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Monday, December 27, 2010

After School Activities & Burnout

For millions of parents around the globe, the day does not finish with the school bell. There's still pics to be painted, songs to be sung & games to be played. This all adds up to keeping babies happy, safe & out of trouble. But, parents must steer away from going overboard.

Research & pick:
In lieu of convenience being the decisive factor, find out things that will interest your infant. One time you pick a program, get the fine print & find out what you require to contribute.

After school is not baby-sitting:
After school activities prosper only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their tiny heroes from the sidelines?.

When to quit:
Often, parents enroll their infant in an activity to discover that they may not be the prodigy they thought they would be. This is the time to let go. Your infant may not become the next wonder-kid. But, let him cultivate an interest that they enjoys. Keep in mind, happiness & fulfillment are all that matter.

Free time:
Plenty of babies attend piano classes, followed by ballet & squeeze in some time for play dates in between before they rush home in time for bed. This rigor is much for a infant. So, go slow.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Structure The School Year

Now that you have begun your homeschooling schedule, there's
various questions that trouble you. Ought to you study continuously,
take a considerable number of short breaks or a long holiday? What about
public holidays? When ought to you take a break?

The answer to these questions & lots of more like these are
actually simple: Do whatever suits you best. This is of
the appealing benefits of homeschooling. You do not have a set
pattern to follow. You do not HAVE to take that autumn break, or
close shop for a extended summer holiday. Flexibility is the key
here. For some practiced unschoolers, even a sure curriculum
is not necessary because lessons are a part of their day- to-day
life. But this may not be the case with beginners. Beginners may
require to chart out their activities to fall in to a pattern.

Before you plan the structure of your classes, think about some of
the most important issues. What process of homeschooling will you
be following, what is your teaching style & your kid's
learning style, what are the work & play schedules, what are
your holiday designs. Some families plan tiny 1-week holidays at
different times of the year. Other families prefer to go away for
a month or more. Consult with the members of your relatives, &
chart out a holiday schedule that most suits you.

On the other hand, there's some advantages to taking numerous
tiny breaks in the work of a year. First, kids do not get
bored since they get time to explore other interests. You can
cover more topics in the additional time that you save. You can also
take relatives journeys & holidays in the work of the less popular periods of
travel. This means lesser crowd & better prices. But beware if
your infant becomes restless when other kids are enjoying their
long summer holidays.

There's some positive benefits in following the traditional
summer holiday schedule. First, your kids can benefit from
the various summer activities, camps & classes. Your kid's
schedule will coincide with that of his school-going friends. A
summer job may be feasible. A longish summer break also means that
both parents as well as kids receive a break from their every day
lessons. This might even be a major drawback, as it is sometimes
difficult to get back on track one time the classes resume.

As far as homeschooling is concerned, you & your relatives are the
people in charge. Looking after the individual needs of the infant
is the primary focus of this process. So, tailor the school year to
suit your kid's needs. Periodic evaluation is a must. Set some
realistic goals & see in the event you can accomplish these goals.
Most importantly, avoid burnout - both in yourself & your
kids.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Unschooling Your Infant

Unschooling is the most liquid style of homeschooling. There is no
curriculum & no set boundaries. Lots of parents feel a bit
apprehensive about such freedom. But, even unschooling has positive
guidelines that make it a great process of homeschooling

First, permit your infant to express interests. Let her select the
topic. If he wishes to learn about flowers, tell her about the
various flowers, their functions, parts of the flower, rare flowers
etc. But don't go overboard. Permit her the freedom to cease when
he's had . This process of learning may take a month or a
day. It is up to the infant to select how much he wishes to learn.

Expand your kid's areas of interests using videos, books, magazines,
puzzles & games. Go to a museum or take her to a library.
Simultaneously, broaden your own interests. The more you know, the
more the infant gets to learn.

Notice all opportunities for learning. When in the kitchen, point out
the vitamins in fruits & vegetables. What makes tomatoes red, &
why are leafy vegetables lovely? In case you don't know the answers, don't
worry. Look it up. Finally, don't fret if the going seems slow. This
is the way children learn. Give them time & lots of encouragement.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Social Concerns of Home Schooling

Social skills is an area of deep concern when it comes to
homeschooling. Plenty of critics point out that since man needs to hone
his social skills, a homeschooling surroundings where social
interaction is limited is detrimental to his growth and
development. But studies have proved this wrong.

Children who learn at home are more aware of the implications and
the purpose of their learning. They will ask clever questions
and make correct observations. Children start their life by
imitating their parents. Homeschooled children therefore pick
up the sterling qualities they see in their parents. On the other
hand, they are shielded from the detrimental influences of their
peers.

Children put in to the fiercely competitive school environments
lack the confidence to hold a conversation. Such children show
small genuine interest in the topic of conversation and don't
know how to interact with people of various age groups,
 their elders.

