The COVID-19 pandemic has delivered one certainty: the only consistency is inconsistency.

And that couldn't be truer for schools. From hand washing procedures to social distancing to being encouraged to attend school sites - there is very little that is the same.

As a working from home "substitute teacher" (a privilege), I don't wish to expand on arguments concerning equity including feeling safe at home, stable internet connection, access to online learning, and materials being prepared for students across the public system or in independent schools, nor am I pitching my thoughts at students requiring ATAR scores.

Rather, I wish to demystify what a curriculum can look like at home alongside busy work commitments where many are desperately fighting to keep jobs to maintain their family's way of life. Firstly, I would much rather teach your children than mine. Let me guarantee you it is simpler to educate, in a formal sense, without the emotional attachment that ensures simple requests quickly disintegrate into power struggles.

I am no different. When it comes to an argument my teacher training sails out the window as "base-parenting" erupts and I threaten to take away anything and everything from a treasured soft-toy to "those bloody electronic devices".

It is important to reassure substitute teachers that you are not going to harm your children's life chances. This crisis is like nothing most of us have ever seen. It has interrupted every aspect of our being with many critically ill and thousands of people dying across the world. Therefore, simply spending time with your children, whenever you can, is non-negotiable.

As a substitute teacher I don't know very much about the Australian Curriculum, but that doesn't really worry me. I presume it is underpinned by the basics of English and mathematics which prepare young people for further education and to successfully navigate the workplace and life in general.

However, as a former teacher, I remain far more interested in negotiated and integrated curriculum, teaching for understanding, and enhancing the motivation and engagement of young people. Basically, it is teaching the fundamentals in a manner that encourages children to keep striving even when the going gets tough and dig that little bit deeper to enhance comprehension.

Considering the current crisis, this is the perfect time to think about curriculum design even if school is a distant memory for you. When Term 2 begins encourage your charges to complete set tasks and stay in contact with their teachers.

School staff have put in a lot of time planning and preparing materials, but it won't take all day. Of course, there is a requirement for students to work on basic tasks and assignments no matter where they are based for their learning, but there is also a wonderful opportunity to integrate.

Therefore, make learning about everyday tasks that complement your daily routines.

Many students are blessed to experience a range of extra-curricular activities and we should use this time to focus on those areas. For children with a passion for the arts, nurture it. Act, sing, dance, draw, paint, explore, read, write, and listen and play until the cows come home.

For those with excess energy and an unquenchable thirst for sport, harness it. Walk, run, dribble, pass, shoot, score, catch, and strike. To add rigour, spend time with young athletes or aspiring performers planning sessions, setting goals, and importantly, reflecting on positive outcomes and areas for improvement. Using a smartphone to record technique is a valuable and fun way to provide feedback.

Involve your children in every aspect of home life. Plan meals, make shopping lists, cook and bake together, talk about ingredients, and the cost of items and how much you can save and how long it will last. Build Lego and billy carts and empower youngsters to complete basic odd jobs around the house that don't require constant supervision.

Play board games, read newspapers, write postcards to family and friends, and learn Cribbage. Some of my favourite moments in the classroom involved students who told me they were "no good" at maths, but as the sharpest crib sharks grew in self-esteem when demonstrating expertise following years of playing with their grandparents after school.

Everyone deserves praise for a job well done no matter whether simple or complex. For many substitute teachers it will not feel natural to congratulate students for completing a routine task, however, it is important. Praise recognises effort, rewards commitment, and reinforces the importance of finishing tasks in a learning environment.

Ten positives to a negative is the general rule and it's tough to achieve. Negotiate, integrate and use everyday life to build a challenging yet enjoyable curriculum.

Thinking and reflecting and literacy and numeracy skills and demonstrating compassion and building resilience will occur as a result. And to all our wonderful school staff and their "substitutes", thank you.