When I was seven, the very thought of reading gave me severe anxiety. 

This would probably shock anyone who knows me today because,  as an adult, I’m a total bibliophile. I have way too many books and am reading anytime I get a chance. I even have a (somewhat impractical) MA in English.  As much as reading was once a source of dread for me, it is now one of the things I enjoy most.

 The love of reading has shaped so many other things about my life, too. It’s helped me understand different kinds of people and different ways of thinking, and it’s given me a love for learning that I can’t envision possessing, had my childhood self not changed her ways. 

So what caused the big change? What turned me into a reader? 

It all started with my parents’ decision to homeschool me. 

My mom knew that I loved being read to, so she believed that I could become someone who loved to read for myself. She also saw how my struggle with ADD impacted my learning style. Taking these things into account, her efforts to help me engage in reading through homeschooling were totally successful. This, in turn, has made all the difference in my life. 

Today, as a new homeschooling parent,  I hope to be as successful in teaching my daughter as my mom was with me. However, the task feels intimidating. I imagine that it is even more overwhelming to those who are totally new to the world of homeschooling. 

Interestingly, the reason that homeschooling can be so overwhelming is the same reason it is so appealing in the first place. There is such an incredible amount of freedom and flexibility in this form of education. It’s wonderful to have so many choices and be able to personalize learning for your child. However, for many, it’s hard to know how to start homeschooling because there seems to be no set way to do it.

There can be a constant internal stream of blaring questions and insecurities, like: 

• Am I going to mess my child up by this decision? 

• What will my family and friends think? 

• Is this really going to help him/her learn more effectively? 

• Is my child going to be miserable?

• Am I going to be miserable? 

• I’m not qualified to teach.

• I don’t know where to begin.

If you are a new homeschooling parent and have these doubts running through your brain, you’re in the right place.  In this article, I’m not going to tell you how to homeschool, or even whether you should homeschool (because no one knows your life and your family better than you do). Instead, I want to share with you 5 essential tips that will help you get you started on your own, personal homeschooling journey. 

1. Understand Your “Why.”

“Finding your why,” is a hot topic of discussion today, whether you are starting a new business, pursuing a change of career, or making any kind of life-changing decision.

Your “why” is more than just a goal or even a set of goals. It’s the reason that directs your path, as well as the force that keeps you powering onward.

Choosing to homeschool is a major life decision that affects both homeschooling parents as well as our children.  It definitely comes with its own challenges: from the personal (will you and your children clash in an educational setting?) to financial (often, the choice to homeschool affects at least one parent’s career). It’s therefore absolutely critical to map out your “why” as you get ready to start homeschooling.

The Foundation

Despite the many different ways to homeschool successfully, I think that most homeschooling parents start out with a similar mindset.

1. The basic belief: we, as parents, know our children better than anyone and are also more committed than anyone to give them the best educational experience to meet their needs.
2. The basic goal: to engage our children in learning in a way that fosters their academic and personal growth to the greatest extent possible.

I think this is really at the heart of every homeschooling parent’s reason for choosing this lifestyle.

But is it a “why?”

Well…not quite. However, it can be an important starting place for discovering your why.

Four Elements of Your “Why”

This article in Forbes discusses the importance of figuring out your “why”  in the realm of business, highlighting four questions that you can ask yourself to discover it. These four questions relate to the following:

• Passions
• Skills and Expertise 
• Values 
• Talents

As a new homeschooling parent,  you can also look at your approach to homeschooling in light of these four areas.  Grab a notebook and write down your goals for homeschooling in light of each topic. How do you plan to consider your/ and your child’s: passions, skills, values, and talents in your homeschool journey? Brainstorming about this will help you define your specific why and begin to set practical goals.

I would also look at this list in consideration of the child (or children) being homeschooled:

•  Strengths (and weaknesses to be overcome)
• Talents or interests
• Social Needs 
• What values does the child already have?
• What values would you, as a parent, like to instill?

2. Apply Your “Why.”

Considering all of these factors will help you understand your why and how it may be applied in a homeschool setting. Once you’ve evaluated your passions, strengths, and potential challenges in homeschooling, you should be able to define your why in a more practical way and think about how you will meet your goals.

From looking back on my personal experience as a homeschooler, I am able to clearly see my mom’s why: to foster a love of reading in me. This would, in turn, support me as a student in every subject.  As a creative person, she used her skillset to engage me in books through using art projects and crafts that related to the stories we were reading. She also brought my interests into the equation by selecting novels that she knew I would like.

You see how it all begins to connect?

Each homeschool family’s “why” is going to look different, but once you’ve figured yours out, it should give you some clear priorities in your homeschooling journey, and some ideas about how you will invest in those priorities.

Especially if you write everything down, this can be a great first step in mapping out your homeschool journey.

Two Examples of “Whys” and Practical Applications

A very organized homeschooling parent has a child with an interest in social activities, space, and science.

• That homeschool parent’s “why” might be to invest in their child’s love of science and give them opportunities they might not have in public school, while also meeting that child’s social needs.
• A practical application for that parent might be to foster their child’s love of science through organizing a homeschool science club that gets to do things like go on weekly field trips or take a road trip to one of the nation’s space centers.

A homeschooling parent is skilled in the kitchen and values creativity.  That parent has a child who is a talented artist but struggles in math.

•  The “why” in this situation might be the homeschool parent’s desire to cultivate a creative learning environment that engages the student in math and allows him/her more time and opportunities to pursue an interest in art.
• A practical application would be to use a creative means, like baking or cooking, to engage the student in math. Additionally, the parent could make the child’s interest and skills in art a priority by investing in private art classes and/or professional online courses such as those that are offered by Sparketh.

3. Find Your Tribe.

So now you hopefully better understand the driving “why” behind your decision to homeschool and have some ideas about how you will keep your “why” central in your homeschooling journey.  You may feel excited to get started, but there’s a chance you may also feel a little bit afraid.

The potential time commitment involved may be scary for one thing, especially if you work in addition to homeschooling.  Likewise, the financial investment may seem frightening if you’ve given up a job to commit to homeschooling.  Another looming factor is the dreaded “mom guilt:” the prominent cultural phenomenon of feeling like you are constantly letting your kids down in some critical way, no matter how hard you try.  Unfortunately, the duel responsibility of parenting + schooling can mean that this “parental guilt” can be doubly strong in homeschooling moms (and homeschooling dads, too!)

However, one really important thing for homeschool parents to keep in mind when facing inevitable moments of guilt and uncertainty is this: you are not alone.

A well-known African proverb states that: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Many people think that this concept favors a public school education. In reality, every successful homeschooling family has its own village, made up of members who have been intentionally and thoughtfully chosen for their ability to support, mentor and educate.

There are several different places you can look at when finding the tribe (or village) that will help you and your family succeed in your homeschool journey. Here are just a few of them!

Family

Your own family can be a built-in network of support as you get started with homeschooling.  Consider calling upon family members to share their knowledge of special topics,  come along on field trips or road trips, or provide childcare if you need some extra time to lesson-plan.

Online Communities

Online communities can also be a valuable resource for parents who are just getting started.  There are a lot of homeschool parent groups on Website forums and on social media platforms like Facebook. These can be a great source of emotional and practical support. There are also many communities online for homeschool students!  When searching for a supportive online community, try looking for groups that share your (or your children’s) values and interests.

Online Learning

Another concern when homeschooling is, of course, what to do if you feel incapable of teaching your child in a particular subject?  Online learning and online teachers can be one valuable resource in this situation.

Online courses can be great for laying down the groundwork of an academic subject that homeschool parents may struggle with.  Parents are then free to add to learning via engaging supplement activities! Plus, a lot of online learning resources come with built-in communities for students and parents!  This article gives some great tips about how to utilize online learning effectively. 

You can find more than basic academic instruction online, too. For example, Sparketh offers unlimited access to high-quality, online art classes via video-instruction by real artists.  All of these art courses could be available to your homeschooled student. As someone who lives in a rural area, this is definitely the kind of resource that I value!

Extracurricular Activities

When I was a homeschooler, I took ballet classes most nights of the week. I even taught some morning classes to the youngest dancers to help pay for my own classes. In addition to helping me pursue one of my passions, this also taught me responsibility. One of the best things about a homeschool lifestyle is that it allows students to more fully explore their passions and interests and get a lot of real life experiences, too!

Extracurricular activities also allow homeschooling parents and homeschooling students to connect with others who share some of the same interests and values. Try to get to know people you meet through extracurricular involvement such as sports, the arts, or church. These people can be awesome friends and mentors that add enrichment to your family’s homeschool experience and to your life, as well.

