People used to think of homeschooling as a way to deprive your children of having a social life. Today, we realize that is not the case. The availability of Internet social media sites make it easy for students who are home schooled to stay connected with others their age. If you want to learn more information on homeschooling your kids, continue reading.
Homeschooling can pose some issues if your other son or daughter is young. You must set aside different times of the day for each of your children. Try finding some activities that appeal to them both. Find opportunities that allow you to teach all your children at once and allow then to bond with each other.
Compared with the traditional classroom setting, homeschooling offers greater opportunities to accommodate your child’s unique learning style. You could for instance make the entire curriculum more concrete by including some experiments. In the end, this will serve to benefit your child.
Consider the place in your home that will be used as a classroom for homeschooling. It must provide comfort yet be free from distractions. There should be enough space for teaching and participating in hands-on activities. There should also be some surfaces for writing. You need to watch over your children and make sure they are completing their tasks as well.
Kids love to learn by rolling up their sleeves and getting messy. For instance, if you are teaching your children about a different country’s culture, you could plan to bake some recipes that have originated from that particular culture. You don’t even have to be learning about a whole culture; when studying Stalin, you could cook traditional eastern European dishes such as pierogies or cabbage rolls. When learning about wars, you can cook foods from the countries you are studying. A tasty lesson will be one which is retained.
Understand your state’s homeschooling laws and procedures. You might have to register yourself with the government as a school or give standardized tests to your kids at the end of certain years. Get in touch with your school district to find out more about regulations and let them know you are homeschooling your children.
Know the laws in your state when approaching homeschooling. The HSLDA has a website that provides information about the laws in your area. Becoming a member of a homeschooling organization can provide support in the case that you are questioned by your local Board of Education or CPS. Whatever membership dues are required are well worth it in times such as these.
Academic Studies
Life skills have just as much value as academic studies. A good homeschool plan involves a combination of academic studies and life skills. While academic skills are pretty obvious, life skills, for example cooking, gardening and learning to drive are extremely important. They can learn both at once. For example, teach your kids the biology and environmental science behind gardening when you teach them how to plant a garden.
Are you homeschooling more than one child? If so, you must first determine whether or not you are willing and able to take on the additional discipline required of a teacher AND a parent. It can be hard to keep your students orderly if you have trouble with discipline. If you realize any weaknesses you have in this area, you will be a much better teacher.
You must be aware of any weaknesses that you have as an educator. It is not uncommon for some parents to neglect teaching subjects in which they are a bit weaker. This will leave holes in your child’s education. Whenever you feel you lack skills in a particular area, think about using a tutor to help.
Homeschooling can create a lot of tensions between you and your children. Focus on learning when you are in the classroom and leave other issues for later. If life becomes tense in the room, you are able to take breaks. You will find this helpful for your whole family.
If you have the responsibility of homeschooling your kids, have your partner or spouse be in charge of other tasks. Have your partner pitch in by taking your child to music lessons or throwing in a load of laundry. It’s also important that you and your spouse spend some time alone.
If you have more than one child, set some boundaries for the children you are not homeschooling. It’s okay for the toddler to stay in the room if they are not causing a disruption to class time. Also, take breaks from homeschooling to pay attention to your younger children. This will calm your child so that he or she is not overwhelmed, and will give your older child a chance to study uninterrupted.
Have your child write an online blog. Writing is beneficial as it lets your child use their imagination. First step is to find a subject that your child really enjoys. After the subject is decided on, create a private blog. This will help their writing skills which will be helpful in college or in any jobs in the future. You can also have them write stories based on the topic.
The best thing you can do for your children is give them a good education. Children schooled at home can learn in the same way their friends do. Your child’s knowledge and abilities will benefit greatly from a carefully chosen and disciplined home school environment. It is one of the best advantages you can give them.