The coronavirus pandemic has created a dramatic shift in education for many families, with many parents choosing to switch to homeschooling for the first time. This transition can be especially daunting if your child has had gaps in their learning or is behind compared to their peers.
Homeschooling can be an excellent way to help your child catch up, as long as you stay organized, focused and make sure to use the right techniques for success. Here are 15 questions to consider when looking to help your child catch up on their education in a homeschooling setting.
What are your child’s areas of weakness?
Before beginning any homeschooling efforts, it’s important to first identify your child’s areas of weakness. Ask your child what they feel they need to improve on and take note of any weaknesses they might have noticed in their previous schooling. This will give you a clear starting point as to what to focus on during your homeschooling journey.
What resources are available?
Plugging into the right resources is key when it comes to catching your child up in their studies. Take a look around your local area, online, and through any home-schooling organizations to determine what classes, tutoring, and other resources may be available to your child.
This could include local classes as well as online course offerings and even one-on-one tutoring.
What type of curriculum should you use?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to homeschooling. Much of your decision regarding which curriculum to use will depend on your child’s needs and where they are academically.
While there are many online tools available to guide your decision, you may want to consult with a qualified educator to make sure that you are choosing the best curriculum for your child.
How can you make the process fun?
It is important to make the process of catching your child up in their studies as fun and engaging as possible. Try to incorporate some type of reward system or game in order to keep them motivated. Additionally, it’s important to transition between subjects and break up your homeschooling lessons throughout the day to keep your child from becoming overwhelmed.
What have other students who have been in a similar situation found beneficial?
Check with your local home-schooling group to see if anyone has had success with a similar issue. See if any fellow home-schoolers have had any luck catching their student up on their studies and find out what techniques they used that you could incorporate into your own lessons.
What types of additional help and assistance are available?
Depending on the nature of your child’s difficulty, there may be specialized classes or one-on-one tutoring that may be beneficial. Check with your local school district to see if they offer any classes specifically geared towards helping students catch up.
Additionally, considering additional resources such as books and online tutorials can often be helpful.
What can you do if your child is struggling with a certain subject?
If your child is struggling with a particular subject, it is important to stay patient and work with your child on the material until they feel comfortable. If your child is having difficulty understanding the material, consider seeking out further resources that could help explain the concept. Additionally, you may want to break down the material into smaller, more manageable chunks for easier consumption.
How frequently should you review?
One of the key factors when catching your child up in their studies is having frequent review. Use practice tests, worksheets, flashcards, and other forms of review material to keep the material fresh in your child’s mind.
Additionally, make sure to review the material in-depth and not just give it a cursory glance.
What can you do to improve your child’s confidence?
Sometimes catching your child up in their studies may require focusing on improving their confidence as well. Keep in mind that positive reinforcement is key and letting your child know that you believe in them is essential.
Additionally, allowing your child to take ownership of their success and even set their own goals can help to keep them motivated.
What techniques can you use to help increase your child’s focus?
Having a plan ahead of time and setting time limits for studying can help to keep your child focused on the goal instead of being distracted. Additionally, setting rewards or incentives for completing tasks can help maintain your child’s momentum.
How can you help your child stay organized?
One of the essential factors for a successful homeschooling journey is staying organized. Make sure to break down tasks into manageable chunks and make lists of objectives that need to be accomplished.
Additionally, provide your child with a study space and make sure to hold them accountable for meeting the goals set out.
What learning strategies should you use?
Adapting the material to your child’s needs is key when catching them up on their studies. Consider introducing different forms of content such as videos and music to give a different perspective on the material.
Additionally, emphasize critical thinking skills by encouraging your child to come up with their own solutions and thinking through problems.
How can you ensure the material is in-depth enough?
While it can be easy to stick to the basics of a curriculum, make sure that your child is developing an understanding of the material on a deeper level by offering supplemental resources and engaging in interesting conversations about the material. Additionally, make sure that the material your child is tested on reflects the material you have covered in-depth with them in order to ensure that they are prepared for the assessment.
Who can you reach out to for help and support?
Home-schooling can be a daunting task, particularly if your child has had gaps in their learning. Make sure to interconnect with any local home-schooling networks and organizations to find support and additional resources to use in your journey. Additionally, consider talking to other parents who are homeschooling and share resources with one another.
How often should you evaluate and assess your child’s progress?
Take the time to periodically assess your child’s progress and adjust your approach accordingly. Additionally, make sure to have them take practice tests or assessments to determine whether they are ready for a more advanced level of curriculum.
Conclusion
Catching up a child in their studies while homeschooling can be a daunting but rewarding journey. By properly analyzing your child’s needs and having a well-constructed plan, you can help to ensure your child’s success and help them thrive in their education.