| With all the problems facing public schools today, | | | | and less aware that is what children their age are |
| it's very difficult for a parent to decide where | | | | doing. As best you can, have several discussions |
| they will educate their child. Being in school has a | | | | with your child to determine how they feel, and if |
| large impact on children and the effects last a | | | | they seem pleased to learn at home with |
| lifetime; not to even think about the concern for | | | | mommy or daddy then you can begin. |
| your child's individual education. Will they get the | | | | Each state has its own level of control over |
| attention they need? This is a big reason so a lot | | | | children undergoing homeschooling. There can be |
| of people are considering homeschooling. | | | | either no regulations, low, moderate or high |
| Every family does a certain amount of | | | | regulations: As the name suggests, every state |
| homeschooling already, teaching many lessons | | | | has different rules and regulations regarding exam |
| along the way. Choosing to homeschool your | | | | and test scores, hours spent studying, and some |
| children full time is a wonderful experience for any | | | | states make it more difficult to homeschool. |
| parent, as well as an opportunity for your child to | | | | States with no regulations don't even require you |
| be steps ahead of others their age. This is | | | | to notify education departments or government |
| because a lot more can be accomplished in less | | | | authorities that your children won't be attending |
| time with individual attention. In a public school, a | | | | regular school, and low usually requires notification |
| child has to compete with a lot more children. | | | | only with no monitoring of competencies for |
| Parents who homeschool their kids are also | | | | students. |
| responsible to teach them the social aspects of | | | | In preparing for homeschooling your child, you will |
| dealing with people that are similar in age. Sports, | | | | need to gather materials such as books, lesson |
| having friends over and vice-versa, telephone | | | | guides and plans, movies and other activities. The |
| conversations and social outings should all be | | | | best thing you can do is work out whether your |
| regular parts of their weekly curriculum. | | | | child learns more easily through looking, listening or |
| Some parents prefer to homeschool their children | | | | hands on processes and design your lessons |
| up to a certain age, feeling it better prepares | | | | around that. The best resources are the library |
| them for mingling with other children and | | | | and websites designed specifically for |
| contributes to the development of a stronger | | | | homeschooling parents, and second hand shopping |
| identity earlier in life. For example, you may opt | | | | at flea markets or charity stores will often lead |
| for homeschooling until your child is ten years old, | | | | you to some excellent text books at very low |
| then upon discussion with them, enroll them in | | | | costs. There are also pre-packaged home |
| school. By now, you have counseled them about | | | | schooling courses available for extra guidance. It is |
| things like choosing friends, respecting their elders, | | | | a wonderful idea to try and incorporate the local |
| not being a bully, getting the most out of life. Of | | | | environment whenever you can: for example, |
| course, every child is different and many parents | | | | when learning about water, spend a day visiting |
| like to gauge from the child when they are ready | | | | different types of water in the local area. |
| to attend. Most children will reach a point where | | | | Educational outings are a great way to ingrain |
| they start to ask why they don't go to school like | | | | knowledge through all the senses, so research |
| other children. So, it would be a good thing to | | | | ahead of time where you can possibly take your |
| network with other families who homeschool, so | | | | child for some real life examples that relate to |
| your kids aren't alone. | | | | what they are learning. |
| Ignoring all external factors, you need to seriously | | | | There are some common mistakes made by |
| consider if you are the right type of parent to | | | | parents homeschooling their children, and being |
| homeschool your child. You have to look inside | | | | aware of them is all it takes to avoid them. Be |
| yourself because everyone can't do it. Ultimately | | | | sure to make your child reach beyond their |
| your main reason has to be that you will | | | | current knowledge, as far too many parents don't |
| thoroughly enjoy interacting, teaching and learning | | | | express any expectations and fail to motivate the |
| from and with your child, growing closer and | | | | child to do better. Be sensitive to the way they |
| getting to know each other better. Other | | | | learn instead of teaching the way you find it |
| questions to ask include: | | | | easiest to learn, and don't give the child control |
| I. Are you a patient person? | | | | over the schedule. Make sure the class plan is |
| II. Do you possess excellent communication skills? | | | | clearly established, stating upfront how long you |
| III. Do you multi-task with ease? | | | | will spend on each subject and enforce rules in |
| IV. Are you naturally organized? | | | | the "classroom" relating to being tidy, raising their |
| V. Can you be objective with your child and | | | | hands with a question, break times and |
| criticize and correct as necessary? | | | | consequences for their actions, good or not so |
| VI. Are you naturally creative? | | | | good. |
| VII. Can the family survive on one income? | | | | When you are sure this is the avenue you want |
| If your answer is yes to all but one or two, and | | | | to take, you should subscribe to some good |
| they are areas you're aware you need to work | | | | homeschooling websites or newsletters such as |
| on, you may still like to give home schooling a try | | | | Homeschool Success News. There are programs |
| on a trial basis, if you answer yes to all of them, | | | | to aid parents in teaching at home, chat rooms |
| homeschooling is definitely suitable for you. | | | | and other networking mediums for parents to |
| The next thing to look at is how does your child | | | | compare and learn from each others ideas and |
| feel about being home-schooled? Some children | | | | experiences. Homeschooling is an opportunity for |
| are fully aware that in a short while they will be | | | | parent and child to bond deeply in a safe and |
| old enough to attend school, and they simply can | | | | controlled environment, and they are years you |
| not wait! Others are more sensitive, less sociable | | | | will treasure in your memory for ever. |