Homeschooling is a decision that many families make. While there are many reasons that a family can come to this decision, there are also many things that they can do to make this more effective. The following article contains some helpful tips you can use when you make the decision to homeschool your children.
Before you even begin your child's homeschooling year, decide how many weeks you would like to accomplish the school year in. You can then break your courses up into weeks to set even tighter schedules. Do not forget to pencil in any vacation time that you will be taking so you do not forget to account for it.
Wednesdays can be hard as they're stuck in the middle of the week, so why not make them a special event? Include fun hands-on activities on this day or excursions around town. Make it something they look forward to and your kids will have an easier time making it through the week.
Find out what your state has in place as far as homeschooling regulations. Some states have very strict rules with many hoops you have to jump through, so you must find out what your state requires of you before you get started. Some states are more lax, so start researching today!
Figure out what motivates your children. The same thing will not motivate all children, so find a motivational tool for each child and use it. Keep your rewards age appropriate and reward your children for accomplishing each of their school goals for the year. They will work hard for the things that make them happy.
Finding time to cook at big meal at the end of the day can be tough when you are homeschooling children. Plan your meals ahead of time and precook as much as you can. Baking a lasagna during the weekend and freezing portions can really be a lifesaver during the week when you don't feel like cooking.
It is important to incorporate recess into your homeschooling routine. Recess at public schools are becoming shorter and shorter, but it is an important time for your child. It is a time for them to expel their extra energy, which enables them to concentrate better while they are learning. Try to incorporate a few of these breaks in your child's day.
Write down why you want to homeschool. You know what your reasons are, but it may help your spouse to see them in black-and-white. By writing out a thoughtful and concise paragraph about your goals, you will have a perfect answer when you are questioned about why you chose to homeschool. You can explain yourself more clearly.
As much as your children should not be distracted when you are homeschooling them, you cannot allow yourself to get distracted either. Let your friends and other family members know which days and at what times you will be teaching your kids and let them know not to bother you during this time. This will help you stay on track so that you can properly teach them.
You have to realize that the GED exam is the ultimate goal when homeschooling your high school age child. To assess you child's readiness to pass, administer a GED sample exam to pinpoint any weak areas that should be addressed through curriculum design. Doing this long ahead of their real test time will let you learn what you need to focus on teaching them with so that they can ensure they pass each GED subject.
Some people may try to dissuade you from homeschooling your kids because it will result in them growing up to be less socialized than those placed in a traditional classroom setting. Don't listen to them. Just because a child goes to regular school does not mean he or she will grow up more sophisticated. In fact, it's typically the opposite because there are some very disturbed children in public school, which can rub off on your child. Just ensure you have your children play with other children from time to time.
Search around your area for homeschooling resources. Depending on where you live, you could gain access to lots of cultural events at a low price, such as museum tours and opera. In addition, there may be a club or online forum dedicated to homeschooling parents in your area. This allows you to gain some helpful advice from others and even share your own.
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.
Don't just limit learning and teaching to the times you have set for schoolwork. All parts of life include teachable moments where they can apply skills learned in school work to the things they encounter and experience in life. This make learning much easier and more fun. It's a great way to teach them things because they are having fun and interacting with you.
Make sure that you have strong lesson plans when it comes to math and reading. These subjects are basically what every other subject has behind them. Children who cannot read well or understand daily math challenges will not succeed in any other subject. Always dedicate a larger block of time to Math and Reading.
While books and lesson plans are helpers, the do not need to define your homeschooling experience. Use them as guides, not as strict rules. Also, use the necessary tools in your lesson for your child. Personalization and one on one interaction are two advantages to homeschooling.
No matter what your personal reason is to homeschool your children, there are quite a few helpful tips and ideas that can help make it more successful. Use the tips shared here and you can find that your homeschooling efforts are not only more effective, but enjoyable for you and your child, too.
Orignal From: What You Need To Know About Homeschooling Your Kids
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