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.