How to Homeschool Your Child Effectively?

A few months ago the COVID 19, a virus that originated in China, spread and affected the whole world. The question left in many parent’s minds is what’s next for their children? Many countries completely shut down all industries and schools as a measure to minimize the spread of the disease. Parents are devising new ways to educate their children before this pandemic is eliminated and things go back to normal.

Homeschooling has become a choice for many students around the world in the recent past. Parents have become more involved in helping their children learn, either by them becoming the teachers, hiring home tutors or through virtual learning. In this article, we describe the best ways to homeschool your child effectively. We will also answer some simple questions including how long is a homeschool day and how to discipline your child.

What Do You Need To Have To Effectively Homeschool Your Child?

The Willingness to Learn

Honestly speaking it’s been ages since most of us were in school. Remembering all the concepts can be a difficult task. For this reason, parents need to go the extra mile and teach themselves what the students have been learning and also find a methodology which is easy for them to teach their children. Parents, like teachers, will learn more when preparing for lessons than the students will learn in class.

Discipline- Check How Long Is a Homeschool Day

Homeschooling is hard work, and since many parents are not professional teachers, they need discipline to effectively have an impact on the child’s learning experience. This is in regards to the time put aside for learning. Having time management will be essential to effective homeschooling.

Flexibility

Every child is different and learns differently. As homeschooling does not have any guidelines or structure on how learning should be handled, both the parent and child should make a flexible schedule for studies and extracurricular activities.

Dedication

Homeschooling has become a lifestyle for many. Thus, it will take a lot of commitment and hard work from the parent. This means maximum patience and commitment to homeschooling.

Brush Up On Your Knowledge

As said earlier it’s probably been ages since you were in a classroom. Before embarking on this adventure, you need to remind yourself what you learnt all those years for you to be an effective teacher to your child.

But What Makes Homeschooling Effective?

1. Explain to your children what homeschool means and what is expected of them. This is because it helps them understand why it is happening. It also shows them that learning doesn’t stop. By involving them in decision making it ensures that they are invested while reducing tension and pressure.
2. Create a daily schedule that you can’t deviate from. Most kids are accustomed to a daily schedule, and homeschooling should be the same. Both the parent and the child should have a schedule with breaks included. Check online to see how long a homeschool day should be.
3. Also it would be great to create a learning environment. This can be done by creating a space in the house where there will be no distractions. Peace helps them concentrate just like in a classroom environment.
4. Identify homeschooling methods that are beneficial to your kids. The greatest advantage of home learning is that children do not have to have the same schedule as the school does hence you can alter how you want your kids to learn. Children have different learning capabilities and finding one that works for yours is a good strategy.

When looking for a strategy that works there are several things to consider and they include:

Content

This is what you intend to teach the child. Does the content cover what the child learns at school or other topics that may benefit the child? Think about what your child loves.

The Approach Used

In regards to structure, do you both want to have a schedule like in schools or do you have any other way of learning? No matter what structure you choose, it should cater to both of you.

Delivery Mode

Now that you have your content and you have the plans, delivery is the last strategy. You can choose whether you will teach your child, get a home tutor or they join a virtual class. Consider the pros and cons of each option and find one that fits your goals.

Use Online Resources for Teaching

With the emergence of online learning, there is a huge amount of reading content and material online. Some of the topics you can find include sciences, arts, mathematics, kid games. Additionally, you can reach out to their previous school for reading content. You can get secondary and primary course content online, and if you are in a country that regulates the child’s education, learn what you need legally for home learning.

Passion Projects Can Be A Good Motivation For The Kids

Aside from the normal learning, participating in their hobbies whether painting, drawing, and singing or whatever it may be, boosts their morale and their confidence.

Trust Yourself and What Your Teaching

Parenting does not come with a manual. You have to know that you are their role model and they are looking up to you. Teach them the way you were taught or depending on how you want to raise them. At the end of the day, you are the closest teacher they have.

Understanding the learning outcomes and how to measure how far you have gone in terms of learning. For example, after learning a certain topic, provide an exam or a continuous assessment test (CAT) periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of how the child is progressing.

Ask For Help Whenever You Can

Teachers have learnt through experience how to handle children. In addition, the teachers know great ways to teach your child and how to get the best results from them.

Conclusion

Despite the predicaments the world is going through, education does not stop. Looking for the best way on how to homeschool your child effectively is vital for the development of the child. Although it might look difficult, it can be fulfilling and worthwhile in the long run. The benefits of homeschooling are many and the experience will always be rewarding for both the child and the parent.