These children are thus better equipped with the tools necessary
to face the world. The positive reinforcement that takes place
in the homeschooling surroundings as against being abandoned,
embarrassed or ignored in a standard school surroundings strengthens
their self-esteem. Children turn out to be better balanced and
well-rounded as they progress in to adulthood.

Maintaining Discipline in Homeschooling

When the kid stays at home all day, and mommy is the teacher,
there's definite issues of discipline at stake. It is simple for they
kid to misconstrue the freedom they has at home and feel that
homeschooling is a long summer holiday. This is a feasible
landmine and kids need to be disciplined right at the beginning.

Home work is as well as a part of homeschooling. What this means is that
one time lessons have been taught, the kid ought to be asked to do
some part of the work work by himself without your guidance. You
will need to make definite that your kid sits willingly and finishes
his work.

Homeschooling gives you and your kid a immense amount of
flexibility. You and your kid choose where to learn, how much to
learn and when to learn. But,these ought to be decisions made at
the beginning stages. If your kid is small to take an
active part in the decision, chart out a few hours of the day for
the various activities, and stick to it. When there is no outside
agency to oversee and no exams to answer, it is simple to get
sidetracked. If your kid is elderly , consult him and find out
when they desires to learn. Apply your parental discretion and come up
with a timetable.

It is advisable to keep aside a specific room or a part of the
room for your homeschool. The kid ought to be expected to reach
his table at the appointed time, in proper apparel with all the
necessary material. It is simple to permit the school to become an
extension of play if these codes of conduct are not laid out and
followed. As the teacher, supervisor, principal and caretaker rolled
in to, you ought to also approach the study area with a cold
professionalism.

Courtesy, manners and punctuality are a number of the various facets
of discipline that a kid has to imbibe in the early years of his
life. The school where they interacts along with his peers, his seniors
and juniors and his teachers mould these values
automatically. At homeschool, the kid ought to be taught the
importance of speaking and behaving in a proper manner and
appropriate corrections need to be meted out if behavior is
unsatisfactory.

Homeschooling is doomed to fail without patience. In spite of all
the precautions and steps takes, it is simple for a kid to get
familiar' at homeschool. At such times, it may be difficult to
discipline the kid and get him to listen to you attentively.
When this happens, switch to something new. Permit the kid to
take a breather and enjoy a break yourself.

Homeschooling is not simple. It requires plenty of hard work and
patience. The informality of the whole procedure sometimes
works against it by making it simple. In the event you take steps to
establish rules at the outset and adhere to these rules,
your homeschooling experience will be a immense success.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Record keeping in Homeschooling

A subject that often comes up in meetings & forums that deal
with homeschooling is record keeping. The importance of record
keeping cannot be ignored. It is not only legally necessary in
various States, but also provides important milestones in your
kid's learning experience. An interest-initiated homeschooling
approach means that the topic of studies is far ranging &
multifarious. Thus, it can be something of a challenge to write
quarterly reports for the school district, when it is difficult
to classify learning in to neatly pigeonholed areas.

Record keeping is important not only for the sake of regulations.
It is also an fascinating way to record & document the learning
process of the kid. When most of the learning is done through
play & there is no clear cut index of topics that must be
covered, it is necessary for the parent to keep some kind of a log
which records the kid's progress.

The records you keep can be as simple as a every day journal, or as
elaborate as a computer program. In the event you participate in a support
group, you  certainly have set forms & requirements. But even so,
keeping track of every day work makes reporting simple & efficient.


There's various record keeping methods used by various
homeschools. A number of the more popular ones are:

Journal:
This can be maintained by the teacher or the student. This
fundamentally aims to keep a log of what was learned & what was
done. Recording memorable events that happened in the coursework of
the year is a great way to reminisce later on.

Portfolios:
This consists of a collection of varied materials that show what
the kid has achieved & done in the coursework of the coursework of study.
Portfolio assessment is a effective way to chart the kid's
progress. It gives structure to the otherwise loose & flexible
type of schooling called homeschooling. A drawing portfolio will
consist of some paintings or sketches that are thought about the best
in that quarter. A language portfolio may consist of essays,
tales, reading-logs, spelling samples or letters. Progress in
arithmetic, fine arts, history, science & social studies can
all be recorded this way. The largest advantage is that portfolio
assessment places control in the hands of the kids. Having a
tangible record of what they have established eggs them on to
greater heights.


Every day planner:
Lay out the designs & the assignments for the week in a teacher's
planning laptop. Check each item as it is covered. Maintain a
separate area where any additional things can be recorded. This
includes educational journeys, visits & videos etc. Any additional
topics that were covered are also recorded in this area. Make a
summary every quarter.

Other than the abovementioned systems, there's also bought
recordkeeping systems that lay out a nice checklist. A number of
these permit to personalize the organizer. Irrespective of the
methods used, record keeping in form or the other is
essential. Your kid's future may well depend on the
well-maintained record that you have meticulously kept over the
years.