Homeschool Co-ops

Co-ops allow you to connect with other homeschooling families in your area! These groups can be a great way to help share the load of teaching (many co-ops offer classes taught by homeschool parents who are strong in a particular academic area) and also for you, the homeschooling parent, to find a network (tribe) who gets your “why.”  This is also a great option for giving your homeschooled child (or children) an additional social outlet.  If you are new to homeschooling, you may be surprised to find that there is a homeschool co-op in your area that you were never aware of before!

4. Plan your Homeschool Lifestyle

If you’re reading this, then you’ve already begun this step! Research is key when starting any new and unfamiliar endeavor, and transitioning to the homeschool life is no different. It’s important for you to enter the situation with a clear idea of how you envision your homeschool lifestyle.  (If you go into homeschooling without this idea in place, the kids are going to run the school). Here are some topics you might want to consider.

• Different Homeschooling Methods: while there are many different ways to homeschool successfully, these 10 methods are some of the most common. Read them and think about which one seems like the best fit for you and your child/children.
• Daily Schedule: Are you a night person or morning person? How about your child/children? Since you don’t have to be anywhere at 8 a.m. you get to make up the rules. Many homeschool families do chores, errands, and extracurriculars in the morning, starting school after lunch. Some let their children sleep until they naturally wake up, then get started on school. Others follow a more traditional schedule. Whatever your method, you may want to assert it from the beginning.
•  Role Models:  Connect with homeschool parents who demonstrate the kind of instruction style/lifestyle that you’d like to have.  You will likely meet these people at co-ops or even in your homeschool online communities.  Don’t be scared to reach out to some of the homeschool parents you admire. You may be surprised how often they are happy to help or offer tips.
• Learn about Some Amazing Homeschoolers: From science prodigies to famous athletes, there are some truly amazing individuals who credit homeschooling with at least part of their success. Learning about some of these amazing homeschoolers will encourage you and help inspire your child/children (Here are a few to get you started).

5. Trust Yourself.

In planning your transition to homeschooling, it’s crucial that you trust yourself. You’ve made the decision to homeschool, at least in part, with the belief that you know your child/children and what they need better than anyone else. While it can be tempting to let the doubt creep in, remind yourself of the reasons you chose this path to begin with.

If you find that your confidence levels are still a little low, it might help you to read some of these research facts about homeschoolers and homeschool learning outcomes.

 Highlights from the Above Resource:

• Homeschool students consistently score higher than public school students on standardized tests.
• On average, homeschoolers also score higher on the SAT and ACT.
• Homeschoolers typically ranked above average on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development.
• Research indicates that girls who are homeschooled demonstrate a greater sense of self in their teen years.
• Homeschooled students attend and complete college at an equal or higher rate than the general population.
• As adults, homeschooled individuals are more likely to serve their community than their non-homeschooled peers.

And finally…

• All of this has nothing to do with whether or not the homeschool parents were ever certified teachers, with either parent’s level of education, or with the family’s income.

Even if you question your own background and abilities, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be successful. If you believe that homeschooling is the right choice for you and your child… trust yourself!

As you start your homeschool journey, remember to define and apply your “why,” to find a tribe that will support you, to plan your homeschool lifestyle and to trust yourself and your unique homeschool journey.  Best wishes, new homeschooling parents!  

Do you have additional tips for new homeschooling parents? Feel free to leave them in the comments below! 

The post 5 Essential Tips for New Homeschooling Parents appeared first on Sparketh.

It’s a saying that many of us have heard, though we may only tend to think of it when we are hungry and trying to cook spaghetti (at least that’s when it always springs to my mind.)

Be that as it may, this expression is powerful in its universality.  It can be applied to all kinds of scenarios. Often, when you are watching something for a long period of time, constantly awaiting change, it seems to take awhile before anything interesting happens.

Though this concept of the “watched pot” has been around for a long time, recent research supports the idea that our brains actually function according to a similar principal. A 2011 study out of the University of Illinois indicates that, given time and exposure to a particular sensation, external or internal, the brain will actually begin to ignore it.  Alejandro Lleras, the psychology professor who led the study, summed it up this way: “Constant stimulation is registered by our brains as unimportant.”

Lleras’ study indicated that our brains could grow used to internal stimulation as well, meaning that the more we concentrate on a particular thought, the more inclined we are to get distracted!

That’s right: your brain may literally be designed to be distracted from the things you are trying to concentrate on. Nice, right?

Distraction Pitfalls in a Homeschooling Environment

In a way, it seems that homeschooling would be the very least distracting form of education, given that there are less unwelcome distractions and many more opportunities to personalize the educational experience.  While these things are true, homeschooling still has its own pitfalls when it comes to students’  struggle with distraction. Below, you’ll find some situations that can lead to distraction for homeschoolers.

1. When “the watched pot” becomes a pressure cooker.

There is a much smaller student-to-teacher ratio in homeschooling environments, which is, in many ways, great! In fact, according to this study on distraction in education, students were typically less on task in a standard, public-school sized classroom environment than in a private school/homeschooling/smaller classroom environment. This isn’t shocking; it goes along with a great deal of other research that praises smaller student-to-teacher ratios.

However, one of the downsides to the small student-to-teacher ratio of homeschooling is that the environment can begin to feel very intense and pressured (AKA “watched”), especially if a student is already feeling distracted or struggling with a particular subject.

For instance, maybe one of your children struggles in math, and you keep trying the same curriculum/approach in a one-on-one situation. An approach that becomes too pressured, or doesn’t adjust/change, can result in the following distracted/negative patterns:

• a student putting off the particular subject until the end of each day
• unfinished assignments in that subject
• an increasingly frustrated attitude (for both the homeschooling child and parent)
• taken together, these can build some negative associations with learning and create some difficult patterns in homeschooling as whole.

2. When They’re “Independently Learning” (But You Discover They’ve Actually Been Studying the Art of Procrastination)

Homeschooling can incorporate a lot of independent study, particularly for older students. Again, this is by no means a bad thing. Many students work well independently, and being able to do so is an important life skill that often serves homeschoolers well in adulthood.

Unfortunately, independent study also puts students (particularly teens,  who are the ones most often engaging in it) at a high risk for distraction if they don’t have accountability.

For one thing, modern teens (and adults, too) are almost always multi-tasking and never without their phones.  This article in Psychology Today does a good job at explaining how the very act of being “plugged in” (as most adults and teens are), impacts both focus as well as  IQ (even without actively surfing social media or sending texts).

This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t trust capable homeschoolers with independent study, but it does mean that we should first help them learn some effective, distraction-busting strategies and study skills to help them learn how to do it well.

3. When Distraction Was Always the Main Issue

Though this technically isn’t a “pitfall,” one likely reason you are reading this article is because you have a homeschooler (or more than one) who is particularly prone to distraction!

A very common reason that parents choose to homeschool is because they have a child who learns differently.  I shared a little bit about my struggle with ADD and how it was part of my mom’s “why” for homeschooling me in this post. Many homeschool parents choose this form of education for their easily-distracted children because, in many ways, it offers a less distracted environment than public school.

However, that still doesn’t make it easy to keep your ADD/ADHD child on task.

As we’ve discussed, there are pitfalls for distraction everywhere, even in homeschooling!  And if distraction has always been an issue for your child, it will likely continue to be something that he or she will need to learn how to cope with.

As a homeschooling parent, one of the best tools you can give your distraction-prone child is the ability to recognize and combat distracted tendencies. Again this is an opportunity to teach life skills hand-in-hand with academic ones. In addition to personally dealing with ADD, I’ve also tutored many students who also share this struggle. Several of the tips I’m going to share below have helped in those situations, and I hope they help you and your student(s), too.

Creative Strategies to Defeat Distraction

If, for whatever reason, your homeschooler suffers from distraction, there are definitely strategies that you can employ to keep your homeschool experience engaging and focused. The 3 strategies that I want to share today all have something in common: a creative perspective.

Creativity is all about learning to see something old in a new or unique way. As the study on distraction indicated, our minds have a natural tendency to turn “off” when they are forced to process the same sensory input, the same way, over and over again. A creative perspective, one that offers a fresh and original approach to sensory input, is a great natural remedy to distraction.

Therefore, here are 3 simple creative strategies that you can use to defeat distraction in your homeschool!

1. Taking Short “Brain Breaks” for a Fresh Outlook

It’s not as hard to get a fresh and/or creative perspective as it might seem.   The research study on the brain’s tendency towards distraction found a very simple solution to prolong focus: take a short break every once in awhile!

