Homeschooling is an alternative way to provide education to children who, for whatever reason, are not able to attend traditional school. Whether they are ill, disabled, or just need a different learning environment and curriculum, homeschooling can be the right option. As parents of children who are beginning to learn at home, feeling like they failed can be a real possibility.
Here are 15 ways you can help your child to transition to homeschooling and avoid feeling like they’ve failed when starting homeschool.
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Create a supportive environment
Talk through their worries and concerns Establish a routine and stick to it Make learning fun
Set clear expectations Set reasonable goals and rewards Take advantage of public resources and activities
Utilize online resources Emphasize the positive
Create a schedule 1 Encourage active learning 1 Celebrate successes and accomplishments 1
Talk about school positively 1 Utilize experts when needed 1
Stay connected to peers
Introduction
Starting homeschool can be a daunting experience for children and parents, and worries about failing can be a real barrier. It is easy for even seemingly motivated children to develop a feeling of failure or a lack of motivation when beginning homeschool.
As parents, we have a responsibility to provide the support and guidance our children need, so it is essential that we take steps to make sure our children feel secure, motivated and empowered when starting homeschool.
1. Create a supportive environment
When a child is beginning to homeschool, the physical environment they are in can have a strong effect on their psychological sense of security and focus. Whenever possible, it is important to make sure the learning space at home is comfortable, quiet and free of distractions.
Try to avoid areas where there are high levels of traffic or noise and make sure your child has access to a comfortable chair and desk. It could also help to invest in other equipment like a whiteboard, a laptop or tablet, and other useful materials to make sure your child has the best environment to work in.
2. Talk through their worries and concerns
Starting homeschool can often be a scary situation for children, particularly if their past experiences with schooling have been negative. It is essential to have an open and honest conversation with your child about their worries and concerns before starting homeschool, so that you can be sure to address any specific issues that come up.
Ask your child questions about what worries them and work together to find appropriate solutions. When your child feels heard and supported, it can help them to feel more confident and less fearful going into homeschool.
3. Establish a routine and stick to it
When a child begins homeschooling, routine can be an essential tool to ensure that they are learning effectively and avoiding a feeling of failure. Establish a detailed and consistent routine that includes regular study and breaks, as well as other activities that can help your child to feel productive. Keeping to a routine will help you and your child make sure tasks are completed and educational goals are met.
It also helps to create boundaries to help prevent a sense of overwhelm or burnout.
4. Make learning fun
Learning at home can be fun and engaging, so make sure to make the most of the opportunities homeschooling can provide. Experiment with the kinds of activities your child enjoys the most, like arts and crafts, games, and outdoor activities – all of which can help to make learning interesting and enjoyable. You can also look for local homeschooling events and activities that provide a more stimulating and interactive learning environment.
5. Set clear expectations
When starting homeschooling, it is important to set clear expectations from the outset. These expectations should be specific and realistic with regard to topics, activities, objectives and schedule. Talking through the expectations should also include an honest conversation about the difficulties of homeschooling, so your child knows that it isn’t always rosy.
Doing this will help your child understand what is expected from them and what goals they should be aiming for, setting them up for success instead of failure.
6. Set reasonable goals and rewards
Goal setting is part and parcel of starting homeschool, and it is important to set realistic goals that your child will be able to achieve. Take into account any special considerations like learning disabilities, illnesses or physical challenges.
Also, make sure that these goals are constantly reviewed and updated, so your child can continuously work towards achieving them. Additionally, it helps to introduce rewards that will motivate your child to work towards their goals and provide them with a sense of accomplishment.
7. Take advantage of public resources and activities
Utilizing public resource and activities, such as local libraries and extracurricular activities can be extremely beneficial for homeschooled children. Public activities will help to provide your child with an experience of the world outside of the home, as well as social interaction with other children.
In addition, libraries can provide a great source of learning materials and activities that may not be available at home.
8. Utilize online resources
A great way to supplement the materials and activities available at home is to make use of the many online resources. From educational videos and podcasts to complete online curriculum, the internet can be an invaluable tool when starting homeschool. For example, Khan Academy is a free online resource for math, science, and other educational topics that can supplement your homeschool experience.
9. Emphasize the positive
From the outset, it is important to emphasize the positive aspects of homeschooling, to show your child that homeschool can be a great experience. Remind your child that homeschooling provides a unique and intuitive learning experience that can help to identify and grow their strengths and build confidence. Talk about the individualized attention your child can get, as well as the flexibility that comes with homeschooling, so your child can gain a more positive mindset around learning.
10. Create a Schedule
Creating a schedule is an essential part of homeschooling, and can be a great tool to give your child structure and reduce any worries they may have. Establish a detailed plan that sets out the tasks they should be doing each day, and make sure to include small breaks in between to ensure they stay motivated. Allocating more time to topics that your child is more interested in can also help to make sure they stay engaged with the material.
11. Encourage active learning
Active learning is an effective way to engage with homeschool learning and motivate your child to learn. Encourage your child to come up with their own questions and experiments to try, in addition to the coursework.
Active learning also helps to create a more personalized education experience for your child, by introducing tasks and activities that are tailored to their individual learning style and interests.
12. Celebrate successes and accomplishments
Celebrating with your child when they make progress or achieve a goal is another great way to create a positive homeschooling experience. Taking the time to recognize the successes, even if they are small, will help your child to feel accomplished and motivated.
You can also look for other ways to reward your child when they do well, such as a special outing or a special treat.
13. Talk about school positively
Whenever possible, it is important to talk about homeschooling in a positive and encouraging light. Talk about the great things your child will accomplish and the experiences they will have during homeschool. Make sure to focus on the positives, and avoid any negative associations that can create further worry and worry-based thinking.
14. Utilize experts when needed
It is also important to make sure that you utilize the various experts out there who can help make your child’s homeschool experience a positive one. For example, when learning math and other sciences, online tutors can be a great resource for help and support.
Look for other local sources of support such as help hotlines, academic counselors, and educational therapists that can help with specific issues or questions.
15. Stay connected to peers
It is important to maintain a sense of connection with peers when a child is homeschooling, so they don’t feel isolated and lonely. Finding other local homeschooling families or joining online homeschool communities can be a great way to connect with other kids. This can help to ensure your child still feels part of the larger educational community and can even provide additional learning opportunities.
Conclusion
Starting homeschool can be a challenging experience and a cause of worry and anxiety for some children. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children feel supported and empowered during this time, so that they can avoid feeling like a failure when starting homeschooling. By taking the time to create a supportive environment, have honest conversations, and implement the strategies mentioned above, you will put your child in the best position to succeed and feel confident during their homeschool journey.