Most of these ideas can be used even if you’re not homeschooling. As parents, we are our children’s primary educator.
- Learning takes place everywhere, anywhere. Look for opportunities to teach in everyday activities. If you’re getting a new rug, have your child help with measuring. Let your child follow a recipe. Talk about measurements using standard and metric. Have them design a house. What size will each room be? Plant a garden. How deep is 1/8″? How often should plants be watered?
- Play games to teach lessons
Multiplication bingo: You call out the answer and they have to figure the two numbers multiplies to get that answer.
Memory games: Place several objects on the floor. Give them a minute to memorize. Take 1 away. What’s missing?
Map game: Choose a place on the map. Tell them what country it’s in and let them find it.
- Keep music in the curriculum: singing, making instruments out of household items, learning an instrument, music appreciation.
- Art is a simple as glue, scraps of paper, watercolors, & clay.
- Teach skills children miss in school, such as a second language, sewing, photography, cooking, woodworking.
- If your child has an interest in a certain subject such as fish, spend time concentrating on it. Visit an aquarium, have spelling words such as AQUARIUM. Learn how fish breathe. ETC.
- Most of us have areas we are weak in, such as science or art. Find someone willing to swap with ou while you teach a subject you are strong in to their children.
- If you plan to homeschool for just one year, it’s a good idea to stay close to the curriculum that your local school is working with. That way your child will not fall behind or miss anything.
- If you plan to homeschool longer you have more flexibility with curriculum. Whatever you don’t do this year, your child will get next year, so it will even out.
- Set aside an area of your home to teach in. If possible, put up maps, posters, and bulletin board.
- If a subject or topic is interesting to you, you can transfer that enthusiasm to your children.
- Remember to go at your child’s pace. Adjust your “schedule” accordingly.
- Don’t feel guilty if a day doesn’t go as planned. The beauty of homeschooling is the great flexibility.
- One of the best parts of homeschooling is the freedom! Take advantage of this by going on lots of field trips! If possible, travel with a group. The tours are usually better and if cost is involved, it is usually reduced. Some ideas: Tour your local supermarket or post office, Art museums, Aquarium or Zoo
Encouragement: A publication by Angela DiCicco and Gail Signor.