Welcome to the Homeschooling Challenge of 2020! Schools are temporarily closed and now parents have been given the responsibility of overseeing their children’s education. If you are a parent who is new to homeschooling, you may be feeling anxious and wondering if this is something that you can handle.
As a mom who has been homeschooling 4 children for the last 11 years, I am here to tell you that you CAN do it!
Here are 5 homeschooling secrets to get you successfully through Homeschooling Challenge 2020:
1. Have a designated workspace
In my home, we have 2 designated work and study spaces where my children attend their online classes and do their work. These workspaces have desks and computers readily available, and other supplies such as pencils, paper, staplers, rulers, etc.
At times, my amazing daughter has tried to get away with attending class while lounging in bed. However, I have explained to her that our bodies are trained to relax and sleep while we are in bed–not focus! She’s had better results when she is sitting at a desk.
Therefore, I advise you to have your child work in a setting where they are able to focus and concentrate. Place essential items that they may need in this workspace.
2. Make a schedule, Mama!
Learning time management has been a huge undertaking in our house. Early on, my children struggled with using their “free” time in between classes in constructive ways. They’ve had to learn to use their downtime to study and prepare future homework assignments, instead of watching television or playing video games.
Now, my husband requires our children to make a daily schedule with allotted time for classes, studying, exercise, and extracurricular activities. This helps them to “see” where they are spending their time.
Set a daily schedule for your child. Make sure to allow frequent breaks and time for physical activity. If you have younger children, include them in the planning process. Empower them by allowing them to decide which subject they want to study first in the morning.
However, also remember to allow flexibility for life’s unexpected moments!
3. Watch out for Distractors
IPads, cellphones, X-box, and YouTube are the major distractors in our home. To combat this, my husband and I limit screen time on these devices during the school day. I also monitor my children when they are on their laptops to make sure that they are on task and not wasting time on YouTube.
Electronic devices can be very beneficial in complementing online education. However, they can also be major time wasters for your child if limits are not enforced.
4. Teach to your child’s individual learning style
My youngest child has all of his school lessons online. Reading and learning from a computer screen has been a challenge for him. He is more of a kinesthetic learner who learns from doing. Therefore, I incorporate activities that engage his sense of touch.
For example, years ago I played “catch” with him when he was learning his multiplication facts. I would ask a multiplication fact and throw the ball to him. He would have his baseball glove on and it was his job to catch the ball and give me the answer at the same time. Not only did he brush up on his baseball skills, but he enjoyed learning his multiplication facts in this active manner.
Is your child a visual, auditory, verbal, or kinesthetic learner? Add to the curriculum with activities that complement their individual learning style.
Here is an article that goes in-depth with different learning styles:
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/types-of-learning-styles/
5. Use YOUR strengths
When it comes to helping our children with schoolwork, my husband and I are a tag team. I am naturally strong in teaching the structure of language, reading, history, music, and foreign languages. My husband–the resident math genius–handles math, geometry, calculus, and physics. We each use our strengths when teaching our children.
My oldest son is taking C+ Programming through Stanford OHS this year. This class was not offered when my husband and I were in school. Therefore, we have purchased tutoring sessions from Varsity Tutors so that he can get the help that he needs.
Team up with other parents if you feel that you are unable to explain your child’s coursework to them. Working together as a team is now more important for our children than ever before. Also, search online for Khan Academy videos for an explanation of difficult concepts.
Overall, the most important thing that you can do is to provide your children with a strong sense of security during this time of uncertainty. You may not do everything perfectly, and that is ok! Be gentle on yourself. This is an opportunity to teach your child about thriving in the midst of difficulty.
Here’s to the Homeschooling Challenge of 2020! I wish you and your family safety and wellness at this time. Let’s keep calm and HOMESCHOOL on!