Are you thinking of homeschooling your child? Did you know that you’re not alone?
During COVID-19, parents took on the role of teacher to aid in their children’s education. With restrictions lifting, many parents want to continue the process and plan to homeschool full-time.
There are several practical homeschooling tips and tricks you can put into use to make the transition seamless for the whole family. Listed down below are the top bits of advice every homeschooling parent needs to know!
Create a Good Learning Environment
Much like going to a physical school building, you’ll want to have an entire space dedicated to homeschooling. This puts your child into the mindset that it’s time to sit down and study for a while. They’ll be less likely to goof off or have concentration issues when they’re in a place dedicated to school.
This doesn’t mean that you need to make it look like a traditional schoolroom. Get creative and have fun putting together a personalized learning environment. Ask your child to help decorate it and put up things that they enjoy.
This not only makes the area feel personal, but it also lets your child feel more involved in a way that isn’t possible in traditional schooling.
Maintain a Regular Schedule
Humans work well when they run on schedules. Even our little ones need a schedule to feel comfortable with their surroundings. Without a schedule, anxiety and uncertainty make the entire homeschooling process more difficult.
When you start preparing for homeschooling, make sure to get your child involved in setting up a schedule. This is another great way to get them to be a part of the process so that they feel more connected to everything you’re doing.
It’s okay to add some flexibility to your schedule once in a while, but try to maintain it as much as possible.
Set Goals
Goals are a great learning tool. They give us something to strive for instead of getting overwhelmed by everything.
Homeschooling the right way includes setting goals for your children so that they understand what they’re trying to achieve. Many children in traditional schooling don’t always know what it is they’re supposed to get out of their lessons.
With specific goals in mind, this is no longer a problem!
Use Fun Visuals
No one ever said homeschooling needs to be boring. Instead, it’s much better to use bright colors and graphics to keep a sense of excitement during homeschooling hours.
Use colored paper instead of plain white. Put up funky educational posters to use as props for different lessons.
Finding ways to change things up makes learning a fun experience for your child. They’ll engage more in the curriculum if they feel like they’re able to enjoy the visuals.
Try Being Laidback
Many of us remember our time at traditional school as being a strict experience. We sat at our desks and did our schoolwork without any interruptions.
Traditional teachers need this level of control when dealing with 20 or more students. You, on the other hand, have more leeway.
There’s no reason to remain strict as long as your child does the necessary schoolwork. You’re still their parent, first and foremost, so it’s okay to be a little more lenient.
Be careful not to become too lenient. It’s a tricky balance that you’ll develop as you continue homeschooling!
Join a Homeschooling Community
When possible, it’s a good idea to seek out other homeschooling parents. They’re an invaluable resource for you to get even more advice for homeschooling from people who know exactly what you’re going through.
Plus, being a part of a community gives you a chance to unwind after a hard day. It allows you to vent your frustrations or worries to people who understand and are going through the same troubles.
A homeschooling community is much like a support group. You’re all there for each other through thick and thin.
Plus, you’ll always have other homeschooled children available for play dates and other fun activities!
Understand the Curriculum
No one expects you to understand everything that your child needs to learn. You’re not meant to have the same knowledge as traditional teachers, but you need a basic understanding.
The best way to go about this is to take a short and informative training course dedicated to helping you learn about the curriculum. This gives you an insight into the lessons that you’ll be able to share with your child.
It’s also a good idea to read through a lesson the night before you start teaching it. You’ll feel more comfortable going forward and you’ll know how to approach the lesson in your own unique way!
Include a Variety of Learning Methods
One of the best homeschooling practices is to make use of many types of learning. Reading is a vital skill, but what about putting on a play to re-enact a pivotal scene? Learning new vocabulary is always useful, but why not make a game out of it?
There are many ways to get your child engaged in the learning process that involves more than giving a lecture.
If you keep doing only one method of learning, lessons begin to feel stagnant and boring. Try switching it up sometimes to give your child a new perspective.
Make Time for Breaks
Homeschooling shouldn’t be all work and no play. Playtime is such an important part of childhood that there needs to be an emphasis on its benefits.
The nice thing about homeschooling is that you get to set how much time your child gets to play. Instead of getting only one recess throughout the day, why not allow your child several breaks?
This boosts their energy and reduces stress. It gives your child time to shake off any frustrations with the lessons. It also lets your child feel as though you’re on their side since they would much rather play than study.
Study Outside
Another way to bring a sense of relaxation to every homeschooling lesson is to take the study materials outside. Sunlight boosts your child’s health and the fresh air is never a bad thing.
It’ll feel like a treat to learn in the sun. Since your child might want to go outside again during the next homeschooling session, they’ll concentrate even harder. They’ll want to show you that they’re capable of being outside while still maintaining concentration.
If you have an enclosed patio, it’s even possible to teach lessons outside during rain showers. The ambiance of the rain makes for a beautiful backdrop during study time!
Try New Things
It’ll take time to learn what works best for both you and your child. That’s why you’ll want to try new things all the time until you find the perfect homeschooling method.
Keep an eye on how interested your child is during lessons and adjust from there. If one thing doesn’t work, that doesn’t mean you’re failing as a homeschooling parent. It only means you haven’t found the right match yet.
Trying something new is the key to homeschooling and one of the biggest benefits. This kind of flexibility isn’t possible in traditional schools. Use it to your advantage so that your child gets a curriculum geared specifically to their learning style.
Organize Everything
It’s often a difficult thing to homeschool your child. Resources and advice make it easier, but there are many things you’ll need to juggle all at once.
You’ll want to keep an organizational system as soon as you start. If you wait to start organizing everything at a later date, it’ll be much harder to accomplish. Instead, start right away by giving each study category its own place in a binder so that you’re able to find it with no problem later.
You’re only creating a headache for yourself if you don’t stay organized. Find a system that works well for you, and stick with it for the best results!
Learn Alongside Your Child
Although you’re the one in charge, your child isn’t the only one who’ll learn something during the homeschooling experience. It’s a learning process for both of you. Don’t fight against the urge to learn more with every single lesson.
You’ll understand more about your child than you ever would through traditional schooling. You’ll bond in ways you never thought possible.
Plus, you’ll get to brush up on all of those basic skills that you’re teaching your child. It’s a great way to kickstart your brain so that you’re ready to tackle whatever comes your way!
Use These Practical Homeschooling Tips to Give Your Child the Best Education
If you’re making the jump to start homeschooling your child, then these practical homeschooling tips are a great way to begin. By using our advice, you’ll have no trouble teaching your child everything they need to be successful in life.
Make sure to have fun with the process as well. It’s a wonderful experience for both of you!
No matter the age of your child, we have a kit ready to give them the best learning curriculum. Check out our shop for everything you and your little one need!
