It’s survival of the fittest for everyone, your kids not excepted. Teaching from home is not without its difficulties. You should learn from people who have done it and the ideas in this article are a great place to start.
Check out state laws regarding homeschooling. Each state approaches homeschooling a bit differently, so knowing the regulations is key. Some states offer a pre-determined curriculum, while others leave the curriculum up to you. Visit your states education website to coordinate your school year with that of the state you are in.
If you have young kids you might have a hard time finding the time to homeschool older kids. Be certain to schedule some quality time for each child each day. try to find activities that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. This will help your child feel part of a group and not isolated from society.
The main advantage of homeschooling your child is your ability to adapt your teaching methods. If your child enjoys hands-on experiences, cater the curriculum in a way that involves hands-on lessons. This ensures they learn what they need to.
When teaching toddlers and older kids, make sure to schedule private time for each. Designate an area that has toys the kids can play with. Your students can help teach them by reading to them or counting with them, too. They will both learn from this, especially the older children will begin to understand what it means to teach themselves.
Don’t neglect using art when creating a lesson plan, even when art isn’t the thing that is being taught. You can have children draw pictures or make art projects that depict what they have learned so far. Encourage them to use their imagination to decide whether they want to express their thoughts through song, poetry, sculpting or macaroni art! The more involved your child is in the lesson, the more content is absorbed, so keep them active during lesson time.
Every state has a Homeschool Association which can guide you through the rules you’ll have to adhere to. State requirements can vary and cover such items such as standardized testing. You must also reach out to someone in your school district to verify your homeschooling intentions. Otherwise you may find yourself subject to truancy charges.
Plan family vacations as learning opportunities. Include museums, science centers, zoos and historical sites in your trip plans. You can set aside part of your day during your vacation and include some learning in it. This will allow your entire family to have fun with learning.
Understand the laws that your state imposes on homeschooling. There is a website for the HSLDA that lays the laws out for you. You might want to also join a homeschooling organization. Any dues that you have to pay will be offset by the benefits gained.
Write a list of good things and bad things about both homeschooling and public schools. Use this list to formulate your lesson plan. This can serve as a checklist to help shape your educational plan. Refer to this list when you doubt your decision to home school.
You need to know when you should give in and make changes. If you push your children, they will shut down. Find an alternative method of teaching that subject to them. Whether it is a game, movie, or even bringing in a tutor or another parent to help, you have options! Pushing your child to learn in a way that isn’t working for them will leave you both frustrated.
You can take on the challenges of homeschooling by using the knowledge compiled in this article. These tools will help you give your kids the education they need and deserve. In the end, they’ll take what they’ve learned with them for a lifetime, and great success should lay before them in the future.