitude

    • We know you have a stack of books waiting to be read—now might be the time to get to them!

    • If you’ve got space, work outside in your garden. Pull weeks, clean out old debris, and get it ready for spring.

    • Indulge in your favorite solo hobby- writing, baking, cooking, sewing, knitting, drawing, painting, making music—the list is endless!

We hope you found some helpful ideas here to get you started. If you’ve got something to add, please feel free to drop it in the comments and we will add to this article. Otherwise, we hope you stay safe over the next few weeks.