Tips for Supporting Your Child During Lockdown

As we enter another lockdown in the UK, many parents will be feeling anxious as will many children who will be going back to homeschooling. It is a difficult time trying to balance working from home and supporting children to learn. Below are some tips to help you support your child during the lockdown.

• Make Time Together & For Yourself Too

While everyone is stuck indoors, it’s important to split time. That means spending quality time together as a family but also setting time aside for individual time too. Do things together that you enjoy as a family and then things you can do on your own such as having a bath, listening to music, or reading a book. If you feel that you do need support or family therapy, reach out as a lot of work is still being done through Zoom or other online platforms to help people.

• Get Prepared

If you are managing a baby and young children, ensure you have everything you need at home and to hand. If you need items for your little one you can easily purchase these online and have them delivered to your home.  

• Structure a Routine

Making a plan and setting times for activities is a good way to structure your day. This means deciding together on a start time, time for break, lunch, and finish time. Structuring your day will help your child to manage better with the new routine. Try and incorporate exercise into the day too, going for a walk as a family is a great way of getting out of the house and getting fresh air. It’s also good to help your child stay in touch with their friends too over this period so set time aside for this type of catch up.

• Recognise Stress

It is important to recognise that these are extremely stressful times for everyone. Acknowledge this and find ways to manage any stress that you or your family are experiencing. Find quality time for yourself and don’t compare what you are doing with what others are doing. 

Everyone is different and will be doing different things.

• Celebrate Your Successes

Give yourself credit when you get through the day and have homeschooled. Praise your child for the work they do and when they get through a home school day. This will help them feel more confident in what they are doing and how they are coping with the current situation. Talk to your child about the situation and talk about what you are all grateful for. This is a great way of helping your child stay positive during the current crises. 

• Seeking Help

If you feel you do need help and support then reach out. There are a number of organisations and helplines ready to take your call and help. There is no shame in asking for help, many people need it. You could also ask a friend to help if you don’t wish to talk to anyone else. The important point is to ask for help when you need it.