Homeschooling Tips for Parents
Many parents are finding themselves managing their children's virtual and home-based education.
Despite the many benefits of homeschooling, at-home learning can be challenging for both parents and students alike because it is more difficult to keep track of progress due to the lack of reporting tools like those in a classroom setting.
It can also be difficult to establish order and structure in a home-learning environment. This may lead students to get frustrated, and they may fall behind on the learning objectives and assignments. Moreover, your child's curriculum has a lot of changing components, which make things much more difficult if you have many kids.
So, how can parents, especially beginners, help their children stay on track and deal with the intricacies of online and home-based learning?
Here are eight suggestions to help you keep your children’s homeschool learning environment well-organized and efficient:
1. Establish a Homeschool Schedule and Stick to it
Establish a schedule for all of your students, and stick to it. Even if you only have one homeschool student, creating a set routine for the school day will help everyone stay on task and follow through with assignments. If possible, try to accommodate each child's unique learning style by adjusting your daily schedule accordingly.
2. Use Homeschool Software Tools
One way to ease some of the challenges experienced with home-based education is by using software tools specially designed for online learning environments. Letting go of extraneous paperwork can help free up time so that you are able to focus more on the needs of your students.
3. Don't Overwhelm Them with Information
When teaching a subject like math, it's tempting to try and cover all of your child's homework at once. However, doing this for each subject daily will burn you out very quickly. Try to focus on each subject one at a time and give your child enough time to digest the new information before moving into something else.
4. Create a Homework Grouping System
If you have more than one homeschool student, then it is essential to develop a system for group work so that everyone can stand to benefit from the experience. Kids are still children, and they need adult supervision if they're going to learn anything from assignments.
5. Find Opportunities for Field Trips
The more hands-on experience your kids get with their studies, the better. Taking field trips is one great way to achieve this goal. Providing your children with extra opportunities for exploration and enrichment will keep them interested in learning and motivated to achieve success. If you have a science-minded child, take them on nature walks or visit museums that support their interests. For those who are gifted in the arts, provide visual art lessons by taking field trips to local artists' studios or galleries.
6. Set Aside Time for "Me-Time"
As the adult responsible for guiding the learning experience, it is also imperative that you maintain your own well-being. If you're struggling with stress or burnout, it can have a negative effect on how well you can teach your children and provide them with the attention they crave in order to excel academically. Make sure that you regularly take the time out of your schedule to rest, relax, and do things that make you feel good.
7. Don't Be Afraid to Experiment with New Approaches
There's no "right" way to homeschool kids, so don't be afraid of trying new things as long as you're not straying too far from what will help them learn effectively. If all else fails, then scrap whatever approach you were using and try something completely different until something clicks. Sometimes, we assume that a certain technique or strategy is going to work on its own without giving it a decent chance.
8. Be an Active Role Model for Your Kids
If there's one thing we've all heard before, it's that you should lead by example. This holds true when it comes to educating your children in the learning process. When they see you getting excited about new projects and always trying to expand your horizons, they'll be much more likely to follow in your footsteps.
There are many challenges that come with homeschooling your children. But if you have the right tools and resources, it can be a very rewarding experience for both parents and students alike.
These suggestions will make life easier not only for yourself but also for your student to stay on track and successfully deal with the challenges of home school.