COVID-19 has the world in its virulent grip, in more ways than one. Besides causing businesses to grind to a halt, it may have caused you to wonder how to homeschool your child.
Schooling a child is a mammoth task, more so homeschooling them. COVID 19 has made it somewhat of a necessity, however, and more parents are wondering how to homeschool their children in times like these. We have some answers.
Advantages of Homeschooling
For those of us who are skeptical about homeschooling their young ones for fear of misleading them, don’t worry. Homeschooling has a slew of benefits and may prove essential when your children cannot attend school for some time.
1. Academic Customization
Your child may be ahead of others their grade in language but be behind in math. Homeschooling allows you to craft an academic syllabus to cater to your child’s needs.
2. Pacing
Homeschooling allows you to pace your children’s learning according to schedules and specific situations. The flexibility lets you work out scheduling frustrations. The Coronavirus has made this essential.
3. Caters to Personal Needs
You can customize your children’s academic schedules according to their behavioral, emotional and cognitive needs as well. Doing so helps them to progress at comfortable levels.
4. Family Warmth
Of course, most teachers are kindness personified. But knowing how to homeschool a kid will give education a personal touch. Your children will experience family warmth and a non-threatening environment.
5. Freedom for Other Activities
Homeschooling allows parents to create schedules for other activities. Your child will not miss out on family bonding, which will likely take place at home these days.
6. Efficient and Purposeful Learning
Homeschool implies a low student to teacher ratio, which makes learning more meaningful and customized. Your children get the full attention of their teacher.
How to Homeschool Your Child
If you’ve decided to homeschool your child or children after grasping these benefits, you’ll want to know how to take those first steps. We have a few useful suggestions.
1. What Are Your Options?
You may wonder how to homeschool your child if he or she has already been through an elementary school system. Here’s some assurance – you can start the process regardless of your kid’s academic circumstances.
Give yourself an appropriate time frame for research. Source your available options. Visit libraries, haunt the Internet and talk to other parents who homeschool a child. Arming yourself with resources is the best way to make sure that the process goes smoothly.
2. Find Out about Homeschooling Requirements
Homeschooling regulations vary from one country to another. In Singapore, parents who wish to homeschool their children must apply for compulsory education exemption. Furthermore, their children must take a National Quiz before sitting for the Primary School Leaving Examinations.
Requirements vary from state to state across the US. Many would require parents to submit regular reports. Do source for this information before starting to homeschool.
3. Participate in a Local Homeschooling Group
Becoming part of a homeschooling group will give you access to valuable tips on how to homeschool your child. You will meet experienced parents who can show you the way. Discover appropriate homeschooling habits and introduce you to resources that you will need. They may also point you to clubs that will suit your children’s interests.
4. Design a Homeschool Curriculum
Find out about suitable curriculum and syllabuses for your children, then purchase appropriate textbooks and resources. Homeschooled children in Singapore will need to become familiar with curricula that lead up to the Primary School Leaving Examinations.
If you are a parent who lives in the United States, you can purchase materials from the Scholastics Online Store. These include suitable textbooks and worksheets as well.
5. Set Up a Homeschooling Area
Decide where you want to homeschool your children. Will you do so in the kitchen? Do you need a blackboard and desk? How will you keep tabs on your children’s completed work? Will you be making use of the computer often?
Think about the resources that you will use often and organize your child’s homeschooling space around it.
6. Set Goals
Set academic expectations like a teacher would. How much should your child know about this subject by the end of the year? Set short and long-term goals.
And academics aren’t the only concern. Physical activity is also crucial for a child’s development. Consider extracurricular activities too. These will socialize your children and give them opportunities to learn new skills.
7. Create a Homeschooling Schedule
Create a schedule to meet these goals. Be organized. Set aside time each day for your child to study each subject. Break this down in a Planbook. Many of these are available online.
Think about how you want to break up your child’s learning weekly. Make time for library visits and field trips as well.
8. Look Out for Common Homeschooling Pitfalls
One essential factor to consider when thinking about how to homeschool your child is isolation. Many parents who homeschool feel alone in the process, so do join a support group as suggested above. Adults need to connect as much as kids do.
Also, don’t decide on a curriculum too early. Set about arming your children with essential skills like phonics, writing, and simple arithmetic before purchasing an expensive curriculum. Give yourself room to decide on your child’s learning style.
9. Lifestyle
Homeschooling has a significant impact on a family’s lifestyle, as it will involve either parent giving up his or her career. Consider what financial adjustments you will need to make if you want to homeschool your children.
The above are some practical tips on how to homeschool a child. Do bear these in mind before taking those first steps.
