Deciding to teach your children at home can be a hard decision. There are various programs to pick from and you might not be able to deal with the added responsibility of teaching your kids. Read on for information that will help you make this decision.
Go on excursions with other local homeschooling families. This will be enjoyable and give your kids a chance to socialize. It’s also a great way to cut back on expenses since group rates are always much cheaper.
How much will homeschooling cost you? For instance, it will require one parent to be at home and not working. Even if you are already a stay-at-home parent, you will have less time to perform your daily duties. Figure out if your decision will entail turning to more convenient but more expensive options such as grocery delivery or hiring a housekeeper.
Get crafty when planning your homeschooling curriculum. There are a lot of expenses associated with the home school route, but many of them can be reduced by making your own or modifying existing resources. You can create flash cards using index cards that you can laminate. You can even get the children involved with the project to make it educational in its own right.
Give children household chores or hire someone to do them. It’s almost impossible for you to do it all. Cooking, shopping, cleaning, and homeschooling can drain you mentally and physically. Let others help you whenever possible and never feel guilt.
Find out your local homeschooling laws. You can visit the HSLDA’s website to find out about your state’s laws. There are homeschooling organizations which can assist you if you have to talk to CPS or a local education board. Even if you need to pay a fee to join, it may be well worth it for the help you can get from the organization.
Start communicating with people getting home-schooled that are similar to you. This can help you understand the different reasons for homeschooling. You can find others with similar philosophies and goals that you may have. Homeschooling groups are also a great place to get advice and support if you’re just beginning.
It is sometimes acceptable to give in. If one method of instruction is not working, don’t keep pushing. Look for another method to teach them on that subject. That can be things like films, internet resources, or even games. Continuing to try a way that doesn’t work over and over again is the only thing you don’t want to do.
Do not neglect your family relationships because of homeschooling. Plan on spending some quality time with your other children and with your significant other. Let them know that you still cherish your time with them by reserving date nights. Try to have family time every night of the week.
Your child’s ulitmate goal upon getting through high school is passing a equalivancy exam called the GED. Identify your child’s weaknesses and have them practice with sample GED tests before you start new units that target their weaknesses. That way, you will know where to devote the most resources.
Don’t lecture your children the same way a teacher would. Most homeschooling parents do not have a teaching certificate and should not try to teach like they do. There is also the fact that your children most likely tune you out during a lecture, as you have likely seen for yourself in the past. Instead, read along with your child, and put yourself in his or her shoes. You’ll probably end up learning lots yourself.
Take the time to get to know others who homeschool in your community. Homeschooling your child is not an easy task, and it’s likely that you can learn some valuable advice from others who are doing the same thing you are. You also might be fortunate enough to find some really great friends when imparting your knowledge on others. Also, your children can play together, becoming friends in the process. It can be harder for homeschooled children to make friends since they aren’t in a classroom with all the other children. Making sure to be part of a homeschool group will go a long way toward benefiting you and the your kids.
Once you are fully informed and feel confident that you have realistic expectations and skills, feel free to get started. The information from this article can help you teach your children at home and give them a great education. It won’t belong before you begin to enjoy the unique bonding experience that homeschooling affords yourself and your children.