Education and Child Matters

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Elective Home Education (Home-Schooling)

 

WHAT IS ELECTIVE HOME EDUCATION (HOME-SCHOOLING)?

In the UK, schooling and education is compulsory for children from aged 5 years to 16 years. There are 3 ways parents can provide education for their child. They are:

  1. They can home-school their child  
  2. Their child can attend a state educational establishment 
  3. Their child can attend a private educational establishment.

A child being educated at home is known as elective home education (home-schooling). Elective home education can be full time or part time. 

WHAT ARE THE OTHER NAMES FOR ELECTIVE HOME EDUCATION?

Some websites refer to it as EHE and others as home-schooling

WHAT IS FLEXI-SCHOOLING?

Part time elective home-schooling is also called flexi-schooling. If your child is attending a school at the moment you can ask the headteacher if you can flexi-school your child. They may or may not give permission. If the headteacher refuses permission then all is not lost. Your local authority website will have lists of local schools/education establishments that will accept flexi-schooling. 

WHEN CAN YOU NOT HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD?

If you have been issued with a school attendance order by the local authority, then you cannot home-school your child without the permission of the local authority. You must write to your local authority and ask them to revoke the school attendance order.

ARE THEY ANY GOVERNMENT GUIDES AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO READ BEFORE YOU GO AHEAD AND HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD?

Yes there is. Please click on the link below. It was written in April 2019.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT GUIDE FOR ELECTIVE HOME EDUCATION – GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS

IF YOUR CHILD IS AT SCHOOL, SHOULD YOU FIRST INFORM THE SCHOOL FIRST BEFORE YOU HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD?

If your child is attending a school at present and you would like to home-school them, you must inform the school first. 

Write to or email the head teacher asking for your child to be removed from the admissions register under regulation (1) (d) of the education regulation 2006. This is also called a deregistration letter. Please advise the school of the date from which you would like to home-school your child.

The headmaster may ask for a meeting. You should attend. It will give you a chance to explain your decision further and keep good relations with the school. However, you are not legally required to attend this meeting.

If you would like to home-school your child full time and you have informed the school, they have to agree. The school will inform the local authority that they are going to remove a child from the admissions register.

The school should send you a copy of the letter/email they will send to the local authority or they should copy you in. The responsibility of educating your child from this moment on is on the parent, not the school or local authority. 

The school may not agree if you want to home-school your children part time.

DOES YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY HAVE ANY GUIDES OR INFORMATION FOR YOU AND WHAT WILL THEY DO ONCE THE SCHOOL INFORMS THEM YOU WISH TO HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD ?

This write up is a general guide to what your local authority will do. It may differ from authority to authority.

On their website, your local authority will have a couple of web pages dedicated to home-schooling. They may also have some guides they have written, but definitely there will be lots of information for you to read.  

As stated above, the school will contact your local authority that you are removing them from the admissions register. 

You should also contact your local authority and inform them of your decision to home-school your child; however there is no obligation for you to contact or inform the local authority.

Most councils will have a dedicated elective home education team or officer available for you to contact. Their details will be on the webpage. They can talk to you, give you information, meet with you and your child, assess your decision to home-school and can visit your home.

Once the school or yourself has contacted them they will send you a registration and an acknowledgement letter that you wish to home-school your child. They will ask you to forward your education philosophy with regards to home-schooling your child, request a face to face meeting or request to visit your home if appropriate. You can also request a meeting at a local library or children’s centre.

If you choose to have a meeting, you will be sent a copy of the report within a month of the meeting. 

You can refuse the elective home education team or officer to visit your home or talk to your child. They will then ask you to send evidence of your education philosophy and samples of your child’s work. You can forward previous school reports.

Your local authority may ask for further information about the education you will provide and whether it is suitable for your child. It is in yours and your child’s best interest to keep good relations with your local authority. This is called an informal enquiry. 

If the elective home education team or officer visits your home and/or has a meeting with you and your child elsewhere but has concerns, this will be written down in their report. They will make recommendations and have another meeting with you approximately 2 months later. If after this visit they are still not happy and think that the education you are providing is not suitable then they will issue a school attendance order to return your child to school or recommend another. 

It is a criminal offence if you do not comply with a school attendance order.

