Cammie Arn & Peggy Ployhar

Just what is homeschooling? I have asked myself this question a lot as of late.

When you boil it down, homeschooling is an active schooling choice.

As I think about what I just penned above, I can’t say Isolation schooling, the non-choice schooling option many are finding themselves doing right now can truly be called homeschooling.

Isolation schooling is a non-choice schooling option affecting all public, private, and homeschooling families right now.

The interesting thing is that no matter what our school choice was before this pandemic hit, all families still have many choices they can make while maintaining isolation. The key to seeing these choices is looking beyond what you may have to leave behind. And instead, focus on what you can do and how those choices will impact your family’s story during this pandemic and in the years to come when you look back at how you utilized this time together. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Choices for families who were already homeschooling:

• Co-op canceled? Finish the classes with your kids by using a unit study or a free online module through Khan Academy
• Co-op moved online and you don’t have enough computers or internet to keep up? Consider dropping out for the rest of the year and instead, working on a family project, like creating a fun outdoor family space in your backyard .
• Can’t go to your normal park meet-ups? Create a sensory space in your house.

Choices for families who had children attending public or private schools:

• Online classes or therapy too overwhelming for your student? Ask the school/teacher/therapist to send you a packet of class materials he/she can finish at their pace and submit when completed.

• Screen time consuming your child’s day? Throw in a fun DIY project into your child’s schedule that will teach new skills as well as reduce screen time.
• Struggling with school policy or the content in the lessons the school has sent home for your child? Withdraw from your public school and officially start homeschooling by using our  9 Easy Step to Getting Started. Yes, it is legal to withdraw from your public or private school to officially start homeschooling  during this crisis and making this move will allow you to be in control of your child’s education.

“…no matter what our school choice was before this pandemic hit, all families still have many choices they can make while maintaining isolation.“

This is a different season for our country that none of us have ever charted. I am hoping that my public and private schooling friends will enjoy this opportunity at home with their children as much as I enjoy my time at home with mine. I also pray they will take a closer look at homeschooling as a choice in the future.  

We can do this! We just need to be flexible with the choices we do have.

Need some help? Check out our  COVID-19 emergency at-home schooling page for more ideas and resources.