In order to be successful at homeschooling, there are several things that you need to know. While it is not important for you to have any formal teaching experience, you want to do the best that you can to give your child the education they deserve. Use the information here to reach all of your homeschooling goals.
Teach your kids how to follow instructions by giving them a recipe which fits their capabilities and have them follow it on their own. They should start by creating a list for the grocery, then pay for it and understand the change they get through a little math lesson (you can even throw in tax information) and then create and enjoy their masterpiece in the end.
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.
Real life will intrude on your school day! There is no getting around urgent situations or emergencies, and normally these things are not planned. Do not allow these things to add stress to your day. It is easy to make up a bit of time the following day when lessons have to be put on the back burner.
Create a schedule for when the kids are in class and when they’ll get breaks. They can’t learn all day long! You need to adhere to the schedule as tightly as possible to ingrain the routine into everyone’s lives, even yours. The more you stick to the plan, the better the outcome.
As you lay out your goals, make sure that they span the entire timeline of your kids’ education. You should have goals which are easier to reach to ensure your kids are being positively reinforced frequently. Long-term goals should come with greater rewards so that your kids will be driven to attain them. Don’t forget to set goals for yourself as well, including rewards which will drive you to be the best teacher you possibly can be.
Before homeschooling your children, be sure to educate yourself on the subject. There are many resources online to help make the right final decision for you and your family. Regardless of how much you thing homeschooling will help your child, you need to ensure you have the energy, funds, and time that educating children requires.
Understand what your local school board offers in the way of resources for homeschooling. Often you will find that your school board will reimburse you for educational supplies and field trips. Do your research and understand what is expected on your part as far as receipts, fees and the extent of reimbursement.
You can also use the family vacation to go on an educational journey. Plan family trips that include the zoo, science centers, museums and historical landmarks. It is easy to devote one day during your trip to learning something new. Both your kids and you will enjoy learning this way.
Do a pro/con list about homeschooling and traditional schooling. Refer to your list as you are planning out your school year. You will want to make sure that you give your kids what you thought they would miss out on if they were public schooled. You can use this list as a tool to ensure you are covering all areas that were previously neglected. Make sure that you store this list and look back at it when necessary.
Remember to spend time with your family outside of the classroom. You might believe that all the time you spend together in the classroom is enough, but it really is not. Family nights are an opportunity for the family to get together without the pressures of the classroom, and bring you all closer together.
Do you have more than one kid that needs homeschooling? Before starting, establish a structured discipline plan. Establish some rules and boundaries your children need to respect during school hours or you will not be able to manage your small classroom. Evaluating your own weaknesses as a disciplinarian can help you prevent problems before they occur.
Look into homeschooling conferences in your area. Sometimes, you will have to travel to another city to attend, but it will be well worth the trip. You will be able to get your hands on the latest and greatest homeschooling curriculum. You will also be able to discuss your options with professionals as well as other homeschooling parents.
While many modern homeschooling programs come with a recommended schedule, be sure to check your state regulations before planning your curriculum. Many states require that homeschooled children learn on the same 40-week schedule as their public school counterparts. In states without such regulations, you will have more flexibility in planning the schedule.
If you are brand new to homeschool, don’t try to do too much as once. Ease into your routine. For example, during the first few days, focus primarily on one subject. Add additional topics as you feel more comfortable, but make sure you do it in a timely manner so that your children stay on track.
Children that are taught at home may have a different grasp of certain subjects, but that does not mean they cannot grow up to be productive members of society. Do your best to teach them all you know in a way that speaks to them. All of the advice here should make that much easier to do.
