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We aim to inspire and educate about renewable energy and sustainable living

Advice to parents of school kids during lockdown.

30/3/2020

3 Comments

 
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Our event work sees us living on the road from the beginning of May till the end of September. This means that our seven year old misses at least a term of school each academic year. We have been lucky enough to find a small local school who not only accommodate us but fully support us with his half n half education.

The first few years saw me preparing structured learning for him as well as a scrap book he’s been doing since age 3. But in recent years I’ve just let him be, go play and most importantly, get bored.

I call it the boredom barrier. After being ‘schooled’ for seven months over the winter, he’s used to constant activities being led for him. Direction and entertainment all scheduled and laid out.
When we get to our first field (festival set up) it’s devoid of children and activities. If he’s lucky he’ll have a family member or friend to watch him while we set up but often it’s just him (looking after his 2 year old brother!). Now he will nag and strop and sulk so this is where it gets painful and I’m so tempted to give in and let him play on my phone or watch DVDs. But if I’m strong I can help him through the boredom barrier and there lies his own imagination and endless ‘not boring’ things to do.

It is a most satisfying moment when you see them so engrossed in their own imaginative play, completely non guided and unstructured, ta da, the moment you have been waiting for. And it will come, they all have it in them but modern technology is so much easier for the brain to relax and so convenient to use as a quick fix. We are all guilty of excessive screen time.

I recently discovered that a root word of education is, quite obviously now I see it, to educe, which means to bring forth something that is already within. How beautiful is that?!
So I don’t need to teach him anything, except how to unlock his own potential and find his true calling within himself.

I often joke that I spend 5 months ‘unschooling’ him but with no insult to his teachers and all my friends who are teachers as they do an amazing job, it’s a pretty close description. And you know what, for us, it works really well. When he returns to school each October he’s full of enthusiasm, loves the routine and is in no way behind his classmates. If anything he’s been given a wider view of the world which only helps him tackle school work with more ease.

So my advice to parents during this lockdown is to use the time given to us to help your child look within themselves and truly find what makes them tick.
3 Comments
Lara
30/3/2020 07:09:26 pm


This is so refreshing and timely. I had this very conversation with our 12 y o today. I even used the “it’s an opportunity to educate yourself” line.

She is extremely creative and finds the uninspiring methods of remote learning (laptop) really challenging. So I did a deal with her today: she still has to read and do the Maths online but I told her that this lockdown period is a time where she can learn new skills, get better at the things she enjoys doing and learn to manage her own time.

(I suddenly realised that she actually has very little opportunity to make decisions for herself, in a normal week her ‘free time’ is structured around a lot of extra-curricula activities).

The mobile and screen time has become a permanent draw and I’m going to have my work cut out when she goes cold turkey, but it’s got to happen.

In the meantime, please make sure you all stay safe during these strange times and all the best for the uncertain future but keep up the good work.

Reply
Tess
30/3/2020 08:10:04 pm

Thanks Lara, yes I find it’s the same with everything you need to say no to, whether it’s tv, sweets, staying out etc, if you can weather the storm of the ‘tantrum’ then you come out the other side and realise it’s ok to say no!
These bloody screens are so addictive but once the boundaries are laid down the positives are so quick to reveal themselves.

Reply
Kel Odgers-Brown
31/3/2020 07:50:41 am

Such a great article Tess and so true! Kids have amazing potential through just ‘being’ and these strange times we’re in are the perfect opportunity to allow them to have space and time to get bored, it’s so valuable.
I’m at a bit of a different stage now where my teens will happily lie in bed all day and do absolutely nothing! I am trying to let them do that, within reason (they have to come for a walk if nothing else) to see if they come through the other side...and actually I think they will. We’re all having to go through a kinda similar process ourselves I guess? Learning to do life at a pace that works for us, making our own structures and keeping ourselves feeling good.
Lots of love to you all, stay well. ❤️

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    Family run business providing solar power, lighting and education at UK festivals in the summer and installing off grid power systems in the winter.

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  • Solar power at your event
    • Event Testimonials
    • Event Services >
      • Community Days
      • Education
      • Festoon Lighting
      • Production Power
      • Caterers, Traders and Utilities
      • Stages, Venues and Green Rooms
      • Green Weddings
      • Power Management
      • Build & Break
  • Off grid power systems
    • Grace Island
    • Small house
    • Mobile Solar Generator
    • Roundhouse
    • Live-in festival truck
    • Small event site
    • Solar stage
    • Chalet & Caravan Pitches
  • Get in touch
  • Interesting stuff
    • Downloads
  • Blog