If your child has special educational needs (SEN) and the first meeting is unsatisfactory then there will be no second meeting or second chance. Your child will have to return to the school in their EHC plan.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN

If you want to home-school your child please contact your local authority/local council website for information.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY

WHAT IS A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ORDER?

A school attendance order is a court order obtained by your local authority stating that you must return your child to the school written in the court order.

You have 15 days to comply with a school attendance order. It is a criminal offence if you do not comply with this court order.

IN WHICH CIRCUMSTANCES DO YOU AS A PARENT NOT HAVE TO INFORM ANYONE THAT YOU WISH TO HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD?

There are a few circumstances where you do not have to inform anyone that you wish to home-school your child. They are:

  1. If you and your child have moved to a new area and have not attended or registered at any local schools in the area.
  2. Your child attends an independent school (private school).
  3. Your child has completed their primary education but has not started their secondary education. 
  4. Has been a student at a school which has closed. 
  5. Your child has not reached the compulsory school age of 5 years.

However, although you do not have to inform your local authority they still have a duty to ensure you are providing a suitable education for your child. They can make an informal enquiry to make sure that you are.

WHAT IS A FORMAL ENQUIRY BY YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY?

If your local authority deems that you are not providing a suitable education for your child or they have concerns, then they can make a formal enquiry. What this means is:

  1. They could ask for samples of your child’s work.
  2. They could ask for a home visit with your child present
  3. They could ask for a home visit without your child present
  4. They could ask for a meeting away from the home
  5. They may ask you some questions and ask for a written response. 

As stated above, you do not have to answer any of these questions or attend any of these meetings but we recommend you do not do this. If you do not cooperate your local authority could make a decision that you are not providing suitable education and issue a school attendance order which you will have to comply with.

DO YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM IF YOU ARE HOME-SCHOOLING?

No you do not have to follow the national curriculum.

HOME-SCHOOLING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

If you would like to home-school children with special educational needs, then you will need to write to your local authority and ask their permission for their name to be removed from the admissions register at their school. 

If your child with special educational needs attends a mainstream school and has an EHC plan (education, health and care) and it states in the plan you can home-school your child, then you do not need your local authority’s permission to home-school your child. However, the local authority education psychologist may ask to speak with you and your child.

If you have this meeting, then you will be sent a copy of the report within a month of the meeting.

DO YOU NEED ANY QUALIFICATION TO EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME?

No, you do not need any formal qualifications or have to be a teacher to educate your children at home.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HOME-SCHOOLING?

There are many benefits of home-schooling for your children. Some of them are:

  1. Accommodate medical and disability issues.
  2. Direct involvement in your child’s education
  3. The comfort of a home environment.
  4. No bullying issues.
  5. Low student teacher ratio.
  6. Accommodating education for children in special circumstances such as children of military families, expatriate families, and travelling families.
  7. Adaptable bespoke learning approach.
  8. Education which is customised to your child if they are gifted or falling behind.
  9. You can customise your child’s learning styles. 
  10. You can choose your own curriculum.
  11. You can also focus on life skills.
  12. Inadequate teaching standards at local school.
  13. Lack of teachers at local schools.
  14. The parents can provide a unique supportive environment.
  15. Addresses school phobia
  16. No more school runs.
  17. Assignments can be broken down into manageable chunks.

WHAT ARE THE CONS OF HOME-SCHOOLING?

There are just a few cons of home-schooling for your children:

  1. Expensive heating costs for your child.
  2. Home-schooling can be isolating for your child.
  3. Lack of opportunity to make friends.
  4. Full time responsibility for parents
  5. Negative comments from family
  6. May hamper your child’s social skills.

WHAT DOES THE LAW REQUIRE ME TO PROVIDE FOR MY CHILD IF I CHOOSE TO HOME-SCHOOL?

The law says that a parent must provide suitable education for their child when they are home-schooled. This includes the following:

  1. Full time education
  2. The aims must be achieved.
  3. The education must be suitable for the child’s age, ability and educational needs.
  4. The education provided cannot limit the child in the future.
  5. The education provided must equip the child for their future.

WHAT DOES THE LAW NOT REQUIRE YOU TO PROVIDE OR DO IF YOU HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD?

