Taking on the responsibility of schooling your children from home is nothing short of courageous. Despite any overwhelm you may feel, there is always a golden opportunity to learn alongside your students during the educational process. Give some thought to the following strategies for staying on track together.
Set Yourself Up For Success
Before you begin any given teaching period, strive for clarity regarding what lies ahead. First, decide on a standard curriculum or use your creative skills to develop your own. Then think about the concrete learning goals and their assessments. How will you know if your child has adequately absorbed the lessons you have planned? What kinds of positive reinforcement will you use? Keep an organized set of files to monitor long-term progress.
If you can, dedicate a classroom space somewhere in your home that is fully stocked with all necessary materials, including technological ones. Establishing a visual distinction between this part of your house and the others will greatly assist your children in adopting a learner’s mindset.
Have a quarterly or semesterly calendar outlined, and do your best to integrate some amount of flexibility. We all have sick days and other hiccups that can lead to delays, and that’s okay!
Don’t forget to build a support system that you can rely on when the going gets rough. Regular encouragement from other parents, teachers, or close friends can significantly lighten your load.
Work With Your Child’s Needs
Each day should start with a nutritious breakfast and a physical activity that will increase blood flow to the body. Waking up the brain for learning requires a morning intake of healthy fats, vitamins, and plenty of water.
Every child is unique; logically, his or her needs will be unique as well. Perhaps your young one demonstrates high levels of energy that must be discharged throughout the day––try scheduling in more frequent breaks and hands-on activities. If your child is showing any struggles with sensory perception, you’ll want to look into sensory integration tools to supplement his or her learning.
No matter what subjects you’ve chosen to prioritize, it is absolutely essential that you focus on the inherent strengths your child brings to the table. Leaning into these and cultivating them further will make the entire educational journey much more rewarding for both of you.
Go With the Flow
We often exert precious energy by resisting the natural unfolding of events and emotions. Whenever your children are expressing indignation around learning, it is essential that you allow them to move through their feelings before pressuring them to continue. Strict enforcement of rules typically creates more pushback from your students.
You never know what insights you may gain by listening to your children when they are frustrated. Maybe there were elements of the lesson plan that simply didn’t make sense and need to be modified; maybe it’s time to give more attention to the subject your child adores.
Remember that learning is fun and fulfilling. There are countless ways to nurture a feel-good atmosphere around homeschooling, so find what works for you and your children and you are sure to experience great success.
Learn more about sensory processing and sensory integration tools at WPS, a leading independent publisher of educational and psychological assessments for more than 70 years.
