Tips For First-Time Homeschoolers
Hello Friends!
Today we are wrapping up our first two weeks of homeschool! Even in this short amount of time, I feel as though I am learning so much about my children, and am learning a new way to handle things.
So just a little background...
I am Toddler Homeschooling my two little girls who are aged three and two. Having pursued a M. Ed. in Early Childhood Education, I am very particular in the type of education I would like for them to receive in these important early formative years. My husband and I would also like to impart a good foundation of Christian values into their lives, as well as have the flexibility for them to pursue their individual interests to the max. Now, I don't know if I will homeschool forever but it is my hope and prayer that I will be able to do this for the next couple of years.
After just two weeks, I am by no means an expert. I have had some epiphanies and revelations, though, that I would like to share with you if you are just starting out with or thinking about homeschooling.
1. Plan, Plan, Plan- Do your research on different methods and techniques, and be sure to do your lesson plans and schedules for the year well out in advance. I was so swamped in research that I only got to planning out the themes and schedule of the school year, but not necessarily the details or specific activities. I am now only planned two weeks out, and it irks me. I'm also still collecting all of my supplies. Now there is a silver lining to this, but don't be like me HA!
2. Be Flexible- So about that silver lining.....yeah. Be flexible folks. Especially if you have young children in the house, know that attitudes will change and you WILL have interruptions. I have had to shorten lessons and come back to activities or postpone certain lessons altogether in these two weeks. After watching my girls and seeing how long their toddler attention spans truly lasted, I realized that perhaps I was including too much in one block of time. Good thing I didn't plan that great, because I will now be reevaluating some of my plans for the upcoming weeks.
3. Don't be Too Ambitious- Sometimes when you start planning you have these grand thoughts of how things will go, and how fast your children will catch on. However, the whole purpose of homeschooling is to give your child that individualized attention that they need. For me and my young babies, I realized that perhaps we shouldn't learn all of the ABC's in one week. That's too much for their minds to comprehend in a short amount of time. Now I think I will focus on one letter a week, instead of four letters in one day. {Im so green.} Don't try to put too much on your child {or yourself}. Watch, observe, and adjust accordingly.
4. Be Patient- Be patient with yourself and your children. If you are feeling yourself getting frustrated or your kids are starting to lose it...take a break. Be patient and come back to the lesson later. That is the beauty of homeschool. You can take a break and do it whenever!
5. Believe in Yourself- I have doubted my abilities so many times this week, but I have to remember to not be too hard on myself. We are ALL learning. Just as you are teaching our children, they will surely teach you as well. Be prayerful and know that you are equipped to educate your child probably better than most. Find confidence and comfort in this.
Just a couple of my observations in homeschooling! I continue to be in prayer for all of our little learners, homeschoolers, and educators! I'll continue to update you as I go forth in this adventure of homeschooling!
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
~ Proverbs 22:6
