Home Schooling

To stop the spread of the new coronavirus, schools around the world have closed. Students have been learning from home. TIME for Kids editor Rebecca Katzman talked to five kids about what it has been like.

Lucy, Age 7

New York, U.S.A.

It is very different not being at school. But I stay connected with my class over video. We have been doing a lot of reading and writing. I am reading and writing about sea turtles. I tune in to P.E. class on Wednesday afternoons. And I am learning how to cook. Some mornings, I make my own breakfast. The hardest thing about staying home is that I don’t get to see my friends or go to birthday parties. But I enjoy spending more time with my family!

Mavis, Age 7

Hong Kong, China

I have been learning from home for two months. I have my own iPad now. I use it to tune in to class. I use it to keep in touch with teachers and classmates, too. My mom wants me to do more things independently × independently ELENA RIIM—EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES without help from other people (adverb) Carlos played with his Legos independently. . To practice my math, I play a card game. For music class, I made a song by tapping on glasses of water. I have a ton of books in my bedroom. But I still miss the library.

Andrea, Age 6

Milan, Italy

I wake up and eat breakfast. Then I study for a few hours. I meet with my teachers and classmates on a video call three days a week. I still have to raise my hand if I want to talk. If the teacher calls on me, I turn on my microphone × microphone ARTEM ERMILOV—GETTY IMAGES a device that transmits sound (noun) The pop star sang into the microphone. and speak. Sometimes, I get bored staying at home all day. But not always. It is important for kids to be patient × patient SDI PRODUCTIONS—GETTY IMAGES able to calmly withstand delays or problems (adjective) The teacher was patient as Justine struggled with her homework. right now. We will be back to our regular lives very soon.

Elisabeth, Age 7

Berlin, Germany

Learning from home is supercool. I do all the stuff I can’t do when I’m at school. I read, play games, and watch shows on the iPad. My teacher gave us two big folders of worksheets. They have lessons in German, geography, and math. I try to do three to five worksheets every day. But I get distracted because I want to play video games.

José Tomás, Age 6

Temuco, Chile

Walk with Me In the morning, I cuddle with my mom, watch cartoons, and do art projects. I do my assignments for school in the afternoon. My mom finds me videos online. We do P.E. class in my backyard. I get to run around, play, and spin in circles. At home, it can be hard to focus on my schoolwork. But I try to concentrate. I try not to think about everything that is going on.