It isn’t as hard as you think to homeschool. Homeschooling your child allows you to know exactly what they are learning, and protects them from unwanted influences. Keep reading to learn more about homeschooling and get an idea of what you need to do before you get started.
You can teach your children in the method the can learn from easiest when you homeschool. For example, if your child learns by doing, you can create lessons that allow him or her to engage in hands on activities. This way, you can make sure your child succeeds.
Did you think about the financial costs of homeschooling? If you’re thinking of quitting work to homeschool, that can create a very large financial burden. Stay-at-home parents will lose time previously allocated to household chores and cooking. This change may mean ordering take-out more often at exorbitant prices.
Older Kids
One on one time is integral when you are teaching young children. Keep an area filled with toys and crafts for them. Let the older kids assist in teaching the younger ones. That will enable both children to learn, and older kids will thrive on the responsibility you give them.
Get in touch with the homeschooling association in your state to find out the rules where you live. There are some states that allow you to be a ‘private school’ and there are other places that want to test your children through the state. Make sure the local school district knows you are homeschooling, so you will not be faced with truancy charges.
Come up with a list of the good things and the bad things about public and home schools. Use this list to formulate your lesson plan. It’s a checklist of the good and bad things you have to consider. Put your checklist and objectives prominently displayed and refer to it as needed.
Make contact with others that homeschool their children. There are a wide variety of reasons that families homeschool their children. Chances are you will find groups of people that share your goals and philosophies. Homeschooling communities can be great resources of information and support, especially when you’re just starting out.
Choose your battles wisely. Every child has a different style of learning. If what you are doing isn’t working, it’s time to back up and rethink things. Look for other ways to teach the concept. There are several ways to do this you can use the Internet, a video or even games. You will only end up with an upset and frustrated child if you continually push something that they do not understand.
Make certain your child has ample opportunity for socialization. Be creative and give your child multiple opportunities to play with others. Form a group with other parents who home school and take field trips together. Have your child play sports with a local recreation department team. The Scouts are also a great way to meet other kids and socialize.
Read up on different styles of learning. Your child may benefit from a customized teaching plan. You should try not to get tied up with one particular teaching method. Mix and match teaching methods to find the perfect formula for your children.
Write down your reasons for homeschooling. Even if you think you know your reasons for homeschooling, putting them down in writing can help turn vague ideas concrete and coordinate your expectations with those of your spouse. If you know what you want to do and why, you will be ready to answer any objections that people might bring to you. This keeps you calm and confident.
Go on nature walks. There are many ways these can be helpful. Smaller children could collect leaves and identify them by shape and color. They can also work on finding different amounts of trees to identify. The older kids can try to identify the different species they find. Bring a camera to review pictures later.
Can your high school child pass the GED? Have your child take a practice test before they start each portion of their curriculum. This will help you be able to concentrate on weaker areas.
Support System
Talk to other families who are in the same position as you while homeschooling. Homeschooling is a difficult undertaking and having a strong support system of people going through the same experiences is key to being a successful homeschooler. Also throw in some advice yourself, which may lead to strong friendships being built. The kids will become fast friends, allowing them to have their own support system. Because your child isn’t in a conventional school, they do need to have socialization time so that it doesn’t become a problem later on. Getting together with other families can remedy this.
Set up an online blog your child can post to and maintain. Writing is an important part of any curriculum, and a blog can be a fun way to encourage your child to write. Before beginning a blog, have your child choose a subject matter. You should also show them how to start a blog as they can use those skills later in life. This allows them to write research-based expository articles on a variety of topics. Children also enjoy writing imaginative stories to share with the family.
Homeschooling provides individual attention to each student. Daily activities can teach children many things. Consider how beneficial it is for a child to learn woodworking skills, cooking or how to care for a garden. In addition to the life skills, these lessons offer math, science and reading opportunities.
Confidence comes with information, and this article has both for you. It is in the best interest of your children to have an instructor who really knows them and who is ready to adapt their methods. Implement these tips to provide a great education. They don’t deserve anything less.