Let's be honest. We all love our children and we all love to spend quality time with them when we can.
But it is also liberating when you drop them off at school and you feel like running or driving away from the school exit into the sunset. Because you are finally going to get 'your space' and 'your free time'.
Since the current pandemic, that free time doesn't exist right now. Multi-tasking is at an all-time high and even our services that we relied on so heavily like our school teachers, are also stressed at home too.
So, if you are new to homeschooling or feel like you are failing at this role; you might be thinking, where do I start? And how can I make this a successful transition?
As I have said before in one of my last posts, Rome wasn't built in a day, but if we continue to monitor our progress in not only our children but ourselves, it will only require us to change or keep any strategies that are working.
This is what educators have to do daily, and not only educators, but we should all practice this skill of self-awareness in everything we do.
So here are a few tips on where you can get started on your homeschooling journey with your child:
Top Tips For Homeschooling Your Child
Stick To A Clear Structure
With any activity, there needs to be a structure for you to make your life easier, by organising not only your child's routine but your own.
So it is great to start by printing/creating a subject timetable and putting it up in their desired study area.
That's when you can edit, amend or discard any activities that may need adjusting when you can visually see it in front of you.
Take Your Time In The Beginning
As you know, you might feel like a deer trapped in the headlights, and you might have many thoughts swirling in your head on how to get started.
Ease into it as the day goes by, and only wait until the end of the week to make adjustments where necessary. Speak to your child and get their feedback on how they think it is going, so they feel valued and in control of their learning as well.
Don't Copy The School Culture At Home
It would be very hard to replicate a plan that involves a team of more than 20 and sometimes 100 people. Therefore, you need to make your unique plan tailored to your household. So don't feel pressure from other people outside of that.
If you need advice, then that is perfectly fine, but if you see progress with what you put in place for your child, and it works for you. Keep it!
If you do feel there are major gaps that your child has, that you can't support, don't be afraid to get help. Whether it is from your child's school teacher or a tutor. Don't suffer in silence.
Explore Your Child's Learning Style
I wrote about this in one of my blog posts last year, where you use certain strategies that are suitable for your child's learning style.
This is a great opportunity to explore this at home, as a single teacher that teaches a class of 25 - 32 students, teachers usually lack the time to explore a child's learning style because of particular time restraints and duties throughout the day.
If you haven't already, please see my last blog post that focuses on different learning styles and there is a useful quiz that your child can complete to find out their learning style:
Keep Your Lessons Short And Concise
It is important to keep activities structured, but it is also important to keep them short, sweet, and simple.
You have to remember, you are doing everything at home. A place that is supposed to be for sleeping, lounging, bathing, and eating.
So do not make activities too long. 20 - 45mins is perfectly fine. If they can stomach longer then great, but less is always more.
Be Consistent In Your Routine
When you have managed to get a routine that works for you and your child, stick to it.
If you don't, there is a danger where you or your child can lose momentum, and it will become hard to get back into the routine when it is constantly broken.
Push through with a lot of coffee and some deep breathing!!!
Be Flexible When Necessary
Homeschooling can be very unpredictable and so many things may occur that might get your child off focus. For Example, illness, mood swings, appointments, other emergencies, etc.
If this happens, don't beat yourself up about it. Just do what you can when you can and at the time you can when these days occur.
Don't Be Afraid To Fail And Learn Together
The great thing about being a tutor is I don't only teach my students, but they sometimes teach me, especially with technology.
At first, I felt embarrassed and thought I had to always be the expert. But that is not true! It will make your child feel like an expert and boost their confidence. Plus it allows you to also put your feet up from time to time.
Allocate a Study Area In Your Home
I mentioned this in my last blog on how to support your child with homework, https://www.chamatuition.com/post/how-to-support-your-child-with-homework
It is important to carve out a place where they can study that is away from other daily distractions. E.g TV.
Even it is only a study corner, it will mentally help your child to relax and focus in that space. Get them to contribute to the decoration of their study area as well.
Set Realistic Expectations And Goals
A good way to motivate your child to hit key targets is to set weekly/monthly goals that can help your child to feel more motivated.
When they reach a goal, you can also reward them, whether it is their favorite takeaway or increasing their playtime on their play station console.
Check out my other blog post where you can download my free goal chart:
Practice Self-Care Together
This is so vital if you don't want you or your child to have a nervous breakdown. Have a time where you can include self-care in your routine as homeschooling can be a full-time job.
For example, start the day with yoga together or at the end of a busy week. Check out UTUBE that has simple videos that only last for 5 - 10 mins. Meditation is a great way to start or end the day also.
Have a nice bubble bath at the end of a busy day. Add some essential oils if you want to get that Spa effect.
Put some music on and dance around, or if you have artists in the family, get them to draw as a quiet activity to end the busy week.
Most importantly, take advantage of nature. Go for a walk!
Have Fun Along The Way
Homeschooling is one of the hardest jobs, but it can be the most rewarding. So take time to let your hair down. Even if it helps to have some relaxing music while your child learns, especially if your child is an auditory learner.
Try to have a sense of humor and encourage learning to be not a chore, but something that can be fun.
For example, do role play if you have future thespians in the family, go on a nature walk, or share funny but (appropriate) UTUBE clips.
The possibilities are endless on what you can do with your child, so enjoy exploring!
So to conclude:
Top Tips For Homeschooling Your Child
Stick To A Clear Structure
Take Your Time In The Beginning
Don't Copy The School Culture At Home
Explore Your Child's Learning Style
Keep Your Lessons Short And Concise
Be Consistent In Your Routine
Be Flexible When Necessary
Don't Be Afraid To Fail And Learn Together
Set Realistic Expectations And Goals
Practice Self-Care Together
Have Fun Along The Way
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