How To Go About Homeschooling Your Kids
You do not have to put your child into a formal school setting to get a quality education. Many different types of families choose homeschooling. There are many ways to give your kids the education they deserve right in your own home. To learn more, keep reading.
Limit the distractions in your workspace. This does not mean that you have to have a classroom. Simply, shut off the ringer on the phone, turn off the television and if the computer is not used for school, shut it down. The fewer distractions you have to compete with, the smoother your lessons will go.
You must know the laws of your state. The laws are different everywhere, so find out what is needed in your state. Take note of your state’s stance on things like standardized testing, physical education and documentation requirements. In some states, parents are counted as private schools and must register themselves accordingly.
While you want your home schooled student(s) to learn as much or more as their traditionally schooled counterparts, remember that you don’t have to follow any guidelines when you are the teacher. Try different teaching and learning techniques to see what works best for your student. Also, consider using a reward program to make learning more exciting.
Define an area in your home where teaching is to take place. While it may be tempting to let your child do their work anywhere, it’s important to have a defined area in the home that is dedicated to ‘school’. This area needs to be quiet, well-lit and free of all distractions.
Treat homeschooling like a job. You’re a teacher now, and that means you also have to seek out more education. Professional teachers take “PA” days to attend conferences and training, so you should, too! Find homeschooling events near you or even attend one as a vacation. You’ll find they teach you not only specific topics you might not know a lot about, but also how to be a better teacher and how to plan out homeschooling lessons like a pro.
Create a budget for homeschooling expenses. Make a list of the field trips you wish to take and the supplies you must have. This will give you a good starting point for your budget. A separate bank account should be setup for homeschooling money only, and be sure to deposit enough money to cover each child being homeschooled. Expect to have a little wiggle room, as there will be unforeseen costs.
Before you start homeschooling, look into the laws in your state. Your state may require your children to take certain standardized tests. You may also have to register as a private school. Most states have a householders’ association, which can be a valuable resource when researching the laws where you live.
Don’t try to do things exactly as a school would. One of the benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility; do what works for your child. If he or she is more comfortable sitting on the floor and working, forgo the desk. If math is of particular interest, spend a little more time nurturing that subject. Cater to your child while working through the curriculum.
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.
Look up and go to a homeschool conference in your area. Not only will you meet people that may become good resources for you in the future, but you will also have the opportunity to enhance your curriculum. These conferences typically have speakers, sample curriculums and more. The benefits will far outweigh any costs involved.
Realize that home school won’t always be fun for you or your kids. Unfortunately, there will be times when you have to make your kids read. It’s tough to enjoy hours spent reading flash cards over and over, but it’s even tougher to sit through a long textbook covering boring subjects. You can use a system of prizes that will help your kids focus on things they do not want to do.
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.
You should now have a clear understanding of everything that goes into homeschooling. The advice here should help you decide if you’re ready. Even if you decide to look elsewhere for your child’s education, you can use much of this information to supplement what the public or private schools are offering.
