It does not take an advanced degree to be a great teacher to your children. You should use a combination of basic skills and things you have learned throughout your life. If you hit any bumps in the road and are not sure what to do next, use the tips here to help you get back on the right track.
When your child has a question, don't answer it immediately! Show them how to research the answer on their own, so they can know how to do it when you're not around. There are many websites offering simple information which children of any age could understand, so point them in that direction.
Real life will intrude on your school day! There is no getting around urgent situations or emergencies, and normally these things are not planned. Do not allow these things to add stress to your day. It is easy to make up a bit of time the following day when lessons have to be put on the back burner.
Create your own flash cards. There is no need to waste money on expensive sets of flash cards when you can do it yourself. All you need to make your own are some index cards and a marker. Besides saving money, this technique also allows you to tailor the flash cards to your child's specific needs.
Get help around the house if you feel that you have too much responsibility. It is hard to do everything. Grocery shopping, household chores, and childcare can really drain you quickly. Accept help if someone offers it and feel good about it.
Homeschooling is not complete without a library card. The library is the greatest resource you will find for homeschooling. With varied offerings like textbooks, music, movies and of course, books, you will have nearly everything you need at your fingertips. The library are also great for field trips during the week for the kids.
During your homeschooling lessons, give them hands-on activities. For example, if they're learning about a foreign culture, plan to create recipes from that region. For example, when teaching your children about Italy, you could allow them to cook pizzas and pasta, or make some ice cream. When learning about the Axis nations of World War II, cook pasta and sushi to demonstrate parts of the Italian and Japanese culture. It is easier for people to take in information if their senses are stimulated.
As you are beginning your school year, start out slowly. You can introduce a single subject the first week, and then add another the week after. Slowly build up to the full daily schedule so you and your children do not become overwhelmed. There will be plenty of time to get through the workload throughout the school year.
Research the resources available in your area. Certain establishments may have special classes or activities designed particularly for homeschooled children. pre k school may also get discounts on cultural events in the area. Also, do not forget about the Internet. There is a wealth of knowledge on different forums and websites that is easy to access.
Look around for yard sales that have homeschooling materials. This is an inexpensive way to find things. You may also meet other homeschooling parents. Check your local paper. Also, keep your eyes open on the weekend for signs. You never know what interesting things you may discover by doing this.
An advantage to homeschooling is that many places offer discounts to those who are home-schooled. It is a good idea to check around with local museums, science centers and theaters since most do offer discounts. This is a great way to have a fun day with your child, while teaching them in a creative way.
When you are homeschooling, make sure that you set up a room in the house to do strictly work. This will help your child get into the work mode, so that it is easier to focus on the task at hand. This will yield great results for the future of your child.
Just because your child is being home schooled does not mean you should be too lenient on them. Make sure they are not allowing them to take too many days off of learning for either their convenience or yours. While it is okay to take a vacation or allow them to take a day off because they are sick, do not allow this to be a habit.
As your children get older they can help decide whether or not they should continue to be home-schooled. If they think that they would really enjoy being in a regular school, then let them try it for a semester or a year. Make sure they understand they are committing for at least a semester so you can avoid giving in to rash decisions.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why you may be considering homeschooling your children. No matter what your reason may be, becoming as well informed as you can about homeschooling can do nothing but help you. Use the above tips to figure out if homeschooling is the best method for your child to receive a good education.