educating your child at home - how, what, why?

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Educating Your Child At Home - How, What, Why? For many parents, their children's education is of the utmost importance to them. For a variety of reasons, homeschooling may be the best option available to you and your family. If you are just getting started, or even if you are a seasoned veteran, this article can help you make the most of the experience for you and your children. Your child's progress is their own and should not be weighed against others. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing the education levels of your child versus another, yet when it comes to homeschooling, it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each homeschooled child is going to learn at their own pace, which means that their successes will be individual and constant. It is okay to use computers when homeschooling your children, do not completely rely on them. As you probably already know, computers are very prone to problems like viruses and freezes. Because of these problems, it is important that you continue to use textbooks and other physical materials as well. Homeschooling your child will be tough if you also have a toddler or a baby to take care of. The key here is to set aside specific times in the day to address the needs of each child. When possible, do things that both children will enjoy. Find opportunities that allow you to teach all your children at once and allow then to bond with each other. A family trip can be an unforgettable and enjoyable learning experience. When having a family vacation, be sure to include visits to museums, historical landmarks, zoos, botanical gardens and science centers. Plan a day or two of your vacation to include some educational aspects. It will be a fun family adventure, while also being an informational learning experience. Think of yourself as a guide rather than a lecturer in the homeschooling environment. The truth is, you are probably going to come across topics that you don't understand very well. Have fun learning with your little one and don't be afraid to say, "I don't know; let's research it!" when a difficult question arises. When you go on vacation, take your lesson plan with you. Include your vacation in your home classroom so that your kids can truly enjoy their schooling. Have them keep a scrapbook of the event, or take a video which they turn into an amazing family adventure later. Take them to cultural locations and teach them about the area, then have them reenact wars or important historical situations. There is so much to learn around the world, don't let it pass them by! Before you begin homeschooling, be cautious of the discipline being used in your home. Each home has a special kind of "discipline"� or training that should also be put to use when homeschooling. Know whether the relationship that you have with your children will make this easier or harder, so that you can make any necessary adjustments.

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Page 1: Educating Your Child At Home - How, What, Why?

Educating Your Child At Home - How, What, Why?

For many parents, their children's education is of the utmost importance to them. For a variety ofreasons, homeschooling may be the best option available to you and your family. If you are justgetting started, or even if you are a seasoned veteran, this article can help you make the most of theexperience for you and your children.

Your child's progress is their own and should not be weighed against others. It is easy to fall into thetrap of comparing the education levels of your child versus another, yet when it comes tohomeschooling, it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each homeschooled child is going to learnat their own pace, which means that their successes will be individual and constant.

It is okay to use computers when homeschooling your children, do not completely rely on them. Asyou probably already know, computers are very prone to problems like viruses and freezes. Becauseof these problems, it is important that you continue to use textbooks and other physical materials aswell.

Homeschooling your child will be tough if you also have a toddler or a baby to take care of. The keyhere is to set aside specific times in the day to address the needs of each child. When possible, dothings that both children will enjoy. Find opportunities that allow you to teach all your children atonce and allow then to bond with each other.

A family trip can be an unforgettable and enjoyable learning experience. When having a familyvacation, be sure to include visits to museums, historical landmarks, zoos, botanical gardens andscience centers. Plan a day or two of your vacation to include some educational aspects. It will be afun family adventure, while also being an informational learning experience.

Think of yourself as a guide rather than a lecturer in the homeschooling environment. The truth is,you are probably going to come across topics that you don't understand very well. Have fun learningwith your little one and don't be afraid to say, "I don't know; let's research it!" when a difficultquestion arises.

When you go on vacation, take your lesson plan with you. Include your vacation in your homeclassroom so that your kids can truly enjoy their schooling. Have them keep a scrapbook of theevent, or take a video which they turn into an amazing family adventure later. Take them to culturallocations and teach them about the area, then have them reenact wars or important historicalsituations. There is so much to learn around the world, don't let it pass them by!

Before you begin homeschooling, be cautious of the discipline being used in your home. Each homehas a special kind of "discipline"� or training that should also be put to use when homeschooling.Know whether the relationship that you have with your children will make this easier or harder, sothat you can make any necessary adjustments.

Page 2: Educating Your Child At Home - How, What, Why?

Relying on electronics, like computers, can be abad thing. Sure they can be great tools to use toteach your kids from home, but what do you doif there was to be a problem with them? Usethem, but have alternative teaching methodsready in case your computer dies and will be

down for a home tuition subang jaya while.

Knowing the type of learner that your child is will help make teaching them easier. Some childrenlearn with hands-on techniques while others learn by watching and then doing. Pay attention to howyour child learns and adapts the lessons to suit their style to get the best results and the leastfrustration.

The advantage about homeschooling is that you can be creative in the way you teach your child. Donot limit yourself to just activities at home. Take your child to different places and teach him on site.He can learn about nature at a national park, or history at a historical site. This keeps learninginteresting and fun.

Look online for printable material. There are a number of websites that have free information ontopics. You should be able to find everything from math practice to spelling lists. Using these canreduce the cost of your homeschooling endeavors. The only thing you have to pay for is printer ink!

Just as in regular school, your child may find that they are having trouble with a certain subject. Ifthis is the case for your child, do not be ashamed to hire a tutor andhttp://www.debate.org/homeschooling/ do not get down on yourself. Many parents feel as though itis their fault if their child is not excelling in a certain subject; the truth is this is natural. The onlything you can do about it is get them the help they need.

You should steer clear of lectures in the classroom. Teachers are trained to give lectures, do youhave that training, too? Besides, your own children may not love to hear your lectures. Instead, domore participatory activities like reading along with a book or doing a science experiment. You willprobably do a great deal of learning yourself.

If homeschooling your child is just not working out for them or for you, do not be scared to put themin regular school. Your child may simply be better off going to school, especially if they are notlearning well from what you are teaching them. If this happens to you, do not blame yourself; this issimply how things go sometimes.

Have fun! Even though schooling can be serious, you can still have fun doing it. You may find thatthere are times you need to be stern to get your children to focus and pay attention. You will find,though, that the more fun you can throw into learning, the more your kids will retain.

Before giving up on your homeschooling experience, give it a year. Feeling frustrated after a monthor two is normal, but if you give up then you might never see the rewards that homeschooling canoffer. If you commit to doing this for a year, you can really judge if it is for you and your child. Youwill learn a lot in that year and help your child to grow as a student and a person. It really is worththe one year commitment.

Make your homeschooling days an adventure from time to time. Just because you are "home"

Page 3: Educating Your Child At Home - How, What, Why?

schooling, it does not mean you have to sit at home. Take your children to the library, go on a naturewalk, visit a museum or check out your local natural center. All of these activities make forwonderful lessons, and they give the children hands-on experience that is an essential part oflearning. You will make your lesson plans more exciting by doing this, and you will also help toprevent boredom in the classroom.

When your child's education is not meeting your expectations, homeschooling can be the alternativeyou need. This article has offered some great advice that can help you to be successful in yourhomeschooling efforts. Show your child how much fun learning can be, and allow them to get thebest education possible.