In the study, the control group was given a single task to focus on for 50 minutes, compared to a “switch group”  who were given the same task, over the same amount of time, but with two breaks. The outcomes demonstrated that the “switch group” performed much better in terms of memory and focus. Lleras, the professor in charge of the study, proposed that the act of “deactivating” and “reactivating” your goals is what helps you stay focused.  

Schools with smaller class sizes often use brain breaks to great effect! These breaks involve a short, creative or physical activity that can reset a student’s mindset, emotional state, and perspective.  Here are some great situations to pull out a short brain break in your homeschool:

• Whenever a student has been working steadily/independently in a subject for 30 + minutes.
• When switching between subjects.
• After you’ve introduced new material and it’s been understood/processed.
• After (or in the middle of) working with a difficult-to-understand subject/ topic.
• Whenever there’s been conflict (emotions are high/emotional break is needed.)

You can schedule brain breaks as part of your school-time, or pull them out as needed (like in the “pressure cooker” situation described earlier). Most of the time, a brain break will only take a few minutes, but it can help students come back to the material with a fresh outlook.

This Website provides a free printable with 54 short brain break ideas that you can use for your homeschoolers. The author suggests cutting the ideas into strips that can be randomly pulled out of a jar whenever a brain break is needed.  Some really simple ideas you could use for brain breaks include:

• A short dance party.
• Coloring or drawing for a few minutes.
• “Simon Says,” (for younger kids.)
• Singing a song.
• Exercising (timed push-ups, running in place, etc.)
• Working with hands (playdough, kinetic sand, Legos, etc.)

2. Get in the Learning Zone: Internally and Externally

Brain breaks are a great, short pause to “deactivate and reactivate your goals” (I like that expression). However, sometimes a longer break, or different kind of shift, is needed.  Basically, I’m talking about the mental shift of getting in the productivity/learning zone. This “zone” is going to look different for each person.   There are many things you can do and try with your homeschooled student to help him/her figure out how to create the  ideal learning zone. Here are some suggestions to try:

Establish a Consistent Morning Routine 

Find a morning routine that works for you, your child/ children and your homeschool. Not every homeschool family rises at the crack of dawn. Some sleep in, and that’s ok! However, consider setting a consistent waking pattern that will get brains wired, organized, and ready to roll.

Starting with showers, breakfast and getting dressed for the day is often thought to promote a working mode much more than staying in pajamas all day, for instance.  This list of 14 things that successful people do each morning is more for adults than kids, but it still offers some great ideas to get you started! Some ideas you might consider are:

• Drinking water first thing in the morning.
• Exercising first thing in the morning.
• Starting the day with gratitude (this could be family prayer time together or taking a moment at breakfast for everyone to share something positive.)
• Starting the day with something creative.

Activate the Brain with Art

Starting the day with something creative is beneficial in more ways than one.  The above link about habits of successful people mentions that starting the day with a “personal project” (often something creative like writing or art) can create a positive pattern of productivity that you look forward to, every morning.

However, art (and drawing in particular) may also be a great way to exercise your brain, and get into a “learning zone,” first thing in the morning.  The extremely popular art instruction book, Drawing with the Right Side of the Brain, goes into detail about how the act of drawing can potentially activate both hemispheres of the brain. This is especially true as the artist gains techniques that allow him/her to start thinking differently about shapes, shadows, etc.

The author’s official Website states: “learning to draw means learning how to make a mental shift from L-mode to R-mode…this ability to shift thinking modes at will has important implications for thinking in general and for creative problem solving in particular.”

Starting the day with drawing can help your homeschool student get in the “learning zone” for other academic subjects.  If you are looking for high-quality art instruction that you can use as part of your homeschool on a daily basis, check out our programs at Sparketh.  Sparketh offers over 1000 art video lessons, as well as tracks to help your students document and keep up with his/her progress.

Create a Productive Workspace

Students can also better combat distraction when they’ve created a productive workspace that works for them.  A major pro of homeschooling is that it allows homeschoolers to have a lot of flexibility in terms of when and where and how they work. We all have work environments that work best for us as individuals. Allow your student to try learning in some different spaces and circumstances to see what helps him/her focus best.

Here are some different places you might try:

• A homeschool room or their bedroom
• Different rooms/places in your home
• At the park
• Coffee shop
• The Library
• The backyard

Other considerations:

• If your student has a phone/is on social media, consider “unplugging” during school time.
• Some people find that classical/calming music helps them focus
• Others need as little noise as possible to concentrate.
• You may want to use a clock/timer to keep timed breaks in mind.

3. Embrace Creative Learning Techniques

A third strategy to fight distraction is to integrate some creative learning assignments into your daily homeschool life.  Reading, summarizing and regurgitation (while necessary) all offer temptation for distraction to creep in. In contrast, engaging your homeschooler in creative assignments  requires him/her to synthesize learning in a different and original way.

This is an especially great thing to do once your homeschooled student has a fairly good grasp on a topic. It will give him/her a chance to show what they know about a subject in a fun and personal way.

Learning Styles

One thing that’s really good to keep in mind when coming up with creative assignments is your homeschooler’s learning style.  This link explains the seven most common learning styles (excerpt from link is posted below):

• Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
• Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.
• Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
• Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
• Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
• Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
• Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

While people may present a blend of learning styles, most tend to have a dominant style.  You can definitely consider your homeschooler’s learning style as you come up with creative learning assignments!

Assignment Ideas and Examples

• For a visual learner:

  • Science/ literature or history: create a comic strip or movie poster that represents the concept or book you’ve been studying.
  • History:  draw a portrait of a historical figure, done in an art style that was popular at the time.  Sparketh has designed a course that you could use for this!

• For the verbal/linguistic learner: 

  • History: write a week’s worth of journal entries as a famous historical person, incorporating events from his/her life.
  • Literature:  write a creative re-telling of a popular work of literature.
  • Science or mathmatics:  craft a poem or song about a concept being studied.

I hope that using these creative strategies help you and your children cope with distraction in your homeschool environment!

Before we’re totally done here, let’s go back to that ” a watched pot is slow to boil,” proverb. This expression actually comes from The Poor Richard Almanac, written by Benjamin Franklin under his pseudonym of “Poor Richard.” Benjamin Franklin was one of the great thinkers and inventors of early America.  He was also homeschooled!

Franklin is a great example of how homeschoolers can embrace chances to learn independently and creatively. (This is the guy who discovered how to conduct electricity–talk about thinking outside of the box for the time!) May you find as many ways as possible to be creative in your homeschool journey. Creativity isn’t just a great way to counteract distraction,  it’s also a wonderful approach to learning in general!

Written by Kathryn Gustafson 

The post 3 Creative Strategies for Distracted Homeschoolers appeared first on Sparketh.

After all, our kids are only kids once. The idea that we, as parents could spend more time with them while they are young and personally invest in their education is a notion that is alluring to a lot of parents.

In fact, it’s appealing to more people than you might realize.

But homeschooling can also seem a little bit intimidating, or (to some) maybe just too weird. People have a lot of funny misconceptions about those who homeschool.

You may have stereotype- based images in your head of a family that is totally unsocialized and never leaves the house. Or maybe you think homeschooling would be wonderful, but you have no idea how to start. Maybe you’re worried your family will think you are nuts, that you can’t swing homeschooling financially, etc. etc. etc….

BUT

None of those concerns mean that you can’t or shouldn’t homeschool.  In fact, more and more families are finding reasons to take the leap and make homeschooling work for them.

While homeschooling is still considered to be a counter-culture choice, it is a lot less unusual than it was twenty years ago. The fact is, homeschooling is becoming increasingly common in the United States.  This research data shows that, since 1999, the number of homeschooled students in the U.S. has almost doubled (going from around 850,000 to 1, 690,000)

Honestly,  homeschooling isn’t for everybody. However, many of the reasons that more people are choosing to embrace the homeschool life have a universal appeal. Some of them might surprise you (and some of them might even convert you.)

Here are the 5 top reasons to homeschool your child!

1. Homeschooling Provides a Tailored Academic Experience

One of the reasons that private schooling is so expensive and sought-after is because the smaller class sizes allow teachers to tailor the educational experience. With homeschooling, you get that same advantage to a greater extent.

Because the class size is small (and because parents know their own children better than anyone), the homeschooling approach allows for an extremely personalized educational experience. The advantage of tailoring your child’s academic experience is a great reason to homeschool! Here are just a few of the the things you can consider when personalizing your childs homeschool education.

