For many parents, their children’s education is of the utmost importance to them. For a variety of reasons, homeschooling may be the best option available to you and your family. If you are just getting started, or even if you are a seasoned veteran, this article can help you make the most of the experience for you and your children.
If you home school your children, it is important that they still get play time. Just because they are getting schooled at home does not mean they need to be inside all of the time. Once they are done with their daily schooling and work, allow them to go outside and play for a little while.
Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to be their only teacher. Involve other experts, be it the Baker at the local bakery or your nearby librarian. Family members and friends can step in and help, too. The more teachers you provide, the broader the knowledge base your children will end up with.
Create your own flash cards. There is no need to waste money on expensive sets of flash cards when you can do it yourself. All you need to make your own are some index cards and a marker. Besides saving money, this technique also allows you to tailor the flash cards to your child’s specific needs.
Get in touch with other homeschoolers in your area. Homeschooling can be a lonely path if you do not make an effort to seek out support. Many areas now have homeschooling co-ops, where parents in a community work together to share resources and offer help. These are provide a valuable social outlet for your child, who does not have the same opportunities to make friends as a child in a public school.
Define an area in your home where teaching is to take place. While it may be tempting to let your child do their work anywhere, it’s important to have a defined area in the home that is dedicated to ‘school’. This area needs to be quiet, well-lit and free of all distractions.
Try to think of alternatives to purchases school supplies. You can make many of your own materials or adapt lessons to what supplies you have on hand. For example, create your own flashcards by investing in a laminator. Your kids can help you make the learning resources as a craft project.
Friendship is an important part of growing up and should be encouraged. This is especially important to children who are being homeschooled. To help your child develop healthy relationships with others, get them involved in the community. This can be accomplished through volunteering, attending homeschooling cooperatives or even playing sports.
What makes homeschooling the choice for your family? Is it that you feel the public school is letting your kids down? Do you feel you could do a better job? Do you want your kids to avoid the negative social issues they’d face in a public school setting? Write a letter to yourself about all the negatives about their current school situation and positives about what you want to provide to them. Read it whenever you feel frustrated about homeschooling as a pick-me-up.
Do not try to cram every subject into every day. You could use a two or three day school week per subject. This way, you can keep your child focused on a particular subject for longer periods of time. The less often they have to switch their focus to a new subject, the more progress they will make each day.
Understand when it is time to give up and try something new. When you’re teaching your child and it’s not working, there is a time to give in. Search for another method. Tactile learner enjoys a hands on approach, while some children are visual learners and observe and them imitate. If you push too hard, you may cause your child to become frustrated and discouraged about learning a topic.
Look into homeschooling conferences in your area. Sometimes, you will have to travel to another city to attend, but it will be well worth the trip. You will be able to get your hands on the latest and greatest homeschooling curriculum. You will also be able to discuss your options with professionals as well as other homeschooling parents.
Learn about what is known as unit study method for assisting your children in learning a great deal about each subject. With this method you study a single topic thoroughly before moving on to another topic. You will get more involved in each topic this way. Perhaps you will focus on classical music for six weeks. At the end of each unit, plan a field trip or an activity. Your child will fully appreciate music once they can not only hear but see the musicians and what they do to make such beautiful music.
If you are just starting out with homeschooling, give it some time to work. Do not give in the first week or month. It will take some time for you and your children to adapt to the routines. You may have a hard time getting some older kids to accept the new schooling method if they were once in schools with their friends.
You have to remember that you’re the parent, not a teacher. Coming across as a strict teacher could fracture the relationship. Teachers are trained to deliver lectures effectively, while you probably aren’t. Also keep in mind that lecture classes are one of the things children and many adults hate most about the public school system. Think about how your children feel. Read along with them for a while. You will also be learning quite a lot yourself.
Homeschooling is the right choice for many families across the world. If you have decided that it is the best option for you, this article will be a valuable resource as your children grow older. Keep it handy, and refer to it often over the years. You will be glad you did!