The law does not require you to do the following:

  1. You do not need to have similar term dates, school times and days as schools.
  2. You do not need to be inspected by Ofsted as do schools.
  3. You do not need to be registered with the department of education.
  4. You do not need to follow the national curriculum 
  5. You do not need to have the same set up as a school classroom.

However, you should provide a good learning environment for your child.

WHO WILL PAY FOR YOUR CHILD’S HOME-SCHOOLING?

As the parent, you are expected to pay for your child’s home-school education. You will be required to pay for public examinations, text books, stationary, and writing books. 

WHAT SUPPORT CAN YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY OFFER YOU IF YOU WANT TO HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD?

Your local authority can support you with the following:

  1. Access to a library to lend books.
  2. Access to local authority sports facilities (either free or heavily discounted).
  3. Help with information on work experience
  4. Help with information on educational trips
  5. Help with national curriculum stuff. 

CAN YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND AND RETURN YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF HOME-SCHOOLING DOESN’T WORK OUT?

Yes you can. You can do this anytime during the year. You must make an application to the school that you wish your child to attend and complete their admission process.

WILL YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY MONITOR YOUR PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD YOUR CHILD IS BEING HOME-SCHOOLED?

As stated above your local authority has an elective home education team or officer. The government requires your local authority to monitor all children who are of compulsory school age that are not attending a school. The elective home education team or officer can request an annual meeting with you and your child to assess progress and any help you may need. They cannot enforce this but as stated above it is better to keep good relations.

Your local authority can make an informal enquiry at any time if they have concerns. 

IF YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY IS NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR PROGRESS AT HOME-SCHOOLING WHAT CAN THEY DO?

Your local authority can act and take steps if they are concerned your child is not being adequately home-schooled. They can write to you informally expressing their concerns and ask you for a meeting or some information. If you ignore this they can serve you a written notice requesting you to answer their questions about providing a suitable education for your child. 

Your local authority can do this under section 437 (1) education act 1996.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 437 (1) OF THE EDUCATION ACT 1996

If you do not reply, answer their questions or show them any improvements or that you are providing a suitable education for your child, your local authority can send you a school attendance order. The order can name a local school for your child to attend. 

It is a criminal offence if you do not comply with the school attendance order.

In some circumstances your local authority could issue an education supervision order for you to comply with. 

WHAT IS AN EDUCATION SUPERVISION ORDER?

An education supervision order is a court order issued by the local authority imposing conditions and certain guidelines which you as the parent have to follow. The local authority could take an active role in your child’s education.

If you do not comply with an education supervision order you could be prosecuted. In extreme cases a care order could be issued with your local authority making decisions about your child’s education and perhaps taking your child into care.

CAN A PARENT REVOKE A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ORDER?

Yes a parent can do this by showing evidence that home-schooling is working for your child and a suitable education is being provided.

WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE TO YOU TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME?

You do not necessarily have to do all the teaching yourself if you are home-schooling. There is plenty of help available.

  1. You can employ a tutor (you will need to ask for references and a DBS certificate)
  2. Join a group of other home-schooling parents and combine the teaching.
  3. You can use online lessons and courses. There are plenty available for you to choose from.
  4. Your child can listen to audio books
  5. There are educational websites such as BBC Bitesize.

If you teach 5 or more children of compulsory school age in one lesson then this is classified as if you are running an independent school.

ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED TO HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD WHAT SHOULD YOU FIRST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION?

Before you decide on which subjects your child will study, which educational philosophy you would like to follow at home, which exam boards you will choose, whether you will get a tutor or access online teaching, and how long the lessons will be, you must ask yourself a few questions. They are:

  1. How long is your child’s concentration span?
  2. What does your child take an interest in?
  3. What would make your child want to learn?
  4. What would your child enjoy learning?
  5. What are your child’s future aspirations?
  6. What skills do you think your child needs for the future?
  7. Would they prefer more coursework or final exams?

ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED TO HOME-SCHOOL YOUR CHILD WHICH 5 DECISIONS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE?

