It’s Spring again and soon it will be time to think about sunny days at the beach or exploring the Rocky Mountains or taking an educational trip to Europe. It’s also time to start thinking about how you would like to structure your homeschooling experience for next fall – or perhaps consider including some summer learning fun as part of your child’s educational experience?
Creating a homeschooling experience that works for every member of your family can be stressful, so, to paraphrase songwriter Eric Idle of Monty Python fame: “Some things in life are bad, they can really make you mad …. But don’t grumble, give a whistle, and always look on the bright side of life” – and remember to SMILE!
Schedule – It goes without saying that you’re going to have to create a homeschooling schedule. You may want to coordinate your schedule with the public school schedule so your kids can spend holiday and vacation time with their friends. But, most important, you’re going to want to organize your hours, days, weeks and months in a way that will provide the most “bang” for your homeschooling needs. Every family is unique and you need a schedule that works for you and your homeschool student(s).
First, establish your educational goals for the school year and then decide which subjects and teaching methods you might want to use to create a quality educational experience. You may not need a second-by-second or even day-by-day schedule. Perhaps a simple checklist of things to get done each week or month is all you need? Or perhaps just reviewing your goals on a monthly basis will work for you. Whichever scheduling format you decide to use, be sure to coordinate your plans with your state’s homeschooling laws. Does your state specify how many days per year you must homeschool? Or perhaps how many hours per week? Will you conduct classes only in the mornings or afternoons? Do you want your children exposed to the homeschool environment just 3 or 4 days a week? Do you want to institute a full five-day schedule? All of these considerations will help you set the perfect schedule that works for you and your unique and talented family.
Materials – Before deciding which homeschooling curriculum choices are best for your family and/or which materials to purchase, review the homeschooling laws and regulations of your state to determine which courses you will be required to provide for your child. Think about your homeschooling goals and objectives and choose materials appropriate to your student’s grade level. Appropriate materials and curriculum don’t have to be expensive to be educationally stimulating, but they do need to be aligned with your child’s learning style and educational goals.
Imagination – Don’t get lost in creating rigid schedules for your homeschooled kids. Use your imagination to choose the best educational method for your students! Explore different homeschooling methods and styles. The sky is the limit! Use your imagination in planning your homeschooling experience and you’ll suddenly discover that you are inspired, intriqued and expertly prepared to make fantastic educational choices for your family.
Love – Nothing you will ever do or say will have a more profound and lasting effect on your child than the love you give to them on a daily basis. Homeschooling your child gives you a fantastic opportunity to exhibit the patience, understanding and love you feel for that child every day of the year and will help create and sustain the joy that can come from an exceptional learning journey. As John Lennon wrote – “All you need is love.” Remember this as you and your child embark on your homeschooling journey.
Encouragement – Homeschooling is not always a panacea of perfection, joy and success. Some days will present moments of tedium, frustration and discouragement for both you and your homeschooled child. Remember – something as simple as a kind word, a loving gesture and a large helping of positive reinforcement will not only encourage your student, but can give you added strength to continue to be the fantastic homeschooling parent you are.
So make life worthwhile – go ahead and SMILE!