COVID made homeschooling a necessity, but many families saw their children flourish while being schooled at home, so have made it a longer-term arrangement. But is it something that’s right for your child? Some kids may not suit homeschooling, and you’ll need to make certain arrangements to make it work, so here are some things to consider.
A home-schooling space is essential
If children are to learn at home, without the distractions, they need a space that’s just for learning. Ideally, you should avoid making a space in their bedrooms, as this is their relaxation space, so shouldn’t be intruded on. Try to section off an area or use a spare room and find some proper high school classroom furniture from Grocorp. This will ensure that your child feels like they’re at school, and that they have somewhere to work comfortably. It means when they sit at their desk, they know it’s work time.
Can you juggle home schooling and work?
Many parents who choose to home school are home workers themselves. After all, it makes sense to combine the two and avoid long commutes and school runs. But juggling work with home schooling can be tough, especially if you have younger children. You should read up on tips for working from home, and then decide whether you’ll have the time and energy to bring a child into that equation.
Decide on the format for homeschooling
Not all types of home schooling are the same. There are options such as:
- Online schooling – all your child needs to do this is a laptop, and most of the work is guided, so you need minimal intervention
- Using textbooks and specialist methods
- Unschooling – where kids discover things on their own and take an unstructured approach
- Private tutoring – someone comes in a certain number of hours a week to help your child
The option you choose will depend on how your child learns and what is right for them.
Check local requirements
Home schooling isn’t always an option. In some areas, children have to be enrolled in a school, while in others, you have to register your child as being home schooled, with regular inspections to keep things on track. Check out your government’s home-schooling policy and read through what the requirements will be. You may have to put in an application and get the paperwork sorted before your child can stop attending school, so simply taking them out is not an option.
Join local groups
Home schooling can be a little isolating, and children may find it difficult to adjust to not seeing their friends daily. Therefore, it’s worth meeting up with other home-schooling families to do things like school trips. Check your local area for groups.
Home schooling can be tough and it’s not for everyone. But for some kids, it’s a great way for them to learn without distractions and get educated at their own pace. You need to do some research before you dive in to make sure your child is properly educated, and you follow local guidelines.
