Grandma Jo and McKenna reading
Many parents are concerned about their child’s education. And these days, many parents are not only concerned if they are learning what they should be learning, what what they should not be learning at their age. Sex and drugs have found their way into many elementary schools. Then other parents are worried when they send their children out the door if their child will be safe.
Searching for answers to these challenges, many parents are turning to various types of homeschooling. Money CNN just posted this about online education
(Fortune Small Business) — The Internet is making the world of learning smarter — and more profitable.
Students who took online courses scored an average 10% higher on tests than peers who received extra instruction face-to-face, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Education that analyzed more than 1,000 studies conducted from 1996 through 2008.
Some parents have doubts that they would be able to fulfill the role of educator for their children. Here is some great news, due to the large movement of people looking for alternative education, there are many resources available these days. Here are some tips when you begin looking at homeschooling:
- Follow your heart and your instincts. You know more more than you think you do!
- Look online for resources, there are a ton! There are many educational videos, classes and tutoring online. Here is a tutoring company that gives you a 20 minute session for free! www.TutorTeddy.com
- Find a local coop group that fits your interests and beliefs.
- Go to a homeschooling convention. The wide range of curriculum will amaze you!
- Many local attractions have home school events. The Georgia Aquarium has a day for homeschool students to attend the aquarium. They have tours and boths to teach the students about aquatic life. The Jacksonville Zoo has a summer program where the child can attend an afternoon each week with the zoo keepers to learn about the animals.
- Join a homeschooling online support group… there are many!
- Find another homeschooling mom and ask questions. The more you know, chances are the less fear you may have and the more you will know if it is something that will work for your family.
- Remain open to new ideas. The type of homeschooling can range from maintaining a very strict schedule like at school to letting the child lead the education like unschooling.
- Don’t let the “advice” of friends and family sway you from trying it out. Take a deep breath and remember they think they are helping you with their good advice.
What homeschooling resources do you have that will help? We would love to hear your advice and resources!
Here’s to being a passion parent!
Christine Hiebel
Visit the LD Online homeschooling section for resources on homeschooling children with learning disabilities:
http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/homeschooling
You can also read an excerpt from Kathy Kuhl’s book, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner :
http://www.ldonline.org/article/Homeschooling_Your_Struggling_Learner
I am planning to begin homeschooling my son at the start of the new year 2010. He is only two years old, but I am of the mindset that it’s never too early to begin structured/creative learning. This will be an ongoing process for me so I would love to share every step of my transitions with you. I have been researching published written materials from traditional teaching, have research Montessori principles, and searched websites about homeschooling. I am going to use a little from each resource. I have purchased some Montessori supplies and some published written books. I will be setting up a preschool area in my home so that my son will understand the difference between learning time and play time. I have created a curriculum of subjects that we will cover weekly and have alotted time for socialization and exercise outside of the home (for both me and him). I am excited and a little scared at the same time because this will be a new challenge for me but I read somewhere that not only should my son learn from me, but I can learn alot from him.