If you are beginning to homeschool for either Emergency/Isolated  Homeschooling, a short term or even a long term – start with relationships and by setting a good example. If our kids don’t respect us, we’ll have a difficult time in setting a task and seeing it completed. If this is the case – that’s the starting point – earning their respect. How? By being a good example.

Then, it’s all about relationships.

Homeschooling need not be overly time consuming but it does need to have some intensity – discussion is a fantastic way that people learn. To have that discussion, we need to have mutual respect… so it’s back to that. Relationships with people, with living things, and with ideas.
You may have to unlearn a lot of things in order to learn how homeschooling works. Homeschooling is not simply ‘school at home’. There’s a big difference between 20 kids at school and one -5 (or more) at home. Don’t try and copy the school system!

Observe how you learn – is it via discussion, by reading, by watching videos, by writing, by acting out with drama, etc? Observe how each child learns and expresses that learning and allow them to use it.

Remember, life changes. People change, kids grow and develop. Just when you think you’ve got a good grasp of this homeschooling thing, expect a curve ball. It usually happens. Make sure that you have good classroom furniture australia so that kids can learn better and comfortable.

Don’t be afraid to ditch the workbooks and try other ways of learning – nature walks, video’s, excursions, real books, movies, explore art and music, learn to cook, visit the art gallery, museum, shopping, all those life lessons that are essential!

Consider using blocks of time as a way of structuring your lesson time. Hour blocks can be used with older kids but shorter periods for younger children:

1. Essential academics (English/Reading/Maths/etc)
2.  Books in all forms: Read-alouds, individual reading, audiobooks, picture books, etc.
3. Games, Documentaries, Movies, Youtube learning, Podcasts, Online learning, etc.

Let your child see you learning! Share your discoveries and learnings with them! Let them see you reading!

Relax and consider lowering your expectations. Expectations of what learning should look like, how tidy the home should be… all those things. Learning can be messy. Life is messy most of the time. Visit Providence Classical School that features guest speakers as part of their learning.

Have fun with your child. Be *with* them. Laugh with them, talk *with* them, play with them. Love them. 💗

Photo by Elly Fairytale from Pexels