Learning Styles

I wrote a little bit about learning styles in this blog post. Essentially, there are several ways that different people process and learn information. Some people are more visual learners and need to see pictures, charts or videos whearas others have to listen to an explanation (auditory). Some people need to physically touch things and complete tasks with their own two hands to really understand it (kinesthetic.) The list of the seven main learning styles are below, and you can also read more about them here.

• Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
• Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.
• Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
• Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
• Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
• Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
• Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

One of the great things about homeschooling is that you can tweak learning to make it more accessible for your child and his/her learning style. Got a visual learner? You know that drawing on a board or using a lot of pictures or Youtube videos is an effective way to teach them about something that happened in history. Got a kinesetic learner? You can assign as many hands-on activities as you can think of.  This definitely gives children a personalized advantage that they couldn’t get at public (or even private) school.

Trouble Spots

As a former homeschooler, one thing that I really appreciated about it was the extra time I got to spend on Algebra.  This isn’t because I loved Algebra (kind of the opposite).  History, English and foreign languages came naturally to me…but Algebra? Nope. 

I needed a bit of time and extra practice before my mind would wrap around it. Once I got it, I was good, but it didn’t click immediately for me.

There were many days when I was able to go through my lessons for other subjects quickly, so that I could more time understanding higher math concepts.  Ultimately, I did well in Algebra (and even enjoyed it–sort of). However, I’m pretty sure that this is only because I was able to spend that extra time learning it.

Most children are going to have some academic areas that are more challenging for them than others, and the great thing about homeschooling is that it allows parents to help their children with those trouble spots.

And if it means spending more time on a particular area? No big deal.

In homeschooling, no one is going to know, judge or care that one subject took your child more time than another.  All anyone is going to know at the end of the day is that your child learned it.

Natural Gifts

This is the other side of the same coin. Another reason to choose homeschooling is so you can nurture your child’s strengths in a personal way that helps them shine.

Just like children may need extra attention in academic trouble areas, they may also need to be challenged and encouraged in an area that comes naturally to them.

There’s nothing to turn someone off of learning like boredom.

Unfortunately, many bright students find themselves bored in public school classrooms when they are ready to move ahead while the majority of the group is not.

If you feel that your child is ready to move ahead in a particular area, then nothing is stopping you from doing that in your homeschool!

Now I know what you might be thinking: This won’t work for me because my child and I do not have the same academic skills.

This happens to most homeschooling parents at some point. It’s no big deal. There are several ways you can still help your student thrive in his/her skillset, even if you feel underqualified.

• Do a little research and purchase a fantastic curriculum with grading keys.  Can you can stay a little bit ahead, give assignments, and have a positive attitude? If so, you’re doing great. Chances are your child will never know you doubted yourself.
• Find supportive extracurriculars in your area. If your student is a science whiz, see if you can enroll him/her in a homeschool co-op chemistry course or a community robotics club…or both!
• Take advantage of the internet. Many Websites, such as Sparketh, offer professionally developed courses with expert teachers! Why not take advantage of the some of the fantastic resources online?

With homeschooling, there are so many kinds of different opportunities to recognize and encourage your child’s natural talents!

2. Homeschooling Prioritizes Family Time

Another reason to homeschool is to give your family more quality time together. I’ve talked to many homeschool parents who cite this as their top reason for homeschooling.

Your kids are only young once. Many people choose to teach their children at home so that both parents can play an active role their children’s lives during those formative years.

Homeschooling  makes it easier to plan your school around your family life, instead of being forced to plan your family life around a school schedule.

If creating more family time is a priority to you, homeschooling can be a powerful tool to help you find your ideal life/work/school balance.

The family time that homeschooling provides goes far beyond “school hours,” too. Here are just a few specific ways that homeschool families get more quality time together.

Both parents get to be part of family life. 

This is an especially big one for families wherein one parent works evenings/weekends. With homeschooling, children are able to spend time with the parent who works late nights because everyone is home during the day.

Family vacations are not limited to summer.  

Vacations can happen any time of year! Many homeschool families don’t take a traditional “summer break” (some do). Instead, they make take more trips throughout the year as the opportunities arise.

You can educate WHILE you vacate. 

There’s no reason you can’t travel and homeschool at the same time, which makes it that much easier to go and do fun things.  My homeschooling mom-in-law would load up all four of  her children and go on epic cross country trips, and their lessons didn’t miss a beat! To this day, my husband and his siblings talk about the adventures they had during those times, seeing different states (and at one point living on their grandparents’ boat!) They kept up with their academics, but they also learned so much from the experiences they had.

Homeschooling makes it possible to have adventures in the midst of learning, and to learn from those adventures.  This homeschooling Website even has a section just for travel, so that homeschooling families can find interesting things to see (and learn from) on their travels!

3. Homeschooling is a Great Means for Self-Discovery

My husband (homeschooled)  flew a plane before he drove a car.  I (homeschooled) founded an eclectic writer’s group when I was 14.  One of my friends (homeschooled) was both a blacksmith and a ballet dancer.  I had another friend (also homeschooled) who made stock market investments (via his guardian) as a minor. I’ve known homeschooled actors, musicians, dancers and artists who were exceptionally talented, passionate and invested in their craft. I’ve known homeschoolers who lived in several different countries before they were 18.

Homeschoolers do some amazing, awesome, weird things, and their varied interests help them learn more about who they are.

Here are some reasons that I think that homeschooling naturally encourages a child’s interests and fosters self-discovery:

The Learn-From-Life Mentality

Homeschooling naturally lends itself to an integrated view of  learning.  With this mindset, a child’s passions are worth exploring. Unique activities are encouraged and extracurricular activities are sought out to provide children with social time as well as experiences they can learn from.

Flexibility

This one keeps coming up, right? Homeschooling does (usually) have some structure. However, it allows you to prioritize a bit, too. If you want to support your child’s love of the theatre, then you can work rehearsals into the schedule (and find a way to incorporate academics into that love of theatre, too!) If you want to implement their love of art into their academic day, you can sign them up for professionally-taught online art courses that they can take, anytime.  Homeschooling is very open to embracing your child’s interests into the melting pot of learning.

Less Peer-Pressure = More Freedom to Be Yourself

Homeschoolers simply don’t experience peer pressure in the same way as their public school peers. This often means that homeschoolers don’t really mind making friends with someone much older (or younger) than them, don’t tend to always know “what grade” they are in, and don’t really care if you think their favorite hobby is trendy.

Often, homeschoolers know what they like and they feel a real freedom to get excited about those things. Check out this study/book, which indicates that homeschooled girls develop a stronger sense of self and self-esteem.)

One of my very favorite reasons to homeschool is that the flexible schedule and learn-from-life mentality creates the perfect environment for homeschoolers to pursue their passions and get to know who they are (and of course you, the homeschooling parent, get to have an active role in that journey.)

4. Homeschooling Allows You To Teach Beyond Academics.

This is a big one…maybe the most popular reason to homeschool your child. This survey recorded some of the top reasons that parents chose to homeschool in 2016. Here are a few of them.

• 80% had a concern about public schools.
• 67% expressed a desire to incorporate moral instruction.
• 51% wanted to incorporate religious instruction.
• 39% had a desire to incorporate a non-traditional approach.

But all of the above reasons have something in common.

They all reflect the parents’ desire to teach children in a way that incorporates a “whole person,” view of the child: intellectual, emotional, moral, spiritual.  Again, homeschooling is all about an integrated view of learning. For example, you don’t have to separate teaching values and morals from academics (literature, history and science all offer opportunites to discuss questions of “right” and “wrong.”)

If you have a strong desire to incorporate values, practical skills, religious instruction, or emotional development into your child’s daily education, then homeschooling could be for you!

5. Homeschooling Prepares Your Children for Adulthood.

If you currently homeschool, or are thinking about it, you may have had some well-meaning friend or relative say:

“If you don’t send them to public school, how are they going to be prepared for real life?” 

However, I’d strongly strongly argue the opposite. Here are a few ways that homeschoolers are uniquely prepared for adulthood. (For even more reasons, check out this article).

Homeschoolers are used to managing their time.

Especially as they get older, homeschoolers tend to take on a more independent approach to learning. This is something that a lot of other students don’t learn until they get to college.

One of my college professors once told me that it was good to plan at least 2 hours of study time for every hour of lecture time. This definitely requires the ability to be independently motivated and manage one’s study time wisely, which is something that a lot of college freshman are unprepared for.

Homeschoolers, who have already had experience with both of these things, are in a great position to adapt to college academics.  They are also likely to know how they learn best and how to adapt and prioritize when a subject is more difficult (or less difficult) for them.  These skills are obviously useful in the workforce, as well!

Homeschoolers are used to making real world connections.

