You can provide your children with a great education from the comfort of your own home. It takes some necessary adjustments and extensive planning, but it can also be very rewarding in many different ways. Consider the rest of this article, and think about the opportunity that may just be for the taking.
Do not expect homeschooling to work seamlessly right from the start. It can take up to a year before you settle into a good flow with homeschooling. Even though you have educated yourself about the process before beginning, the skill to make it all work smoothly takes some time to develop. Exercise patience and you will be more successful.
A strict homeschool schedule is a top priority. Each Sunday, take the time to plan the week’s lessons, excursions and meals. It is important to begin each school day with a structured plan that your child can get used to following. They will learn easier and be more productive when they know each day’s expectations.
Keep a journal of your activities. You can track the techniques that you have used. You can then look back to find the techniques that had worked well for your children and what did not. It will help you come up with a homeschooling regimen that works well for your family without trying the same things over and over.
Just because your kids are the only ones in your neighborhood to be homeschooled doesn’t mean that you’re alone. Not only can you find other homeschooling parents in your city, but you’ll find many groups online who share your philosophy that education begins at home. There are conferences, clubs and even support groups waiting for you to use their resources. There are even cruised! If you take the time to search, you’ll find a treasure trove lies before you.
Homeschooling has to be fun! Excitement helps a child want to learn, and the more you can provide, the better. While creating the lesson plans, the teaching itself, procuring supplies and other tasks related to your new job can be frustrating, the end result is so positive that you should consider it as you trudge through your day. Include activities which are fun for both yourself and your kids, such as cooking, music lessons and acting scenarios out (don’t forget to dress up!)
When homeschooling you do not necessarily need to set up your home class exactly like a traditional classroom, although you do need some of the same materials. The kitchen or dining room table can serve as a desk. You will need a chalkboard or whiteboard, art materials and other important learning tools.
If you decide to hire a tutor to supplement your homeschooled child’s education, choose carefully. Make sure that the tutor has a degree in the subject he or she teaches. While a teaching degree is helpful, it isn’t a necessity to be a good tutor. Verify a potential tutor’s expertise and effectiveness by asking for and checking in with references.
One of the things that holds parents back from homeschooling is the myth that doing so will end up costing more than private school tuition. While some of the learning materials out there are, in fact, expensive, there are just as many affordable, effective resources available. The Internet is a valuable clearinghouse for workbooks, lesson plans and discounted texts to suit nearly any need and curriculum. In this case, at least, money shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
Look online for printable material. There are a number of websites that have free information on topics. You should be able to find everything from math practice to spelling lists. Using these can reduce the cost of your homeschooling endeavors. The only thing you have to pay for is printer ink!
Students in a typical classroom embody a variety of learning styles. However, parents of multiple home schooled children often overlook the fact that learning styles can vary greatly from one sibling to the next. A style that works for your oldest child may be ineffective for teaching your youngest. Don’t try to cut corners by using a single method for all your students — siblings or otherwise.
Find learning materials that work well with your child’s learning style. You do not need to stick with one particular book and work your way through it. If your child is a visual learner, find books that emphasize learning with pictures, puzzles and games. Your children will stay on task and will learn quicker if you alter your teachings to fit their learning style.
Harness the power of family by getting everyone involved in homeschooling. For example if someone in your family has been in a war, ask if they are willing to talk to your children about what the war meant to the country during that time. By letting others who have experienced something talk with your children, you will create lasting memories and life lessons.
Remember why you wanted to start homeschooling. Be prepared for some struggles, frustration, and days that just don’t work out well. Keep in mind why you chose to do this. It could be anything from being faith-related to wanting to be more involved with your child’s education. Whatever your reasons, keep them in mind when you run into a tough day.
Steer clear of isolation by looking for learning opportunities outside the home. There are many educational activities that are perfect for supplementing textbooks and worksheets. To expand on history lessons, visit a museum with your student. Are there any historical reenactments held nearby? You could take short trips to popular historical markers or even attend a screening of a relevant documentary.
Let your friends and family members know that you are homeschooling. Sometimes, well meaning friends might think that you and your child have a lot of free time because you are at home, rather than your child being in a classroom and you being at work. If your friends and family members are constantly interrupting your school day, it can make it difficult to meet your child’s educational needs and goals. By letting them know that you have a specific homeschooling schedule to keep, you can help to avoid this problem.
