A “well being” day instead of remote learning lessons once a week?

[Mumba0111around]

Just found out children’s school is planning on introducing this for the rest of lockdown. Instead of remote learning, one day a week to be a “well-being” day with no formal lessons (suggestions instead include activities such going for a walk or BBC Bitesize). Rest of the week to be pre recorded video lessons for different subjects, worksheets same as currently etc (no live lessons)

What do others think of this? I would be particularly interested in hearing if any other schools have put this into place, and experience of how it was going.

The thing is, screen free time is all very well but won't most kids just be on screens anyway, gaming, social media etc. There is literally nothing else to do other than go on yet another bloody walk in the rain and the cold. Might as well be learning.

@Mumba0111around

They are primary aged. Not quite so worried about the year 3, but the elder is year 5 (we are in a Grammar school area, so bit concerned for the impact on being behind for the 11plus later this year)

Maybe just use it as an opportunity to do some 11 plus preparation, start looking at some of the yr6 maths etc. Plus go for a walk.

Our dc’s comprehend school has started giving them an afternoon off each week to be screen free. It’s a different afternoon each week so that they’re not kissing the same lessons.

We’re in Wales and it’s only from today that we’re allowed to meet one other person outdoors - maintaining social distance of course.

Our dc, like many others are at home alone Monday-Friday while their DF and I are at work. How do you think they spent their afternoon off? On the Xbox and PC games with their friends!!

It’s madness as far as I’m concerned but I know that some parents who don’t work had lovely afternoons planned, going for walks, baking, play board games etc with their dc. Yet another time when it’s not an even playing field.

Perhaps half a day a week? On a snowy day last week the head teacher of our local primary school suggested the children go out to play in the snow and to send in photos of snowmen and igloos. There's a woman who understands children. Teaching is so much more than academic subjects.

Art, music, MH supports should be built into every day, not all shoved into one day.

And the kids who need a walk in the forest don't have parents who take them. The kids in homes where they are willing and able to do that already are.

We have 'well being Wednesday' where you can do what you like. We've been doing about space so DS wanted to do some baking and we made biscuits that looks like noon rocks (!) we had a long walk and did something creative. We love it.

I can’t help but feel that it’s going to be harder to juggle these well being activities alongside work that day- find the structured learning easier to support alongside doing my job and husband doing his! Nice to hear some poster’s positive experiences of similar, though. Lots to think about, will try and keep an open mind.

I received an email from sons secondry school this weekend saying they are starting this on Wednesday.
They can see the struggle so many are going through,especially as so many arent doing any work and others struggling to get everything done.

What do others think of this? I would be particularly interested in hearing if any other schools have put this into place, and experience of how it was going.

We had it here in cayman and we loved it, it was called wellness Wednesday. The kids appreciated a day where they could do puzzles, bike rides (but mainly watch movies/iPad) and I could work and not worry about their lessons.

Was very successful to break up the week for us.

I'm in two minds. Sounds like a great idea in theory but a total nightmare if you're trying to work!!! Just another load of stuff for these parents to organise for their kids.

Also if it's an awful day they'd end up arguing to go on screens half the time after you've taken them on the obligatory bloody walk or bike ride!

Maybe a half day...but a full day is a huge amount for secondary age kids ime.

I think it's an excellent idea, I know a couple of local schools who are doing it one afternoon per week.

An afternoon a week, maybe a Wednesday or Friday sounds like a good idea.

My DC sometimes have two or three of these a week. Not as a whole-school thing but they both have extra needs and lost their little brother quite recently so if they're not feeling up to it I don't force them. I think they need it, as do many many other children right now. The past year has been crazy, we need to let them decompress.

MrsTerryPratchett couldn't agree more:

"And the kids who need a walk in the forest don't have parents who take them. The kids in homes where they are willing and able to do that already are."

I wish Dds primary would do this.
I need a break.

Think some of our schools are thinking about this, not always a well being day as such, but a themed day, so a break from maths, English etc

It is hard going for them all I have kids in yr11 and yr12 so think this maybe just for Primary kids.
But I have a friend in a very stressful job. She just works part time but does full days the days she is in work and as her DH is out at work. She was really struggling trying to work whilst caring for and trying to do schoolwork with two primary school age kids that bicker and fight. So much so that she was majorly stressed, in tears and has now been signed off for a couple of weeks. Having a Wednesday off schooling may just about make it bearable.

DDs (special school) secondary is introducing this on Wednesday afternoons.

DH and I both work FT from home.

DD will spend Weds PM sat in front of a screen.

As though our children aren’t missing enough education

Saturday and Sunday are well-being days.

This is ridiculous.

I'd be happy with this if the school were actually teaching my DC on the other days

Thing is that even my teenager can't be left completely unsupervised baking mainly as she will come and ask me 4000 questions about what ingredients we have and where they are . Her school has one of these days next week and she has to complete a number of activities. One is a long walk and another make a cake. Within the hours 9-3 while i am working. She won't do either of those alone, I still haven't fathomed what on earth I am going to do. She's conscientious or id tell her to just forget it . It's just adding to the nightmare as regardless she won't be able to do as much as many others.

I wish my kids primary would do this. Something screen free!

My sons schools been doing this since they started remote learnings.

No thanks here

Especially in secondary - exam year

Lovely idea.

In primary we don’t have live lessons and a lot is written on paper. So the hours doing it are screen free for much of the time