getting through the first day of kindergarten

2 Mistakes To Avoid For An Enjoyable Homeschooling Experience

16 March 2022 by Lilja Murto

The homeschooling industry has seen a significant surge in recent years. In fact, there were approximately 3.7 million homeschooled children between 2020 and 2021, equivalent to 7% of all school-age kids in the US. The high number is attributed to the academic flexibility, community involvement, and the warm environment offered by this setup.

If you plan to embark on this exciting ride, here are some homeschooling mistakes to avoid for a successful and enjoyable experience.

Over-scheduling or Under-scheduling

As exciting as it can get, you need to hold yourself back from setting unrealistic goals. Between educational trips to the zoo, gymnastics, piano, arts, and science classes, many parents often look forward to the possible activities to do with their kids.

Such overscheduling only creates unrealistic expectations on how much your child can achieve in a short amount of time. Your kids are likely to get burned out even before the academic year lapses. Oftentimes, this can hurt their academic performance. Limit yourself to a few fun activities at a time and prioritize your child's schoolwork as well. 

On the flip side, under-scheduling fun activities will affect your kids' development. Your kids shouldn't spend so much time studying that they don't have time to have fun and interact with their peers. Find fun family activities at a nearby art school, museum, or historical site. You may also look for other homeschooling families in your neighborhood and plan trips together.

Handling It Alone

Many failed homeschooling attempts start when parents decide to do it by themselves. Juggling work, parenting, and schooling can drain you. You are likely to get overwhelmed and fail to meet your targets along the way.

Furthermore, if you don't have the teaching skills and experience to offer informed guidance, you might not give your kids the help they need. This may adversely affect your children's performance.

Things get easier if you engage homeschooling services from experienced tutors. Hiring an expert allows your kids to work through their curriculum with guidance from an informed professional. Even more, a homeschooling service frees up time so you can focus on other activities. You get peace of mind knowing that your children are in good hands.

In addition, DIY homeschooling can be physically and mentally draining. You might even get frustrated if your child fails to understand what you're trying to teach them. If you're not careful with your approach, you might unknowingly create tension and bruise the relationship with your kids.

An experienced homeschooling tutor understands that every child is different and will employ a teaching style that works for your kid. 

To learn more, contact a homeschooling service near you. 

Share