Throughout our whole lives, we continue to grow and learn new things. Most people go to school for intensive learning during the first 20 or so years of life, but some parents find it more effective to teach their children themselves. The choice to homeschool your child is not an easy one, but it could be rewarding. This article will help you weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling so that you can make an informed decision.
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.
Write down a list of all the reasons why you have chosen homeschooling for your kids. Start off with a list of the pros and cons of public schools in your area. Next, write down how you’re going to overcome those cons and include the pros in your own classroom. Subsequently, create milestones and goals you want your kids to reach as you teach them. Create a timeline for those goals so you can be sure they’re attained.
You need to take time to teach your kids skills that they will use in life. So find ways to educate your children in both ways. Book skills are important, but teaching a child how to count out change, manage and plan a food menu, learning how to schedule a shipment and much more will be helpful for the rest of their life. You are able to teach both lessons simultaneously. For example, if your child is learning about gardening, teach about plant growth cycles and the effects of the environment.
Research the resources available in your area. Certain establishments may have special classes or activities designed particularly for homeschooled children. You may also get discounts on cultural events in the area. Also, do not forget about the Internet. There is a wealth of knowledge on different forums and websites that is easy to access.
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.
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.
Write down your rationale. You know your reasons for homeschooling, but writing them down and planning is very helpful. When you put your goals and reasoning on paper, you stay better prepared to field questions about taking your children out of public school. You will be able to reach your goals easier.
When you are homeschooling, make sure that you set up a room in the house to do strictly work. This will help your child get into the work mode, so that it is easier to focus on the task at hand. This will yield great results for the future of your child.
Make certain that you know what the laws are in your state. Each one is different in their requirements. Some have stringent requirements. Others are more relaxed. You do not want to get into legal trouble because you don’t understand the laws in your state. Contact your local school board for direction.
Take the time to read! The more you study about homeschooling, the easier you will be able to teach your children. There are many how-to books that you can read that cover the different subjects of schooling that you will be teaching your children. They will help you with methods of explanation when your children have questions that you must answer.
Don’t attempt to copy the traditional classroom setting and schedule. Just because a typical school classroom has their students sitting at desks and setting specific times for each subjects does not mean you need to. In fact, it is better if you have your child standing and actively involved rather than he or she sitting in a desk. Traditional classrooms have to do this because they have lots of kids. It would simply be chaotic for teachers to have all their students standing while teaching. Use the strategy that works best for you and your child.
Enjoy the flexibility of homeschool. Don’t think you should follow strict schedules like traditional schools do. You can take as many field trips as you want, anytime you want. If you want to focus exclusively on math one day, you can. If you want to teach several subjects the next day, you can. As long as you are using effective strategies in helping your child learn, you can do whatever you want.
Network your child with other homeschoolers. A child can sometimes feel lonely when they are not exposed to the daily classroom full of 20 or 30 other children. To help prevent this, make sure to connect with other homeschooling families, and take advantage of socialization opportunities. This is also a great way for you to find tips for your homeschooling program by networking with other parents.
Teach your kids how to play chess. If you don’t know how, there are a number of games online that can help them. This will improve their strategic thinking skills. You can also use it in discussing history and modern politics. Either way, it is still a fun and social way to spend time.
