Children have extremely weak immune systems when they are born. As they get exposed to more germs, their immunity begins to build up. However the first decade of their lives, they have a tendency to fall sick at the drop of a hat. In most cases being ill makes them miss school. However what is a homeschool student to do if he is sick?
Mild Illness
In most cases when homeschool students are just mildly ill, such as with a change of season cold, a tummy upset or a headache, they will still be expected to show up and study in the homeschool classroom. Some work may be excused, and new topics may not be taught. However the homeschool student will still be expected to sit through the day’s schedule and practice what is already known.
Severe Illness
Here the homeschool student may have to be laid up in bed due to the illness induced weakness. The best learning practices here will be to either use an audio book, or a series of videos that can be about a specific topic. The child will not feel up to writing and reading, however multi media learning, phone app based learning and videos can be used to supplement the lessons already taught.
Something Contagious
If the homeschool student has a contagious illness like chicken pox or measles, and the other siblings have not yet caught it, doctors would advice separating the sick child from the healthy ones. However as any mother can vouch, it is nearly impossible to maintain extreme quarantine with more than two children in the house. So it may just be a good idea to get everyone together on the family couch in the living room and do an art project or watch a movie.
That way the full set of siblings can get the illness in one go and be done with it. Of course the homeschool parent should have another adult to back them up in case they fall ill as well. Not much studying is likely to take place till the sickness has finished sweeping through the house.
