One of the beauties of homeschooling is being able to do school when your kids are sick. I'm not talking about when they're miserable, when just want/need to sleep or when they're throwing up every five minutes. Moreso, I'm referring to when they're feeling icky and are just not up to a full load of bookwork. There is still so much education that can be accomplished in this stage!
Today I'm sharing the Sick Day School repertoire I have relied on over the years:
#1 Reading:
This seems obvious but we always have books that we are reading, books that need to be read, or books that round out a topic we're studying. I'm always here for good recreational reading too. Reading comprehension skills benefit students their whole life long! Bring on the sustained silent reading! Bring on the browsing through interesting books!
#2 Audio Books:
I rely heavily on audio books when the Blossoms don't feel well. It's the perfect time to bust out an appetizing book that I've been wanting them to read. When Blossom3 had a concussion several years ago, she absorbed so many excellent works through audio books. She had a regular diet of solid literature! We accomplished so much when she was severely restricted in what she could do! Audio books do not have to be expensive. In fact, you'd be amazed at how many audio books are available free on YouTube. Additionally, the Kindle Text to Speech feature and the Libby app make audio books accessible for all budgets. Sometimes I pick a book from their book list. Sometimes I ask what they're in the mood to hear. Sometimes I make suggestions. Audio books are our friends!
I rely heavily on audio books when the Blossoms don't feel well. It's the perfect time to bust out an appetizing book that I've been wanting them to read. When Blossom3 had a concussion several years ago, she absorbed so many excellent works through audio books. She had a regular diet of solid literature! We accomplished so much when she was severely restricted in what she could do! Audio books do not have to be expensive. In fact, you'd be amazed at how many audio books are available free on YouTube. Additionally, the Kindle Text to Speech feature and the Libby app make audio books accessible for all budgets. Sometimes I pick a book from their book list. Sometimes I ask what they're in the mood to hear. Sometimes I make suggestions. Audio books are our friends!
#3 Documentaries and Educational Shows/Shorts:
What a fabulous way to expand on a current topic of study or venture into something you or your child have always want to research! Documentaries and education shows or shorts are one of the quickest way to learn while lying on the couch! YouTube is full of such things, for FREE!!!
What a fabulous way to expand on a current topic of study or venture into something you or your child have always want to research! Documentaries and education shows or shorts are one of the quickest way to learn while lying on the couch! YouTube is full of such things, for FREE!!!
#4 Narration:
This is a multi-faceted tool. Sometimes we have a journal entry, composition, or story that needs to be written. I grab a laptop and have them narrate those works to me. Additionally, narration is a powerful tool for students to process what they are learning. I like to have the Blossoms tell me what they learned while listening, watching, or reading.
#5 Flashcard Apps or Math Games:
Simple math is another great way to get some skill-sharpening in when they're not up for the usual load of bookwork. I like to keep it to short bursts, but when they spend a few minutes on these, it's helpful long-term!
#6 Handcrafts and Small Brain-Stimulating Games:
Crocheting, painting, friendship bracelets, coloring, tangrams, magnets, and any other sort of small brain-stretching games are great choices for those not feeling well. I don't expect long attention spans with these during sick day school. I've just found that hours of TV make the Blossoms feel worse. Short bursts of good activities interspersed with rest seem to help much more in the long run. I don't push; I make them available. I might grab a fresh glass of water and bring a few of these activities over to them. I don't mind when the activity eventually falls to the wayside and they drift off to sleep.
Crocheting, painting, friendship bracelets, coloring, tangrams, magnets, and any other sort of small brain-stretching games are great choices for those not feeling well. I don't expect long attention spans with these during sick day school. I've just found that hours of TV make the Blossoms feel worse. Short bursts of good activities interspersed with rest seem to help much more in the long run. I don't push; I make them available. I might grab a fresh glass of water and bring a few of these activities over to them. I don't mind when the activity eventually falls to the wayside and they drift off to sleep.
Ultimately, I want the girls to rest when they don't feel well, so I'm always shooting for a good balance. When I lie around, I just feel worse. When my mind is occupied and I have the opportunity to rest whenever needed, I recover more quickly!
I hope our Sick Day School repertoire helps you navigate those in between days of sickness!
Dominique
PS - I couldn't resist all the animal pics. We do lots of animal time when folks aren't feeling well here.
