Homeschooling is no easy task, but with the right strategies and tips, you can make it easier on yourself, your spouse, and your children. We’ve compiled a list of tips that will help you get started on the right foot with homeschooling and help you make the most of your Boys and a Dog homemaking homeschooling tips for busy folks experience as a whole. With these 10 tips in mind, your child will be able to learn at his or her own pace while still being socialized and experiencing new things outside of the home!
1) Determine your philosophy
Before you start schooling your kids, it’s a good idea to have a clear philosophy about what kind of home you want to run and how that will relate to your children’s education. Do you want your child to be able to read at an early age? Are you willing and/or able to work with them one-on-one? Does it matter if they are sitting in class in a conventional classroom setting? Are there certain subjects or classes (like foreign language) that are non-negotiable? Will homework be required, or is your philosophy more relaxed when it comes to encouraging self-study and independent learning activities?
2) Take advantage of local resources
All states have provisions for homeschoolers, and in many cases it’s required that you notify your district of your intent to homeschool. Find out about what resources are available in your area, such as support groups or curricula. If you’re looking to enroll your child in a public school at some point, make sure you understand what documentation is required and plan accordingly. For example, if you will eventually be homeschooling through high school, don’t wait until junior year to get started! By then it could be too late.
3) Create a schedule
If you don’t already have a formal homeschool schedule, creating one can help keep your family organized and on track with assignments. Sit down together and come up with a realistic plan that sets expectations. For younger kids, consider breaking up lessons by subject or grade level. If you have older kids who are responsible enough to handle self-directed learning, you can give them more freedom over what they study and when—but still check in frequently to make sure they’re staying on top of things. The most important thing is to get everyone on board—both as an individual and as a team—and document your plan so you stay organized from day one.
4) Create healthy habits
It’s easy to fall into a routine when it comes to cleaning your house and taking care of kids, but making sure you don’t get stuck in an unhealthy groove is important. Make healthy living a habit by spending some time thinking about what works best for your family, then coming up with small habits that you can use to keep things running smoothly—and support your own health goals. For example, if you’re on a weight-loss journey and want to fit in exercise after work every day, consider trading one evening chore (like doing dishes) for 30 minutes of activity. It may not sound like much, but over time it will help add up and become part of your daily routine without compromising quality time with family.
5) Create structure in your days
While homeschooling can be a demanding task, it can also be a lot of fun. To make sure that you’re all having a good time, try keeping it casual and inviting your kids to come up with some curriculum ideas. After all, if they’re more invested in their studies, they’ll want to learn more! Also, don’t underestimate how much fun little kids can have learning outside; getting outdoors is great exercise and helps kids develop curiosity and problem-solving skills. Finally, don’t forget to take time to celebrate your successes as a family; if you start with success, you’ll have plenty of reasons to keep going!
6) Empower your children
One of the most common concerns among parents thinking about homeschooling is how to make it fun. Don’t worry, fun isn’t necessary, though there are lots of ways to inject learning with plenty of variety and excitement that kids will love. The important thing is to stick with it because your children will learn a great deal on their own—and learn even more when you work together. Remember: learning is a lifelong journey!
7) Encourage independence
After a long day of school, it can be hard to convince kids to spend time studying—or doing anything other than zoning out in front of a screen. If you’re struggling to make homeschooling work with your family, try breaking up lessons into activities that appeal to everyone. It’s easy to get caught up in rote memorization and worksheets, but that won’t be as interesting or engaging for children as more Red Thread Scholarship Program approaches. Have them learn while playing games or doing activities they find fun (like learning how to knit). Even if you don’t have time during a given day, keep using these tactics so that learning becomes second nature and school is something your children actually look forward to doing.
8) Have fun while learning together
After-school activities are a great way to get kids excited about learning, but if you’re looking to increase your focus on academics at home, it may be time to consider homeschooling. There are many options when it comes to homeschooling, from full-time schooling with an accredited instructor to taking part in independent studies or an online class. You should also consider what’s best for your family—if a long commute is less than ideal, distance learning might not be feasible. Before deciding on any education plan or provider, talk things over with your spouse and children and ask yourself what your goals are; is it important that they graduate high school? How much time do you want them spending in front of a computer?