Montessori Homeschooling

Developed from the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, this style of
teaching aims at duplicating natural laws that a kid faces in
life. Thus the aim of the teacher is to control the environment
& not the kid. It was observed that kids who are left free
to interact with their surroundings developed an innate
self-discipline, love for order & natural curiosity.

The Montessori method of teaching is suitable to the
preschooler who wishes to do everything by himself. Finding ways in
which your kid can participate in the cleaning, washing,
cooking, gardening & other 'adult' activities sets the ideal
backdrop for the learning experience. By providing such
opportunities for independence, the kid's self-esteem also gets
a sizable boost.

Artistic, cultural & scientific activities abound in the
Montessori 3-6 class. There is no TV, junk food, or computer.
Material is selected carefully. The kid is never forced to work.
In lieu he is encouraged to do things that interest him, & the
teacher picks up the teaching from cues given by the kid. The
Montessori method focuses on the kid's inborn ability to learn
from his surroundings. Thus the teacher aims to encourage the
natural curiosity of the kid. He is never forced to learn or
explore. When the kid understands why he needs to learn
something, he will love the learning method.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Is Homeschooling Legal?

Without a doubt, homeschooling is legal in all the 50 States of
the U.s. But, that is where the similarity ends. Laws
and regulations regarding homeschooling vary from state to state.
Interpretations of these laws can vary from scholl district to
school district. Additionally, these laws may alter every year.

The National Home Schooling network is a brilliant resource when
it comes to the legalities of homeschooling. It's a listing of
the actual state laws for each state in the U.S. Reading the laws
that pertain to your state is perhaps the best way to get correct
knowledge about these laws. But, most people require to get the
laws interpreted by a qualified attorney. You can get valuable
knowledge from the support group at your locality. Additionally,
plenty of state schooling departments have online resources that will
help you in interpreting the state requirements for homeschooling.
The net is as well as a lovely source of knowledge.

It is a lovely suggestion to check out your state laws regarding
homeschooling before you start educating your kid at home. This
will prevent any disagreeable surprises on the way. In the event you require to move,
you will require to be aware of any tests or exams that your kid
may require to take.

How to Homeschool Your Infant

Now that you have decided that homeschooling is the way to educate
your infant, get prepared for the ecstasy and the anxiety - the road
ahead is a bit bumpy, but the rewards over make up for it.
Producing a well-adjusted and well-rounded character is no mean
achievement.

To start with, it is important to check out your state laws on home
schooling. Some states need an affidavit filed with the State's
schooling department. There's fundamentally three categories for
homeschooling laws. These are: private school laws, home schooling
laws and equivalency laws. Find your state laws. You may also need
to maintain a portfolio that records the kid's educational
progress. It is important to look in to the legal requirements
BEFORE you start homeschooling. Some States also stipulate a
maximum educational qualification for the parent or teacher.

Next, look for a support group. In the event you live in a friendly or
curious neighborhood, well-meaning friends will try to dissuade
you. At the least, they may put lots of uneasy questions in
your mind. A support group that consists of like-minded people
will insulate you from the criticism, pressures and questions of
regular school-goers. Lots of groups organize fun events like visits
to the zoo, museum, tours to the ice cream shops etc. And if your
kids hit it off with other homeschoolers, they are going to be able to
build lasting relationships that do not fade when their friends
alter schools. These groups provide an important avenue for
socialization.

The next important thing to do is to pick a curriculum.
Depending on the process of homeschooling, you may pick various
tools that aid you in this method. The net is as well as a rich
resource for homeschooling. Do some research and look in to the
material that is available.

Set positive codes of conduct. Homeschooling requires lots of
self-discipline and hard work. Here is a comprehensive list of the
things you will need:
one) Enthusiasm to learn
two) Hard work and hard work
three) Discipline
four) Time and patience
five) Flexibility
6) Enthusiasm

Think about why you need to opt for homeschooling. Your motives and
your reasons are important pillars on which the whole building of
your kid's lessons depends. Also, consult along with your kids.
Ask them what they feel about homeschooling.

Select a curriculum or custom-make a curriculum that most closely fits
your infant. Record keeping is an important part of homeschooling.
Look in to the various methods of record keeping. Set up a
schedule. Your infant does not must learn 6-7 hours a day. Permit
him or her to dictate the time. Flexibility and fun are the
cornerstones of homeschooling. Do not stuff lots of skills in to a
single term or year. Prepare a skill list. Make the infant learn
the skills that he is prepared for.

Gentle parenting is the secret to successful homeschooling.
Kids make great advances in learning and show more enthusiasm.
They also turn out to be surprisingly well balanced and well
informed when they are taught at home.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Homeschool Teachers

The teacher is the key to the success of homeschooling. In most
cases, the teacher is a parent or a close relative. In some cases,
parents may divide the subjects between them. Seldom, if both
parents are busy, they may hire a homeschool teacher. Regardless of the
case, children need time with their parents. Parents, as a rule,
make excellent teachers.

Teaching does not involve a clinical presentation of facts.
Learning has to be integrated lovingly in to every day life for it to
interest the kid. That is where parents come in. Grandparents
also make great teachers, since they have an abundance
of patience.

