Many people wouldn’t dream of schooling their kids at home. This is mostly due to the fact that they don’t know how. If more people were aware of how to home school kids, more people would do it. The article below has tips and tricks you can use to give your children a great education.
If you plan to home school your child or children, always remember that books and the chosen curricula are just the basics. The best learning experience within the home is one that incorporates materials and concepts from outside the home and the curriculum. If you cannot find a single curricula that meets your needs, don’t be afraid to use multiple sources.
When you home school your child, you take on more than the role of teacher. Actually, you’ll also have to be the cafeteria worker, physical education coach and possibly even a counselor. Consider the responsibilities each title carries as you plan out your daily schedule and routine. Prepare lunches in advance, schedule outdoor time and make yourself available for emotional support and motivation.
Follow the lead of your child regarding homeschooling. While you may be tempted to homeschool your child all the way to graduation, he or she may not feel the same way. As your child gets older, the idea of regular school may become more appealing. Always listen to your child, and take the time to look into all available options.
Set aside time for family fun. Sure, you spend all day long together working on school work and keeping the house in order. But, do you ever really have fun together? Set up a day and time to have movie night or even family game night so you can enjoy the time you spend together.
You need to consider the cost of homeschooling children before making the decision to do it. You might have to stop working your job. Even if one parent is already staying home, it is important to consider the time that will be taken away from other household duties like errands and chores.
Family trips and vacations are great tools for learning. Plan vacations ahead of time to include relevant locations, such as a zoo or museum. Just setting aside a day or two of your vacation to engage in learning activities at some of these places is not only fun, but educationally rewarding for you and your children. This is a fun way for the entire family to bond together while exploring new horizons.
Make a list featuring the positives and negatives of both homeschooling and public school. This list can be a valuable aid in crafting lesson plans, as you can make up for deficiencies in the public school curriculum. It’s basically a checklist of various situations you want to avoid to help you focus on the best possible learning. Put it in a drawer somewhere and consult it when you devise lesson plans.
Remember that a structured day does not have to be rigid. Plan lessons in advance and stick to a schedule. At the same time, be flexible enough that you can change your plans as needed. Impromptu field trips or unexpected difficulties with a lesson may change your plans, and that’s just fine.
Spend a little time networking. Use the Internet to find families in your area that are homeschooling, and arrange activities together. It is also beneficial to connect with people across the country, as you can share ideas and techniques with one another. You will also have a support system when/if things get a little difficult.
As you can now see, schooling kids at home is well within your capabilities. If you want to make sure your children are properly educated, it may be the best thing you can do. After all, they need a teacher who cares. And who cares about them more than you do?
