“They never really tell you how unsettling it feels,” blogger Angie Mizzell wrote, “to be a parent, while simultaneously trying to figure out how to be a parent.” I’ve found that this is often true in most tasks we undertake in life. So if you are starting home school programs such as homeschool math and feel like you’re in the dark, you’re not alone. Luckily, I’ve come up with a few ways to help you see the light.
Own Your Decision to Start Home School Programs
Congratulations. You’ve made the decision to homeschool. That is often the scariest step of all. Now what comes next? Remember that there is no “right way” to homeschool your child. Of course there are references and guidelines that need to be checked to ensure your child’s education is meeting state requirements, but homeschool math, science, English, and history can all be taught differently while still fulfilling requirements. This often comes down to learning style and interests of your child. Teach subjects in a way that relates to your child’s interests and hobbies. And while it may feel unnatural, embrace change. Try teaching a certain way and if it’s not working, learn to adapt and be okay with change. Few people get it right the first time.
Break it Down into 3 Points
When deciding if you need to adapt or change your teaching style, consider these three important points.
- Quality of experience – Home school programs have the flexibility to break the mold of the classic textbook and worksheet type of learning environment. Enhance your child’s experience by providing quality and interactive learning.
- Make it relative – By providing quality and interactive learning, your child will likely retain information better than the ordinary textbook or worksheet studies. Teach your child how to learn. You can repeat yourself until you’re blue in the face, but if your child doesn’t know how to learn or study, they will not retain the information. Ensure that he understands the material. Often middle and high school students just want to get through the lesson (think of homeschool math as an example) that they don’t take the time to actually understand the concepts.
- Focus on personal development – This goes both ways. I’m talking about you and your child. As you progress in your home school programs, you should be able to shift from teacher to facilitator. Allow your child to self manage and teach them the skills they need to do this not just in education, but in the real world as well.
For more help in learning how to homeschool while homeschooling, you can find a self assessment form on our website to evaluate where you stand. Subscribe now.