Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Ways To Decide If Homeschooling Is The Best Choice

By Tina Shwarts


So, you want to homeschool your kids? Maybe you already are but you seek more knowledge about how to do a better job. Either way, you've come to the right place! Read on to find a ton of information which can help you teach your kids all they need to know.

If you are purchasing an expensive lesson plan for your homeschool, make sure it comes with a trial period or money back guarantee. There is no way to know if a study material will work for your child until you can open it up and use it. If you cannot do so and return it if necessary, you could waste hundreds of dollars. Always look for a trial offer or money back guarantee to protect your pocketbook and keep your homeschooling budget on track.

Allow yourself some flexibility in your structured schedule. You might plan to teach from 9 to 1 every day, but sometimes a doctor's visit, family visit, special outing, sickness or vacation can get in the way. By allowing yourself to vary your schedule from time to time, you give your family the freedom to tend to these other things. This takes a lot of the stress out of homeschooling. Besides it will really fit your lifestyle.

Many public libraries offer a wealth of resources for homeschooling families. Your library card is one of the most valuable tools you have when you are teaching your children at home. Take them to the library on a regular basis. Encourage them to roam freely through the stacks and check out as many books as they can carry.

You should not consider yourself to be your child's teacher. You are more the facilitator to their education. You are there to help them, not lecture them for hours on end. Allow them to do their studies on their own and help them with any questions that they may have. You could very well learn as much as your child does if you take the time to learn with them instead of lecturing them.

Join a homeschool group in your area. Many people homeschool and when you are around others who school their children at home it is much easier for you and your child. You can share ideas with each other, socialize and have a great support network. You can also swap curriculum materials to help you save money. The best way to school your children is with the help of others who do the same thing as you.

Spend a little time networking. Use the Internet to find families in your area that are homeschooling, and arrange activities together. It is also beneficial to connect with people across the country, as you can share ideas and techniques with one another. You will also have a support system when/if things get a little difficult.

During homeschooling time, your child needs to see you as their teacher. Likewise, when you are not teaching the curriculum you need to switch out of teacher mode. Parents that also teach their kids have many advantages over a traditional teacher, so long as they do not allow their affection for their child to disrupt educational priorities.

Define an area in your home where teaching is to take place. While it may be tempting to let your child do their work anywhere, it's important to have a defined area in the home that is dedicated to 'school'. This area needs to be quiet, well-lit and free of all distractions.

What makes homeschooling the choice for your family? Is it that you feel the public school is letting your kids down? Do you feel you could do a better job? Do you want your kids to avoid the negative social issues they'd face in a public school setting? Write a letter to yourself about all the negatives about their current school situation and positives about what you want to provide to them. Read it whenever you feel frustrated about homeschooling as a pick-me-up.

Whether you're a novice looking for advice or a seasoned veteran of homeschooling, this article should have provided you with some new ideas to help you do a great job in the classroom. Make sure you use them in the future and you'll find your lessons go swimmingly every day.




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