With many traditional schools closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents are presented with the challenge of homeschooling their children. Many may feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to best manage the responsibility. Fortunately, homeschooling provides parents with the opportunity to develop closer relationships with their children and have greater control over the educational process.
Here are some tips to help parents succeed in homeschooling.
Create A Timetable
Creating a timetable is key when it comes to successful homeschooling. A timetable will help parents keep track of their children’s academic schedule, allowing them to make sure that each subject is properly addressed and allowing them the opportunity to spend more time on the subjects that need refining. What’s more, creating a timetable allows parents to plan out when other activities such as meals, breaks, and chores need to be done.
When creating a homeschooling timetable, parents should take into consideration the age of their child and tweak the time allocated to each subject accordingly. Furthermore, parents should make sure to provide their children with as many breaks as possible so that they don’t become overwhelmed or disinterested.
Once a timetable has been made, it should be displayed prominently in the house so that everyone is aware of it.
Set And Maintain Rules
It’s essential that parents set ground rules while homeschooling. These rules can be designed to encourage kids to stay disciplined and focused during their lessons.
Furthermore, having a set of guidelines that everyone must abide by can help create a harmonious home environment. Some rules that parents might consider include turning off the television, computers, and cell phones during class; setting a specific amount of time for core courses; and banning all sorts of distractions (e. g.
, loud music or video games). Also, parents should consider setting the same consequences for kids who fail to follow the rules in their homeschooling program as those that would be applied in the classroom.
Use Resources
Parents need to research the different homeschooling resources available to them. The Internet serves as an invaluable resource, helping parents to connect with other homeschoolers and to access websites, blogs, and forums to help them augment their children’s learning. Libraries are also helpful in connecting with other homeschoolers and researching on various subject material.
For the parents who wish to supplement their children’s learning with interactive activities, they can enroll their kids in homeschool co-ops or classes, inspiring kids to learn and get more engaged with the subject material. Even more, parents can use the local community amenities such as museums, parks, and aquariums to further enrich each lesson.
Choose Curriculum
Parents should look into different curriculums to choose from when homeschooling. By doing so, they can make sure that their child’s educational needs are being met. It’s important to remember that there’s no single standard curriculum.
Depending on the age of the child, parents can choose from a veritable range of curriculum related to different subjects ranging from language to science. Furthermore, parents are free to tailor the curriculum to meet their kids’ interests and learning styles.
Made A Home-Friendly Environment
Comfortable and inviting learning spaces are essential for a successful homeschooling experience. They set the tone for the learning and provide a comforting, confident environment for children to explore and thrive in.
Parents should think about their child’s learning style when designing the study area. Those that prefer to be surrounded by people should be provided with chairs and desks that will enable them to focus. For those that like to work alone, a comfortable place for them to work is a must.
Parents need to pay attention to the storage areas as well, making sure that it’s organized, free of clutter and inviting to the child. Finally, taking into consideration the natural light in the room, any background noise, the temperature and the comfort of the furniture will determine whether their children will stay focused while studying.
Different Subjects Organisation
Parents should remember to give each subject its due when homeschooling their kids. They should also develop a pattern wherein they incorporate different activities such as reading, writing, art, and mathematics into each lesson plan.
Breaking the material down this way will help the child better comprehend the subject material. For instance, parents can include hands-on activities like cooking when covering a lesson on fractions or designate a specific day for reading and writing activities each week. This will help the child differentiate the material and help them stay engaged.
Develop A Close Relationship
Homeschooling a child allows parents to develop a stronger bond with their children. Parents must make sure that their relationship with their child isn’t affected by their new roles as educators. The best way to achieve this is by encouraging the child to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions.
This will help the child stay connected with their parents, allowing the parent to adapt their teaching methods based on their child’s needs and interests. Furthermore, parents should make sure to attend to their children’s emotional needs, providing comfort and guidance when needed.
Taking breaks when things become overwhelming and providing positive reinforcement will help the child stay confident and focused.
Have Fun
Homeschooling can become overwhelming and tedious for both the parent and the student. To ensure that the experience is as enjoyable as possible, parents should incorporate fun activities into the daily homeschooling routine.
Reading books, playing games and engaging in group activities should be seen as relational bonding experiences rather than a chore. Parents can also consider taking homeschooling field trips once in awhile. A day out in the city or the countryside to explore new places and observe nature can help give kids the motivation to study.
This will also offer parents the opportunity to pick a topic for the next lesson and use it as a way to encourage learning outside the confines of their home.
Relax And Don’t Put Too Much Pressure
Homeschooling can be fun, but it can also be challenging. Parents should not put too much pressure on themselves, or their children.
Instead, they should focus on keeping the learning process relaxed and enjoyable. Parents should make sure not to try and cram too much material in a short period of time. Instead, they should be patient and build off of their children’s current level of knowledge, only gradually increasing their workload.
This will ensure that the learning is paced properly, giving their children the time they need to absorb and retain the knowledge they are being taught.
Stay In Contact With Other Parents
Parents should stay in touch with other parents who are homeschooling. This will help them exchange experiences and ideas, developing stronger bonds with the homeschooling community. It will especially come in handy for parents who are new to homeschooling or who are having difficulty trying to figure out how best to proceed with their child’s education.
Parents can join online forums, attend workshops, or even organize their own groups. Staying connected with other homeschoolers can be a great way to get advice and support.
Additionally, this experience can offer parents a great opportunity for networking and developing relationships outside their family.
Evaluate Your Child’s Progress
It’s essential that parents assess their children’s learning progress to ensure that their homeschooling efforts aren’t going to waste. An integral part of achieving this is by instituting regular tests and assessments that can give parents a better understanding of the areas that their children are excelling in, as well as areas that need more attention or improvement.
Furthermore, parents should take advantage of the academic freedom of homeschooling to keep their child’s education current. This includes using a variety of digital materials such as videos and interactive programs, as well as employing different teaching methods and incorporating real-life experiences into each lesson.
Conclusion
Homeschooling can be intimidating at first, but by putting into practice some of the suggestions we discussed, parents can rest assured that they and their children will have a successful and rewarding homeschooling experience. So take a breath, relax and start taking the necessary steps to ensure your children receive the best possible education. Good luck!