Is it really really bad that my kids aren't studying at home?

[MrsHookey]

They are six and eight. I'm a single parent working full time. I get very little maintenance from my ex, so we are depending on my job. One child is on the spectrum.

Thanks everyone. I will work on little and often and just make sure it's achievable.

Nope you're doing your best and they will catch up.

Maybe do things that aren't seen as learning. Like follow a recipe and make some cakes?

DD2 is 7 and in year 2- we were beginning the process of having her assessed for ADHD and dyslexia. Getting her to do work is like getting blood out of a stone but we are managing to do 2 hours a day by having a schedule so she knows exactly what she will be doing and when. She has to be on her own in her room or it’s too distracting, I can help get her set up and be on hand for questions but I can’t sit with her or she will be distracted. The most she can do is 40 mins at a time really and she might only write a sentence or 2 in that time but I do think it’s important she does something as they could be off school for months. It’s a constant struggle and I’m using both carrot (present at end of week for good effort and minimal whinging) and stick (no screen time till work is done). Some days are better than others!

Whatever you can do is better than nothing. If they have a tablet the squeebles apps are good. One of the maths one has a race where you can set the difficulty for each child and they race each other at mental maths to move their fish to finish the race. Watching tv with a bit of education like go jetters, Octonauts, story bots, team unizoomi, even blaze. Teach your monster to read on the computer I believe is free and maybe the app is free too at the moment. Free games online like ictgames.com. Maybe they could read a book each to the other one at bedtime if they might do that. Give them coins and get them to make up certain amounts?

Giving them a clear routine and structure to the day would really help. Keeping the 8yo busy will help stop them dwelling on the virus and things that make them anxious (my eldest is autistic too). Mine are following a school timetable (because that's what the ones in secondary have been asked to do so I followed it with the 8yo too) and it has worked really well for them.

Joe Wickes makes a good natural starting point to the day. Then if you look on iPlayer there's BBC bitesize stuff on there every day now that they can just sit and watch. For maths, white rose home learning is a fabulous resource. I'd try and get them to read a bit every day. Then use the free audible and just get them to do some colouring or drawing while they listen.