How To Effectively Homeschool Your Children
Though you might want to keep your kids away from public school kids, they still require socialization. Plan play dates for your children with neighbors or other homeschooled children. Take a field trip to a local park and allow your children to interact with the other children playing there. Go out of your way to get your children involved in ballet, sports, 4H, or other clubs where they will be able to interact with others.
Schedule field trips as a part of your homeschooling curriculum. Most learning happens at home, but it can also happen on the street. Think about the many places you could take your child for a field trip. Are there any festivals in your town? Would you like your child to know how to make purchases? Take the time to think creatively about how to teach them, as the world is out there is a school room.
Verify the laws of your state when it comes to choosing your homeschool curriculum. Each state has a different set of regulations and rules in regards to the number of days a child must be home schooled. Some states will provide you with a curriculum to follow, while others let you create your own. Matching your school days with those of the local schools is usually the best bet.
Go to some conferences or workshops before you start homeschooling your child. Being both a parent and a teacher can become overwhelming. You can receive motivation and information from classes or seminars. If you’re already homeschooling, it wouldn’t hurt to attend these as part of your on-going education.
When teaching your kids something, provide hands-on opportunities. If you are teaching about other cultures, immerse your family in the ways of that culture by preparing meals from their and watching movies relating to it. When learning about Russia, making borscht and cabbage rolls would be a good idea. If they learning about WWII, you can help them prepare meals native to the countries on the Axis side. Helping your children relate material in the lessons to fun real life activities can help them learn and better retain the information.
A daily journal is a great way for your child to log experiences. This journal gives you a written record of your child’s educational progress and their lives as a whole. Each entry demonstrates your child’s own perspective on his or her life. Let them dress up the journal with personal artwork and creativity. This will add depth to their homeschool portfolio and also be a timeless keepsake for the future.
With so much to think about, it may be hard to decide what the next step should be towards getting your child the proper education. No single public or private school can address your every need and concern. Keep in mind what you’ve read when you prepare to homeschool your kids. Most important of all, take every opportunity to educate yourself more about homeschooling.
