COVID-19 has certainly knocked the world for 6! No matter how isolation has affected you, we are all in this situation together. When this is all over and done with, can we really return back to normal as we know it? I don’t think so………let’s find the silver lining – it has to be there.
We must stay at home or practice social distancing. Yet, being the great sporting nation that we are, I see so many more people and families out and about. Families on pushbikes are constantly riding past our gate – it is driving our dog nuts. For the first time our local basketball court and tennis court are constantly occupied, even if it is only 2 people at a time. Our local lake is like a pedestrian highway! Fortunately for us, we can avoid the footpaths and follow the horse trails in our effort to maintain a satisfactory level of fitness.
Is there a Silver Lining for the world of homeschooling?
Then we have the world homeschooling their children. Parents finally have a small taste of what educating at home looks like. Regardless of whether you are a homeschooler, a distance educator or use the school of the air people all over are beginning to realise some of the struggles we face day to day. Albeit we learned to overcome said struggles because we chose to be in this situation. The big “Socialisation” question suddenly does not seem that much of an issue. For the first time, traditional school parents have a small glimpse into how we do it.
Next, you have the sports kids. Those kids who love to be active, thrive (in a positive way) on the thrill of the game and who live and breathe their sport. I should know – I have 2.5 of them! In my home, we are used to learning at home, we are used to being together (we actually enjoy each other’s company). The boys do struggle with not being able to train.
At the end of the day……….
So here is the Silver Lining: the world has opened up to us and our children even more so. Yet at the same time, it has reduced the gap in our communities. In other words, families can access anything online, be it physical or intellectual, while participating with friends and reducing the social isolation issue.
Many businesses that offer traditional contact activities have risen to the occasion to support their communities through online classes. This is fantastic news for home educating families and families who find themselves isolated in general. Time spent traveling and waiting no longer play a factor in the decision to enroll a child in an activity. My son, in QLD, can participate in an art class with his best friend in the ACT. Awesome I say – especially as he is a pseudo-only-child. Yes, it is online. But I would much prefer his screen time be taken up pursuing a creative or sporting activity, supervised by a professional instructor. This leaves me free to work on whatever it is I am working on.
Sports clubs are offering new innovative ways to train their athletes. For any parent with an elite athlete in the family, this has got to be great news. For the first time in years, we are enjoying diner together – EVERY night of the week. I do need to create a dance studio in our lounge room a few times a week, but that is a small price to pay.
Now, I am not saying that online classes will take the place of real face to face interaction. But, I am saying they will allow us to help our children try a variety of things before they discover their next passion. They will provide us, parents, with more free time while the kids are “supervised.” And maybe the sports world will see the value in more home-based training in the long term. That is a win-win for everyone!
I have to admit I am loving these online classes during our lockdown. I am loving them so much I want to share them with you. Check out what we have on offer here: sport, health, creative arts, and tutoring – we have you covered!
This post shares my experience and opinions only and is not professional advice. Please make your own decisions on what is right for your child and family given your individual circumstances.
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