For parents who want to ensure their child grows up correctly, homeschooling might be one of the better options available. Depending on where you live, you might not have good school choices. This is especially important when it comes to religion since private religious schools can be expensive and hard to find in some places.
It was made even worse by the recent COVID-19 pandemic that closed down 64,000 schools in the country. But homeschooling has its challenges. If you want it to work for your child, here are some tips to help.
Do Some Research
Before you start homeschooling, you should research the details of what you need to start. The internet is a good resource but that is just the beginning. Use the internet to connect with people who are familiar with homeschooling. Talking with them can be the best way to start. Using their expertise and experiences, you can avoid a lot of the initial mistakes. Besides talking to others, you should look into the various homeschooling resources available. Some magazines and books can help you get started.
Make Your Teaching Room Comfortable
If you are planning to do homeschooling then you need a comfortable place to do it. Teaching your children at the dinner table is not going to cut it. If you have a spare room, then you can easily convert that into a learning space for your children. It allows them to concentrate easily on the topics at hand and ensures that they are studying. Fix your home’s HVAC system and put in some good lights so that the room can be comfortable. Add some decor, too, along with a place to sit and do homework.
Check The State’s Requirements
You can’t do homeschooling without some oversight. This comes from your state’s requirements for doing so. A good example of this is the laws in New York. Parents who plan to home school their child will need to notify the local government about their plans. The family then receives the state’s homeschooling program regulations. One noted requirement is that students have to go through an annual assessment to see whether the schooling meets the state’s level.
Besides that, parents will have to submit a report about their activities. Depending on the state, the rules might be stricter or may have fewer requirements. Learn to adapt to these requirements so that your efforts are not wasted
Find A Support Group
Teaching is a difficult profession and doing it as a parent makes it doubly difficult. Many teachers have it easier because they have co-workers to help them out and provide emotional support. Since you’re alone, you must get a support group. Whether online or local, these can be a big help. For example, if you have a subject you are facing issues with, then it is good to ask for advice from your support group. They can also be great when you want to organize field trips or a social meetup so that your children can get some form of socialization.
Set Some Goals
When you are teaching your child, you should have some goals set for your lessons. Don’t just think of teaching them whatever you want. Definite goals can make it easier to plan lessons and even teach. For example, if you want your child to be able to do all the basic mathematical operations by the end of the year, then you should set that as your goal. This gives a purpose to your lessons and can even become a way to test whether you have been successful in your efforts.
Define A Specific Schedule
Formal schools have a schedule that they follow and you should, too. The simple reason for this is creating a sense of routine. Children find it easier to learn if they are in the right mindset for it. Scheduling classes at specific times of the day makes it easier for them to be more receptive. It also is beneficial to you. This ensures that you will have time for other things.
When it is teaching time, your focus should be on teaching. Other times, you will have to do your normal chores or other things. But don’t be strict about it. Be flexible so that homeschooling does not become so difficult for you.
Homeschooling is going to require dedication and spirit. But it can be worth it to see your children educated in the way that you want. Start small and develop your routine. Soon, you’ll find that being the teacher your children need can be very rewarding.
