For parents who work full time and want to homeschool their children, working and educating your kids at the same time can be incredibly challenging. Despite this, many parents are able to juggle the two responsibilities rather successfully, and if you plan and prepare, you too can succeed in both roles.
Helping your children to get the best education possible while you remain employed full time is possible if you follow these 13 simple steps.
Step 1. Prioritizing Time
Before you begin homeschooling, you’ll need to decide when and where learning activities will take place. Take into account your daily work schedule, family appointments, after-work obligations, and other activities that take up your time.
Allot specific hours for school, such as right after breakfast, before lunch, or right after dinner. Make sure these times are constistent and reliable. Additionally, decide where these activities will take place.
Maybe you have a study or a desk in the living room that can serve as the “classroom” — someplace quiet so your student won’t get too distracted during their work. The goal is to create a consistent routine for your student that will help them focus and stay organized.
Step 2. Learning Materials
Go over your state’s, district’s, and/or school’s requirements for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Compile the necessary materials for homeschool, look into various programs and activities, and network with homeschooling parents in your area who can offer lessons and resources to you.
You want to make sure your child is both having fun and learning the right topics that your local schools would recommend. Look into which materials are best to use and which ones are reusable. For example, the same books or activities may be used to assign different tasks that focus on different topics and learning outcomes.
Step 3. Home Learning Environment
Creating a proper learning environment is important for both you and your child. Make sure the space is comfortable, inspiring, and organized. If possible, designate a specific area of your house as the main “home schoolroom.
” Here, you can store textbooks, supplies, lesson plans, and materials. Having these resources in one place will make homeschooling much more efficient and effective.
Place items such as tools, books, and maps strategically around your home to make them easy to find and access. Put supplies such as paper, colored pencils, and other necessary tools in the designated learning space as well.
Step 4. Establishing Routines and Rules
Routines and rules help your child stay organized and focused, so it’s important to set rules for schoolwork from the beginning. These rules might include things such as how to be quiet when mom or dad are working or when others are taking lessons, what is OK to do after homework is finished, and how to ask for help when stuck on a problem.
Post rules prominently and remind your child of these daily. Also, create a weekly plan that outlines which assignments your child will be completing when, a chore list, snack and break times, and any other activities that need to be done during the week.
Step 5. Setting Goals
Setting goals is a great way to ensure that your child is learning and progressing. Discuss with your child what they want to accomplish, and have them recognize the importance of setting and working toward their goals.
Establish weekly and long-term goals and use a visual chart or reward system that encourages your child to take more ownership in their learning and make progress. Be sure to track measurable goals, such as the number of books read, tests taken, and assignments completed.
Step 6. Finding Support
Though it can be challenging, homeschooling while having a full-time job is possible. You will need a support system of family, friends, mentors, and your employer. Talk to your partner and family members and explain to them what you need so that you can do both successfully.
They might help you with some tasks, such as meal planning and academic tasks, so your workload is manageable. Reach out to friends, mentors, and other homeschooling parents to get advice about resources, curriculum planning, and activities.
Your employer can also be a source of support. Negotiate what works for you and your family, such as working from home or a flexible schedule for help.
Step 7. Scheduling Time Off
When homeschooling, it is important to make time for yourself. Schedule days off so you have time to yourself and time with friends and family.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s OK to take a day off — it’s important to make time for yourself both so you can maintain your mental health and so that you can be a positive presence and teacher in your home.
Step 8. Planning Field Trips
Field trips can be a great way to supplement learning and provide hands-on experiences. Research potential destinations around your area and plan a trip with your child. Some potential places to visit are the zoo, museum, aquarium, park, library, or historic sites.
Look for open days where you can take your student to learn and explore about a certain topic in more depth.
Step 9. Teaching Strategies
When teaching, try to make the content more interactive and engaging. Incorporate games, videos, and stories into your lessons so that your student is both learning and having fun. Use practice tests to gauge how well your student has been able to comprehend the material.
Additionally, look for topics that may require additional explanation and clarify those points. If necessary, you can refer your student to other teachers for help.
Step 10. Planning Family Events
Be sure to make time for events, same as you would in a traditional school setting. This could include things such as family movie night, holiday parties, field games, or other family events. Activities such as these will help keep your child engaged and motivated.
Step 11. Connecting With Other Homeschoolers
Connecting with other homeschoolers can be a great way to exchange ideas, ask questions, and get advice. You can network and join online homeschooling communities and forums, or find local homeschool co-ops or meet-ups to attend with your kids.
Networking and connecting with one another can aid you in many ways, and show your student that there are other people out there just like them.
Step 12. Making Time for Fun
Though you may be busy, it’s important to make time for family fun. Take trips to the beach or camping, play in your neighbourhood, or go on hikes to get outside and engage in active, fun activities with your kids.
Taking the time for these activities outside of homeschooling can help to recharge your batteries and will help your student stay motivated and energized.
Step 13. Evaluating Your Progress
It’s important to continuously evaluate your progress and make changes or improvements where necessary. You can do this by keeping track of your child’s performance in school as well as their personal goals and accomplishments.
Taking periodic assessments on topics to check their progress is also beneficial. Additionally, check in with your child to see if they are enjoying their learning, happy with the curriculum, or need more guidance or explanation in certain topics.
Conclusion
Homeschooling while working full time is certainly possible with proper planning. Create a learning environment in your home, designate specific hours for learning, make sure to keep to routines and rules, plan field trips and family events, connect with other homeschoolers, evaluate your progress, and make sure to make time for fun. Paring your jobs with homeschooling does not have to be a stressful experience — with the right resources, plan, and support system, you can help your child achieve their educational goals and be successful.