When School Closes: Learning Still Happens (Promise)
Every time schools close because of weather, I see the same concerns start bubbling up. What are we going to do? What about school? Are they going to fall behind?
And every single time, my mind flashes back to the government shutdown almost six years ago.
Back then, so many of my friends took to social media in full-on panic mode, spiraling over what to do with their children’s education. In an effort to calm the waters, I made what I thought was a fairly harmless suggestion:
Take a break. Build a blanket fort.
You would have thought I suggested canceling education altogether.
People I know in real life — including several sorority sisters — absolutely lambasted me online. (Two months later, those same people were buying IKEA frames for elaborate, aesthetic blanket forts… but I digress.)
So, at the risk of being ridiculed once again, I want to offer a few ideas for learning at home when school is closed. Take ’em or leave ’em. Modify them for different ages. Use what works, skip what doesn’t.
At the end of the day, the choice belongs to the parents.
Ideas for Learning at Home (In No Particular Order)
Read.
Read to or with your younger children, and let your teen read something that actually interests them. The “level” doesn’t matter (that arbitrary label is a discussion for another day).
Ranger’s Apprentice for the millionth time? Great.
Automotive, gardening, or fashion magazines? Still reading.
The goal is engaging the brain with the written word — nothing more, nothing less.
Read to or with your younger children, and let your teen read something that actually interests them. The “level” doesn’t matter (that arbitrary label is a discussion for another day).
Ranger’s Apprentice for the millionth time? Great.
Automotive, gardening, or fashion magazines? Still reading.
The goal is engaging the brain with the written word — nothing more, nothing less.
Cook together.
Cooking is one of the best learning activities out there. Math, science, reading, and even history can all make an appearance with a little curiosity. It’s also a life skill and a way for kids to contribute to the family — which makes it a favorite around our house.
Cooking is one of the best learning activities out there. Math, science, reading, and even history can all make an appearance with a little curiosity. It’s also a life skill and a way for kids to contribute to the family — which makes it a favorite around our house.
Research a winter historical event.
Turn it into a “Have You Ever Wondered” game: What would we have done if we’d been there? It sparks imagination, discussion, and critical thinking without feeling like an assignment.
Turn it into a “Have You Ever Wondered” game: What would we have done if we’d been there? It sparks imagination, discussion, and critical thinking without feeling like an assignment.
Go birdwatching.
This is a great time of year for it. Keep it simple or make it academic — your choice.
Younger kids can identify birds or count how many they see in a short sitting. Older kids can do deeper research. No bird feeder? Scatter seed on the ground or make one with pine cones, pie tins, peanut butter, and birdseed.
This is a great time of year for it. Keep it simple or make it academic — your choice.
Younger kids can identify birds or count how many they see in a short sitting. Older kids can do deeper research. No bird feeder? Scatter seed on the ground or make one with pine cones, pie tins, peanut butter, and birdseed.
Lean into Valentine’s Day.
Younger kids can practice fine motor skills cutting out hearts (no fancy supplies needed — old magazines and Amazon box paper work just fine).
Older kids can learn what a sonnet is and try writing one. Feeling adventurous? Research the real St. Valentine. (Parents, preview first.)
Younger kids can practice fine motor skills cutting out hearts (no fancy supplies needed — old magazines and Amazon box paper work just fine).
Older kids can learn what a sonnet is and try writing one. Feeling adventurous? Research the real St. Valentine. (Parents, preview first.)
Never underestimate play.
So much learning happens through “just playing.” Always has. Always will.Talk about civic virtue — then act on it.
Have a discussion about good deeds and responsibility, then find a neighbor who needs help digging out.
So much learning happens through “just playing.” Always has. Always will.Talk about civic virtue — then act on it.
Have a discussion about good deeds and responsibility, then find a neighbor who needs help digging out.
Explore a foreign language.
In our house, one child fluent in Spanish enjoys speaking it to his sibling who takes French. She’s finally learned enough to respond back, with me interjecting in English so no one gets too annoying.
If you’d prefer less sibling chaos, YouTube is a great place to learn something like ASL together.
In our house, one child fluent in Spanish enjoys speaking it to his sibling who takes French. She’s finally learned enough to respond back, with me interjecting in English so no one gets too annoying.
If you’d prefer less sibling chaos, YouTube is a great place to learn something like ASL together.
Help with the grocery list.
Budgeting, math, and economics all wrapped into one very practical life skill.
Budgeting, math, and economics all wrapped into one very practical life skill.
Do household chores together.
Even toddlers can help. Responsibility, sequencing, motor skills — it all counts.
Even toddlers can help. Responsibility, sequencing, motor skills — it all counts.
Presidents’ Day is coming up.
Read about Washington and Lincoln with younger kids. Older students can research lesser-known facts about either (or both).
Read about Washington and Lincoln with younger kids. Older students can research lesser-known facts about either (or both).
Memorize something.
Quotes, Bible verses, poems, speeches — whatever fits your family.
Have competitive kids? Turn it into a challenge. Mine will memorize anything just to prove they can. Not competitive? Offer a reward that motivates them.
Quotes, Bible verses, poems, speeches — whatever fits your family.
Have competitive kids? Turn it into a challenge. Mine will memorize anything just to prove they can. Not competitive? Offer a reward that motivates them.
Play games and do puzzles.
Board games, cards, puzzles — pick your family’s favorites.
Remember what I said about being competitive? Around here, you could lose a finger playing Dutch Blitz. Trivial Pursuit is currently king, and the college student and I text daily about how we did on Connections and Wordle.
Board games, cards, puzzles — pick your family’s favorites.
Remember what I said about being competitive? Around here, you could lose a finger playing Dutch Blitz. Trivial Pursuit is currently king, and the college student and I text daily about how we did on Connections and Wordle.
There are so many options out there for games that are fun and mentally stimulating.
Winter Olympics project.
Have your student create a modern-day scrapbook. I still have parts of the one my 7th-grade English teacher assigned.
It can include stats (math), athlete backgrounds (language arts), country flags (geography)… the possibilities are endless.
Have your student create a modern-day scrapbook. I still have parts of the one my 7th-grade English teacher assigned.
It can include stats (math), athlete backgrounds (language arts), country flags (geography)… the possibilities are endless.
One Last Thought
Let these ideas inspire you to come up with some of your own. Most of all, let them take the worry off your mind about a few days away from “school.”
Learning is still happening.
You’re keeping their minds engaged just fine. 💛
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