As hospitals open bigger doors, university gates are kept closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving most parents with no choice but to turn to one logical solution in terms of providing their children continuous education: homeschooling. 

One word with so many possible implications on both parents and children, homeschooling has actually been on the rise for more than half a century in an effort to establish the roles of family in nurturing a child's learning development. 

And now that emergency lockdowns and community quarantines are slowly being accepted as the 'new normal', countries like Singapore strongly encourage parents to explore homeschooling measures by making e-learning compulsory on specific days of the week. From video conferences to podcasts, a variety of online platforms now serve as a vital learning tool amongst students of all ages.  

Caught between confronting a crisis and the desire to continue their children's education, it's only a matter of time before then-hesitant homeschooling parents embrace this new trend. 

But even so, given that homes do not provide a conducive learning environment--because let's be honest, they're not built for that--how can parents help their children adapt to this new norm? Is there, by any chance, a way to turn the situation around and make learning more fun and more reachable at home? 

First Things First, Prepare!

It's frustrating. It's time-consuming. And it's the ultimate test of patience. 

Homeschooling is definitely not every parent's cup of tea but now that an invisible and deadly enemy is just lurking around known and unknown grounds, staying at home is the best and the safest solution for every family. 

The first step to embracing this new role is preparation. It is in desperate times like this that parents need to remind themselves--and each other--that 1) they are not alone, 2) humans are naturally adaptable, and 3) this pandemic will end, too. The cure isn't here yet but the WHO incessantly investigates possible vaccines and cures for this deadly, life-changing virus. 

Preparation-wise, experts advise parents to create a structure that can help them juggle between work, homeschooling, and other personal responsibilities. Sticking to a schedule, finding opportunities to bond and learn, and finding time to breathe and relax can help parents cope with the stress that comes with this worldwide pandemic. 

Also, building strong connections and maintaining social groups can significantly create a positive mindset amidst a crisis. Parents are humans, too. They need a break or they will eventually break down. 

Setting Up a Conducive Learning Space that Works

1. Consistency is Key

A learning space doesn't need to be a full, isolated room dedicated entirely to homeschooling. Children can learn at any designated corner in the house as long as one very important factor is thrown in the mix: consistency. 

An integral part of creating a structure, setting a consistent study routine, and making that customized learning space available during study hours teaches children the value of at-home learning. Even in the classroom, routines are a very critical learning component, so there's no reason parents should leave this value behind. 

More so, to gain workflow and consistency, parents are also advised to continue with their usual daily routines. This means waking children up in the morning, getting ready for school, having breakfast, and completing academic worksheets every single school day. 

2. Create a Need-Specific Learning Space 

Every child is unique, and so is every learning habit. When creating a space, parents can get the best out of every at-home sessions by centering their focus on their child's specific wants and needs. 

For instance, some children learn best by reading and answering workbooks, while others crave a more experiential learning method, making it critical to acknowledge a child's personality, which dramatically affects learning abilities.  

Also, many may not be aware of this, but color plays a role in cognition and information retention. While bright colors can catch children's attention, creating a learning room that's too brightly-painted may be too distracting.

In this sense, creating balance and understanding children's color preferences play a huge role in making a space conducive for mental and physiological development. And oh, let's not forget proper lighting, too!

3. Create a Comfortable, Clutter-Free Environment

Homeschooling opens opportunities for both work and play. By using toys and other engaging tools, parents can help their children learn in a fun and interactive way. 

However, it's also important to limit toys and make learning spaces clutter-free. The best thing parents can do is set scheduled playing and learning times, and turn this into a consistent routine so the time spent for learning wouldn't be eaten up by too much playtime. 

4. Take Advantage of Digital Tools but Don't Make them the Focus of Learning

There's no denying that laptops, iPads, and other digital tools are essential for homeschooling, especially now that parents and children need to fully rely on videos and online tutorials to march towards significant academic development. 

But while investing in these gadgets is integral in homeschooling success, this goes with limitations. Along with their ability to open children to multiple learning platforms, these devices can also be their access to games, social media, and other sites that can serve as a huge distraction. 

The solution: limit gadget time and introduce children to real-life experiences that can help them learn important life skills. This way, children won't miss out on important learning opportunities. 

5. Don't be Afraid to Ask

Most schools release online curriculums that parents could read in advance, but this isn't a license to expect a lot from stay-at-home moms and dads when it comes to at-home learning.

First time in homeschooling or not, parents should not be afraid to proactively ask questions about confusing topics be it about math, reading, or comprehension. Some experts also recommend hiring online tutors, especially when the pages are flipping towards complex topics. 

6. Don't Lose Focus on Family Time

Lastly, while homeschooling can be stressful and time-consuming, it isn't supposed to shift your focus away from what matters the most: family time. 

Limit homeschooling. Look for fun and creative ways to learn and bond. And most importantly, make every moment with your family count.