Homeschooling: Helping Homeschooled Kids Learn Practical Strategies and Activities

Homeschooling a child is nothing short of a full-time job. You’re responsible for everything from selecting the right curriculum to getting all of the lessons to stick and everything in between.

Homeschooling does get easier for most mums with practice and time. And there are strategies you can implement to get lessons to stick better, as well as activities you can introduce that naturally impart a high educational value.

Below we share some tried-and-tested strategies and activities to help your homeschooled child(ren) learn better:

Strategies to get lessons to stick

1. Making learning fun

Children are more likely to learn if they enjoy doing it. In today’s distraction-rich environment, the traditional way of teaching lessons – lecturing and following strict lesson plans – may not work well. Consider making lessons more engaging. Some suggestions from My eLearning World include playing games, using apps, encouraging kids to be more creative, making flashcards, and having hands-on activities. 

2. Help kids discover interests and strengths

When children find something they’re both interested in as well as good at, they’re very likely to pursue it with little to no prompting on your part. As such, helping your child discover subjects they’re good at – whether that’s math or music – is a surefire way to get them interested in learning. Some ways to discover their talents are noting down their interests, asking them leading questions, introducing them to various activities, and giving them an aptitude test (if they are of suitable age).

3. Offer a stable routine

Offering your child a well-structured study routine will make learning a habit, leading to less resistance to it over time. It’ll train their brains and bodies to get into “learning mode” when necessary. Furthermore, if you provide your child with a balance of fun, play, good health, socialization, and other things they need to prosper and be happy, they’ll have an easier time focusing on lessons (and something to look forward to afterward). 

4. Avoid common parenting mistakes 

The way you parent your child has a massive impact on their growth and development – including their learning patterns. By avoiding common parenting mistakes, you avoid creating obstacles to their growth. Some mistakes to avoid from Alfa and Friends include comparing them to others, not setting rules, and preaching without practicing.

5. Follow behaviour management advice from experienced teachers 

Managing kids is a bit of an art form – and it’s something experienced teachers excel at. Taking a page from their books is a good idea. Some excellent suggestions to follow include whispering to get your child’s attention, giving them choices, allowing them to complain, making it a rule to look at you when you’re talking, and asking them to write daily. 

Practical learning activities

1. Educational games

Educational games both teach and entertain, which can motivate kids to continue learning. You can make up or find games for every subject, whether it’s STEM or languages, and you have both virtual and non-virtual options. Some examples include STEM experiments, building 3D shapes, crosswords, book bingo, label mapping, and calculator hopscotch. 

2. Cooking

If your kids know how to quickly whip up a healthy meal at home, it’s going to stand them in good stead in life, likely making them order in less and be healthier. Cooking is also good for your child’s overall development – it teaches fine motor skills, creativity, science, literacy, the value of nutrition, and good taste.

3. Spending time in nature

Encouraging your children to spend time outside of the house in nature is essential. It teaches them more about the world, builds up their love for green things, helps bust stress, benefits their mental health, and teaches them respect for life.

Always make time for your kids no matter how busy you are.

Being there for your child is possibly the best gift you can ever give them. Making time for your child, no matter how busy you are, shows them that you are heavily invested in their growth and learning – and makes it more likely that they, too, will prioritize learning.

As a homeschool mum, you likely have much more to do besides teaching your child. To free up more room in your schedule and reduce the pressure on you, you could follow a schedule and have a strategy for everyday situations. For example, you could make it a point to have a catch-up conversation every day and tuck them in bed every night. If you work from home and your child interrupts, you could respond to them with patience and help them before getting back to work.

Teaching your child will get easier with time and practice. Don’t forget that you’re not alone in your journey. You can find helpful educational as well as parenting resources on Home Education Shop that you can consult if you get stuck and help you become a better educator and parent. 

Image via Canva

This article was written by Chelsea Lamb from Business Pop