How to Homeschool Your Children in 2016

Depending upon when you decide to Homeschool your children you will have to take a different approach. For example starting from the beginning, or preschool, would be easier than taking the children out after they've already been acclimated to a school system. And the same goes for teenagers, that would be the hardest transition for your child, especially since they've known that their entire life.

Now, whether you are starting from preschool or taking your child/children out of school already you will need to take a few steps to get your child acclimated to the new 'home school' schedule. Below is a list of ideas and tips to get your started. Lets start from the beginning. Preschool.

Preschool Homeschooling for your child/children. 

Preschool has a lot do with  learning what sounds each letter makes, cognitive skills, problem solving and socializing your child/children. I know what you're thinking, how am I supposed to socialize my children at home? Well, there are a few options. When your children are that young, you can take them to the park, make play dates with other parents, and even take them to museums. The museums are also good as your child grows older, as there are activities and things to see there for all ages. 

Some times it can be difficult to get your children to listen and sit still, but letting them explore in a garden or play outside can also help with problem solving. When a child plays with blocks they're not just having fun, they're learning how to solve problems and how things work on their own, which is a good thing. It isn't until kindergarten that you have to put a little more pressure on them to begin behaving and working on projects. 

Kindergarten  Homeschooling for your child/children

Getting your children to behave during school time can be an issue, especial at such a young age. My recommendation is a rewards system. Yes, a reward for good behavior and tasks completed. When your children begins Kindergarten they start learning more book related things, such as reading recognizing numbers up to 100, understanding how a calendar works ect.

1st Grade and up Homeschooling for your /childchildren

By the time your children reach this age, by now they've adapted to some sort of routine. It is important to make sure they keep up with their studies and continue to strive. So, setting short goals is a good way to keep up their spirit and keep them learning at strong pace. Getting a certain amount of spelling accomplished, working on math, reading, ect. Breaking them up into smaller segments can help your child feel as though they are getting it accomplished faster and they don't get too bored in the meantime. Keeping your children entertained during the school hours is also important.




Different Speeds of Homeschooling your child/children

There are many children/teens that struggle with learning certain things, this could be anything from reading, writing, math, spelling, or anything else. When this happens it is extremely important to spend the extra time with them and be sure to stay calm and patient. This can be a very frustrating task for the parents/parent. But trust me, if yous tick to your guns you can get it accomplished. There is no reason to rush through learning. Some children may learn faster than others so it is important to tread the situation lately.

Keeping School fun

No matter what age your kids are when you begin to home school, it is important to keep them entertained and having fun. There are many different things you can do to make this happen. You can take them on trips around the neighborhood for science projects, examining trees, bugs, and other things. As I spoke of before, a rewards system is also a great idea. Giving them a set goal for a small prize helps with their attention and focus. Whether they're young or old, everyone loves treats, movies, trips, ice cream, a free day. There are many things you can do to reward your children. There are also many things you can do to keep things fun.


On the next post I'll be speaking of the items and things you will need when you begin Homeschooling. So, stay tuned if you want anymore information. I have plenty more posts ahead. And if you have any further questions about certain things, feel free to leave a comment. I'd be more than happy to go more into depth about this. 

Pros and Cons to Homeschooling Children 2016

Pros and Cons to Homeschooling Children

There are many pros and cons to homeschooling your children, so much so that they balance each other out. According to the type of education and environment you choose for your children, you may like the Home-School option better than the public school option. But you, and only you can decide what is best for your family. Below is a list of  pros, as well as cons to help you decide. First lets start off with the cons.

Cons to Homeschooling your children.

1. One con is that many people are afraid they will not have the social skills they need. This can be an issue, but only if the proper measures are not taken. I'll talk about that in the pros though.

2. Many parents do not have the time to home school because of work. Either both parents are working or a single parent is struggling with work and balancing routines. Thus, making it difficult to find the time to teach at home.

3. Some parents, or teens rather, are afraid of missing out on social events. Such as homecoming, prom, graduation ceremonies, or extracurricular activities. However, there are always alternatives to these types of events. I will get back to that in the pros.

4. It can be difficult for parents to have their children begin schooling. In some cases they find it difficult because the children are at home. This sometimes makes it hard for them to feel like they need to learn. As when you would go to a public school, you have a set schedule. When you are at home things can be tricky. Your child may tell you they have all day to get started and then put it off until the next day, and so on. This isn't in every case, but it is recommended to have a special area in your house designated for your children to learn. Such as a table off in a corner, desk, or schoolroom. I will get to Home School Tips in my next post. 

5. Another con is that parents may not feel up to the task of 'being the teacher' for their child. Some may not feel smart enough or may not push them hard enough. Some parents tend to let it slide more than they should, but again, this is on whether or not the parent/guardian is up to the task of teaching. Now, lets move onto the pros of Homeschooling your children.

Pros to Homeschooling your Children

1. One of the greatest pros is working with your own schedule. Yes, that's right. When you home school your children, you get to pick the hours. That means if you work in the morning, your children can study in the afternoon with you, or in the evening. If both parents are available, they can take turns teaching. 

2. Lets face it, children don't like going to bed when they're told and waking them up is a whole other story. When you homeschool you can make the school schedule fit into everyone's routines. Also, your children can even study in their PJ's if they wanted. No waiting for school buses, walking to bus stops in the cold, getting up when it's still dark, or worrying about picking your kids up. 

3. No homework. When you go to a public school, you are tasked with loads and loads of homework, most of which the parents have to help with. When you homeschool, you already do everything at home. No heavy books to carry through the hallways, no expensive lunches. 

4. No pier pressure. Nobody telling you what to wear, (other than the parents of course) nobody telling you who to hang out with or how to act. No bulling, unless from a sibling also being homeschooled. 

5. As I said before in the social activities some may fear they miss out on, there are many other things you would be able to do instead. For example, instead of being stuck in class all day, you have more opportunities to go on trips, explore, visit places, and you have less interruptions. In most cases, homeschoolers graduate earlier than children that attend a public school. Therefore they could take some time off if they decided they wanted to attend a college somewhere. 

6. As children enter teen years they tend to take on their own personalities. They find interests and things to fill their time. They may want to listen to music or chew gum while they study. I always focused better myself with music. Some may not like that, but the option is there if they decide they want to. If you're in a classroom you don't have that option. 

7. As for other social events, since you get to finish your studies earlier than most, you can go outside and enjoy the day more than you normally would. You can take other classes outside of home and other than school, like swimming, karate, ect. There are also events for just children that are homeschooled. I recommend mixing it up a little and not just socializing with homeschoolers. It is good for children to mix into other types of people so they can get a feel of how life is outside of home.  

With all that said, the option is up to you. You can weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself. I know there are many more to be listed, however I didn't want to become repetitive. Stay tuned for my next post, homeschooling tips.