How Can Parents Make Homeschooling More Effective 

With the emergence of digital innovation in education and the occurrence of threats and negative influence in public school environments, traditional school systems and institutions are slowly being reconsidered by some parents. According to J. Richard Gentry Ph.D., “Families are children’s most important educators. Baby/toddler reading is the miracle that can save our schools.”

 

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Hence at present, homeschooling, or the education of a child in one’s home by a parent, a teacher, or a tutor, is becoming a viable and recognized option. It is an option to personalize one’s education where the curriculum greatly depends on the child’s learning rate, skills, and interests.  

 

Being homeschooled also allows a more focused setup where the child’s progress can be directly observed. Moreover, this arrangement offers a high degree of flexibility not only for the child’s pace, but likewise for family schedules, extra-curricular activities, and vacations. Homeschooling takes many forms, from supporting your child in their learning for a few weeks or months during an illness or transition, to schooling them for the duration of their elementary and secondary years,” according to Dona Matthews Ph.D.

 

However, doubts and apprehensions against this emerging home-based educational system still arise. Many attest that homeschooling may hinder the child’s interpersonal skills, social awareness, and street knowledge.  

 

Moreover, there is a fear for a child’s eventual boredom and uneasiness at home that may cause rifts between the family. Thus, as parents, you must be fully committed once you enroll your child in this alternative educational system. The effectiveness and success of your child through this process may highly depend on your support as his parents.  

 

Here are three tips that you and your spouse can do to ensure the effectiveness of your child’s holistic growth while homeschooling: 

 

  1. Engage Them In Social Gatherings And Group Dynamics 

Indeed, a significant part of childhood and adolescence is creating and growing friendships. Fortunately, apart from schools, there are avenues for socialization such as play parks, common village halls, church events, family’s and friend’s gatherings, and summer camps where your child can socially engage and develop his interpersonal skills.  

 

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More importantly, it is highly imperative for your child to learn how to be a team player. Thus, you must enroll and support them to join group-filled activities such as team sports training, performing arts theater, volunteering, and the like. It is through these opportunities that they can learn the value of loyalty, accountability, and camaraderie.  

 

  1. EnrollIn Home Schooling Cooperatives   

Homeschooling doesn’t need to be based solely at home! Note that there already are emerging homeschooling cooperatives.  A homeschooling cooperative is an organization of families of homeschooled children who collaborate, learn, and hold class sessions together at given schedules.  

 

Some of the benefits of being in a homeschool cooperative are: 

  • You can determine how your child fares at a certain age when benchmarked alongside fellow homeschooled students.  
  • You and your spouse can learn more from fellow parents. 
  • Your family’s support and social group are broadened. 

 

  1. EnsureAHappy Home 

We can all agree that most children enjoy being outdoors and having fun-filled activities. Hence, studying at home and being in the same environment may potentially tire them if they lack an outlet for their energies and high spirit.  

 

More than this, children are naturally happy and carefree individuals, and it is vital that they grow up in a joyful environment. Therefore, as parents, you must create conscious efforts to make your child love being at home – and this is possible if all of you as a family is a happy one.  

 

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Refrain from letting your child witness marital issues, financial worries, and anxiety if there are any. Ensure that there is constant communication especially during meals, and enjoyable activities together a few times a week. Understanding how to successfully use these strategies can be life-changing for anyone tackling challenging academic material,” says Jessica Koehler Ph.D.

 

Be happy parents and let your child know that he or she is a leading source of joy! Be his friend and his parent at the same time. As they say, home is where one is comfortable, at peace, and truly happy.  

 

As a couple, you must be able to compromise and be partners in this endeavor. Homeschooling poses a bright future with positive statistics and studies backing it up. However, just like any child’s journey, the support and love from his parents still are believed to the most effective success motivator!