To homeschool or not to homeschool?
I have had this top come up quite a bit lately on the last few weeks of live streaming. The audience agrees that homeschooling is becoming a possibility. I wanted to give some insight into how it impacted my family and see if others could be supported. While deciding on whether or not homeschooling is right for you and your family, it's essential to ensure that you have a plan of action, including a schedule and routine, and always keep the option open for your child to decide if they want to go to school if they wish to.
After the children could go back to schools except with masks and continued restrictions, we decided that we wanted to homeschool our son, and because COVID hit during his headstart years, I got a jump start on our sons early on. It started with some supportive apps, PBS, and books. My son is also on the spectrum of Autism, so we needed to get creative with how he learned. I was so impressed with Duolingo ABC. That app helped my son tremendously with reading, phonics, and spelling. The most important thing is to balance screen time with traditional workbooks and other school materials.
Try checking out Education.com and using excellent applications like Canva to build worksheets or download and print ready-to-use worksheets.
The key to keeping your child's interest peaked is to ask them what they like and give them options. Get your kids involved in cooking and cleaning, and teach them about everyday routines and responsibilities. It’s essential as parents to consider whether or not we want our children exposed to what they are taught. The uptick in online and school bullying has also been one of the motivational factors. I most recently read about a fifteen-year-old and a fourth-grader who took their own life because of years of bullying and the school’s inability to handle those situations correctly. I most recently did a podcast with a dear friend of mind and talked about the reality of what’s happening within our school systems. I have also spoken to many other parents who are experiencing similar things.
If you are thinking about homeschooling, here are a few pointers:
Set up a designated space
Keep an organized record-keeping system
Have options
Don’t get discouraged!
As soon as we knew that my son would not thrive in that environment, I went ahead and researched and built a space for him to succeed, learn and grow. Alot of his library came from Marketplaces like Mercari or local thrift stores. There are also some great reading libraries, including Usborne books. The best part about homeschooling is seeing your child thrive, grow, and develop. An entrepreneurial job or side hustle that allows one parent to work is ideal, but that’s not always the case. So please ensure you can dedicate the time and investment required. Homeschooling can be costly so that I will provide as many accessible or cost-effective references as possible.
First, check your local state's rules and regulations regarding homeschooling.
Click here to link in with your states.
After you check your local regulations and rules, look into Curriculums for your kid’s grade level.
Here’s my favorite curriculum. I use it in conjunction with cooking, cleaning, and outdoor activities. Last year, we introduced our son to musical instruments, and his academy offered Spanish. Explore my favorite options below for setting your kids up for a successful year of homeschooling.
Mia Academy is an excellent online school that can be done with your schedule. It has fantastic ways to keep track of your kid’s grades and attendance, allowing them to make friends and explore additional academics like Spanish.
Remember to make it fun, involve your kids in the process, and reach out to local homeschooling Facebook groups in your area to build and connect with local homeschooling parents and kids.
I also have a big question: how do you socialize with your child? It depends on their needs and your access to public libraries, parks, and other community outreach groups and clubs like the YMCA.
Check out some other great resources I have found, and good luck on your journey!