I’ve talked a lot about how homeschooling is all about integration of “real life” and school, and that’s because homeschooling is really all about finding learning, everywhere! Most homeschooled families are not hiding out in isolation somewhere. Most of them are out having experiences and learning from them.

Homeschooled children get to learn from exposure to different cultures, from travel, extracurricular interests… and even from daily activities at home! Many homeschool families teach their children how to bake (science), or how to do taxes (math) or incorporate chores (home ec/time management) into schoolwork. This means that homeschoolers are able mindfully learn about to relate to the world and  “how to adult,” in a way that their public school might not be able to.

Homeschoolers Already Know Who They Are.

We all continue to grow and change as we reach adulthood. However, homeschooling can give your child a really strong sense of his/her passions, dislikes, values and beliefs before the crazy scramble of the 20-something years (when everyone else is figuring it out). This can also mean that homeschoolers are quick to find causes to support and ways to help those around them.

Research shows that homeschoolers are more likely have internalized strong values, and to be involved in their community, as adults. You are doing okay if you can enter adulthood with a strong sense of identity and a willingness to help others!

Did you identify with any (or all) of these reasons for homeschooling?  If so, maybe it’s time to think seriously about getting started on your own homeschool journey!

If you’re not sure how to start, you can check out this guide on some first steps and these tips for new homeschooling parents.  

Written by Kathryn Gustafson

The post The Top 5 Reasons to Homeschool Your Child appeared first on Sparketh.

If you’ve been asked this (and I’m guessing you probably have), you may have responded with something like the following:

“Homeschooling is an amazing opportunity! “

or

“You get to have an active role in your kids’ learning and lives. ”

or

“The ability to personalize your kids’ education is amazing!”

Is all of this true? Definitely. Homeschooling can be wonderful.

But, is homeschooling stressful?

Yes, it definitely can be that, too!

In fact, homeschooling can be incredibly stressful. Balancing home and education has its own unique variety of pitfalls: bad attitudes and dynamics, different learning styles and needs, and the various demands of work/school/living all tangled up under the same roof. Every homeschooling parent has bad days (or weeks, or months). If you are struggling with a stressful homeschool experience, these 10 strategies can help you figure out how to tame some of the tension.

1. Change Up Your Schedule

The first and biggest thing I’d suggest doing if you are having a stressful time with homeschooling? Change your schedule. Stress often reflects our attempt to force something to work that simply isn’t clicking right. Often, the thing that isn’t working is our schedules. For a more in-depth discussion of re-working the homeschool schedule, check out this article: Is Your Homeschool Schedule NOT Working?

For now, here are some examples of tweaks you could make to your schedule:

• Start your homeschool day differently. For instance, maybe start with exercise or independent reading instead of diving straight into workbooks.
• Try night schooling. Especially if your homeschool family has two working parents, or your children are night owls, doing school in the evening may be helpful change for your lifestyle.
• Take more breaks throughout the day. Do something physical, creative (or just relaxing) if your day feels like it needs a break.
• Take a day “off” every now and then. If you have a busy school day of extracurricular activities, considering taking that day “off” of school and making up for it another day during the week (even during the weekend).
• Plan more field trips!

Regardless of whether you are having stressful homeschool day (or a stressful month or year), changing up your schedule can provide a little bit of instant relief because it’s a bit of a “vacation from normal.”  However, if your homeschool has been stressing you out for awhile now, make sure you give any major schedule changes at least a few weeks to see if they are truly helpful.

2. Set Smaller Goals and Use a Reward System

Even for adults, it can be really hard to keep plodding along in our work with no breaks in sight. No matter your age, it helps to know that you can complete the task at hand. Then, when you do so, you’ll feel so much more successful and capable of handling the next task.  Each success nourishes the next and helps positive attitudes to grow.

If you are dealing with a lot of stress and frustration from an overwhelmed homeschooled student (which is probably also stressing you out) then it may help to set some smaller, more attainable goals.

This is especially true for subjects that don’t come easy to that student.  For instance, if one of the reasons you decided to homeschool your child was because she struggles in math, then this might be a subject for which you set some smaller goals.  Check out the below example of smaller goals you could set in this situation!

Examples of Small Goals for a Student Studying a New Math Concept:

1. Memorization/ ability to  discuss the concept.
2. Can follow along with the example problem and explain it to you.
3. Solve problem, using the new concept, with help from you.
4.  Walk you through a problem that uses the new concept by telling you each step.
5. Independent and succession completion of problem/s using the  new concept.

Everyone likes to hear that they are on the right track. Another benefit of setting smaller goals is that it gives you more opportunities as a homeschooling parent to acknowledge the hard work your kids are putting in and the progress they are making!

Finding a Reward System that Works for You:

While words of praise are great, sometimes another type of reward system can encourage your child to work harder and with a better attitude. Reward systems, especially if they are used consistently, can also provide some structure to your homeschool.

I don’t mean you have to bribe your child with money or anything like that (I mean, you can. Let me know how that goes, will you?)

However, if you really need to motivate a student to work towards a goal, establishing a reward system can be a great help.

Personally, I think that the best reward systems have two parts. Firstly, they reward the child’s small, bite-sized successes. Secondly, they continue to motivate the child to strive to complete a bigger, overcharging goal/reward.

For example, with my young daughter, my husband came up with the idea of using pirate coins and a treasure chest.

At the beginning of each day, she gets a list of a few tangible, achievable goals. She receives verbal praise every time she completes something on the list.

When she completes the entire list, she gets a pirate coin.

Every Saturday, she has the option of buying something from our homemade “treasure chest,” with her pirate coins. Right now, while she’s little, its full of small toys. As she gets older, we’ll probably add special privileges and things that fit her age.

For a teen, maybe your reward system looks as simple as: “When you finish all your school by noon, you get videogame time.”

No matter what kind of reward system you choose to create, the point is to find ways to positively reinforce your child’s successes and to do so in a consistent way. This can help de-stress your homeschool by adding structure and encouragement to small, everyday tasks.

3. Exercise

We all know that exercise is good for our bodies, but it’s also amazing for our mental and emotional health! The endorphins you release when exercising can offer a mood boost and increased concentration… which might be just what you need to de-stress your homeschool environment. Exercise can also be a bonding activity for both you and your child/children!

If you don’t already, consider integrating a form of exercise into your homeschool day.  You can use it as a ritual to start the morning in a good mood, to relax at the end of the day, or to take a much needed break in the middle of study time. Here are a few ideas for how to integrate some exercise into your homeschool day.

• Walking or running together is a great practice to do as a family. It’s also free and you can take it with you anywhere!
• Yoga is a wonderful choice to help you (and/or your children) de-stress and refocus. Thanks to the many wonderful yoga instructors on Youtube, you can often find great routines to do in your living room (at no cost). Some yoga workouts are only a few minutes long, which makes them perfect for a little “brain break.”
• Biking is a perfect family activity as well. If your family likes to travel, you can also make biking tours a part of your homeschool culture.
• Dance breaks are one of my personal favorites ways to insert some exercise right in the middle of an ordinary school/work day. Dancing is perfect to pull out for a brain break, or to shake things up in everyone is in kind of a funk.
• Sports are a great way to help your homeschooler make friends, get excess energy out and learn about working with a team. Check with your local recreation center to see if they have a good option to get your child moving and having fun. Often, they offer a huge variety of activities and teams in which your child (or children) can get involved!

4. Get Creative

Like exercise,  creative activities can help elevate moods and minimize stress! The process of creating art has many benefits for critical thinking skills and for mental/emotional health, as well.

There are also many, many ways to incorporate art or creativity into your homeschool. For instance, you could sign up for membership with with Sparketh, which would give your family 2 student accounts with unlimited classes to share and learn from. You could also consider using creative projects more frequently in courses like English or history. It’s amazing what a difference a little bit of creativity can make in a stressful environment!

5. Delegate

One of the reasons homeschooling can get stressful is because of the pressure that the primary homeschooling parent may feel. Full-time parenting can be hard enough, but homeschooling adds a whole extra load of responsibilities to the mix. If you feel like a slave to homeschooling, then it can definitely take the joy out of your journey.  And when the teacher is always stressed and resentful, then chances are the kids will start feeling that way, too.

There’s nothing unusual about feeling this way some days, but if the sense of sole-responsibility is a constant stressor in your life, the most logical thing to do is share some of that responsibility with others.  Maybe it’s time to let go of some control and delegate some of the teaching responsibilities in one (or more) of the following ways:

•  Get your spouse involved.

