Homeschooling for the First Time? This Should Help
Searching for a posts about homeschooling that can be useful in this time of pandemic?
I’ve been wanting to put this post together for awhile. Rounding up my different posts about homeschooling. We’ve been homeschooling off and on since Jayda was in 1st grade. This will be our second (and a half) year homeschooling Jayda and Ty in a row. We take the situation year by year, but right now it’s been such a great thing for our family.
Then bring the pandemic into the equation and things get even more complicated. It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager in your last year of high school, a Ph.D. candidate, or a person taking part-time classes: schooling does look different now than it did in the past.
Virtual and online classes have been taking over slowly but surely as our world has become increasingly digital. COVID-19 proved this more than any other time. More and more people are turning to online classes. And this is great! But a less-appreciated method of effective schooling, in my opinion, is homeschooling. Especially for young children.
It does not look the same for everyone, but that’s what makes it great! One child may learn better doing hands-on activities in the garden, while another may enjoy reading at the kitchen table for hours. My youngest Lee Lee prefers to engage with homeschooling on a part-time basis. And even these preferences may change for them in the next schooling year.
Having the freedom to decide how to learn in a comfortable and known environment can make homeschooling ideal for students struggling with the anxieties brought along by the pandemic.
Don’t be fooled, however. Yes, homeschooling is just as valid and educational as the traditional path. But, in the same way, it requires effort. Lesson plans, a balance between academic and social priorities, and discipline are all needed to get the most out of homeschooling! Also, take note that depending where you live, your state may have different requirements. In Texas it’s a very simple process to getting started.
LOOKING FOR SOME HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES? CHECK OUT MY COLLECTION BELOW:
My Top Go-To Posts About Homeschooling
When it comes to schooling, I have been tackling it year by year and kid by kid. There never is one right way, but rather some methods are more effective than others at certain times.
Like with many things in life, doing your research is key in helping you succeed. And this is no different when it comes to homeschooling.
But good news - I already did the work for you! Check out my reviews of homeschool curriculums.
Homeschooling can be challenging, especially if you’re new to it. There is no shame in getting some help and cutting some corners.
These websites are the perfect tool to aid you in your homeschooling journey!
It’s important to share some of the bad as well as the good. And with this piece I have done just that. Spoiler alert: homeschooling was not working out for me for a while.
It’s the most famous argument out there against homeschooling: your child won’t interact with others their age and won’t gain important social skills. Well...I beg to differ. It’s all about quality over quantity when it comes to friendships.
And there are many ways parents can facilitate this for children who are being homeschooled.
A lot of people will tell you that in order to effectively homeschool your children, you’d need to buy up the stationery aisle at Target. Well instead of telling you what you do need, this post points out things that are just a waste of time.
Who says learning has to stop when the schooling year does? There are many ways to keep your kids learning long after the books are closed and this applies to homeschooling too.
My family’s favorite way?
Television shows.
Tags: academic, back to school, education, educational, educational resources, homeschool, homeschooling, school
