Many people are now making the decision to homeschool their children for one reason or another. This is not a decision that most come to lightly, but a decision that must be taken quite seriously for everyone that is involved. When you decide to homeschool, there are some things that can make it much easier and more effective. Use the helpful tips shared here and you can make sure your homeschooling efforts are worthwhile.
Every state has specific laws regarding homeschooling. It is up to you to understand what your state requires of you as a parent, and your child as a student, when it comes to homeschooling. Look at your state's educational website, as well as your county school board's site to fully understand the expectations.
When you have a variety of ages in your homeschool environment, you can use older students to teach the younger ones. This is especially true of reading, where those who read well can read to the younger kids, pointing out words they may not be able to read on their own yet.
Just because you follow a curriculum from another source, does not mean you must follow it to the letter. There are often going to be parts of a curriculum that do not suit your child's learning style or schedule. Be flexible with a curriculum and do not be afraid to drop those parts that are not fitting for your educational plan.
You would not want your children to get mixed up with the bad crowd in public schools, yet they need to have opportunities to interact with other children. Plan outings with family and friends. Bring the class to the park then let them play as well. They can also do activities such a sports, clubs, or other fun things.
Even homeschooling teachers and students want to feel included. For that reason, you should both consider joining a homeschooling support group. Your student(s) will get to talk to other kids who understand the lifestyle and challenges of homeschooling. Likewise, you can get input, advice and general support from other parents that have already struggled with and succeeded at homeschooling.
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.
The goals you set for your homeschool classroom need to be easy to measure. Write down exactly what you want your child to know at the end of each day, week, month and lesson plan. For example, "I would like John to be able to multiply up to ten" is a great short-term goal. "I would like John to know all about World War II" is a long-term goal. Both should come with positive reinforcement when achieved.
The Internet is an amazing homeschooling resource. There are numerous resources to be found on the Internet. Many are free, very cheap or require a nominal subscription. Take advantage on any trial offers and weigh each resource on its merits. Homeschooling forums will also offer you unparalleled advice when you are facing challenges with homeschooling.
Prior to making the decision to homeschool your child, evaluate the relationship that you have with them. If you do not have a great relationship, you are likely going to have difficulty in getting them to cooperate with homeschooling. Discipline in the home is critical if the child is going to do well in a homeschool setting.
If you decide to hire a tutor to supplement your homeschooled child's education, choose carefully. Make sure that the tutor has a degree in the subject he or she teaches. While a teaching degree is helpful, it isn't a necessity to be a good tutor. Verify a potential tutor's expertise and effectiveness by asking for and checking in with references.
Knowing the type of learner that your child is will help make teaching them easier. Some children learn with hands-on techniques while others learn by watching and then doing. Pay attention to how your child learns and adapts the lessons to suit their style to get the best results and the least frustration.
If something in your homeschooling strategy is not effective the first time, then allow yourself one more try at it. However, if it isn't effective the second time, then you should just give it up and move on to something else. You should not waste precious time trying to get something to work when it clearly won't. The goal is helping your child learn, so quickly move on to something else that will work.
Expect that homeschooling will not be fun all the time. Sometimes a lesson plan is necessary and there really is no way to make it fun. Going into homeschooling knowing this, and explaining it to your children, can help you all to get through the rough spots when they come up. This will be a great benefit to your children, and it will help to keep you motivated as a teacher.
Do not make homeschooling more complicated than it has to be, especially if you are working with a very young child. Young children learn a lot by reading books with parents, using a pair of safety scissors, creating arts and crafts projects and spending time outside. For your first year in the classroom, this might be the totality of your lesson plans. If you try to make things more complicated, you might frustrate the child and yourself. Keep things simple, and you will all be better off.
Make yourself familiar with the concept of learning styles. There's a lot of information available about the different types of learning styles and the different ways of teaching to address each one. Take advantage of this information to determine what your child's learning style is and how you can best address it.
As you can see, there are some tips that will make your schooling much easier and more effective. Homeschooling is an important decision. Utilize these tips while you homeschool and you and your children can benefit from this alternative schooling option. Hopefully this decision is the right one for you and your family.
Orignal From: Observations From The Most Successful Homeschooling Parents
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