4 tips every homeschool parent needs
4 tips every homeschool parent needs
Homeschooling is a great way to give your child a head start on the educational journey. It's also a great way to get to know each other in a whole new way—you'll find that you can communicate with your child in ways that are different from when they were younger. But there are challenges as well: You might be nervous about how another year of school will impact your family and you may not feel completely confident teaching all subjects yourself. If any of these problems sound familiar, then read on! Here are five tips every homeschool parent needs:
Get to know your state's regulations.
The laws that regulate homeschooling can vary greatly from state to state. While some states have no specific requirements, others may require attendance at a certain number of hours per day, testing and/or portfolio reviews, or even background checks on the parents who choose to homeschool their children. You'll want to check with your local education board for any additional information about requirements in your area.
Be honest about your skills and abilities.
You will need to learn a lot of new things in order to homeschool your child. As you gain experience, you will become more confident in your abilities as a teacher, but this can take some time! It helps to keep in mind that there are so many resources out there for parents who are new at homeschooling—you don't have to figure it all out yourself!
Be flexible if you can
Flexibility is key when homeschooling. Your child may not be interested in working today or may get frustrated with their work and need a break. This is normal! Just give them some space and try again tomorrow (or later on today if possible). If they start crying because they're frustrated or upset, acknowledge how hard it must be for them right now and then let them know that it's okay if they want another day off tomorrow instead of finishing the work they started today so that they can rest up before picking up where they left off. They'll appreciate knowing their needs are being met while still accomplishing what needs doing today. As a parent and as an educator, flexibility is important. It's especially true in homeschooling.
You'll need to be flexible in your teaching styles and lesson plans if you want to teach your kids effectively (and enjoyably). You'll also need to be flexible when it comes to what your kids are learning—your family's unique needs can't be met by one curriculum or education plan alone.
Join up with other homeschooling parents.
Join up with other homeschooling parents. You’re not alone in this, and you might be surprised by the things that you can learn from those around you. If there are no groups or co-ops in your area, then take a look online at Facebook groups or online forums—you might be able to find someone willing to meet for coffee or even start an online group yourself! As always, though: proceed with caution. Not everyone is going to have the same opinions as you do about homeschooling and parenting styles (or anything else).
I hope that these tips have given you some inspiration for your own homeschooling journey.
Julia