It’s crazy to me to see much homeschooling has increased in popularity, even since we began 7 years ago. I understand it, though. It’s an appealing choice to many because of its flexibility, customized learning plans, and the ability it gives you to spend more time with your kids.
If you want to homeschool kids, but are worried about getting overwhelmed, you’re not alone. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it will still happen now and then 😉 but I’ve gathered together a list of my favorite tips for homeschooling that will let you take advantage of the great opportunity to teach your child if that’s something you want to do from the comfort and convenience of your own home at a pace and style that works for your child. With a little bit of organization and a few tips, you can get the benefits of homeschooling your kids without added stress!
8 Homeschooling Tips For Parents
Look into Homeschooling in your Area
It’s always easier to learn new things if you can find a group with some experience, and homeschooling is no different. Local homeschoolers in your area will know the ins and outs of designing a curriculum, homeschool planning, and getting your materials ready for the school year. These groups can range from formal co-ops to more casual playdates to mom meetups to field trip focused groups, so start asking around (at the library, in your local mom’s Facebook groups, at your community center) and see what kind of set up best fits your needs.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to other homeschooling moms, in your area and online, if you have any questions. In my experience, other homeschooling parents are more than willing to help out or bounce ideas off of — after all, they’ve been in your position, too.
Create a Designated Space for Learning
Kids work best in a clutter-free area that has a specific purpose. Make sure it’s well-lit and comfortable, and it can be helpful to remove any distractions. When your child sits down in their learning area it tells their mind that it’s time for lessons and this can help them concentrate as well as create a much-needed separation between school work and the rest of the home.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this has to be a separate room. While that can be helpful, it’s not necessary. Giving your kids a designated space like a separate desk or table in a nice quiet corner works quite well. If that’s not possible, set aside a section of a family area like your kitchen table that your child can use as their designated learning area. When it’s time to focus, maybe you pull out a certain lamp or tablecloth that signifies a change is the space’s purpose.
Plan Ahead
One of the difficulties with homeschooling is that life can get in the way. When you’re juggling work and home duties and then you add homeschooling on top of it it’s easy for some things to get lost in the shuffle. A seasoned homeschooler will ensure you that life is part of the beauty of homeschooling. Involve the kids in the home duties and the juggling; those are incredible life skills and lessons!
However, planning ahead can also definitely help you feel organized and that you aren’t sacrificing schoolwork for the sake of chaos. Before the school year begins, sit down and come up with a monthly schedule for what you want your kids to learn. This allows you to break your schedule further into weekly tasks. Set aside time once a week to look over what you need to prepare or go over for the week ahead so you’re not left scrambling when it’s time for your kids to sit down and get to work.
Make Learning a Family Activity
It’s much easier for kids to learn if they’re having fun. One of the ways to make learning fun is to involve the whole family. Some ways to do this include working on schoolwork together at the same time, talking over what you learned around the dinner table, or going on little field trips as a family. When you’re homeschooling, there’s so much overlap between home time and school time that involving the family just makes sense. Try to bring learning and lessons into the games you play, and your trips outside to make learning fun and involve the whole family!
Set Goals Together
One way to encourage your kids to want to learn is to involve them in goal-setting. Sit down together — I recommend once a week — to go over what you want to teach them that week so they can help you set attainable goals. For example, let’s say you want them to read a certain book from start to finish over the week. Your child can help you break that task up into manageable chunks, by telling you if they feel comfortable reading one chapter a day, two, or even three. Together you can structure your activities to match them where they feel comfortable so you can focus on the areas where they might need a little extra help.
Make Use of Online Resources
There’s a whole world of information, resources, and great opportunities for homeschooling parents available online. Make use of free online templates, curriculums, activities, subject-specific Youtube videos, and sample daily schedules to make your life as a homeschooling parent a little easier. This goes alongside the tip on joining a local homeschooling group. The homeschooling community is huge, and it’s growing bigger every day. No matter what question you have, or problem you encounter, you’re bound to find someone who’s got the answer, experience, or online resource you’re looking for, so don’t be afraid to reach out!
Create a Daily Schedule
The best way to balance all the different aspects of a homeschooling lifestyle is to make sure everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing as the day goes on. This is where a daily schedule comes into play. If your schedule is written down, there’s no room for confusion and it’ll help your kids learn as well. If you have younger kids, daily schedules can really help them establish a routine so they know what’s expected of them. For example, if your child knows that it’s time to do some independent reading as soon as you’ve finished your foreign language studies, it’ll make it easier for them to transition from one subject to another.
Take Breaks!
Breaks are an essential part of learning anything new, and thankfully it’s easier to work breaks into homeschooling than it would be at public school. You and your child both need some rest throughout the day so their brains can process what they’ve just learned and you can clear your mind so you’re ready to help them with the next task. Work breaks directly into your daily schedule so they don’t get missed. If you’ve got young kids, set a timer for 15 minutes, then let them take a 5-minute break. Older kids can focus for longer periods, but they’ll still need a break every 30 to 45 minutes.
Don’t be afraid to try homeschooling, even if you’re brand new! It’s not as daunting as it appears as long as you stay organized and break up your tasks into manageable chunks. Also, be sure to make use of both local and free online resources if you have any questions or concerns. You’ve got this!
