Home schooling is a system where a child gets an education at the hands of their primary guardians, without attending an institution. The result is sought by providing proper guidance and engagement in specific subjects, crafted and administered by the parents or guardians, keeping the learning abilities, interests, and development of the child in mind. The concept is being embraced widely across the globe for its potential benefits, especially during the pandemic.
In this article, we discuss the proper ways of homeschooling.
Preparing a Schedule
The foremost part of homeschooling is to create a study routine for the learner. It is important to make sure the routine stays the same everyday and that a gap is kept in between the classes for breakfast, or snacks, or a walk to freshen the mood. Depending on the comfort ability of the child, classes can sometime be divided in between two days, but the primary focus should be keeping the same routine throughout.
As a home educator, it is important to keep the child on track, so instead of placing subjects according to the preferences of the child, they should be set in according to its difficulty. Along with the study routine, parents should also make sure to provide their child with ample of playtime, watching movies and TV, households activities and much more.
This will not only eliminate their restlessness but will also allow them to take a break and freshen up. Moreover, if a student is high-performing and enthusiastic about working, parents can set aside some time for extra or interesting activities that will be beneficial for everyone.
Setting Goals and Achievements
In order to keep a child motivated and show them that their efforts are fruitful, parents should set targets and fun activities that their child can enjoy. Depending on their study accomplishments, parents could set up rewards such as going out to a restaurant or buying that toy truck their child agonized about for months.
Keeping certain goals for the learner will also help them perform better as they would have something to look forward to. The same goes for their studies, setting various stages and goals can help the children feel engaged with the lesson, and with their overall performance. Another way to set goals and achievements is by passing out certificates and even awards that commends the hard work they have put in.
It could be anything from an honorable mention to a certificate of excellence, making sure to give each child the importance it is owed, while demonstrating that the efforts they are making are paying off and are not getting overlooked.
Measuring Progress
Since homeschooling is something done at home, the parents should keep careful and regular monitoring of the measure of progress their children are making. This is vital for them to make sure the children are comprehending what’s being taught to them, and grasping the information at the same time.
Parents can start off this process by undertaking tests themselves and studying the results. Tests can also be taken online, or with the assistance of other parents on homeschooling groups or at some official centers. A great way to measure the progress a student makes in terms of understanding the subject is by having them explain it in their own words if possible, by helping them present the ideas of a topic.
Deciding the Curriculum
In terms of deciding the curriculum, while it is necessary to follow the outline of studies set by the state, parents should give in to the inclination of their children to allow them to stay focused, especially if the subject has captured their attention. To make sure teaching at home doesn’t bore the children, incorporate interactive games, multimedia instruments, and art, right into the lesson plan.
Ultimately, parents should get the child involved and allow them to devise and plan their studies based on the timeline they have set down. So, the look of the schedule and the curriculum shouldn’t be only straight forward and conventional, but also creative if possible.
Substituting Subjects and Materials
A great advantage of homeschooling is that as a parent you are allowed to substitute certain classes within the curriculum. This means that instead of learning the language in Book A and Mathematics in Book B, you can switch them to a different book which might be more suitable to the child, and can help them better grasp the subjects. Keeping in mind the needs and interest of the child, they can pick and choose up to what they are comfortable with, in terms of their individual abilities.
Substituting the material of studies is also beneficial, as it allows the students to demonstrate the understanding by selecting worksheets or projects for a certain lesson, depending on their own understanding of the subject.
Handling Socialization
A major concern for a lot of homeschooling parents is whether the children are getting a social life or not. Socialization is very important for children as it helps them learn communication skills, gain intelligence and understanding, and increase their knowledge by interacting with people around them.
Therefore, parents should arrange some kids meet ups or get connected with homeschooling support groups where their learning environment is in the presence of other homeschoolers. Other than physical presence, parental teaching, and homeschooling support groups. Physical presence, the children can also indulge in virtual socializing by joining clubs, groups, and open communities which will help them widen their scope of communication, as well as contributing to conversation while conversing with fellow kids.
Conclusion
Home schooling is a great way to teach children and engage with them in an educational yet fun environment, allowing them to many take part in activities and studies of their interests. Since it is the parents or guardians who are responsible for providing the best education for the children, keeping proper homeschooling methods in mind is essential. This article elaborates on the key points of proper homeschooling such as setting a routine, deciding the curriculum, measuring progress, setting targets and achievements, and stimulating the socialization process.