What was once indicative of a Bohemian or highly conservative lifestyle is now the choice of thousands of families across the country. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Education, nearly 1.8 million children were being homeschooled as of 2013. Those who have never tried it might be wary of the huge change for children who no longer ride the bus, take part in corporate classrooms or interact as much with their peers. However, the benefits of homeschooling are certainly manifold, including educational resources and learning tools tailored specifically to a child’s personality and learning speed. The adjustment to homeschooling life can be quite a stretch for some families who may be used to having both parents work outside the home or who have no background in education. However, following these four tips will help any family see that homeschooling can be not only doable but also successful.
Take Time To Adjust
Both parents and their children should expect the transition to take some time before they feel totally acclimated to this new learning adventure. It can be difficult for children to leave their peers in public or private school, and some children may initially feel embarrassed or resentful of their parents’ decision. While the entire family may feel as if they are missing out on the peer-related learning experience, they will soon see the benefits to treating education as an enjoyable process that can be tailored to a child’s needs. Additionally, parents will need to realize that it will take some time before they feel as if they have a complete handle on how they want to teach and what sort of schedule they should keep. Families are encouraged not to be too hard on themselves at this stage.
Find A Homeschooling Group
Just because a family chooses to homeschool does not mean that it has been cut off from other families. Many people demean homeschooling because they believe that there is a dearth of social activity in this type of educational environment. However, there are hundreds if not thousands of homeschooling groups across the country that do everything from providing certain classes, such as band or high school chemistry, for students to providing energy-inducing play sessions for children with times of relaxation for parents. Families should search for a group that shares their core values and should see these other homeschoolers as part of their network to provide day-to-day educational support.
Build On The Foundational Values Of Homeschooling
When transitioning to homeschooling, parents must remember why they wanted to homeschool in the first place or they risk feeling burned out quickly. Homeschooling is full of benefits, such as allowing parents to teach their core values and morals to their children in a safe environment. Additionally, parents can give one-on-one attention to their children, which is perfect for children who may struggle with certain subjects or for those who excel and wish to move ahead faster. Homeschooling can also remove children from negative circumstances that can pop up in public and private schools, such as bullying, while giving families the flexibility to schedule school days when it works for them. By focusing on the reasons why they switched, parents can stay motivated even when some schooling days seem incredibly difficult.
Get Out
Just because families have chosen to homeschool does not mean that they have to stay home all the time. Many communities offer plenty of options for homeschoolers to get involved in, such as reading times at the public library, free or reduced-cost playtime at the local Y or field trips to local businesses. These experiences will help new homeschool families meet other families just like them and will help them see that they are not alone in their new endeavors.
Whether a family is choosing to transition from public or private school to homeschooling before the beginning of a school year or in the middle of the year, there are hundreds of groups across the country that can help with the transitioning process. Most homeschooling parents are more than happy to share strategies that worked for them, and some families are part of corporate groups that allow them to educate in classroom environments much like private schools do. With so many great benefits to homeschooling, it is certainly an educational choice worth checking out this year.