In the event you feel anxious about your skill or knowledge, relax. There
are countless homeschooling resources that are aimed at helping
you. Professional curriculum packages, support groups, online help
desks, virtual schools and library resources are all available.
When you start out, you may need to make use of the commercial
curriculum packages. Readymade application also lets you record
and log important achievements.

Local support groups are an excellent source of help, ideas and
material. This is where you get to meet experienced homeschoolers,
who will be over happy to offer their insight and advice.
One time you settle in to the homeschooling system, you will find
yourself tailoring the curriculum to fit your own needs.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Homeschool - Staying Connected

The world has become a jungle of knowledge. Wherever you turn, you
discover a new fruit that has to be passed on to your kid. In
the middle of all the knowledge flying to and fro, they sometimes
forget to speak and relax with our children. A mom who doubles as a
teacher needs to leave the teacher behind and basically become mom
for a few hours everyday.

Most parents interrupt when their children talk. They, as adults,
hate it when someone cuts across our lines. Children keep father
because they are forced to be silent when they shut them up. But
this is unhealthy and unfair. Permit your kid to finish and then
express your views in a rational manner. The kid ought to have the
confidence to confide in you.

Listen to your kid. Do not listen to the words, but notice the
emotion . Plenty of children struggle to express exactly
what they need. Talk to your kid about general stuff and permit
him to be 'just a kid'. When you talk to your kid, as for his
opinions. Few things him more. It also adds kilos to his
self-confidence.

Gentle parenting is the key to successful homeschooling. Be a
parent first, and then a teacher.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Homeschooling With A Disability

In case you feel that your child suffers from a disability that
seriously hampers his ability to stick to a method, then
homeschooling is your best option. The child will be constantly
under your supervision. But he will be gaining plenty of quality
schooling, in spite of his disability. This is surprising,
thinking about how babies with disabilities are stigmatized in
public schools.

Field journeys & other educational activities are as
important. Get help from your support group. Visit places of
interest & interact with other babies in the group. Take your
child out for some activities, so that he can socialize. Let him
set his own pace with making friends. This will help in
strengthening his self-esteem.

Objective setting is an important part of homeschooling a child with
disability. Set the number of working hours per week for the
child. A child with a disability may have his bad days. Structure
the learning hours according to the needs & interests of the
child. Use the computer. This way, he will have all the
necessary information right at his fingertips while staying within
the confines of his home.

Above all, keep in mind that homeschooling is the same, even when
your child suffers from a disability. You will need to look
for the right opportunities & the simplest options to
accomplish the same goals.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Homeschooling - the Darker Side

It is not all hunky-dory and smooth sailing on the homeschooling
front. Like all things in life, there is a downside that has to be
seriously thought about when you explore the homeschooling option.
Though man's bane may be another man's boon, there's positive
common reasons for concern.

The responsibility of teaching your infant rests solely on you. You
cannot blame someone else if your infant is seen wanting in the
skills that his peers excel in. If your infant cannot do the things
that are expected from other children of his age group, it
reflects badly on you as an educator and a parent.

A critical part of homeschooling is the time that you require to
spend along with your children. You may must give up your friends,
shopping and other entertainment and dedicate all these to your
infant. This can become frustrating sometimes. You require to learn to
take the aggravation with equanimity and wait for the rewards with
patience and enthusiasm.

You cannot take a break when you feel like it. Feelings of guilt
will assail you in the event you neglect studies because you are
feeling blue. You also fear that the infant will take advantage of
the situation. Even when you have given home work, you require to be
around to give a helping hand. This means that anytime your infant
is around you, you are on duty! For some, this may mean working
every waking hour. The infant studying at home also needs to get
out more. This comes from staying at home on a regular basis.
Interaction with adults and other children needs to be given
special attention.

A parent who is dedicated to tutor his or her infant single
handedly does not realistically have much time left over for a
career. This means that the relatives is robbed of an additional
source of income. In turn, this may lead to stress over finances.
You will must train yourself to live on a strictly controlled
budget. While this is a matter of habit, it does require some getting
used to.

It is sometimes observed that homeschooled children do not do as
well in SAT tests as their school-going counterparts. Without a
diploma or a GED, some students struggle to get in to the
military.

Children tutored at home cannot create in the various directions
that are open to children attending public schools. To accomplish
that kind of exposure, you either must be a super-parent
expert in everything, or enroll your infant to various activities.
This may not only show pricey, but even be
counter-productive.

Finally, in the event you envision enrolling your infant to a public school,
there could be a positive period of emotional as well as social
manipulation. A infant who is used to being at home for the whole day
and enjoying a lot of uncontained freedom may must undergo
some distressing emotional upheavals before they or they gets used to
the pains of a regular school life.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Homeschooling The Teenager

As children start maturing in to adults, parents feel insecure
about homeschooling. Lots of parents then discontinue the
homeschooling system and happily hand over the reign to outside
authorities. But is this necessary? Is the strictly
compartmentalized schooling provided in schools a better option?

