A lot of parents do not want their children subjected to the CoVid precautions in the schools, so they are reaching out to us seasoned veterans for help. "How long do I have to spend teaching my child?" is a very common question we are hearing.
One of the hardest things to communicate to most people is how easy it is to be effective as an parent-educator aka homeschooling teacher. This is mostly due to the perceptions of education they have based on the industrialized eight hour a day classroom model. It's all they've known, and many are so limited in their thinking on education. It's challenging to help them to realize anything different can be more effective.
Homeschooling is very efficient one on one instruction. It does not mean you and your child will be tied to a table 8 hours a day.
Preschool (2-4 year olds) can be done in a few 5 to 10 minute sessions a day. Stop when your child seems tired or uninterested. Gradually increase the time and frequency within reason. Also provide them with age appropriate learning activities: building toys, puzzles, art supplies, educational programs to watch, educational placemats, play dough, etc.
Kindergarten 20 minutes to an hour a day or an hour three days a week.
1st to 4th 1-3 hours a day is a good average. The goal in the early years is to teach them the basics of reading and math so they can move into a curriculum that supports self directed learning.
5th to 6th 3 hours is a good average, self directed with daily supervision (make sure they are doing the work correctly and completely, give instruction where necessary)
7th to 8th 4 to 5 hours a day, mostly self directed with biweekly supervision
9th-12th 4 to 6 hours a day, self directed with weekly supervision
I started mine with ABeka because of its highly successful and very strong reading program. I was also very familiar with the program because it is how I learned to read. Switched on Schoolhouse is what I use once my children can read and write well. This has prepared all of the first 5 very well for college level work where, so far, all 5 have excelled. ALL of them so far are winning accolades from their instructors for the quality of their work.
If you don't like those programs, there are SCORES of other programs to choose from. If you do not have money for homeschool or feel your program is lacking, you can find free resources online. Find grade level scope and sequence lists from an accredited program and find resources to check those things off. It will add a little extra time to your preparation, but you will save the costs.
I also recommend joining an online homeschooling group specific to your state and local area. You can connect with like minded people in your area and learn so much about state and local laws, field trips, co-op learning opportunities, free online classes, sports opportunities, volunteering activities, and so much more.
Create an educationally rich environment at home. Give them educational toys, books, puzzles, art supplies, and watch educational TV. Fill their free time with quality things.
Take them outside to work with you in the garden/on the car/whatever. Teach them as you work together. (My husband has worked on the car with our two year olds in diapers right beside him. It slowed him down, but they learned so very much. The oldest four are now doing their own maintenance and repairs.)
Homeschooling is a way of life! It's a big attitude shift away from an eight hour classroom model to the whole world is our classroom and seize the moments 24/7 model. It's about acknowledging and accepting the responsibility for your child's academics and life skills.
Homeschooling can be fun for you and your child! It's your attitude that will make the difference. Ask questions right alongside of your children, and then go search for the answers together. Build the model rocket, grow the tadpoles, learn to sew, grow a garden, make jewelry, explore nature, visit museums, view and create famous art, .......................................................................
You are only as limited as your imagination!
I was blessed that I had thousands of books pass through my hands. I bought them for pennies at school auctions and resold them on the internet for income. College level textbooks from teacher's studies were often included. I made use of those books by reading the parts I thought would be helpful to my situation which included time management, managing a multi-level classroom, learning styles, etc.
Learning how your child learns and learning how to choose curriculum and teach according to their learning style* will greatly help things to go smoother. Your child's learning style may change as they grow or depending on what subject they are learning. Assess frequently and adapt as needed. Your job as a parent-teacher is to break down information in a way THEY can understand it. Their job, as they grow and mature, is to understand how they learn new information the best and use that to their advantage.
How do I know homeschooling is working? Keep a checklist of learning goals. Look for progress over the course of a couple of months. You should see progress in some subjects. Some areas there may be leaps and bounds and in other areas there will be miniscule progress. Don't stress if the going seems slow. Some of my friends have reported two or three very slow years and then one year where their children jumped ahead several grade levels in most of their subjects.
*Search learning style inventory. You can add grade level to see what that turns up.
Dear Reader, I am here if you need specific questions answered (based on my experiences of course) or help finding a resource. My email is in the header (keeps down spam).
