Homeschooling can benefit both child and parent, especially when you know the potential negatives that may sometimes interfere in your child’s growth while attending public school. Although there are many benefits for children to branch out and get involved more quickly in activities, there are some risks that can effect your child negatively. Even if your child is adjusting and learning well with the curriculum that is being taught, he or she may still experience peer pressure regarding not being as fast of a learner (or too fast) as the rest his or her classmates.
If you are debating whether or not to homeschool your child, you may want to look into the following factors before making a conclusive decision on which curriculum you decide to teach. I will discuss simple and effective ways to find the curriculum that will fit you and your child's needs.
Which is the Right Curriculum?
There isn't any one curriculum that is perfect. It all depends on the child and the parent. Most states have general requirements in order to meet their standards for tests. Check with your local board of education to find out what their requirements entail.
- Homeschooling Resource Center has a list of educational tools for you to choose from such as an audio and video walk through, speaking with an expert, and the choice between a secular or religious curriculum.
- At Home School Central you will find similar resources like that of Homeschooling Resource Center but with more of a breakdown as to what your particular state requirements are, messages boards and a breakdown of different courses that they offer. There are certain ways of narrowing down your search for the right teaching material.
Fit the Curriculum to Your Child's Interests
In the book 7 Secrets to Finding the Best Homeschooling Curriculum, author Carletta Sanders suggests first determining your family's goals and needs and your child's learning style. Here, she breaks down simple question to ask yourself such as why did you decide to homeschool and are you willing to mix and match different study materials if that is the way your child is best at learning.
One thing to keep in mind is knowing what your child likes and dislikes when it comes to learning.
- Are they attentive and quick to respond?
- Do they need more than one warning before you have their attention?
- What kinds of activities get their brain working?
These are questions that will help you get to know what kind of learning techniques he/she responds to and how to choose the right learning tools and curriculum.
Source:
Sanders, Carletta. 7 Secrets to Finding the Best Homeschooling Curriculum. Successful Homeschooling, 2009.
Serina Ruggeri - My love for writing (shorts, poetry and articles) began when I was 12 years old and picked up my first journal. While I am still very new ...
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