Homeschool Tip #1: Be Present
The most important tip for an effective homeschool day is to be present – avoid things that distract you from supervising and helping your children. As many of us know from experience, the very second your attention is diverted, your children will become distracted and lose motivation.
Do:
- Put away Cell phones
- Have your supplies on hand
- Avoid shopping on the computer
Start with Prayer!
Prayer brings everyone into focus, and it is a means of bringing grace into your day.
God will speak to you in all your conversations with your children.
But, where should you actually do school work? If you search the internet, you will find lots of talk about having a “homeschool room” –a room that is only for homeschooling. This can be fun if you have the space and resources, but it is not at all necessary!
To choose a homeschool setup that’s right for you, Consider these 3 points:
- Homeschooling is not “school at home”! Homeschooling is actually integrating education into the family life.
- Young children need to change positions and move around. Choosing a good setup can help with this. And, keep in mind, older children need supervision, too.
- Remember, your homeschool needs will change over time along with the age of your children. So be flexible!
For children in 3rd grade and under, you will need to do most subjects with them. So, you will need a place you can comfortably work with them, while still keeping your other children within eye-sight.
I like to have my child who is 3rd grade and under in the living room, working at the coffee table. Then, my 4th-6th grader can work at the kitchen table, and I have my 7th grade and up children work in the next room at a desk. This keeps us all together, everyone within eyesight so I can help them, but also allows the older students to get a little space so they can concentrate.
This all sounds good until you need to go find a book or the hole punch… the second you leave the room, then the young ones get distracted, and older ones will complain they cannot concentrate! The solution is to keep all your supplies in one place!
I have mine right here in my living room, in a Homeschool Crate. The crate holds all the supplies I will need when homeschooling my children:
- Answer Keys
- Blue and red pens for checking math and Latin work
- Pencils, large erasers, index cards, manipulatives (paper clocks, Latin charts)
- Books used in multiple grades – Lives of the Saints, Harp & Laurel Wreath
- Flashcard Bin
- Extras – holy cards, calculator
This allows me to stay physically present with my children, working directly with the ones in 1st-3rd grade, and then going from one child to another as needed when they have questions.
Remember – Keep it SIMPLE. Be Present, Be available.
Educating your child is the most important thing you are doing right now, and you will be richly rewarded by strong relationships and joy in family life!
For more Homeschool tips, follow the Regina Caeli™ Blog!
