Kid Home Sick? Keep Schoolwork Up to Date with These 10 Tips

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Lyn Lomasi via Flickr.com

When your child is sick, it's easy to slack off on schoolwork. But doing so could put your child at risk of falling behind. Of course, when your kids are at their worst, you can't possibly give them school assignments. But when they are sick - especially for long periods of time, there are going to be moments when it's appropriate. Being ill can actually be the perfect time to keep schoolwork up to date. If your child is well enough to watch TV or play, she can probably do some learning too.

Ask the teacher for a packet and/or materials. This may seem like a no-brainer. But when your child is ill, a million things may be running through your mind. Stop by the school and ask the child's teacher for a packet of makeup work. If you know approximately how long your child will be away, get the work for those days. If you homeschool, then you are likely already prepared in this department.

Take advantage of happy moments. If your child is sick, they may not quite be up to schoolwork. Take advantage of the happier times where it's possible. That's when it's the perfect time to introduce some schoolwork. If your child is going through a difficult procedure, the school work can wait until a more cheerful moment.

Learn through play. While sick or going through complicated medical procedures, your child might not exactly be ready to hit the books. But educational play can do the trick in those instances. Put on puppet shows (younger children), play board games related to his current studies, play with manipulatives, and more. These things keep your child's brain active and focused on current lessons, but may not be as stressful as other forms of study.

Take schoolwork to doctor and hospital visits. This may sound odd and out of place. But kids get bored during doctor appointments and hospital stays. There is always lots of waiting time in between things. Schoolwork helps relieve the boredom and also helps ensure your child doesn't fall behind in school.

Watch relevant educational videos. This is a simple activity you can do with a child who cannot move much or who is unwilling to. This prevents unnecessary stress while your child is ill. But if you choose videos related to the current lessons, it also serves the purpose of keeping learning levels intact.

Listen to relevant music and audio. Music is a great way to instill lessons in kids. It's fun and if your child has to lay in a hospital bed, at least he can listen and maybe sing along. Many musicians are being more creative with learning songs. You can find just about any topic, such as multiplication, recycling, manners, and so much more.

Use flashcards. Many use flashcards for basic math and alphabet skills. But they can be used for pretty much any topic. They are small and can be done one at a time. This is important when you have a sick kid because if you need to stop at any point or do things in tiny increments, it's easier to keep track. Just take things one card at a time if you need to.

Tell stories. Oral stories also can be great learning tools. You and your child can come up with the stories together if possible. If he is not feeling up to it, you can do all the story telling. Be sure to focus on things your child is learning in school, while keeping it fun and lighthearted.

Read books. Reading is of course very good for the brain. It's also a good way to keep that knowledge flowing when your child is sick. She will have plenty of time to read, no doubt. If she's not well enough to read, you can read to her. Look for books related to what she's learning in each school subject.

Do relevant crossword puzzles and other pencil games. If your child needs to lay in bed all day, crossword puzzles and other puzzle games are the perfect solution. If the lesson is U.S. presidents, look for a crossword on that. The best source for customizing them in this way is online printable and homeschool websites. There are a wide variety of topics out there only a search away.