LEAF Education, a leading educational organisation, is inviting parents to utilise the resources on Countryside Classroom which covers a range of farming and food related topics.
With millions of parents across the country home-schooling for the first time, many will be finding it hard to navigate the resources available and deliver lessons across the huge range of topics that children usually learn about. One online platform, however, has everything a parent (and teacher) needs for simple, fun and effective home-schooling; Countryside Classroom’ has created a free Home Education Hub offering a range of free resources which are fun and easy to follow. The platform includes content relevant to all ages and curriculum subjects, focussing on food, farming and the natural environment so is ideal for parents home-schooling children of different ages. The online portal is also home to the annual Farming Fortnight (1 to 12 June), where children can immerse themselves in the world of farming, as well as find out more about how their food is produced.
For parents looking for weekly inspiration, the Countryside Classroom blog covers a range of farming and food related topics including:
LEAF Education’s Top Home-Schooling Tips
1. Do not put yourself under any pressure, start off with small activities that you feel comfortable with. As you get more confident, then begin to get creative perhaps venture outdoors and try some art in the garden (if you have one) https://www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/resources/118
2. It is probably best that you choose broad topics that allow your child to follow their own interests. Countryside Classroom resources on bread https://www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/resources/1387 for example could lead to cooking, looking at farm machinery or exploring other cultures - make sure you listen to your child and be guided by what interests them (as well as you!).
3. Mix it up to grab interest and foster learning: for example watch a farming video, discuss the content and answer questions then have a session on active outdoor maths; study a single topic such as where food comes from over several sessions, but break it up with games or puzzles.
4. If you are looking to be creative, then make sure you have everything you need to hand or adapt it to what works for you. If you are stretched for time then think about short activities you could set your child, take a look at the Quick Activities booklet for ideas.
5. You do not have to be a teacher – find out what works (and doesn’t work) for you and your situation – what have you wanted to do together with your children at home before that you might now take the opportunity to do? You do not have to follow the curriculum – which is why Countryside Classroom’s home education hub is adapted specifically for parents at home helping their children to learn.