allthingsgodlypretty posted: " On our previous blog post, i actually explained what homeschooling is, if it is a real school, why we chose to homeschool our children. We basically went through the general highlights of what homeschooling looks like. There is depth to homeschooling "
On our previous blog post, i actually explained what homeschooling is, if it is a real school, why we chose to homeschool our children. We basically went through the general highlights of what homeschooling looks like.
There is depth to homeschooling especially to the detail points that can take up our entire blog theme.
I got some feedback on my inbox concerning homeschooling and i thought we most definitely need a follow up post to initiate interested parents who for different reasons may consider the homeschooling path.
For a lot of patents in Eswatini frustrations comes as schools are being opened and closed too often with less progress with consistent learning. Already Covid 19 had its lasting impact on the inconsistencies in school attendance.
Making the decision to homeschool your children is not an easy thing to do because we all know homeschooling is not as common as actually attending a public school. The decision lies with you as a family whether you would like your children to be homeschooled or not.
It is important that both parents make the decision together so that you are able to both support your children in the decision you made concerning their schooling options. For parents to make the decision to homeschool their children, it is important to take into consideration the following; your values and beliefs, your children and your lifestyle.
Values and beliefs
What are your values and beliefs as a family? What do you want instilled in your children as they grow, it can help you choose the homeschool that supports your values and beliefs.
A quick example; my husband and i wanted a school that will instill the knowledge of the word of God daily alongside their curriculum and we got what we wanted. We found a school which has bible study as the first subject for each day and is a passing subject too.
Your children
Consider your children's gifts and talents and find a school that offers subjects that can support their gifts. I believe you have noticed what your child does effortlessly and so well. Each child is unique.
Consider sharpening their gifts and talents so very early in their childhood
Your lifestyle
Take note of the kind of family you are. Homeschooling may require you to be with your children now more than ever because you are now taking over all the time they spent at their public school.
This would mean dedication to their lessons every day after work if you are employed full time! Are you ready for that? For a stay at home parent it may mean creating a timetable during the day that will allow you to dedicate hours of learning. Will you be able to cope with the household chores and assisting children with their lessons?
Children still need the outside environment too, you find you have to find ways of getting them out in the sun. These can be taking road trips, camping, hiking, vacations, gardening, taking walks and so much more.
If it happens that you may not cope well but still desire homeschooling your children, consider getting a home tutor to assist with lessons for a certain number of days in a week.
Homeschooling is not as glamorous and easy but requires dedicated parents. It would help to follow people you know who homeschool for advice and encouragement from time to time. Follow homeschooling moms on social media platforms so you learn a lot from them even when things get challenging.
Other things worth noting
You need to understand why you would choose homeschooling. Is there current situation compelling you to homeschool?
Have you picked something positive from homeschooled children that you really loved too?
There are many reasons which may include your desire for your children to know
If you eventually decide to homeschool your children, for how long will they be homeschooled? Will you take them back to public school after a certain period of time.
Which ever homeschool you choose for your children, consider the exchange rates of the currencies if its in another country.
All these mentioned above will help you choose a good school for homeschooling your children according to your needs.
Choosing a school!
Now its time to choose a school that goes with your values and priorities for you and for children. Go through each school's prospectus/profile so you consider if the school shares the same values as your family.
Understand that homeschooling means your children will be home more often and it means you will be in charge of their education. You need to have a plan if you are working fulltime how you can assist your children with their classes. You need a plan too if you are a stay at home parent so you can balance between your created timetable and your home life.
The working parents
If you desire to homeschool your children but you and your spouse work fulltime, it is totally possible. However you need to understand just how much work you need to put in assisting them before you find yourself way behind schedule.
My husband and i work fulltime so we took it into our hands to assist our children ourselves not knowing just how much work it is. We used after work hours, weekends and holidays to tutor our children with their classes. However we found ourselves behind with their work.
My job is very demanding and i found myself burnt out. We realised we needed the help from a qualified teacher who is really good with children and a born again Christian.
You know when things just come together effortlessly. My husband found a teacher we know so well who had taught in a kindergarten at our previous church. At that time my husband met her she was teaching a primary school and had stopped due to closure of many schools during the covid 19 lockdown. We took the opportunity to have her tutor our children.
So is it possible to homeschool children by yourself while working fulltime? I believe so but not with the kind of job i have. Read how other homeschooling moms who still had fulltime jobs coped with assisting their children with lessons.
Stay at home parent
If you stay home with your children even better. It is time to take advantage of those hours and spend them productively. It is important to create a timetable for class that you will be able to follow through because you need to be consistent.
Consistency benefits you and your children because it creates habits and children respond well to habits than random actions.
You will see much of a difference in their learning when class is consistent. It is important to use the same time daily so you all get used to the time set for learning.
What i know and have learnt though is that a stay at home mom needs that mom day off just to unwind and recharge too. Include that in your plans or get help once or twice a week with classes by outsourcing so you can focus on other things that need your attention in your home.
However it is possible to be a stay at home mom and homeschool yourself too.
Now that we know which parent you are and how you can make this work its time to choose your child's homeschool and curriculum.
Homeschool and curriculum
Its time to choose your child's curriculum. Unlike public schools, homeschool allows you to purchase your child's curriculum. Ofcourse there are core subjects but you are able to customise your child's curriculum according to what they love and enjoy.
If you are new to homeschooling you may not easily know which way your child learns best but you may get the idea through lessons as you spend time during home lessons. It may require that you get fond of spending time with your children and know what they enjoy doing. This is a great guide.
This just drew us to homeschooling by all means. We want our children to express themselves without feeling suppressed in anyway.
If your child loves music, you are able to add that as part of your purchase of the child's curriculum including core subjects.
Pay close attention to teaching that works for you and your children
If your child has been through public school before understand that he/she may not easily warm up to you as a teacher because they know you as a parent and the environment for learning will be quite new to them.
It is possible for your children to protest for sometime until they get used to the homeschool set up as class.
It is important to find what works for both you and your child during lessons. Find fun ways of learning that can help you connect. It is time to know your child and what they enjoy doing so it forms part of the learning style that keeps them engaged.
I believe i have to help you find ways of deschooling your child into the new way of life in future posts Initiating your child to homeschooling setting.
Remember homeschooling should not be a way of frustrating your children by screaming and yelling when they do not like your tutoring style. Find out what works for your children, what they love doing and what gets them more engaged in lessons.
When a child does not perform well it may mean so many wrongs from your side as a parent not being able to interact well with your children. I learnt that my son shuts down when you yell at him and fears he might do something wrong again. That was a weakness on my part because i am not supposed to bring fear but encourage a place of love, trust and a fun place to be.
Let me know what your thoughts are about homeschooling! You can comment down below or email me at allthingsgodlypretty@gmail.com this will help me address your concerns too in my next post and answer you directly too. However it gives me the clues of what concerns many parents.
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