One of the biggest impact that the Covid19 pandemic brought to not only to the Philippines, but the whole world is the forced closure of schools and universities, which results to a halt in our children’s education. If you still remember, classes were suspended from March 10 to 14, 2020 and since then most students weren’t able to come back when the Enhance Community Quarantine took effect on March 15. It was supposedly Coco’s examinations week then. They weren’t even able to say good bye to their classmates. Those schools that follows the June opening of classes suspended the rest of the school year. While those schools that follows the July/August opening of classes were able to work fast to be able to provide ways to continue their school year by doing online classes.

Our children has been on summer and forced vacation for the last XX days as of this posting. They haven’t come out of their houses (for those who really follow the protocols) for that long as well. They did nothing but play all day, watch TV all day, gadgets all day, some craft and fun learning activities on the side, zoom calls, online sessions and what not.

But lot of us are still thinking of our children’s education too. Will they not have to go to school this year? If not, how will they continue their education? As much as I am scared with Covid19, I also think our children still have to study. Despite of the fact that a lot of people doesn’t agree with DepEd’s decision of opening of classes, for me I think it is for the best. There are a lot of ways for our children to continue their education, like online schooling, blended learning (both online and modular), modular or even home school. It is up to you to decide what is best for you and your child.

Prior to the suspension of classes, we were already planning on moving Coco to different school. But I am not at ease with that supposed school’s plans. So I kept on reading about how to go about this on Facebook groups, research and watch live orientations. Being a work from home mom, I think I can and will be able to teach Coco.

And where we ended, rather where we will begin a new chapter (for now!) is another story to tell, just thinking of and finding courage to tell you all about it.

JUST A TIP: For those who is doing blended learning like ours, PARENTS, I plead please teach your child to MUTE the mic and to NOT interrupt if the teacher is talking. Please also teach them to not press anything or remove the presentation of their teacher. Prepare a learning space for the child that is quiet and where he will not get distracted. Begin your day with a breakfast and a good bath. Make a routine so that they will be accustomed again to going to school, even if it is just at home. Sleep early. Make sure your child have everything beside him as he starts his class. And lastly, don’t teach your child but help them understand.

Things That I prepared:

Lifetime table and Stool
I bought this 39 x 19 x 29 inches table in ACE Hardware, around Php2,000. I chose this table because of its sturdiness and durability. It is best for a temporary set up, since we only have a small place and I may store it once in a while. It has an easy to fold legs, so it will be easy for me to store it. It is a bit high for Coco, because the size that I got, which is the perfect size for our set up,  isn’t the one that has adjustable legs. Good thing I remembered that be have nice long legged stool at my mom’s so I got it for Coco to use. Coco put one of his pillows in its backrest, as well. The table is available in SHOPEE too (Buy here)

Locaupin Trolley, full of school supplies
I bought our white 3-tier trolley via their Shopee shop. It was on sale for around Php1,000 that time. It is kind of a thing now that everyone will be having their lessons at home. So I got this for the school supplies, so that I don’t have to drag every thing from his room to our home school set up and every thing is just in one place and the fact that we don’t have a lot of shelves here. All school supplies were already on hand that we collected over the years. I got the 3 narrow baskets (Php450) on top at this Shopee account, while the Chevyll hanging buckets (Php357) at this Shopee account. TIP!!! When you buy the baskets and buckets, try looking for it from different accounts compute the total with shipping fee. If you noticed, I got them all from different accounts. Why? It is cheaper when I added them all. 


I just recently bought 12-colors set white board markers, white board erasers and a rim of bond paper from B&e School & Office Supplies Shopee shop. The rim of bond paper costs Php210, 12-colors set white board markers is Php95 or Php8 each and the mini white board eraser at Php12 each.


Laptop
I got one for myself because my old hand me down laptop might give up on me very soon. It’s an Asus Vivobook X412F that I bought in Abenson. I only got a new one because I will also be using it for my work at home responsibilities.

Printer
I got an HP Deskjet 2620. I love its white color. It is very easy to use, especially with the wifi connect print. The thing with this, its ink is kind of hard to find, but it is more economical than the regular ink size. You can buy it here in Shopee.

White board
I got the white board because I think it will help me and Coco when we do exercises for his classes. I got this Acura Whiteboard Magnetic with Aluminum Frame (24 in x 24 in) for only Php500 at Binondo Supplies Shopee shop.

Headphone 
Though I think it is better for Coco not to use headphones, so that I can also hear what the teacher is talking about, I still thought of getting him one, which is also part of my birthday gift for him. I got this Spider man headphone via Amazon for him to enjoy his sound tripping as well. But if while having classes, and audio is low, I will just connect his speakers that my sister gave him last Christmas.

Eyeglass
Coco has had his Sunnies Specs Kids (Otto style) for a while now. But since he was restricted of screen time for a long time. I just kept it. But this is what I use to protect his eyes. Sunnies Specs Kids has pre-made frames with anti-radiation screen safe lenses that are sold for only P1,999. Thank you again Sunnies and our dear friend, Dear Danielle for sending this over to us.

Phone/Tablet Stand
So since I know he will be receiving a tablet from the City of Pasig, I also got him a stand so that it would be more comfortable for him to use it. I got it for only P98 plus shipping fee via kvfm.ph shopee account.

Are we really ready? I feel that we aren’t that ready. But I am pretty sure we will do our best to finish this school year with flying colors and make sure all that I prepared for physically and emotionally – for  Coco and I will be worth it.

How about you, how did you prepare your child for this school year? Did you still enroll your child to their current school, or did you choose a different path like us? Care to share with me?

PS. We can do this mommas, kids, and teachers! Fighting! Aja!