5 Things to Teach Your Child When You Start Homeschooling
I’m finishing up my 9th year of homeschooling. I’ve only ever homeschooled my children. They do not know anything different. If you don’t know my history, this comes after 12 years of teaching in public and private schools.
As I reflect on what I’m pleased with over the years, I am proud that my children have had lots of play time to enjoy their childhood. We’ve had many conversations over the years and made many friendships. These are two things I have done well, and I do not regret those choices.
I also reflect on what I wish I had done better. This is only human and extremely normal. The best any of us can do is to improve, right?
So, I’m going to share with you some things you can prioritize at the start of your homeschool journey that should help your days go much smoother.
Wake-up routines
Having a regular time to wake up, get dressed, make the bed and eat breakfast can help your day go smoother. It takes practice and training, but if it’s a routine, the children know to expect it. They’re just good things to do, ya know? Generally speaking, people feel better and ready to go for the day when they are cleaned up and have breakfast. Making your bed gives you a sense of accomplishment early in the day and something to be proud of.
There will be days in homeschooling where you might need to leave first thing in the morning. Our children participate in cross country and in choir, both of which are in the morning. On those days, not much “school work” is done before we leave.
Have there been days where we stay in our pjs longer? Of course! But, as a general rule, the wake-up routine is something I wish I had started earlier—even when my child was preschool age. Unfortunately, back then I was in the rat race of working full time and eating breakfast in the car en route to the preschool where I took my son.
Chore Time
You can make this time the same time of day for all your children or you can have a chart with specific responsibilities for each child. It might just be one thing a day like sweeping or emptying a trash can or switching out the laundry.
With more than one child, you might choose to have one child complete a chore while you work one-on-one with another child.
Sometimes, we’ve done read aloud times while the children are folding their own set of clothes.
You do what works for your family.
I will caution you that when children are home with you all day that is more of an opportunity for the house to get messy. You live there, and there will be evidence that children are living there. Plan accordingly.
Quiet Reading Time/ Nap Time
I think this time of day is extremely helpful when you have very young children or babies that need to nap. However, when no one takes naps anymore, it is easily substituted for reading time.
You might choose to read a chapter book aloud to all of your children at one time while they color or draw quietly.
You might have all the children reading/looking at books on their own during this time.
It is important to have set aside time to rest and be quiet. It can be important to the parent as well. You might choose to listen to a podcast on headphones during that time.
If you start this early, it’s easier to carry on. Try dimming the lights or sitting in a comfy chair or outside on a picnic blanket on a warm day.
Physical activity/Outside time
Even if it’s a 10 or 15 minute break, remember to get up and get out and move. Fresh air is healthy for you and your children.
I once lived in a neighborhood with at least 4 other homeschool families. They were so overwhelmed with their school work they did not go outside to play until the afternoon when traditional school children came outside. I always thought it was a little sad, since there were enough of us to play together in the common play area.
When you come back inside to get a drink of water and get some things done, you and your children will be more receptive to any sit down school work that needs to be done. You can take more breaks later if needed.
Responsibility of property and school work
Whether you homeschool with desks in a special room or at the kitchen table with a small cabinet for storage, teaching your children to keep track of sharpened pencils and other supplies and books is so valuable.
One day your child might take a class with another teacher. Certainly, it will happen at college, but likely sooner.
You can take the time to train your children to know where their books, workbooks, and art supplies are. Develop a habit of returning items to their proper home so that they can be found later.
Think on what gets lost or misplaced. Think on whether you are doing all of the work keeping up with items or if you are training your children personal responsibility. After you’ve thought about it, develop a system or procedure that can easily be followed. Tweak it if necessary.
I hope these ideas have given you food for thought. Trust me when I say I have not been perfect with all of these, which is why I chose to write about them. It matters. It sure does make the day go more smoothly. If you didn’t start this way, it is not too late. Just know that you may need to back off on school work for a little while as you train in these responsibilities and behaviors.
Did I leave something off this list that YOU would have added? Leave a comment below!
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A Busy Mom’s Guide to Teaching Your Child to Read
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Remember, YOU are your child’s most influential teacher.