If the growing burden of a quantity of the higher level Math or Science
appears to be beyond you, enlist the help of someone who knows more.
You may even barter your own services and thus save some funds.
With homeschooling becoming increasingly popular, support groups
will have innumerable resources that help you find the right
teacher for your kid.

If social concerns are worrying you, look for interest-oriented
associations, clubs and societies. These offer lots of support
for leaders, opportunity for shared experience, and foster a sense
of belonging. Make up your own group or share this responsibility
with someone else. Home schooling support groups provide fantastic
opportunities to meet your kid's needs. This is the best way to
create clever, self-motivated, healthy and able young
people.

The underlying principle that guides homeschooling is this: any
kid has the innate capacity to grow, create and accomplish its
full potential. All it needs is the right surroundings and all the
right answers. Be there to provide these and think two times before
you turn over this responsibility to a third party.

Homeschooling online

If Johnny is fascinated by the blinking cursor & struggles to
master the movements of the mouse, you may require to look in to some
of the recent developments in homeschooling techniques. Gone are
the days when parents had to buy material from vendors & then
pass it on to their children with explanations. Today, you get the
full coursework details, material & check papers online.

Children love to sit with the computer. In addition to making them
feel like an adult, the computer also makes use of the visual &
sound medium to make learning fun & simple. Streaming video &
audio show various scientific processes in great detail. The
colorful pics & the various techniques used help to
effectively bind the knowledge to the kid's memory.

Lots of online resources have a fun testing middle that aims to
measure the knowledge & skill level of your kid. Complicated
math & science issues are handled skilfully & elegantly.
A visit to an e-library may even be fun, when there
is an audio clip that reads out the passage to you.

E-learning has begun to revolutionize the world of studies.
If harnessed properly, a kid can assimilate an astonishing
amount of knowledge from that great resource sitting right there
at your table - your P.C.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Benefits Of Homeschooling

Why let Tim and Lisa learn at home than send them to school?
Well, first of all, you don't have to wake them up at 7 every
morning and bundle them off to school with umpteen numbers of
instructions, and wait with an anxious heart till they return.
Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that
affect your child. The growth and development of your child
is removed from the realm of the unknown. You, and you alone
can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring
the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child
is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling

Individual attention is another salient benefit of
homeschooling. For instance, if Lisa needs more time to learn
Math, then she can reduce the time for her English lessons.
There are no fixed hours of learning per subject. This means
that a child has the advantage of assigning more number of
hours to the subject that seems tough WITHOUT any additional
pressure. The amount of time needed to learn each subject
will depend on the abilities and interests of the child.

The schooling of the child becomes an extended family activity.
Parents get involved in every step of the learning procedure.
Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus,
the child receives more quality time with his parents. The
entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family
closeness becomes the focus here. The child is also free of
any negative peer pressure while making choices and decisions.

Competition is limited when it comes to homeschooling. The
child does not need to prove his ability with regards to other
children. His confidence remains intact. Since parents have a
deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning
program to pique the child's interest. It is also possible to
intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. A tough hour
with Algebra can be followed by a trip to the nearest museum.
Learning becomes fun. Parents can also tailor the curriculum to
suit the learning style of the child. Some children learn through
reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see
objects in action.

Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and
religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to
incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child's curriculum.
There is no confusion in the child's mind either because there is
no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.

Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the
public school system. They believe that their children are being
pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to
discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many
repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on
the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories
of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for
homeschooling when it comes to their own children. 

Homeschooling is the best way to teach a child if you have the time,
the ability and the interest to follow through with his education. After
all, nobody can understand or appreciate your child more than yourself.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Homeschooling Methods

For many people, homeschooling may call to mind the picture of two
or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in
their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not
entirely true. There are different methods of homeschooling,
and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your
style of teaching. Given below are some of the most influential
and popular homeschooling methods.

The Charlotte Mason method:
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling
movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal
to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete
homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same
time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis
placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music
and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical
literature, which she called 'Living Books'. Since this method
encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read
to daily from the 'Living Books'. After this, the child is asked
to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of
six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in
her book. Mason also advocated the use of 'Nature Diaries'. After
each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to
Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also
gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that
development of good character and behavior was essential to the
complete development of the child's personality.

The Eclectic Homeschooling:
This is a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the
innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the
topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents
continuously look out for the best products that will meet the
needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling
curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum
is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to
accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children.
The child's gifts, temperament, learning style and interests
dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the
museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling:
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the
unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when
they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided
by their own interests. His message was to 'unschool' the child.
This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent
takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite
curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most
unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.


The Montessori Method:
This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children
have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of
intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an
activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The
Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate
learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to
satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child.
The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather
expensive.

