Homeschooling can be a good way for your children to learn, but if they don't have a good teacher, then your homeschooling efforts will be worthless. A good teacher is one of the most important aspects of homeschooling. If you need help being a better home school teacher, then read the following article for some homeschooling tips.
Give your kids the same responsibilities they would have if they had to get off to school every day. They should have all their chores done by the time school starts, including teeth being brushed, being out of pajamas and dressed and breakfast having been eaten. Don't forget to get them to clean up their dishes, too!
Define an area in your home where teaching is to take place. While it may be tempting to let your child do their work anywhere, it's important to have a defined area in the home that is dedicated to 'school'. This area needs to be quiet, well-lit and free of all distractions.
If you want your children's homeschooling experience to be as well-rounded as possible, then consider putting physical education on the schedule. Not only will this teach your children healthy habits, studies have repeatedly shown that physical activity helps to stimulate the mind. Even better, combine physical fitness with social time by enrolling your children in a dance class or by signing them up for a summer sports team.
If you eventually plan to transfer your children back into a regular school program, then make sure that your homeschooling program prepares them for that. See if you can get a copy of the school curriculum for the year they will re-enter the system to ensure that they will be on track with or ahead of their class. Furthermore, have them study on the traditional school schedule, lunches and all.
Spend a little time networking. Use the Internet to find families in your area that are homeschooling, and arrange activities together. It is also beneficial to connect with people across the country, as you can share ideas and techniques with one another. You will also have a support system when/if things get a little difficult.
Look around for yard sales that have homeschooling materials. This is an inexpensive way to find things. You may also meet other homeschooling parents. Check your local paper. Also, keep your eyes open on the weekend for signs. You never know what interesting things you may discover by doing this.
Keep at it even if you feel like throwing in the towel. It takes time to develop a plan that works for both, you and your child. Many new homeschoolers give up too soon because they feel overwhelmed in the beginning, but after a year most homeschooling parents have settled in and enjoy homeschooling their children.
It is very important that your child realizes that just because they are getting schooled at home does not mean they can come and go as they please. There are certain things you need to do to make them realize this. For instance, teaching them in the living room in front of the TV is not likely going to help them take the work seriously. Find a designated, quiet area in your home to teach them.
Before starting your homeschool, make sure to check your state regulations and ordinances. Each state varies on what they require from homeschoolers, and you want to make sure that your homeschool experience and curriculum meet the basic requirements in your area. If you do not do this, it can cause problems for your children later in life and might even mean that the time they spent homeschooling does not legally count toward their education.
It is very important that you have your children do everything you would have them do if they were going to regular school. Have them do their chores still and give them an allowance every week. This helps shape them for their adult lives and gives them the emotional and social skills they need.
Prioritize your time by having a set schedule. A schedule will help you, your children and other family members stay on task. By setting a "school time" schedule, friends and family will know that this time is vitally important for your children. Ask everyone to avoid calling during this time unless it is an emergency.
Make sure your child gets plenty of socialization since they will miss out on this if they do not go to school. There are many options when it comes to getting your child together with other children. They can join a sports team if they like sports. Church is a good place to get with other children, so is 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar clubs. There may also be homeschool groups in your area where children can get together with other homeschooled children.
If your child is a visual learning, give flash cards and charts a try. These are easy for a child to hold and look at up close, and they promote memorization. In addition they are compact, so taking them with you if you decide to teach somewhere other than home is easy. You can find these materials at many bargain stores, teaching stores or even to print for free online.
Find out if various museums offer discounts for homeschooling families. Many do, or they will let you take advantage of an educator's discount. You can get a reduced-price or even free admission this way. They may also offer special programs for homeschooling families that you can sign your children up for.
Before giving up on your homeschooling experience, give it a year. Feeling frustrated after a month or two is normal, but if you give up then you might never see the rewards that homeschooling can offer. If you commit to doing this for a year, you can really judge if it is for you and your child. You will learn a lot in that year and help your child to grow as a student and a person. It really is worth the one year commitment.
Remember, without a good teacher, no amount of homeschooling will help your children learn. The driving force behind homeschooling is you and your teaching abilities, so if you need to become a better teacher, then don't hesitate to use these tips. You'll feel good knowing that you can be the best home school teacher that your kids can have.
Orignal From: How To Incorporate Technology Into Your Homeschool Plans
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