If you have decided that homeschooling is the way to educate your child, you will need to prepare yourself for the ecstasy and the anxiety for the amazing journey ahead -- sure, as all new adventures are, some may be a little bit bumpy, but the rewards will more than make up for it. Producing a well-adjusted and well-rounded personality in today's complex society(ies), requires special handling of their educational environment.
it is important to learn more about your state laws on home schooling. Some states need an affidavit filed with the State's education department. There are 3 categories for homeschooling laws in most states. These are: private school laws, home education laws and equivalency laws. There is no way around it - you will need to first, find your state laws. You may also need to maintain a portfolio that records the childs educational progress but that is so with any educational process. It is smart to look into the legal requirements before you start homeschooling your child. Some States also stipulate a minimum educational qualification for the parent or teacher - wouldn't you want that to be the case? Imagine someone educating their children who are not really capable of doing so? That would be taking a step backwards and defeat the purpose.
Next, I would suggest that you look for support groups. Online there are many, and offline too. If you live in a friendly neighborhood, well-meaning friends may try to dissuade you but that stands to reason - anytime you try to do something even slightly out of the Status Quo, people want you to fit right back into it again - but that really is the core of Home Schooling - isn't it. If they do not try to dissuade you, they may put a lot of uneasy questions in your mind which may be their concerns more than yours. A support group that consists of like-minded people will insulate you from the criticism, and keep your eye on the ball - this can help relieve the peer-pressures and questions of regular school-goers. Many groups organize fun events like visits to the zoo, theatres, camping trips, museum tours even a friendly romp to the ice cream shops etc. And if your children hit it off with other homeschoolers, they will be able to build lasting relationships that do not fade when their friends change schools because there is something very special about this kind of learning. Support is important in any new endeavor - so groups of people helping each other develop a new way to do things really can be a key source of inspiration and provide an important avenue for socialization.
Next, another important thing to do is to select a curriculum - I suggest taking time with this - it's the foundation that you will build your educational empire state building on :).
Depending upon the method of homeschooling, you may choose various tools that aid you in this discovery and creative process. The internet is also a rich resource for homeschooling. Do some research and look into the material that is available.
Some Important Things to Remember:
Set certain ground rules. Homeschooling requires a lot of self-discipline and hard work. Here is a comprehensive list of the things you will need:
A) Discipline
B) Hard work and effort
C) Eagerness to learn
D) Time and patience
E) Enthusiasm
F) Flexibility
It would be a good idea to consider why you want to opt for homeschooling to begin with. Your motives and your reasons are important pillars on which the whole edifice of your child's lessons depends. Also, consult with your children and ask them how they feel about homeschooling. Let them answer honestly - don't sway them in either direction - it's important to know - because if they have any apprehensions about it, you may be able to legitimately alleviate them before and during the homeschooling process.
Select a curriculum or create an individual curriculum that best suits
your child's needs and style of learning. Record keeping is an important part of homeschooling.
Look into the various methods of record keeping that exist - like computer programs, and other sources you may know about. Set up a schedule so that your child does not have to learn 6-7 hours a day. Allow your child to dictate the time since homeschooling is not set in stone like Public Schools are forced to be. Flexibility and having fun are the cornerstones and great benefits of homeschooling. Do not pressure them, or put too many skills into a single term or year. Remember one major purpose for homeschooling is to help a child work at their pace, find their needs and meet them, and allow real growth to occur - which cannot be forced or rushed. Prepare a skill list or any other kind of list that you feel will help you focus on what needs to be introduced and developed and be ready to modify it as your child shows growth in any direction - another great benefit of homeschooling. Make the child learn the skills that he is ready for, not what you want them to be ready for; if you are going to take that later approach, you might as well keep them in public school they are great at dismissing a childs real needs, because they have to focus on the lowest-common denominator, and, they have to meet quotas set by their administrations and so forth - all counter productive to learning.
Gentle parenting and great listening is the secret to successful homeschooling. Children make great advances in learning and show more enthusiasm.
They also turn out to be surprisingly well balanced and well informed when they are taught at home.
Homeschooling has many elements you really need to know before you get involved with it. It's important to read and learn as much as you can before and during this process - really it's your job.
But where do you look, and searching online or even in a library for information can be confusing.
We have prepared a high-quality e-book and also an MP3 audio of the e-book so you can sit with your children and listen to it together. It is titled "Parents Guide to Homeschooling" that covers many important topics, as well as offers a solid resource guide so you have a strong foundation to research from.
You can read about it here, and also peruse the first two chapters as well as the Table of Contents. We hope this helps you whether you are considering homeschooling or are already involved in it, to make it the best learning experience for your children.
The world changes when better choices are made. Better choices are the direct result of personal awareness, and that can only come from quality education.
You can read more at the link below. Best of luck to you and your children!
Author Info:
Please Visit:
http://www.how-to-homeschool.net/
and
http://homeschooling-resources.info
TO LEARNING:
John Monteleone
PublicationShop.com
info@how-to-homeschool.net
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