These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the
method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest
in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child's
desire for knowledge to further his education.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Financing Homeschooling

When people speak about teaching their children from home in the
absence of any sure or structured curriculum, it is perhaps
natural to think that homeschooling is cheap. But this is far from
the truth. Although homeschooling does not stick to any particular
text, this is perhaps more of a bane than a boon, when it comes to
finance.

In the event you take another important factor in to consideration,
homeschooling costs may effective triple. The necessity for having
of the parents tied to the house and fully dedicated to providing
schooling deprives the relatives of a second earning member. The
average homeschooling teacher is usually a lady with a college
degree. This means that he can basically bring home a pay of $35,000
or more. It is also fascinating to note that most families that
have over two children do not opt for homeschooling at all.

When you need to make sure that your children receives
state-of-the-art schooling so that they can compete with regular
school goers, expenses will naturally mount. The actual cost of
educating a kid at home is surprisingly high. Up-to-date
textbooks, work materials, a library, computing equipment,
lighting, specially designed furniture all cost funds. In this
case, the cost may be slightly lesser when it comes to
homeschooling the second kid. Add to this any additional tuition
cost for tutors who come to teach subjects that cannot be handled
by parents, like higher-level math or science. The total cost can
be a bit mind boggling.

But, there's those who have been successful in carrying out
homeschooling at low rates. This is dependent on the size of the
relatives, the support group, the type of materials used and the
availability of the material. When successive children can reuse
the materials, cost goes down. Much of the work material can be
got from vendors of homeschooling materials. A membership in a
public library, theater, concerts, ballets and other cultural
events also help in cutting costs. Sometimes, it is even feasible
to barter expertise. For example, the brother of an 8-year elderly
gives dancing classes, and her daughter receives drawing classes
at no cost. Support groups let you divide the cost of field
journeys, science projects and fairs.

Regardless of the cost, advocates of homeschooling say that the
benefits far outweigh these considerations. When you can
pick what knowledge your kid receives and when he or he
ought to be taught and to what extent, it gives you lots of freedom
and lots of power. Both the children as well as the parents
benefit from this mutually enriching experience.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Disadvantages of public schooling

When we consign our children to public schools, we feel satisfied
that they are receiving 'quality education'. But, are we really
getting our money's worth? More importantly, are the children
gaining anything from this kind of a learning procedure?

Socialization is hailed as one of the greatest advantage of
schools. This is the place where the child picks up the rudiments
of social skills that help him survive. But in truth, a regular
school-going child can interact only with his peers. He may bully
younger children or fear older ones. He does not know how to
behave with an adult. This is because in the school environment
he interacts only with his peers. A homeschooling environment
brings in a more natural social environment.

A regular school going child cannot read literature. He cannot
keep silent or think in depth about any one thing. The artificial
'busy'ness imposed upon him by the school disallows quiet
contemplation. Rowdy and destructive behavior, as seen among
peers, is more noticeable in school-goers.

There is little long-standing knowledge among regular school goers
because most things are learnt for the exam. There is no
correlation of facts with life. The child may know a lot, but
understands very little. This is where the homeschoolers beat the
regular school goers. Ultimately, homeschoolers emerge more adept
at facing the outside world.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Homeschool Burnout

When a parent takes on the responsibility of educating his or her
child, homeschool burnout is of the more common issues they
must deal with. There's plenty of reasons that lead to this
burnout: an disease, a brand new child, added responsibility, alter in
process etc.

The signs of burnout vary from lack of patience to overeating
& crying without any apparent reasons. Surprisingly, a burnout
require not be such a bad thing. It is a wake-up call - an indicator
that things are not going well & that you require to reschedule.
Reversing or avoiding a burnout is feasible in the event you get fair
warning.

First, lower your expectations. Do not be a perfectionist. Take
the lovely days with the bad. Next, when something does not appear to
work, look for alternative methods. Flexibility is a key
factor. If tension starts mounting, take a break. When necessary,
alter the style of teaching. For example, small kids love to
take on their spellings when they quiz an adult.

Avoid overkill. Do not pack plenty of activities for the sake of
socializing your child. A worn out mom means a grouchy child &
that means no happiness. Get support from your partner or a
neighbor or a support group. Don't try to accomplish everything by
yourself. Homeschooling means 'happy schooling' - don't forget
that.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Homeschooling & The Relatives

According to the National Middle For Schooling Statistics, 
one.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That is
lots of children. One time on a time, homeschooling was one time a
radical statement - something like a declaration of independence.
It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in
the '80s & legalized it in every State. But the typical
homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.

All these families have thing in common - a long enduring
dedication to the sanctity of childhood. The children in these
families are accorded a primary position. Lots of think, &
rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring up children
in a more natural & nurturing surroundings. Public schools can
make nervous, diffident & downright mean. Children who get
schooled at home are shielded from these damaging negative
influences till they reach an age where they can handle it.