In two-parent homes it seems more common than not that the task of homeschooling falls to one parent…and that is usually (though not always) that parent is the mom. And then, once curriculum and routines have been established, it can be kind of hard for the dad to get involved (even if he really wants to.)  If this sounds like your family, and you’d like it to change, sit down with your spouse and brainstorm some easy ways to hand over some control. It could be something as simple as letting dad playing some educational games with the kids in the evening, or take over teaching his favorite subject. This may throw a wrench into the rhythm of your day for awhile, but it can definitely relieve some pressure and help your family feel more cohesive in the long term.

•  Call on extended family.

Are you close with your extended family? You don’t have to ask grandparents, aunts or uncles to teach lesson plans or grade papers (though you might be able to). However, you can definitely ask for their help in less direct ways. Maybe someone in your family could watch your kids while you work on lesson plans, or drive your daughter to her music lesson, or be a “guest lecturer” about a particular topic. There are a lot of indirect ways to ask for homeschooling help, and your extended family might be more willing than you know!

•  Get Online

From these online art tracks designed for homeschoolers, to upper level academic courses offered by sources like Abeka, there are a lot of ways to enhance your homeschool (and delegate some of the responsibility of teaching) through quality internet resources.

6. Let Your Older Children Help the Younger Ones

By asking your older children to help work with younger children every once in awhile, you are giving the older children a chance to review and practice their communication/instruction following skills, in addition to helping the little ones learn. This might not work for every family, but it has worked really well for a lot of families that I know. If you have children with a large age gap, it’s worth a try! Also, if you’re looking for more ideas on how to homeschool children of very different ages, check out this whole article on the topic here (it contains a collection of tips on this topic from veteran homeschooling parents).

7. Loosen the Reins

If you have a student who is upper elementary or older, he or she might be ready to start doing more independent learning. Most homeschooling curriculum is at least somewhat self-guided. Consider loosening the reigns a little bit for your older learner/s and see how they do with a bit of independence. You may have to help them get into the swing of independent learning and keep them accountable, especially at first. And you’ll still need to work with them on trouble areas, etc. However, switching over to more independent learning is a great thing to do when your homeschooler/s start getting older. Self-discipline is also a valuable skill, which many homeschoolers are able to learn through independent learning!

Note: Looking for more specific ideas on delegation? check out the “find your tribe” section of  5 Tips for New Homeschooling Parents.

8. Change the Atmosphere

You live at home. You school at home. Sometimes you just need to get out of house. If you are looking for ways to de-stress your homeschool environment, it may be as simple as changing the atmosphere.

Sometimes this is as simple as going outside. Take some flashcards and a few books. Grab an old blanket.  Regularly getting some sunshine can easily become a beneficial part of your homeschool routine.

Sometimes  going to a completely different physical location can also help you get into “work mode.”  This is as true for adults (homeschool teachers) as it is for kids (homeschoolers).

For instance, my mama-in-law (AKA my Homeschool Mentor) recently told me that she loved to go to the coffee shop or library for school time because, in addition to helping the kids refocus,  it also made it easier for her to self-study and to get lesson planning done (away from household distractions)

As a work-from-home mom living in a super-old farmhouse, I can also attest that it can  be tough to focus when there are a million things constantly demanding attention at home. Getting a change of scenery can be good for everyone! While you may not be able to go somewhere else every day, consider heading outside or to a different location at least once a week.

9. Claim a Quiet Time

Do you ever just think your homeschool would be a little less stressful if you had some quiet time to think?

My first job out of college involved teaching a classroom of energetic young boys with learning differences. It was a really fun teaching job, but it was stressful.  There was also a lot of noise.

About halfway through my first year of teaching, I realized that we all needed some quiet time on a regular basis. I started setting a 30 minute timer after lunch and claiming it as “reading time.” Each of the boys had a box of fun books they were interested in, and they were free to take that box and claim a spot in the classroom (could be in the reading area, at their desk, under their desk, wherever). Sometimes we would even make a reading fort or something.

And I  would read, too (although for the first several times we did this I was honestly monitoring them more than reading). However, we found our rhythm much more quickly than you might think, and “quiet time/reading time” became something that everyone looked forward to. Now, did the kids in my class always read super educational stuff? Nope, definitely not. This was the time to engage fully in the powers of Captain Underpants or whatever else they wanted: a time to enjoy reading what they liked (which I think is really important for kids).

And it was quiet, which I think can be really important for everyone’s sanity, sometimes!

10. Stay Positive And Think Big Picture

It can be too easy to focus on how things have gone wrong, especially when we are feeling stressed out or incapable. In homeschooling, the stressful days can make you doubt your choice to homeschool in the first place!

Sure, there might be things you need to do differently with homeschooling. However, it’s equally important to recognize the many things that you are doing right.  Try making a daily list of the positives:

• What has  your child learned: academically, developmentally, emotionally?
• Where did you see progress?
• Did you discover something that needs to be addressed that would have been overlooked in a larger classroom?
• What are some things you are grateful for about homeschooling today?
• Did you get to help your children discover more about who they will be?
• Did you get to travel together or try something new together?

Ultimately, a bad day in homeschooling just that: one bad day. Tomorrow always offers the chance to try again and make changes.  Looking back at your “why” for homeschooling, in addition to noting the positives,  may also help you gain some perspective. Thinking about that “why” may help you see the “big picture value” of what you’re doing!

I realize that staying positive is easier advice to give than to take. However, being able to look for the good is truly valuable. In homeschooling, it can also help you figure out what you need to keep doing right!

The post Is Homeschooling Stressing You Out? These 10 Strategies Can Help. appeared first on Sparketh.

This is the question of stay-at-home parents, and especially homeschooling parents, everywhere.

As common as this question may be, it’s sometimes hard to explain to people who don’t know this life. After all, as a homeschooling parent, you are the captain of your own time-ship, right? You have all this flexibility! Surely, life must be easier because of that, right?

The answer, as you probably already know, is complicated.

It’s undeniable that flexibility is a privilege that not everyone has. As a homeschooling parent, you get to see more of your children than other parents do. You probably also get to travel more. You get to go on field trips, nature hikes, and do all kinds of fun stuff!

Maybe you even work from home or pursue other interests as part of your flexible schedule. To the more structured majority of the world, it may seem like you are living the dream. And, in some ways, you definitely are.

However, that’s not to say that the life and schedule of a homeschooling parent is easy.

And actually, because of the many things you get to do and the flexibility with which you get to do them, the schedule of a homeschooling parent can actually become pretty difficult to manage.

The Juggle Struggle

Just like stay-at-home parents often experience the weight of responsibility from being “on call” 24/7, homeschool parents also experience this…but more.  

Full-time homeschooling parents (usually moms, but I don’t want to forget about those awesome homeschooling dads out there), aren’t just full-time parents. They are also  full-time teachers.  More often than not, the roles of parent/teacher/homemaker/errand-runner/budgeteer/spouse/numerous other roles are all kind of mixed up into this kind of 24/7 whirlwind of responsibility. (Many of us have other jobs, on top of all of this!)

I’m not saying that people who work full-time and have children in public school aren’t seriously busy. I am saying that it’s a different kind of busy. When you have a full-time job outside of the home, and your children are being cared for by other people, you are able to compartmentalize a bit and fill one role at a time.

This is a lot harder to do as a homeschool parent. You can’t really compartmentalize. You are all the things . . . all the time. Honestly, I think it’s this ongoing “juggle struggle” that makes it so hard to get things done as a homeschooling parent.

While we can’t change the fact that homeschool parenting will always involve a lot of multi-tasking (that’s kind of the nature of the game) there are definitely some pitfalls that we can do our best to avoid.

One of them is a stress-inducing homeschool schedule.

In today’s post, we’re going to look at 9 common issues that might be messing up your homeschool schedule and making it hard to get things done.  So, if you find yourself struggling to get things done in your homeschool, here are 9 questions you may want to ask yourself.

9 Questions to Ask When Your Homeschool Schedule Isn’t Working

1. Do you even have a schedule?

Yes, this is the ultimate obvious question, but truly: do you have a real schedule in place? Can you recall a time that you sat down and made a physical plan for how and when you would teach your kids? Did you look at the requirements for the year for each subject and create some kind of timeline? And, most  importantly, did you stick to your plan until it became a routine?

I’m not a natural planner, and sometimes my plans end up looking a bit . . . messy.  Therefore, I totally understand how it’s possible to think your schedule “is falling apart” (thus leading you to this article), when the reality is that you never actually had a real schedule at all.

Oops.

No worries though. It’s never too late to get organized. The first step is to be honest with yourself. The second is to make an actual plan. The third (and maybe most important) is to follow through! Follow through until you don’t have to think about it anymore.

