Your Mind is Made Up

So you want to Homeschool, right?  You know that being at Home is where your kids belong and as a Parent, you know what is best for them too.  It begins by detaching yourself from the system. One of the things I learned quickly was that the government is a system that dictates what all children should be taught, as a whole.  Each child is an individual and the only real way to reach that child’s full potential is truly via Homeschooling.  You know your child best and you know their strengths, weaknesses, capabilities and needs.

It’s Your Design

Homeschooling is your child’s own unique educational plan.  It is going to be a design, custom-made by you, which will relate to your own family dynamics.  This is the greatest opportunity for your family because you will be able to allow your children to bloom.  They will pursue their love of learning as your family ties strengthen.  It is being able to give your kids knowledge that will make an impact upon themselves, others and the future generations they affect.

The Power of Freedom

Homeschooling has taught me the true feeling of freedom.  I remember the day I went to unenroll my kids from public school.  I was expecting a strong force of opposition, but it never happened!  One is placed under the wrong assumption that this system is what is best, but to my surprise, no one said a word of discouragement because they can’t!  They’re my kids and I really realized that when we said our good-byes and walked out.  I have all the right to choose what is best for my kids and so do you!

It’s the Reason to Homeschool

Homeschool has taught me that there is freedom in every aspect of it.  There is the freedom of being able to choose what I teach my kids.  I feel free from dangerous indoctrination and philosophies.  I have the flexibility to teach when I can and how I want to.  I have no over Lord dictating things to me, to an extent.  I do still have to adhere to the prerequisites that my state requires, for Homeschooling.

Identifying Your Child’s Uniqueness

 

 Auditory Learners

Have you noticed that your child may be a slow reader or was a poor test taker?  If so, they are going to fall into this category.  Auditory learners are fantastic listeners that also love to talk, a lot!  They are able to listen to instructions well and repeat what was said.  Can your child recite a book, word for word?  Here are some tips on how to allow your child to flourish.

• Use word associations to help them grasp a concept better.
• When it comes to reading, have them read aloud and ask questions.
• If they’re younger, (Toddler) use rhymes and songs.
• Use videos for visual aids.
• Use verbal praise all the time!

Kinesthetic Learners

Do you have a child that is fidgety and can’t sit still for one minute?  If so, you have a Kinesthetic learner.  The best way for your child to learn is by using their hands.  They will love to learn by doing! Physical activity is your child’s language that you need to nurture!  In order for your child to grasp Science, have them do an experiment performing lab work, forget the paperwork.  If you want them to grasp a story in Literature or History, have them act in out in a mini play or through a crafting assignment.  This will enable your child to love learning every day because it’s speaking their language!

Visual Learners

Do you have a child that likes to draw, while they are listening?  Sounds like you have a visual learner on hand!  Visual learners will take in information from many diverse ways.  They thrive by taking field trips and are very detail oriented.  They learn by observing the world around them, so make sure to allow them time to process information and reflect on what they just learned.  Being able to give them time to draw out what they just learned is helpful and don’t be surprised if you find them color coding every detail!  These techniques will only help your child to recall information, later.  The next time they watch a play or a visual program, don’t be surprised when you see that they noticed all the props and order of things, as opposed to the discourse!

Learning Via Reading and Writing

These kids are great with reading instructions and following them.  They thrive by reading the words of others and enjoy using words to describe what they have learned.  Make sure to provide a lot of paper because you will notice that they use it!  By encouraging your child to take notes and write more paragraphs, you will open them up to their learning style that is best for them.  Have fun and keep a journal handy, too!

So, What’s Next?

It’s fair to say that at the beginning, it is easy to want to give up and walk away.  I remember getting overwhelmed at all the choices and opinions I came across.  As an Educator, I just had to reset my own training onto my own kids’ learning styles.  When it comes to Homeschooling, it is important to know the different methods that are used to teach.  I use an Eclectic approach in our Homeschool.

It is a mixture of all major learning styles.  It comes down to our family dynamics, our children’s individual learning style and incorporating something new to them.  I don’t limit myself to just one style because when it comes to learning, children are sponges and I feel it’s best to allow them more knowledge.

Virtual

There is no argument that the Covid crisis opened up the door or virtual learning, around the world.  Virtual learning came through the means of a laptop, tablet, desk top, cell phone or via an app.  Whatever tool you use, it will be the method that makes it easier for your time management.  As far as “screen time’ is concerned, I’ll be the first to tell you that although it should be limited, we also live in a time where screens are a part of our culture and society.

When it comes to my own kids, I only use screen time for learning videos and sparingly.  Despite what any culture says or thinks, it does re-wire a child’s brain and that is proven fact.  Do you have your doubts?  Even Steve Jobs didn’t allow his own kids to ever own any screen, of any kind.  It’s true.  Do your research, but again, it’s a learning tool.  So, try to limit it, whenever possible because it does lead to stress, depression, bad behavior (due to anger) and other things.

Traditional

Traditional is basically what you will get in a public school setting.  You will have curriculum through various books and will teach it, while on a strict schedule.  Tests are a core part of the process and staying on a 180 days of teaching is a guarantee.  I really encourage any Parent to get out of this mentality because while at home, it is so stressful!  Time management is a must, but if this is how you roll and it works, go for it.  As time goes by, just be willing to incorporate a little leniency to spruce up your teaching methods.

Charlotte Mason

The Charlotte Mason technique or style is focused on teaching a child through short amounts of time, outdoor play and allowing for a child’s individuality to shine through.  I personally love this style for Toddlers, they just thrive with it!  Again, I would simply say to get creative here and see what other Parents are doing for your own child’s age group.  Having multiple options will make this technique a favorite!

Classical

British scholar Dorothy Sayers must have been Homeschooled!  This British scholar believed that children should be raised to think for themselves and not just be told by others, what they should think and how they should think.  Speech and logic is encouraged, as it was popularized during WWII, using this style.  History books and timelines are a major part of this style and it encourages the use of classical literature too.  I am still a fan of regular hard back books and will never stop going to a Library.  There’s just something about the written word and it is best when read in a great book!

Delight Directed

This style is directed to any “picky eater.”  Your child will flourish with this technique because it is focused on teaching your child all subjects like:  History, Language Arts, Math, Science,  Bible, Geography, and Art via their interests.  I use this approach with my Son because it works well.  For example, his love of volcanoes has been used for all of these subjects.

I have to do some extra research for my lesson planning, but it allows him to delight in learning, all the time he is thinking that he is only studying about volcanoes.  As an Educator, I always told the Parents I worked with that Learning should be fun for any child.  If it’s fun, it will be retained!  So, get out there and have fun using your child’s likes and loves to encourage learning!