You might have just started homeschooling, or maybe you are looking for a new approach because you don’t feel like what you are doing is working. Where do you start? These are some tips and suggestions I have been asked to share.
DETOX The first thing I would do is to observe a “detox” period. This requires a whole article on its own and is found by clicking here. I strongly recommend you take this time. Everything will go much smoother and you will have happier children that are ready to learn if you take this time.
KEEP IT FUN AND SIMPLE I believe in starting simple with games, reading aloud, and a unit study type of approach. (Look for my article coming soon on creating your own unit studies.) Most of us feel more comfortable with more of a blueprint as we are starting
out. If you prefer something with a little more structure, but still allows freedom and encourages their love of learning, I encourage a unit study like A World of Adventure. It was one of my children’s favorites and brings history, science, and some language arts and scripture together in a hands-on, interesting way with engaging literature. Remember not to be ruled by the curriculum. You can skip parts you want, add to what is there if you have ideas, or take a week to study a tangent that came up. Have fun and let the kids relax and enjoy.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER SUBJECTS? I encourage starting with everything mentioned above. You are trying to build a strong love of learning in your children. Be slow to introduce anything that reminds them of their previous schooling experience unless they ask for something. Start math and reading by playing games. I would lay off handwriting completely unless they enjoy it. I know, especially when beginning or when life is especially hectic or stressful, homeschooling is intimidating and a curriculum can help you have the confidence to keep at it. There are numerous curriculums out there, many of which are great and I will work on giving you more information on them later in a section on reviews, but I have listed a few easy-to-use curriculums to start as suggestions. Please remember, you are never a slave to the curriculum. If you feel that you want to add some language arts, consider something like Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL) or The Good and the Beautiful. (The Good and the Beautiful
was offering their language arts program for free the last I checked.) Do what interests your child, and if grammar or spelling intimidate your child and you see them withdraw and resist, cross out those sections and tell them they can do the rest. If you have a child who is ready and wants to learn to read, I have tried many but have loved the Primary Arts of Language: Reading-Writing Complete Package by the Institute for Excellence in Writing. It utilizes games and reading to introduce phonics in a clear, non threatening way. If teaching math intimidates you, you may want to try Teaching Textbooks. You can find placement tests and more information about it here.
Remember, never sacrifice a child’s growth in their love of learning for keeping a schedule or finishing a curriculum. You can always catch up on their knowledge of different topics fairly quickly when they are interested and ready, but without a healthy love of learning everything will always be forced.
"You can't make someone learn something - you really can't teach someone something - they have to want to learn it. And if they want to learn, they will." Daniel Greenberg
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