The thought of catching a child up in homeschool can seem overwhelming. Many families have experienced the hardships of not being able to give their kids a proper educational experience due to the inability to physically attend school due to the global pandemic. And of course, there are those who have chosen to homeschool full-time or part-time, but have struggled to keep up with a traditional school curriculum.
In either case, with a little bit of organization and proactivity, you can help your student get back on track with their education.
What Age Group Is This For?
This advice applies to anyone who is homeschooling their children, regardless of age. However, when your student is particularly behind, extra intervention may be required, so the focus here is on children that are in the elementary, middle school, and high school age groups.
Getting Started
The first step in helping your child get caught up in homeschool is understanding where your student is lagging behind. Without an accurate assessment of their current level of education, it can be difficult to make a plan to move forward.
Review any assessments that were conducted this year, such as standardized tests and quizzes. Be sure to also consider how your student learned in the past, and keep track of their progress over time to get an accurate idea of their knowledge. Once you have a better grasp of how far behind your student is in their education, the next step is to prioritize what areas need to be focused on first.
For example, if your student is having trouble with math, start with math first. Make sure to break down the material into smaller, manageable goals rather than trying to tackle a whole subject at once.
This will make it easier for both of you to stay on task and gradually work your way towards the end goal.
Creating Structure and A Schedule
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when attempting to teach a child who is falling behind in their education. One way to combat this feeling is by creating a daily schedule and helping your student stick to it. Start by coming up with a list of activities that need to be completed each day, such as reading, writing, math, and history.
Depending on how far behind your student is, you can determine how many hours each day should be dedicated to these activities. Along with this, consider setting up rewards for progress made.
This will incentivize your student to keep working, and recognize the hard work they put into their studies. For example, you can allow them to take a break and do something fun like watch a movie, play a game, or take a walk after completing their allotted school work.
Utilizing Resources
There are many resources available that can help your student get caught up in their homeschooling. Consider utilizing online tutors, educational software, and other learning tools to aid in the process. Many of these resources are even free and available online.
You may also find it helpful to join virtual support groups with other homeschooling families or online communities, or to connect with teachers and school district personnel to get advice and assistance with your child’s education. Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of books.
Libraries may be closed right now, but you can find a large selection of books, including textbooks and educational resources, online. Many of these can be found for free or for a discounted price, which is great for families on a budget.
Monitor Progress
It’s important to monitor your student’s progress as you go along. Keep track of their performances on tests and assignments; take note of their improvements and struggles; and document their progress over time. This will allow you to make adjustments if needed, such as increasing or decreasing the level of difficulty, or spending more time studying a particular concept.
Above all, be sure to provide your student with plenty of encouragement and support along the way.
Bring In Professional Help If Necessary
Sometimes our children may need extra help and assistance, especially when trying to catch up in homeschool. Not all of us have the skills or knowledge needed to properly teach our children. If this is the case, you may want to consider bringing in professional help.
There are many resources available, such as tutors, online classes, or even private schools. Additionally, there are organizations and programs such as the United Way that provide financial assistance to families who need help with childcare and education.
Be Patient and Persistent
After implementing all of the above strategies, the process of catching up in homeschool won’t happen overnight. It takes dedication, patience, and persistence to help our children get back on track with their education. Try your best to stay positive and encourage your student to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.
Conclusion
Getting your child caught up in homeschool can seem daunting, but with the right strategy and resources it can be achievable. Be sure to perform an accurate assessment of their current educational level and prioritize which areas need the most attention. Create a daily structure and schedule, use available resources such as tutors or online classes, and monitor your student’s progress along the way.
With plenty of patience and dedication, your child can get back on track with their education and closer to reaching their full potential.