Your plans don’t have to be perfect or extremely-detailed, but they do have to be something you can stick with.

If you need help coming up with a plan of attack, consider downloading our Free Homeschool Overhaul Roadmap to help you get started!

2. Are you overly-committed?

It’s pretty funny that one of the assumptions people make about homeschoolers is that they never get out of the house.  Most of the homeschoolers I’ve ever known were busy: sports, church activities, 4 H, music lessons, volunteer commitments, part-time jobs, etc. Homeschooling parents typically like to make sure our kids get plenty of socialization, variety and responsibilities.

The truth, especially as kids get older, is that sometimes homeschoolers do a little too much.  In fact, over-committing to activities is probably one of the most common pitfalls of a homeschool schedule.

You already know if this describes you and your family.  You’ve probably been struggling for awhile with feeling like you need to give your kids all of these additional experiences, while simultaneously finding it impossible to cover all the academic ground that is necessary.

The solution? Prioritize and simplify. Here are some factors to consider in terms of priorities.

• Which extra-curricular activities are your children most passionate about?
• Which commitments are instilling valuable academic, moral or practical learning? (And which ones aren’t?)
• Are there any activities that more than one child can attend at the same time (AKA less division of time)?
• Are there any special interests your child could pursue from home, therefore integrating it more smoothly into school time? For instance, your student  with an interest in art could take professional online courses through Sparketh on his/her own time (and you won’t have to drive anywhere).

Letting go of activities can be difficult, but sometimes it’s totally necessary.  If the main thing hindering your homeschool progress has to do with doing too much, consider prioritizing and simplifying your list of commitments.

3. Are you doing enough extracurricular activities?

I know, I know. This is the flip side of the last point. However, it’s a very real issue, especially among homeschooling parents with several young kids.

Whereas homeschooling parents of older kids and teens may feel like they are always in the car doing a million activities, those with younger children may feel like they are trapped inside their home with a bunch of wild monkeys.

Again, you already know if this is you.

If you feel like you and your kids are home way too much, committing to a couple of activities outside of the home could actually be a really good thing for your homeschool schedule. Here are a few reasons why:

• If you didn’t have a schedule before, having commitments to work around provides some structure to start with.
• By giving kids a fun and/or physical outlet to enjoy, you are helping them get some of that energy out. This often helps younger kids sleep and/or focus better.
• Extracurricular learning helps your children find out more about who they are and what they love. This may impact how you teach them and what they invest in, learning-wise.
• Extracurricular activities can also help hone a sense of responsibility, which will positively impact your homeschoolers’ attitudes.
• Especially if you have younger kids, letting someone else be responsible for them for awhile can help you (and your kids) refresh and reset…and maybe even give you some time to catch up on planning (or whatever you need that time for!)

Essentially: if you are feeling cabin-fever-ish, find a way to get those kids out of the house and doing something else, with someone else! It can be good for everyone.

4. Are you/your children morning birds or night owls?

Not all kids (or adults) function their best at 7:30 a.m.

A big benefit of homeschooling is that you aren’t limited to a traditional school schedule, so if you are teaching a night owl (or early bird) you can build your homeschool schedule around your learners’ most functional time of day.

You can also consider your own natural tendencies.  Personally, I am not an early bird, and I definitely don’t function at my best before coffee. This doesn’t mean that I won’t teach my early-bird daughter in the morning, but it does mean that I plan on her doing independent  educational activities (or honestly, watching an educational documentary or something) while mama’s caffeine kicks in.

I’ve met homeschool families who rise early and get everything done before noon, and I’ve also met homeschool families who believe in sleeping in late and do work in the late afternoon/evening. If your current schedule isn’t working, consider making some tweaks based on whether your family is consists of early birds/night owls (or a mixture of both). And if you aren’t totally sure who is what, you can always take a quiz to find out.

5. Are you spending too much time on school?

If you never feel like you have enough time at home to get school tasks and life tasks done, then you might actually be spending too much time on school.

With homeschooling, the extremely small student-to-teacher ration means that active, personalized instruction happens on a much more regular basis than in a public school setting. This means,  that most homeschooling students don’t need 7 or 8 hours of school time.

With personalized instruction, most homeschooled students pick up new material more quickly than their public school peers. They will also be able to work independently, some of the time.

If you’re trying to mimic a public school schedule in a one-on-one instructional format, it’s likely to cause some stress and probably some resentment (for both you and your homeschooled student.) It will also likely leave you feeling like you don’t have any time left over for regular life stuff (especially if you are teaching more than one homeschooler.)

If this sounds like you, try taking some of the pressure off yourself. Maybe choose mornings or afternoons for school-time. Schedule time for your “life stuff,” and your “school stuff.”  Go for quality over quantity, and see if it makes a difference in your schedule and in your life!

6. Is one problem area dragging you down?

Many parents choose to homeschool specifically so that they can help their child in an academic area that is challenging for him or her.  While the ability to give your child extra attention in a problem area is definitely a homeschooling pro, it can present its own challenges.

Sometimes (not all the time), we can get so focused on the problem area that it ends up eating up a lot of the academic day. Focusing too much on an area that’s challenging for a child can also cause tension and strain that affects the rest of the school day negatively, slowing everything down.

I’m not saying this happens often, but it can happen.

Children obviously become stressed when working on a subject that’s hard for them, and teaching a student something they don’t want to learn isn’t easy for adults, either.  However, homeschooling doesn’t just offer the opportunity to make math (for instance) more accessible…it also offers the opportunity to make it less scary.

Personally, I think it’s important to remember the “less scary,” part.  I think that when students can be encouraged by small successes, they become more willing to learn subjects that were intimidating, before.

So, if one problem area has been dragging your whole day down, think about how you might be able to set your goals for that academic subject differently and maybe some reasonable incentives you can offer your homeschooled students for tackling something that’s hard for them.

You may find that you actually progress more quickly by moving more slowly, reinforcing new concepts frequently, and making the problem area more accessible (and less scary) to your learner.

It’s okay to take things slowly, as long as you keep moving forward.

7. Do you have help?

When I talk about feeling like you can’t get it all done, I’m not just talking about the books and the essays and the math worksheets. As I mentioned before, the lives of homeschool parents are an ongoing “juggle struggle.”  Homeschooling impacts every facet of your life, just as other facets of your life impact your homeschool schedule.

You are the only one who knows your life and what kind of help you need/ feel comfortable asking for. However, I want to encourage you to ask for help in some way, in some area of your life.

For example, you might seek out:

• Homeschooling help that comes in the form of a language tutor, homeschool co-op or  online art class. 
• Babysitting or daycare assistance that allows you to work, run errands, or get ahead in your homeschool planning.
• Housework or organizational help that allows you to teach more effectively in your home.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be isolating, but it can be if you let it. Don’t go it alone. Find a tribe. Find support. It will help you run a tighter ship and be happier, too.

8. Do you have little ones?

What if you have a new baby and/or little children (5 and under) while also homeschooling older children?

Well, I’m not going to lie about it. Your homeschool schedule is going to have interruptions. Babies interrupt. Toddlers do crazy things. You are powerless to stop it. However, there are a few things you can do to create a “new normal,” for your homeschool schedule:

• Plan quality time with your youngest children in the morning; they will feel more settled for the rest of the day.
• Have independent activities prepared for older children that they know to work on in case of interruptions.
• Prepare a homeschool space that includes things for the youngest children to do.
• Plan some crafts (or other activities) that younger and older kids can do together; this will make your little ones feel more involved.
• Have special toys/activities for babies/younger children that are only accessible to them when you are teaching.

(These ideas are summarized from our full article on the subject of homeschooling with little ones. Check it out, here).

9. Are you claiming your time?

Okay, here it is. Probably the most important thing you can do to keep your homeschool schedule from going off the rails is to claim your time. Whenever you do anything from home, people aren’t really going to respect your time unless you respect it, first.

I can personally attest to this as a homeschooling mom who earned her MA remotely and works remotely.  (Honestly, I’m not anti-social. I just live in a rural, remote area).

It has been very easy for my local friends and family to forget I am doing these other things, simply because I do them from my house. If I was going to physical classes for my MA, or  into an office to do work, or taking my daughter to school, it’d be more understandable for people.  However, one of the prices of flexibility is that people just don’t automatically understand the fact that you actually do have time commitments.

At least, they don’t understand it unless you help them understand it.  As a homeschooling parent, you are the only one who is in charge of claiming the time that you need to homeschool. And if you don’t claim that time, it will get eaten up, fast.