The 5 decisions you need to make are:

  1. Which home-schooling educational philosophy would you like to adopt that would suit your child?
  2. Which curriculum would you like to choose that best fits the home-schooling philosophy you have chosen?
  3. Which exam boards would work best for your child?
  4. Which subjects will your child study?
  5. How to plan your lessons?

Decision 1 – Which home-schooling educational philosophy would you like to adopt that would suit your child?

An education philosophy or belief is basically the style of teaching you would like to adopt at home. It is a set of principles that guide the best way a child could learn, what subjects the child should be taught, how these subjects should be taught, and from what perspective should these subjects be taught.  

There are many home-schooling educational philosophies which you can adopt and follow. Let’s very briefly discuss a few:

1. Traditional teaching method – This is the method of teaching used in most schools and colleges in the UK. This method uses textbooks, tests and manuals. The aim is to methodically grasp and conquer many subjects. This traditional teaching method is easy to implement, encourages independent learning and easy to follow. However, this method does not cater for individual children and their learning styles. It is a method of gathering facts and learning them rather than having experiences and using these experiences to educate. 

2. Waldorf teaching method – The Waldorf philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner teaches the whole child not just the mind. The focus is not on academics in early childhood but instead art, music, languages and gardening. In the first few years no education textbooks are studied. There is emphasis on your child’s imagination and fantasy. In later years this philosophy will teach one subject in depth for a few weeks. The lessons are up to 2 hours long.

3. Charlotte Mason teaching method – This philosophy is based on teaching the whole child as a person not just their mind. It focuses on knowledge and ideas rather than lots and lots of facts. It includes a lot of time spent outdoors exploring nature study. Also appreciation for art and music. This philosophy uses narrative ‘living’ books, engaging stories rather than education textbooks. The lessons are short and switch from one subject to another during the day. The philosophy also uses repetition, memory to learn and on a child’s character and development of good habits. Knowledge is gained through experiences and exploration as well as reading. This method promotes education through discovery, play and experiences. 

4. Montessori teaching method – This philosophy focuses on a connection with the environment and real-life experiences. It is child-centered, involves child-led activities, focuses on the child’s natural interests, there is hands-on learning, collaborative play and learning through self-directed activity. It was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.

5. Natural learning method – This is also referred to as the delight-direct learning and the unschooling method. This relaxed approach to learning doesn’t follow any plan or curriculum. It believes the whole world is a classroom. Children pursue their own interests and their curiosity under the guidance and support of their parents. 

6. Unit study teaching method – This philosophy is also known as thematic units. It is based on understanding something as a whole. It is a collection of learning activities brought together. Unit study can go deep in one subject or bring a few subjects together under one theme. It is best for those children who learn through engagement and physical experiences.  

7. Classical learning method – This teaching method focuses on something called the trivium. The trivium are the three stages of a child’s natural educational development. They are a) the grammar stage b) the dialectic stage c) the rhetoric stage. 

The grammar stage (reception to year 6) is where the basics of spelling, maths, reading, writing, latin and greek are studied. The children will be taught observational skills, listening skills and learning facts. 

The dialectic stage (year 7 and 8) is where children have independence and abstract thought. Focus is on speech, logic and critical thinking. There is also focus on Latin, Greek, history, writing, science and theology. 

The rhetoric stage (years 9 to 12) is where the children master subject content, learn to speak eloquently, and learn analytical writing. Focus is on Latin Greek, philosophy, science, literature, fine arts, debate and higher maths. 

Classical teaching teaches children how to memorise, to learn for themselves, brings subject areas together and focuses on the underlying philosophies behind subjects. However, it is teacher intensive, it is not so strong in maths and science, there is a strong focus on ancient languages, and it is difficult to navigate for most parents.

8. Literature learning method – This method uses high quality literature, ancient texts, biographies, autobiographies, online magazines, and journals to teach subjects. This method is not good for those students who are not good readers. 

Decision 2 – Which curriculum would you like to choose that fits the home-schooling philosophy you have chosen?

The curriculum is the total content of what is to be taught and will have to fit in with the educational philosophy you choose. 

As stated above if you are going to homeschool your child then you do not need to follow the national curriculum. The national curriculum is a guide and framework for what schools and colleagues should teach their pupils through all the stages of education (from key stage 1 to key stage 5).

