Homeschooling is an adventure no matter what curriculum or learning method you use. Distance learning can be a wonderful way to homeschool with an accredited curriculum while working one-on-one with a teacher. I help parents of distance learning students, here are 7 tips to help you succeed at distance learning homeschool.
Build A Team
It is important to have people around you or available to you to help you succeed. People like teachers, advisers, other parents who use the same method, enrollment officers, and possibly tutors. If you know that you have somewhere to turn when things get confusing or overwhelming, it will make your distance learning homeschool journey much more enjoyable.
Set Goals and Expectations
Setting goals is an important part of any homeschooling experience. This allows your child to know what they are expected to achieve. Setting the standard early on will create a positive learning experience where your child knows for what they are striving. Talk with your child’s teacher to find out what there goals and expectations are for your child.
Make a Schedule For Learning and Studying
Every child works at their own pace. This is particularly important to remember when learning through a distance learning homeschool. Look at the lessons and determine how much time it will take your child to complete each lesson. Allot that much time each day so that they can finish what has been set out for them. If the lessons need to be broken down into several days, don’t be discouraged. Allowing your child to learn at their own pace is a fundamental principle of homeschooling. Making the lessons manageable and planning for the time will let your child be successful and retain the information better.
Know Your Child’s Learning Style
Understanding the way your child learns best is very important. One of the best things about distance learning homeschool is that the curriculum may be created around your child’s learning style. For instance the highest quality distance learning schools have every student take a learning style assessment upon enrollment to determine there learning style. The curriculum is then designed around your child’s individual learning style.
Join A Homeschool Group
Having the support of other parents who are committed to providing a quality education for their child at home is very important for you and your child. This type of group provides valuable interaction with peers and others who share common interests and goals. It is a great place to find socialization opportunities, as well as fun for you and your child!
Have Fun and Think Outside The Box
Since you have chosen a distance learning program your child will have the opportunity to be creative and have fun. Do fun things with the lessons and think of ways to be creative. Kids learn best when they are having fun, so have fun! If your child is having trouble with a concept, try and think of a fun way to present it.
Ask Questions, Be Honest, and Celebrate Successes
If you are not sure of something, be sure to ask. Good distance learning programs have a teachers assigned to your student, whom you can contact at any time to ask questions and find out how your child is doing. Make sure your child knows that he or she can ask there teachers questions. If they do ask a question and you don’t know the answer, be honest. Tell them that you don’t know, but you can find the answer together.
And most importantly, celebrate their successes. School is hard work, so when they finally understand a difficult concept or finish a big project, be their cheerleader. You will never know what your praise and unfailing confidence in them will do for their self esteem.