This might mean blocking out certain areas of the day, every day, and refusing to make appointments during those hours. It might mean saying “no,” to people who think you can drop what you’re doing. Some people won’t get it.

That’s okay.

Homeschooling is valuable, and the time it requires is valuable.  Remember that as you plan a homeschooling schedule that works for you and your life.

Which of these 9 common homeschooling scheduling issues hits home with you? What will you do to help work out the kinks? 

The post Is Your Homeschool Schedule NOT Working? appeared first on Sparketh.

For homeschooled families, there are also times when online classes can be a lifesaver. For example, if you’re a homeschooling parent who teaches kids of multiple ages, or you work from home, online classes can be a resource that makes all the difference. Online classes can also provide quality instruction and structure on a topic that you may not feel comfortable teaching.  One area that we at Sparketh feel really passionate about bringing into the world of online classes? Art!

Online art classes for homeschoolers are a wonderful way to bring creativity and variety into the school day. Our online art classes at Sparketh provide structure within a self-led format. Students can login each day and choose the online art class (or classes) that he or she will complete. Each pre-recorded class includes several short videos, which allow students to follow along with the art instructor, step-by-step, at a pace that is comfortable for that student.  Making creativity and art a regular part of your child’s everyday routine can have all kinds of benefits. Here are just a few of the reasons we think that online art classes for homeschoolers are a great way to learn!

1. Online art classes give variety to the school day.

Some kids can get burned out out focusing on traditional subjects like math, language, and science all day. However, creative learning is always fun! Online art classes for homeschoolers can make it easier to create a space in the schedule for creative learning everyday, which can have a multitude of benefits. (Read about just a few of the benefits of art classes for students here).

In addition to helping your child grow his or her love of art, and art skills, online art classes for kids can help boost critical and creative thinking skills, and provide some relaxing learning time into their daily schedule! Online art classes are a great way to build some variety and creativity into your homeschooler’s daily routine. (And because the art classes on online, this takes a lot of pressure off of busy homeschooling parents, too.)

2. Online art classes for homeschoolers aren’t intimidating.

Not every kid feels comfortable with this or her own art skills, and some kids may feel intimidated if they have to compare their work to others or work one-on-one with an instructor in person. Online art classes, like those offered by Sparketh, allow kids to hone their skills and gain confidence from the comfort and privacy of home.

Kids and teens don’t always feel safe expressing themselves in public, and art can be very powerful mode of expression. Online art classes for homeschoolers allow kids and teens to develop and embrace that art skill in comfort and privacy, and let them set their own pace to learn and practice.

3. Give a child an expanded art education–the easy way.

In online art classes  like the ones offered by Sparketh, kids can do the kinds of art that they enjoy, and learn how to draw and paint in a variety of subjects and styles! This self-guided approach will help them grow at their own pace and find new art styles to love. Many of our online art classes and styles also feature bit of art history, and all of our videos contain tips and tricks that will help students to expand their personal “art toolboxes.” The more online art classes your child completes, the more his or her art knowledge will grow…but it all starts with a self-paced experience that is fun and beneficial for your young artist.

Another benefit of online art classes is the experience of a supportive community via a “virtual art tribe.” Sparketh actually sponsors a free online art comm

4. Online Art Classes Open Up the World Online. 

It’s no big secret that being comfortable with computers and virtual learning is becoming a constantly more important life skill! More and more people are learning and working from home than ever before, and it’s a trend that is very likely to grow. Online art classes can be a fun, safe, creative and engaging way to show your kids how technology can facilitate the learning experience.

If you’re a homeschooling parent, you can expand your child’s online art learning even further! Did you know, for instance, that you can take virtual field trips to the Louvre in Paris, or to see the Museum of Modern Art in New York? You could even use some of the art styles your child has learned on Sparketh to recreate a famous work of art in that same style.  Be creative and discover that there are so many ways to make online learning a safe and rewarding adventure!

5. Online Art Classes Help Kids Find Their Tribe–Safely!

Of course, kids and teens who love art love to connect with other kids and teens who love art! Parents want this too, but we also want it to be safe, right? That’s why Sparketh decided to sponsor the Sparketh Community.  The Sparketh Community is a totally free, safe online space for artsy kids and teens to share their work, connect, and talk about art! There’s a brief screening process and it is fully monitored by a Sparketh art instructor and team members. Our community is not just safe; it’s also super friendly with an emphasis on encouragement, art tips, and positive vibes. We also have monthly art challenges with art-related prizes!

We hope you’ll consider making online art classes a regular part of your homeschooler’s routine. Creative learning has so much value in a child and teen’s life, and we think that online art classes are a fun, safe and effective way to make it happen–everyday! If you’d like to try out our online art classes to see if they could work for your kids, or in your homeschool, you can learn more here! Want a safe online space for your artsy kid to meet other young artists? Check out our free community at community.sparketh.com. 

The post Online Art Classes for Homeschoolers are a Great Way to Learn appeared first on Sparketh.

Let’s get straight to the answer. (Rule-lovers prepare to take slow breaths):

There is no one way to homeschool your children.

There is no ONE way and there is no BEST way.  

However, that’s actually part of the beauty of homeschooling.

The best way is what works for you, for your kids, and for your lifestyle! This is something that can take a little while to figure out if you are new to homeschooling, (and it seems like a lot of people are new to homeschooling this year!) Today, we want to share some resources with you that can help you evaluate your homeschool and figure out what YOUR best way, is.

Sparketh & Homeschooling

How are Sparketh and homeschooling related? Well, first of all, we think it’s pretty awesome.

Secondly, Sparketh’s origin story has a special connection to homeschooling.  Dwayne Walker, a Sparketh co-founder/owner and self-taught professional artist, was homeschooled for part of his childhood. He thrived on the experience, but he only wished he’d had more access to professional (and affordable) art classes. This personal experience prompted the idea behind Sparketh– an online platform for virtual art classes that homeschoolers could use anytime, from anywhere, to hone their art skills.

Since then, Sparketh has grown into a resource that many children in public and private school use, too.  However, we continue to have special connections with many homeschooled families who have been with us since we first got started, and we continue to support homeschooling – and homeschoolers – as a resource for awesome art education at home!

Especially over the last few years, homeschooling has become an increasingly popular choice. We know a lot of people are trying it out for the first time this year (or are thinking about it!)

Whether that’s you, or whether you’ve been in the homeschooling biz for awhile now, we wanted to share some homeschooling resources, tips, and ideas from our blog! The articles below have all kinds of info on homeschooling–from saving money in your homeschool to hacks for homeschooling kids of different ages! And no, they won’t tell you HOW to homeschool…but they’ll help you figure out how YOU can make your homeschooling journey work the best for you, and that’s the most important thing!

 Homeschooling Tips and Resources on Our Blog!

1. The Top 5 Reasons to Homeschool Your Child  

This blog explores some of the biggest reasons that families choose to homeschool, and discusses how homeschooling can shape important aspects of childhood. If you’re thinking about homeschooling, consider whether or not you identify with any of these 5 common reasons parents choose to homeschool!

2. Are Homeschoolers Unsocialized? 

The ever-looming homeschool question: “But what about socialization?” This blog explores the topic fully! Don’t miss it (and prepare to send it to your non-believer relatives).

3. Which of These 7 Homeschooling Methods Will Work for You? 

There are many, many ways to homeschool, but this blog post covers some of the most popular homeschooling philosophies and approaches! Which one do you align with most?

4. 5 Essential Tips for New Homeschooling Parents 

One of our most comprehensive blog posts — especially for those of you who are starting out! These 5 essential homeschooling tips will help you start out in the right frame of mind!

5. Is Homeschooling Stressing You Out? These 10 Strategies Can Help.

Okay, so homeschooling is not all sunshine and rainbows. There are days it can be stressful (and you may even ben wondering if you’ve made a mistake). For those days, here are 10 strategies that can help you troubleshoot, reassess and relax.

6. How to (Successfully) Homeschool Children of Different Ages 

What do you do with the kindergartner while you teach the middle schooler about fractions? This one is for you homeschooling parents who have multiple kids of different ages.

7. Is Homeschooling Too Expensive? 8 Ways to Save Money in Your Homeschool 

Is homeschooling actually more expensive than public school? Can you cut costs (and if so, where?) This blog breaks it down and gives money-saving tips to make your homeschool more affordable.

Whether you are a new homeschooling parent, a professional homeschooling parent, or just a parent who is kind of curious about the world of homeschooling, we hope these bloggy resources help answer some questions and spark new ideas that you can use in your homeschool. Stay creative!

The post How Do I Homeschool My Kids? appeared first on Sparketh.