Recent surveys indicate that parents are actually fed up of
the public school systems where much of the learning is
superficial & compulsory. They are also concerned about negative
school surroundings ranging from drugs & abuse to negative peer
pressure. As a result, they have a surprising mix of individuals who form
the homeschooling world of today. They cut across all religious
& regional borders. Their main aim is providing significant &
productive learning through a method that strengthens the bond
between the various relatives members.

Homeschooling draws the whole relatives in to the  religious
task of schooling. Everyone is put to work. The parents together
form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned in to
an educational experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly
what is going in to their kid's head. Parents also have greater
control on the kind of religious & moral values that the infant
imbibes. Even watching a film together can become a learning
experience. Journeys to the libraries & other places become
educational as well as recreational.

A homeschooling relatives is primarily dependent on the income of
earning member. That means that often spending has to be curtailed
& proper planning of expenditure is a must. This helps to bring
the relatives members together & everybody gets involved in the
process of saving money.

Having a parent at home to oversee, to nurture & take care of the
children brings with it lots of affection & caring. Even your
husband chips in & there is no room for boredom. Yes,
issues do crop up, & there's lots of misgivings in your
mind. But when you know that your children can always count on you,
& your children know it , then homeschooling becomes a richly
rewarding experience.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Homeschooling Hours

How plenty of, how often & when? These are some oft-repeated
questions when it comes to homeschooling hours. Flexibility is of
coursework of the key underlying principles behind homeschooling.
This flexibility applies not only to the curriculum but also to
the number of hours. It is only natural that parents,
in the event that they have started out on homeschooling ought to feel that
their children ought to be at their books on a regular basis when regular
school-goers are at school. This is not only fallacious but can
even be damaging & counter-productive.

 of the most ignored but glaring drawbacks of the public
schooling process is the sheer waste of time & energy that it
causes. Plenty of periods are basically wasted away & the child
effectively derives only 1-3 hours of study everyday. Then, there
are days when the studies become intensive & other days when
it is only games & no work at all. There is a lot of 'invisible
wastage' involved here.

Early on in your homeschooling practice, work out a schedule. It
is advisable to stick to the same hours everyday. A process makes
it simpler to learn & gives structure to the learning experience.
It also tells the scholars that parents are strict about their
learning. A process also allows your child to free his mind from
other activities & focus on studies. He knows that a
particular time is strictly set aside for learning.

The actual number of hours that you need depends on the curriculum
you have chosen & the learning style that suits your child. If
you are dealing with a subject that appears to be more complex, you
may need to sit with the child for an extended period. Using various
techniques, it may be necessary to demonstrate what you are trying
to teach. For example, a lesson in Algebra may take more time
than a lesson in English.

Homeschooling does not refer to the practice of sitting in front
of the books & learning the printed matter. Field journeys,
watching documentaries, visiting factories & libraries also make
up an important slice of the homeschooling process. It makes sense
to intersperse these activities so that learning becomes fun.
You may need to finish off the few hours of textbook learning
in the morning & dedicate the afternoons to these kinds
of activities.

Given the fact that plenty of public school hours are wasted in
meaningless activities ranging from speaking to extra-curricular
activities, do not permit public school hours to dictate the time
you ought to spend teaching your child at home. Keep in mind that at
home, he is getting a high-quality one-to-one time that is highly
productive. About 1-3 hours of study is in the primary
level. It is of coursework true that the more number of hours you put
in, the more learning takes place. This is also the reason why
homeschooling children are much smarter & more balanced than
regular school going children.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Grading in homeschooling

Grading in homeschooling is completed by the teacher-in-charge. In most
of the cases, this means mom! In this situation, grading can get a
bit tricky because it can be a tiny difficult to grade your own
child. There is no benchmark against which you can assess your
kid's performance. In most cases, you also have no awareness of
how well other kids are doing. So, obviously the traditional
technique of grading is perhaps not the best technique to follow.

When assessing your kid's abilities, do not permit emotions to
overcrowd your rationale. Do not yield to the cries & tears of
your child if he or he resists sure topics or subjects. If
mastering these skills is necessary, then you as the teacher (&
not as the parent alone) must go over the topic over & over
till it sinks in. When dealing with tougher ideas, the child
may get restless & may even show frustration or belligerence.
When the child is still young & unable to understand the
importance of his lessons, it is your responsibility to see to it
that the child develops the skill set necessary for future growth.

When grading a child undergoing homeschooling, it is more
important to assess whether the child has understood the subject
that is being taught. Inherent in this is the fact that if the
child has not understood something, you will go over it again.
This will work in your kid's favor in two ways. First, the child
knows that if he or he fails to catch on, the topic will be
repeated till it is mastered. Secondly, the child also knows that
one time the topic has been mastered, he or he will get full credit
for his hard work. Getting full reward for the hard work put in is
a great motivational factor, for children.

In case your state requires a homeschool document card, keep a
record of the yearly development & scores of your child. Include
relevant areas like punctuality, discipline etc in the document.
You may also require to keep a record of the number of working days
& attendance schedules.

