Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

do you let your child play or keep up the school work during this school closure?

32 replies

gina8127 · 23/03/2020 15:13

I am letting my children to just free play in the garden, etc. today and I feel guilty because other mums seem to work hard and encouraging them to sit and do their work. (English, Maths, PE etc. using the source provided by the school).

They are 4-5 years old so are reception.
It's especially difficult for me because I and DH both working from home!

Do you think IABU to let them just play?

OP posts:
FluffyAragog · 23/03/2020 15:16

I definitely don't think YABU, everyone needs to do whatever is needed to get them through this. Especially as yours are so young still and you're both working from home. Mine are older (7 and 12) the 7 year old has done a mixture of school set learning and playing. The 12 year old has more structured lessons online with their teachers so hasn't needed my input anyway.

Let them play. I'm sure you're doing a great job.

SapphireSalute · 23/03/2020 15:18

Just don’t take them out to the shops!!

Haggisfish · 23/03/2020 15:18

I’m doing both. If I had reception age I would do reading, shapes, numbers and lots of fun as well.

Original poster
gina8127 · 23/03/2020 15:20

Thank you FluffyAragog. My younger one is 3 so it makes it even harder to let her do her school work!
I thought I am doing okay then after all these messages/pictures from the parents in the class how their children are doing with their work, etc., I felt I am not a good mum.

Thank you.

OP posts:
insancerre · 23/03/2020 15:20

Let them play 100%

Jellycatspyjamas · 23/03/2020 15:20

Mine are 7 and 8, they have four things they need to do before they can have screen time (tidy bedroom, a particular school/learning task etc) and I have a couple of things up my sleeve to support learning. I’m definitely not recreating school at home and most time will be spent on free play, relaxing etc. They’re both anxious about the change in routine so I’m not going to compound that by trying to enforce a schedule as such.

Don’t forget things like family games, baking, crafts, colouring etc all have learning value in them.

AMomHasNoName · 23/03/2020 15:21

We've done both. DD is In reception so we got a few things to do each day from school. Word formations, a few counting things and daily reading of tricky words. Nothing major.

Original poster
gina8127 · 23/03/2020 15:21

No definitely not! I am not going to take them out anywhere.

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 23/03/2020 15:22

I thought I am doing okay then after all these messages/pictures from the parents in the class how their children are doing with their work,

Ah the competitive parenting brigade - really try not to compare, do your best for your kids and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, it all evens out in the end.

DrawMeARainbow · 23/03/2020 15:22

This is unprecedented and there's no right or wrong.

If it helps you to have a routine- do it.
If it helps you to go with the flow-do that.

KoalasandRabbit · 23/03/2020 15:23

I think if you are both wfh then its fine to let them play. I would make time for reading and a bit of maths each day but could be later on and doesn't need to be a long time.

Mine are 13 and 14 so obviously they need to study, school has set for some subjects but needs a lot of supervision especially for 13 year old who is ASD and gets stressed by change.

Phillipa12 · 23/03/2020 15:23

My dc aged 11,6 and 4 have done both today. We started with joe Wicks and then did school work with a break till lunch. After lunch they have played in the garden. The 11 year old just gets on with it, the other 2 need supervision and input so if you are working from home then that can be tricky.

user1497207191 · 23/03/2020 15:24

Surely you do a mix of both???

Wannabangbang · 23/03/2020 15:24

We've done a bit of work here and there, baking, drawing, colouring, playing in garden, watching films. Only just starting to get school log in so treating it a bit like a school day tomorrow. Ie pe and school work mixed with lunch and playtime indoors or in the garden or we will all go nuts. Need to keep a bit of routine but my youngest is 6
4 and 5 yo so little still, enjoy your time together having fun as a family, work can come second x

YgritteSnow · 23/03/2020 15:25

The days are long. Plenty of time to do both tbh.

SansaSnark · 23/03/2020 15:25

When your children are so young, I think letting them play is fine. If they are older (especially secondary age) I think it's more important they try to keep up.

Ideally I think I would encourage some reading and writing every so often, as well as activities like colouring to help their fine motor skills. Little bits of maths like counting and weighing and measuring would be good too.

But being a "good enough" parent right now is far more important than putting pressure on yourself to be perfect.

LuckyAmy1986 · 23/03/2020 15:25

Mine haven't done any learning today, although we did watch Ouch! or whatever it's called on CBBC which raised a lot of questions. We have played some card games, made an easter card for my great grandad, started to tidy the garden and now watching Mulan. There is going to be so much time for learning. I'm sorry but I'm giving mine a bit of time to just relax and have fun. I have a feeling they are a bit anxious about everything that is going on and I am not going to demand they sit they and do their times tables right now. This could go on for a long time.

LooseGoose29 · 23/03/2020 15:26

I am at home today, and my 2 have done 2hrs work. Tomorrow DH is at home I suspect they will do less.
Remember at school they don't do activities for all the time they are there, there is listening to the teacher (actually being taught), activity time, break/snack time, storytime, tidy-up time (takes longer than you think), Getting ready for hometime.

stairgates · 23/03/2020 15:26

Today has been a play day here. I will sit them down with their work packs when things settle later in the week.

SallyLovesCheese · 23/03/2020 15:26

Reception children SHOULD be playing lots! I hated having to sit 4-year-olds down and make them "write".

Plenty of time to do some fun counting games or spot objects around the house starting with certain sounds and things like that. Please don't feel bad.

GrumpyHoonMain · 23/03/2020 15:27

You should probably do both. I don’t imagine schools will take it easier on 5-6 yo who come into school next year unable to read / write / count.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 23/03/2020 15:29

We've been home since Wednesday. I'm working up from pretty much all free play to more actual 'work'. Started with reading (proper books, not the pretty useless books the school uses). Added Maths in. Adding writing tomorrow. They e also done craft, helping, sport, looking up stuff they are interested in... And watched TV, played with their Lego, played on the trampoline...

Currently turning a box into a bobsleigh!

Taddda · 23/03/2020 15:29

Let them play! Your both working from home, set a few play challenges- they're at great ages to keep each other entertained (3, 4 & 5 year olds? Your brave! I've got 1 & 2 year old Dd's, enough for me! I'm Zombied!)
I think the next few weeks are just going to be about constant adjustment, so making home life as comfortable and easy right now is important.

Sameold2020 · 23/03/2020 15:30

If they're playing then leave them to it. It's when they are constantly on tablets that they need a bit of direction. It'll be raining soon enough.

Whatishappening098 · 23/03/2020 15:34

It's only day 1. All these people with lesson plans and boards the novelty will surely wear off.
Play is just as important. Just set aside an hour or so each day for learning. Say 3/ 4 times of 20 minutes each. Especially at 5 years old. Attention span is not great at that age.