How to Make Homeschooling Easier

Speak to parents who homeschool their children, and they’ll invariably tell you that while it’s worth the pain, it’s not exactly easy. Of course, this is to be expected — you can’t undertake such a large task and expect it to be a walk in the park, at least not all the time. However, while it’s unlikely to ever be completely easy, it is very much possible to make it easier. Below, we’ll run through useful tips that’ll help to keep the stressful moments to a minimum. 

Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate relationships include, but are not limited to Amazon Associates, Walmart.com, and Etsy.

Image

 

Create a Classroom

 

You’ll quickly learn that it’s much, much easier to get your kids to learn if they’re in the right frame of mind to do so. One mistake that we see time and time is trying to teach your children from a space that is usually reserved for fun or relaxation (or just general home activities). The kitchen table might look like an ideal place to learn, but it’ll take a while for your child to sink into learning mode from that place since it’s usually where they eat dinner.

 

Make things easier by creating a dedicated classroom. This could be a spare room or your garage. It’s psychologically important because it’ll put your child into “learning mode” from the very first minute. 

 

Control Your Anxiety

 

It can be exciting to think about homeschooling before you do it. Once you have, you might begin to feel somewhat panicked and anxious. Suddenly, you’ll realize that your child’s education depends on you, and that can be pretty nerve-wracking. However, while it’s normal to feel some of these feelings, it’s important to remember that being overly anxious or stressed will impact your ability to teach. Plus, kids can pick up on it, and they’ll be less likely to engage if there’s a tense atmosphere! Try to keep in mind that you won’t get everything right and that you’re on your own journey; nothing good can come from comparing yourself with other people. Just stick to your plans and trust the process.

 

Work to a Rhythm

 

There’ll be times when you want to embrace the flexibility that comes from homeschooling. However, by and large, you’ll want to stick to a routine, especially so in the early days, when you’re still finding your feet and figuring out how to do everything. Having a routine doesn’t mean you have to account for every minute of the day; it just means starting/finishing at the same time, sticking to standard lesson times, having breaks at the same time, and so on. This will help your kids, especially the younger ones, fall into the rhythm of homeschooling. 

 

Use Quality Learning Materials

 

The quality of your child’s education will depend on the quality of the learning materials you use to teach them. If you’re using low-quality, unengaging materials, then it won’t be too surprising if your child has a hard time focusing on the lesson. So it’s worthwhile seeking out the best educational materials for your lessons. You can check here for video lessons that are both informative and engaging, and which come with classroom activities to complete. If you use poorly put-together learning materials, then it’ll be inevitable that your task is more difficult than it needs to be.

 

Invest in Communication

 

It’s much easier to succeed when everyone is pulling in the same direction. You and your child may be broadly on the same page in most aspects of your life, but when it comes to homeschooling, it’s important to foster a deeper sense of teamwork by investing in communication. It’s much easier to get a child to do something if they understand why they’re doing it, and even more so if they were involved in the decision-making process. If there’s an element of homeschooling that isn’t working, then speak with your child to find a solution.

 

This approach won’t just help your homeschooling. It’ll be teaching your child important lessons and life skills that they’ll draw upon again and again. 

 

Add the Fun

 

Finally, if there’s one thing that can make homeschooling more straightforward, it’s adding a healthy dollop of fun whenever possible. It’s much easier to go through a school day when it’s filled with laughter and smiles! It’s important to remember that you’re very in control here, and there aren’t all that many limits on what you can do. If you want to take a trip to a local museum or have a lesson in your yard on a summer’s day, then you can. It’s all about keeping things light and enjoyable. 

This is a contributed post.

 

Related

• HOW TO ORDER BOOKS FOR HOMESCHOOL

• A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MOM OF SEVEN KIDS

• HOMESCHOOLING WITH PATIENCE AND KINDNESS 

• HOMESCHOOL REVIEWS

• HOMESCHOOL LESSON PLANNERS

• THE BEST MINECRAFT YOUTUBE VIDEOS FOR KIDS

• HOMESCHOOL PROBLEMS I HAVE OVERCOME

• What We Love On Amazon

• paperpie Books, Puzzles, Learning Wrap Ups and SmartLab Toys

• Our Books on Amazon

• Our Etsy Products

• Our Shopify Store

Subscribe so you never miss a post.

 

If you find my tips useful, feel free to support my work. Thank you in advance!

Support My Work

 

Be sure to check out our Etsy shop, NeededInTheHome.

 

 

Want to remember this? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest Board!