Not all soulmates are made equal
It's important to create a practical spot in the house where homeschooling can be comfortable and productive, an area where your child is able to focus on learning. A flat surface, comfortable seating, and proper lighting are all good solutions.
That said, your homeschooling area doesn’t need to look like a classroom! Every child has individual ways of learning. Where one may prefer to sit at a desk, another may feel more comfortable on the floor. It's about what works best for them.
Without a doubt, technology is a homeschooling godsend. It's vital that your computer is compatible with whatever programs you need to access their schoolwork. Check or install apps such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player—you'll need to open and use the curriculum document(s).
Think about downloading any additional programs that could ease the homeschooling process, teleconferencing facilities such as Zoom or Skype, for instance. And is your word processing and documentation suite up to date? Remember, technology is a friend in situations like this.
Think organization. Clear nearby shelves, cupboard units, and other storage options so that materials can be kept easily at hand.
Carefully separate and store curriculum and reference books. Lesson books should always be accessible. An inbox and outbox or a set of dividers can be helpful for sorting work in progress. And make room for art, science, and other learning materials your child will need.
Teaching kids at home is a huge responsibility, and it's very easy to skip taking a lesson or two if you start to feel overwhelmed or just plain tired. But it's important not to start under-scheduling the curriculum.
While you may feel inclined to shorten lesson time, don't. Instead, provide activity distractions disguised as learning opportunities. Use toys to add and subtract, for example, or cite cartoon characters rather than historical figures. Use your imagination to fill gaps and keep the class going.
You've set the goals and expect results. But if your child is finding a particular task difficult, be available to make suggestions and answer questions.
But wherever possible, try to let them do things themselves. The idea is to let kids self-regulate. In other words, let them take control of their learning and not rely on you. When they do get stuck with the answer, by all means work with your child to find a solution.
You don't have to recreate a school environment at home, but it is important to maintain a timetabled structure throughout the week. Your kids need to see this not as a holiday, but as "normal" school hours.
Work to the time frames provided by the curriculum and other instructions, and adapt where necessary. Different students of different ages will complete tasks and understand concepts at different rates. And as a parent, be flexible and allow your teaching methods to evolve as you discover what works best.
Homeschooling can be as much about reeducating yourself as it is about teaching your child. You need to find out what your kids know.
Online learning techniques may pose a mystery to some parents. But for many youngsters, it's quite the norm. Again, communication is key. Find out what works best for your child. Chances are it'll work for you too.
It's tempting to try and cram as much into the day as possible—math, science, languages, history, art, etc. All this, plus activities and break times. But it's counterproductive to become slaves to the schedule.
Prioritize. Concentrate on core subjects, and those your child is weakest at. Create a schedule that also allows for break times and activity periods.
The need to succeed is strong. But it's easy to fall into the trap of unrealistic expectations. It's pointless trying to push your child too far, too soon.
But it's a fine line. If teaching methods are too casual, children will quickly adapt to a lack of direction, formal curriculum, and set goals... which they'll probably enjoy for a time. But boredom will quickly set in and pretty soon young minds will start to wander, with lack of motivation becoming a real issue.
Scheduling downtime between classes is a vital component of home learning, both for kids and parents. A 20-minute recess charges batteries and helps refocus the mind. But it's very easy to skip breaks to shorten the day. Don't!
Take regular breaks with your kids, whether you think you need them or not. It's much easier to get back to a difficult task after a quick breather.
You instinctively want to be there for your child. But sometimes less is more. There will be days when teaching the curriculum is driving you beyond what is necessary, and probably what you're capable of achieving.
Step back a bit. As discussed earlier, there's no need to push kids to complete all their assignments for the day, every day. Instead, be flexible. Watch and learn from your children and adapt as well.
Sound each other out for tips and ideas. One of you might be better at math, the other language and grammar. Teach these subjects accordingly. One day your other half may not feel up to the task. Take over. It's all about supporting each other.
You're fortunate if you're a couple homeschooling your children. Sharing the responsibility of teaching is hugely demanding. Doing it alone can be quite overwhelming.
When kids reach school age, you don't usually expect to find them in the house, all day, every day. Having children running around and making a mess can be stressful, to say the least.
Forget about maintaining your home properly. Kids have their own ideas about how to run a house. So, compromise. Insist on your own little piece of heaven while giving your children pride in their home by assigning household chores they can complete before school each morning.
They'll be times when trying to run a home and a classroom will feel almost impossible. Parents and kids need their own space, and with few places to go it's inevitable that conflict will arise. But be careful. This is when alienation can set it.
No matter how stressed or distracted you may feel, don't ignore your offspring. While you need to set boundaries, allow your kids some freedom within those boundaries. Bounce ideas off each other, and consider their input. Share each other's concerns, too.
Kids need stimulus. They also need encouragement and reassurance. This is where homeschooling has some real benefits. You're there on the spot, one-to-one. Kids have your undivided attention. So why not high-five a good result now and again? You rarely see this individual gesture in a proper classroom situation, especially in a room of 40-plus students or more.
Despite the challenges and disruption to routine, homeschooling can be a rich and rewarding experience for both students and parents. So take advantage!
See also: Radon alert: Understanding the risks for your health, and how to protect your home
Here are some tips to help you navigate the world of homeschooling.
Useful tips for homeschooling your child
Create an engaging and effective learning environment at home
LIFESTYLE Education
In recent years, homeschooling has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional education. What was once a niche choice for a small number of families has now become a mainstream option, embraced by a diverse range of households across the globe. Whether driven by a desire for personalized learning, concerns over the school environment, or the flexibility to tailor education to a child's unique needs, more parents are opting to take charge of their children's education at home.
Here are some tips to help you navigate the world of homeschooling.