In case you belong to a state that requires yearly tests, this
will help you to judge your kid's ability vis-Ã -vis his peers.
Even if it is not mandatory, you may require to check your child every
year. These tests will reveal the variations in the kid's
learning pattern. It may show up unexpected areas of strength &
hitherto unknown areas of weakness. This lets you structure
your teaching to cover the areas that are weak, & build on the
areas that are strong.

While grading your child, make sure that you use as plenty of outside
tests as feasible. There's several sites that deal with the
various age groups, & permit free downloading of query papers.
This is an excellent & cost-effective technique to assess your
child. Homeschooling, if completed in the proper manner, will boost the
kid's confidence because he will be studying to satisfy his
natural curiosity. The scores therefore will reflect his true
intelligence.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Homeschool - Field journeys

In the event you are going over a specific subject with the relatives &
feel that a field trip would be beneficial, then that is what you
ought to do - go for a trip. In the event you are attached to a support group,
you can plan to include other children .

Here are some guidelines that will help you plan:
one) Collect the rates
two) Allowed ages
three) Special highlights
four) Size of the group
five) Timings
6) Eating facilities


Tell your support group of all these details well in advance so
that the necessary circulars may be sent out. On the appointed
day, arrange to meet with other parents & children in a
particular place. Plan the mode of travel & reach the place at
least ten minutes in advance.

The field trip is not fun. So, let your children bring their
writing material. Permit them time to stare & admire. Do not
hurry them along. Collect knowledge beforehand so that you can clear
doubts. Get help from a guide, if necessary. & most importantly,
have fun & enjoy the time you spend along with your children.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Homeschooling & College

As kids grow out of their small pants & are prepared to start
their teenagers, lots of parents wonder in the event that they ought to continue with the
homeschooling program. They fear that colleges may not give equal
opportunities to a kid educated at home.

Admission requirements may vary. While some colleges require the
kid to appear for the SAT, others may require a general equivalency
diploma. & some may not look after any tests at all. The criterion
may vary depending on the college that you require to apply to. But,
college courses do not require any high school background
or special training.

Lots of fears of this kind were put to rest when two homeschooled boys
got admission in to Harvard. Harvard does not require a high school
diploma for gaining admission to their degree program. Lots of
colleges are more interested in the knowledge & behavior of the
homeschooled kids than their high school diplomas. In
fact, other things being similar lots of colleges prefer
homeschoolers because of the diversity & richness they bring to
their college life.

It is common to encounter parents who frantically try to shift
out their homeschool kids to high schools because they fear
unavailability of college admissions. But college admissions are
open to all educated individuals, irrespective of whether they are
educated at home or at a public school.

Monday, November 1, 2010

What is Homeschooling

The term 'homeschooling' fundamentally refers to the method in which
 or more children of not over two families are instructed by
parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household. The
laws that define homeschooling vary from State to State. The legal
requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the
State.

Before you select to go in for homeschooling, there's definite
important matters for consideration. First off, meet with parents
of other homeschoolers. Find out the professionals and cons of
homeschooling. Then ask yourself why you would need to adopt this
process. This is a important aspect, as the success of the
program depends on the clarity and sincerity of your purpose.

For most children, the actual method of learning begins much
before school. Lots of children already know their alphabets, the
names of animals, colors and other more complicated stuff before
they reach school. This is mostly due to the hard work of a member
of the relatives who has taken the time to teach the kid.
Homeschooling is a natural progression from here. In lieu of
sending their children to a public school, parents make their own
curriculum and teach their children in ways that best suit the
kid. This is homeschooling, in its most simplistic form.

Are you qualified to take on homeschooling for your children?
Teaching is a continuation of your own learning method. With the
advent of the net, knowledge is aplenty. There's various
books and resources for those interested in homeschooling. Go
through the various methods of homeschooling and pick that
is most suited to you. It helps in the event you know what kind of learning
style your kid has. Also, find out what your kid feels about
homeschooling before you start.

Next, it is time to think about the expenses of homeschooling. It may
cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand
every year. More importantly, you are also effectively shutting
out any job opportunity for of the parents. It is only obvious
that parent will must stay at home full time to manage the
homeschool. A home-based business however is a great alternative.

Every state has its own laws regarding homeschooling. For
instance, in North Carolina, you must first file a 'Notice of
Intent' to start a home school. In this you need to mention if the
school is a 'Private church' school or a 'qualified non-public
school'. The persons providing the schooling are necessary to have
at least a high school diploma. You need to maintain an annual
record of the kid's attendance and disease immunization. Every
year, the kid is necessary to undergo a standardized check. Each
student attending the eleventh grade has to take a nationally
standardized check. These are the requirements in North Carolina,
but it is to give you a nice suggestion of what homeschooling
entails.

Homeschooling may appear like lots of fun and freedom from the
outside. However, things are never as simple as they appear.
Homeschooling is a lot of added responsibility and hard work. But,
if successful, it will forge a powerful bond of affection and respect
between parent and kid, while providing your kid with the best
type of schooling they needs.