When picking a curriculum for your child you must decide if you are going to choose the content or would you like your child to have an input (depending upon their age of course). You will also need to decide how flexible you would want the curriculum to be. 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM AND OTHER CURRICULUMS

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF UK EDUCATION

Decision 3 – Which exam boards would work for your child if you want them to have a national qualification? 

If you would like your child to have a national qualification by taking national exams then you will need to choose an exam board. Once you have chosen the board then you will need to teach to the specification of that exam board. 

There exam boards are:

  1. AQA
  2. Edexcel
  3. CCEA
  4. WJEC
  5. SQA
  6. OCR
  7. Eduqas   

How do you choose the board:

  1. You should take a look at the content of the exam board for that subject and see if you can teach it.
  2. Is there any location nearby where your child can sit the exams?
  3. How much of the content is coursework?
  4. What percentage of the final mark is exam and what percentage is coursework?
  5. Does the content of the exam board for the subject go with your chosen educational philosophy and curriculum.

Decision 4 – Which subjects should your child study?

This will depend upon the educational philosophy you choose, the curriculum and which exam boards you choose. 

You can teach lessons dealing with problem solving, critical thinking, cooking, life skills, and debating. 

Decision 5 – How should you plan your lessons?

A well planned lesson is very important for the confidence of the tutor, parent or teacher and increases the chances of a successful learning experience between teacher and student. 

A successful lesson plan will do the following:

  1. Detail the content your child needs to learn in the lesson.
  2. Strategies of how this content can be taught in an effective manner?
  3. Develop appropriate learning activities to teach this content. 
  4. A strategy to gain feedback from the student.
  5. Strategy to determine whether the lesson plan has achieved its objective.

SUGGESTIONS TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILD WITH HOME-SCHOOLING

Suggestion 1 – Preparation

It is important that you are always prepared well ahead of time when it comes to all aspects of your child’s home-schooling. 

  1. Make sure there is enough stationary, books and study aids.
  2. Make sure they have the right and latest textbooks to study from.  
  3. Make sure the internet is available and they have access to a laptop or computer if they use these in their study.
  4. Make sure you are aware of the timetable of lessons that day and what is being taught. Make sure each lesson has been thought out, planned and prepared well in advance.
  5. Have answers ready for any questions your child may have?
  6. If you don’t know the answers then be aware of where you can find these answers.

Suggestion 2 – Routine

When you home-school you will have to write out a detailed schedule/timetable which will include the following:

  1. When will the school day start?
  2. When will the school day end?
  3. How many lessons will there be in a day?
  4. What time will each lesson start?
  5. How long will each lesson last?
  6. What days in the week will there be school?
  7. What time will there be breaks?
  8. What time will there be lunch?
  9. How long will the breaks and lunch be for?
  10. Will there be half terms and holidays? If so, when and for how long?
  11. Will your children be set homework?

It will be very healthy for your child’s education if you stick to your schedule/timetable and make it into a routine. Your child will know when to wake up, when a break is due, when to have lunch and when the day will finish.

Once you have established a routine and schedule and put it into motion, if you find it is not working and there are issues then make changes to iron out these issues. If you find your child is not concentrating then you may shorten the lesson time. Be flexible and make changes as required.

Suggestion 3 – Be aware

Be observant and notice how your child is dealing with the schedule or timetable you have devised. Ask yourself:

  1. Is the schedule tiring your child?
  2. Are they concentrating?
  3. Are they enjoying the subjects and content?
  4. Is your child engaged?
  5. Is your child making excuses not to study?
  6. Is your child complaining of headaches and a tummy ache more than normal?

Please do not ignore these signs. Your child must enjoy their education and find it stimulating, they must be able to focus and concentrate. If you find the atmosphere is not conducive to your child making the most of their education then you will need to make changes immediately.

Suggestion 4 – Do not rush through the syllabus

If you are working towards exams and a syllabus provided by the exam board there will be a lot to get through. No doubt you will spread the syllabus across all the lessons allocated to that subject. 

However, understanding is the key not racing through the content. Make sure as you and your child are working through the syllabus that your child is comprehending the content, doing question and answer sheets on the content and writing in depth essays if this applies to the subject. 

