Homeschooling is not without its own set of problems and challenges, yet it can give families a chance to create wonderful memories as they develop and grow together intellectually. Homeschooling is not a decision to be taken lightly, so be sure to learn all of the laws, time requirements, costs and benefits before making that decision. The rest of this article should be a great jumping off point for you.
It’s not easy to have one child in school while caring for a baby. Try to balance things by dedicating certain times of the day to care for each child. Find activities which are age-appropriate for both children. While it is important to connect with both your student and your youngest child, you must be able to do so without compromising your ability to teach in the home.
The main advantage of homeschooling your child is your ability to adapt your methods to the personality of your child. For example, if you have a child who is a hands-on learner, you can center your curriculum around hands on lessons. That helps your child to have a better chance of learning well.
Don’t forget using art in lesson plans, regardless of whether the subject is art or not. Ask your child to draw what is in their imagination, paint what the lesson plan looks like in their eyes or cut and paste to create a textural view of the materials they are learning. Try sculpture, drama, paintings or writing a song. The possibilities are endless! The more ways a child approaches a topic, the more deeply the information will be absorbed, so encourage lots of arts and games around learning.
Become familiar with laws governing homeschooling in your particular state. You can easily visit the HDSLA web page online to learn what is needed in your state. It may help to join a homeschooling organization. It will come in handy if you ever have to answer to authorities. You have to pay dues, but the help you get will be well worth it.
Talk to others in the same situation as you. People choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons nowadays. You should be able to find a group that has similar principals and philosophies for homeschooling that you can connect with. Finding a homeschooling community online can be a great way to get both ideas and support.
Homeschooling can offer a child a lot. There is a huge advantage to teaching at home, rather than sending your child to an often overcrowded and typically underfunded public learning facility. That said, making sure your kid gets a great education should probably involve completing state standardized tests. If they test below in any areas, you may need a tutor.
Be sure your kid has a place that is quiet and free of distractions for studying and learning. Your schooling area should be away from your child’s play area or the TV. If you don’t have permanent storage, add some baskets or crates to hold studying supplies.
Having life skills is as important as general book learning. You should be doing everything you can to incorporate both in each lesson. Life skills can be very important, especially for a child who does not attend a public school. It’s possible to teach your children both. For example, showing them how to create a budget helps build their math skills.
Base your lesson plans on your kid’s needs. Have them give you ideas for fun lessons or educational outings that they would enjoy. When they choose their own path, they’ll be more passionate about learning. The suggestions they make will wow you.
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 give lectures, do you have that training, too? Also, you should know your children enough to know whether or not they like being lectured. Instead, take a more personal approach and understand how your child perceives this teaching environment. It is very likely you will also learn a lot.
To become a really great homeschool teacher, honesty about your weaknesses is critical. Some parents who home school their children may skip certain subjects they are weak in. This will result in your child not getting a well rounded education. You can also consult a tutor or have a fellow homeschooling parent take over that subject area.
Due to close relationships, tense situations can sometimes arise. Don’t bring personal problems into the classroom. If things get too tense, take a break. Refraining from an all-out fight will help you calm down and keep your child in learning mode.
If you have toddlers besides the child you are homeschooling, set some rules and boundaries so you are not constantly disturbed by your toddlers. If your older children need quiet time for studying, make sure the younger kids don’t interrupt. Take frequent breaks so that your toddler has a chance to claim your full attention. This will help reduce the amount of frustration present, and keep your classroom area as a quiet area conducive to study.
Homeschooling is a great way to ensure that your child is getting the best education possible. The best way to ensure that a homeschooling endeavor produces the desired results is for parents to have a thorough understanding of what a solid program entails. The information above has hopefully provided just the sort of grounding needed by any prospective homeschool family.