Most parents can remember the dread that came along with the two words “school work” they had as kids. It signified the end of anything fun. As parents who have chosen to homeschool, that’s the last thing you want for your kids. Homeschooling should be a rewarding educational process as well as an enjoyable one. Even with the best intentions, it’s tough not to associate school time with “work.” But, for everyone’s sake, you should give it a shot. When you take a different approach to your educational journey, it becomes more fulfilling. So how do you get your kids more excited about homeschooling? Here are some tips.
1. Get Excited Yourself
Your kids will feed off your energy, so it helps if you’re excited about their educational journey. But the emotion should be genuine because most children are great at spotting fake excitement. Think about your goals for homeschooling and the freedom it’s going to give you and your children. Share your enthusiasm about their upcoming studies and projects with them, and they’ll catch on.
2. Understand Your Child’s Interests
One of the great things about homeschooling is that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. You get to tailor the lessons to your child’s strengths and interests. What could be more exciting than that? Incorporate the mediums that most interest your child into your curriculum. This might include things like Legos, the arts, or even Star Wars, which can help your kids become more excited about homeschooling.
3. Find Creative and Fun Resources
If you’re unsure how to craft effective and fun lesson plans for your kids, reach out to the different homeschooling resources that can help. You don’t have to produce everything from scratch. Some intelligent and creative homeschooling parent or professional has probably crafted the ideal projects or lessons that will keep your child engaged.
4. Make Learning Real
If you remember sitting in the classroom thinking, “I’m never going to use this stuff,” you now have an opportunity to make your homeschooling lesson plans fit into real life. As much as possible, incorporate real-world applications with your lesson plans. For example, a trip to the grocery store can include a math or nutrition lesson. Or a day at the park can include a history or science lesson.
5. Take the Pressure Off
It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed if you are new to homeschooling. This can make it tough to get excited about your new adventure. But you can take some of the pressure off yourself and your kids with the understanding that you don’t need to be perfect. You are doing something many families don’t have the courage to do. But it doesn’t have to be a chore. There’s plenty of help available, and it can be tons of fun.
Get the Support You Need With Homeschooling in South Carolina
There’s a common misconception that homeschooling families have to handle everything on their own. This isn’t the case at all. If you’re ready to start homeschooling your child in South Carolina, there is more support available than you might think.
The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) has been supporting homeschooling parents and their children throughout the state since 1990. We offer academic programs, curriculum assistance, online reporting and documentation, bookstore discounts, and much more. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of SCAIHS membership and let us help you and your kids get excited about homeschooling!