Be patient with your child. If they don’t understand something don’t get angry, try and explain in a different manner or use a different technique. Do not skip over or leave topics out that your child does not understand. 

Suggestion 5 – No distractions

It is very important to inform everyone that during the day your home is a school and your children are educating. Yes, day to day life also goes on but you will need to keep this separate from your child’s study.

  1. Family members coming to stay may distract your children. Try and ask them to come and stay during half term or holidays.
  2. Friends popping in for a lunchtime chat may divert your children’s attention from education to listening to gossip. Ask your friends to come in the evening or weekends instead. Otherwise if your friends do come round when your children are studying, sit them in a separate room and close the door. Speak quietly so your children do not hear.
  3. Try not to put the TV on loud so your children get distracted.
  4. Do not argue with your partner during your children’s education time. This will upset your children and they will not be able to focus.
  5. Do not walk around your house and speak loudly or gossip on the phone. This will distract your children and reduce their concentration.
  6. Arrange work such as plumbing to be carried out in the home at the weekend or evenings. Building work should be arranged in the holidays so the children are not disrupted.

Suggestion 6 – Learning space that belongs to your child

If you are going to home school your child then it is important their environment promotes concentration, focus, and warmth. It is best to give them a permanent study area which belongs to your child and no one else. It is their space. They can leave their books and study aids there and when they come back their books and study aids are still there. 

Their study area must not be used for any other purpose and where it is, it must not be cluttered with other things so your child will need to clear them first before studying. Try also not to let anyone else use their study area for any other purpose so your child gets frustrated that they cannot access their study area.

Suggestion 7 – Go out on trips

Although the majority of your home-schooling will be indoors, it is important for your child’s overall experience to go on trips. You can go to museums, art galleries, theatre or to historical buildings. 

Trips allow children to learn to interact with different types of people in different environments and settings. Trips allow children to have a change of surroundings, observe things in the real world and experience travel and education outside of the home classroom.

Suggestion 8 – Positivity, enthusiasm and fun

Positivity and enthusiasm is essential for all endeavours, even home-schooling. If you are positive and enthusiastic this will seep from you into your children. Even when the study is tough, your child is not understanding the work, or your child is tired, please be positive and encouraging. 

If you make learning fun your children will educate willingly. If you are warm and kind your children will want to stay in the lesson. 

Suggestion 9 – Body stretching or outdoor play.

Depending upon the age of your child and the subjects they are studying, try and encourage them to take a little stretch every 30 – 50 minutes. Ask them to get up from their chair and stretch their limbs. This will help to prevent back ache, tiredness and fatigue. Stretching will keep your child’s muscles flexible and strong. Sitting for long periods of time will tighten your child’s muscles.

You will need to experiment with the time in between stretches. Try getting your child to stretch every 50 minutes first. If your child is comfortable and their back is not hurting at the end of the day or their muscles are not tight then this is the perfect time between stretches. If not then try 45 minutes then 30 minutes and observe which is better for your child. 

Suggestion 10 – Proper meals and no snacking

Lunch time is very important for your child to rest, rest, relax, breathe and fill their tummy. Please make sure you provide a healthy nutritious hot meal and drink so your child has energy for the afternoon session. 

Try not to feed your child a quick snack, a ready-made meal cooked in the microwave, processed food, sweets, crisps, chocolate and a fizzy drink.

Give fresh fruit, water, warm milk, salad, and a cooked meal.

Suggestion 11 – Water

Keep a water bottle on your child’s desk where they are studying so they can sip water all day. The bottle should have a closed lid so the water does not spill if the bottle is knocked. Hydration is very important for enhanced short term memory, mood and concentration. Water can reduce mental fatigue. 

Suggestion 12 – Breaks and play time

Make sure you and our child take breaks from the home-schooling day as they are scheduled. It is easy to dismiss them especially if you and your child are on a roll. If you give your child a drink or a snack during their break then make sure one is ready. 

Breaks will allow your child to take a breather, reset themselves, eat something or use the bathroom. 

A break can also involve play time. This is essential for younger children. If it’s winter or raining then playtime can be indoors. If it’s warm outside then let your child run around in the garden if you have one. If not, take your child for a quick walk or play time in the local park.