1. Set clear goals and objectives for your homeschooling program. This will help you stay focused and motivated and ensure that your children are learning what they need to learn.
2. Create a structured schedule that includes dedicated time for academic subjects, as well as breaks for physical activity and other activities.
3. Establish a quiet and distraction-free learning environment for your children. There will be a future post with ideas of homeschooling area set-ups that have worked for many.
4. Use a variety of teaching methods and materials to engage your children and keep them interested in learning. Please see our post on the different types of teaching and try some to see what type of teaching works best for your child.
5. Encourage your children to take responsibility for their own learning and give them the freedom to explore their interests. It is good to include your child in the planning part of the process. Ask them what they would like to learn about in the next semester’s school program. Children are more excited about learning if it is things that they are interested in.
6. Foster a love of reading by providing access to a wide range of age-appropriate books and encouraging your children to read on their own. You can take frequent visits to your local library.
7. Take advantage of online resources, such as educational websites and video tutorials, to supplement your homeschooling curriculum. See our post with 10 free and low-cost sites for homeschooling.
8. Seek out opportunities for your children to interact with others, such as through field trips, extracurricular activities, or online communities for homeschoolers.
9. Stay organized and keep track of your children’s progress, using tools such as lesson plans, calendars, and progress reports.
10. Take breaks as needed and make time for relaxation and fun. Homeschooling can be demanding, so it’s important to take breaks and have some fun together as a family.