Homeschooling learning methods for children are often chosen by parents for various reasons. Starting from the location of the house that is too far from school, there are other positive activities that keep children busy, to certain conditions experienced by children, which make it difficult for them to focus on formal schooling.
Whatever the reason, choosing homeschooling or regular schools for children certainly aims to make children get the best. Just like formal schools, homeschooling also has many advantages to offer, for example, parents can select their own homeschooling teacher for their children. However, there are a number of things that need to be known before choosing to homeschool for children.
Don’t Just Choose Homeschooling for Children
Just like choosing a formal school, parents should not be careless when choosing to homeschool for their children. Think things over carefully. Moreover, homeschooling is certainly different from formal schools. Here are some things to know and consider when choosing to homeschool for children:
1. Authority to choose curriculum and learning methods
If in formal schools, parents do not have the authority to determine the curriculum and learning methods for children, homeschooling is the opposite. When a child pursues homeschooling, education, parents have full authority to choose and develop a curriculum and learning method that is appropriate for the child’s age.
Regarding time flexibility, homeschooling is also superior to formal schools. Parents can set a child’s study schedule, and adjusted to other activities or their needs, for example if there is a material that is not really mastered, parents can increase the child’s study hours.
2. Make sure the child’s learning environment is conducive
Not only the curriculum and methods, but parents also have full power over how to create a conducive learning environment for children. If before homeschooling a child has never attended a formal school, his mindset may have formed that learning conditions are like those in a conducive school.
That is, there are tables and chairs, whiteboards, projectors, laboratories, and other facilities. Although it doesn’t have to be exactly the same, parents need to conjure up a study room that has all the equipment a child needs for learning, just like in a normal school.
Also create a disciplinary rule like at school, about when to study, and when it is permissible to take a break or stop studying. That way, even though they are studying homeschooling, children still know how to be disciplined in learning and how to obey the rules.
3. Children are more focused and easy to understand lessons
One of the advantages of homeschooling is the focus and attention of teachers on children. If in a formal school, there are dozens of students with only one teacher, when homeschooling, the child will be more focused and flooded with the teacher’s full attention, because only he is being taught. Teachers will also better understand the characteristics and ways of learning of children, then teach them in an appropriate way.
As your little one’s best supporter, you can support him by avoiding all things that cause distraction and unfocused children. For example, by providing a comfortable and quiet room for children to study.
4. Pay attention to the cleanliness and nutritional adequacy of children
When choosing to homeschool for children, also make sure the cleanliness of the study room and adequate nutritional intake. This is so that children stay healthy and are able to learn with focus. Also remind the discipline of cleanliness in children, by asking them to wash their hands and clean themselves regularly. So, even though they study at home, children still know how to look neat and take care of themselves.
5. Keep teaching children how to socialize
In addition to academics, children also need to have the ability to socialize and communicate with others. Do not let when choosing to homeschool, children are always at home without ever playing with anyone. When he grows up and enters the world of work later, he may experience obstacles.