Pupils have become less anxious during lockdown school closure

The children I know who were able to go to school, either as children of key workers or when their school year was allowed to return, without exception, loved it.

I don't think that many parents are cut out for engaging their children in home schooling.
And neither should they be quizqueen. It can destroy the relationship between the parent and child at home.

I don't think that many parents are cut out for engaging their children in home schooling.

The home learning that the children have done has been freed from these edicts and has been more imaginative; and more like real education.
That may be true of younger children, but Year 10 teenagers are tied to a GCSE syllabus which doesn't leave much room for imagination. My GS, 15, told me one day that he had done 14 pages of maths and he was asking me about Macbeth. His school didn't give them nearly enough work to get their teeth into whereas his quite academic GF, who attends the local Girls' School, said that they had far too much! Parents working from home, as DS2 has been, couldn't spare much time to help out. As far as I can see, younger GS, 12, has had very little work sent on line and is a child who really needs help and support. DS2 has done his best but lacks the special skills needed as does his partner who is out at work all the hours God sends. Sadly, I am too far away to be any use.
Teachers have been freed from the requirement to provide endless statistics and have been able to use their imaginations and professional skills to make learning more interesting and stress-free. Really? I'd like to see the evidence for that.

I'm guessing the minute the uniform comes out of the wardrobe and those clompy school shoes are produced, there will be meltdowns. Hopefully the thought of going back to school will be worse than the actual deed for those who are anxious. Teachers will have a tough job on their hands.

Our children have been far less anxious and enjoyed their long time off school. It's when they all start that the anxiety and tantrums start, they don't enjoy it one bit.

Split digraphs. They used to be called magic E that changes the sound of the vowel.
How have I got to my age without hearing about them?!

I've just looked them up and they are not what I thought they were. I'd assumed they were something like Greek or Latin dipthongs.

I think it’s depended on your outlook on life. I don’t think we can ever generalise about anxiety and it’s causes.

I’ve come across frustration and relief depending on the students particular mindset. I’m sure adults working in school have been likewise in their experience.

It s completely the opposite in my opinion teens I know have struggled with working at home Some have had to share computers with younger siblings some have had to shut themselves in their bedrooms while parents are working in other rooms The lack of social life (even school has a social side) has been dispiriting and very bad for children we are not made to be loners
University has been totally messed up for those older teens no freshers weeks no going round visiting No proms, no end of school group photos, so very much missing that will never be retrieved for these poor young people

I would like to know what teenagers they spoke to I do know some that have loved it as they ve been out at the skate park and beach every day
I think the wording is important less anxious, less anxious of what? less anxious of school work, less anxious of bullying less anxious of Covid itself by being at home

I imagine there is some truth in it, I think I was less stressed in some ways in lockdown (I am aware I was one of the fortunate ones) no commute, no getting everyone up and out for school, no rushing to activities, etc.

Split diagraphs. They used to be called magic E that changes the sound of the vowel. Apparently Gove decided to change the name. It’s just making life more difficult for little ones to understand our language.

One of my granddaughters aged 14 loved not being at school. She was well organised and did all the homework set by the school in good time. It left her free to do her work outs, cooking and helping her younger brother aged 10 to do his school work. On the other hand, her older brother aged 16 was very miserable and as a result did little school work.

I think then, it totally depends on the young person concerned. Some thrive and others really suffer.

That's interesting Luckygirl. Certainly not every child is cut out for the classroom and anything that can reduce the current stresses of education, particularly for adolescents, must be welcomed. I like the idea of imaginative, spontaneous teaching. Stuff the split diagraph nonsense my 6 year old GD was trying to master last year. We don't want to turn them all off school by the time they are 10, it's too late then.

I totally agree with you Luckygirl I am not the slightest bit surprised by this finding.

Sometimes our education system seems that it is being designed to deliberately take all the enjoyment away from learning.

I hope that the experience of this pandemic will be taken as an opportunity to re think how we do lot of things, including education our children, to work towards a better system, and not be afraid to change.