Eight Time Management Tips For Home Schoolers

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One of the most common fears expressed by parents considering home schooling is that they won’t find enough time in their already too busy day to add home schooling to that list.  There is no doubt that, surprisingly enough, with all the modern conveniences at our fingertips, we seem to have less time than ever.  Well, you need not fear; here are eight time management tips for home schoolers that will help you better manage the time you do have to also home school your children.

1) Establish a routine. Everyone may not appreciate their day as being ‘routine’ but, when it comes to home schooling, establishing a routine will help both parent and child to know what to expect throughout the course of the day.  There actually is a sense of security experienced within a daily routine.

2)  Draw up a plan. Before you can establish a routine, you need to have a plan.  Once you have a plan in place, the routine will take care of itself.  Consider using a large calendar or day planner to write on for showing each day’s schedule.  Include everything from the daily subjects to be studied, to all other demands placed on your day such as appointments, holidays, grocery shopping, music lessons, etc.  When your day’s plan is in front of you, it will keep you focused and not running all over the place.

3)  Cater to individual learning styles.  If you want to save major time, money and experience reduced stress, you would do well to pay attention to each child’s learning style.  Just as everyone has their own personality, their personality also comes out in the way each child approaches their studies.  By understanding each child’s individuality, it will make it much easier choosing your curriculum and then administering it.  Remember, you chose home schooling so each of your children will get that individual attention they may not be getting within the public school system.

4)  Seek assistance with teaching tougher subjects. It is not a bad thing to acknowledge that you don’t know it all.  Regardless, you are the parent and as such know more about your children than anyone else.  Therefore, if you find that you aren’t as able or qualified to teach your children every subject they need to be studying, there are plenty of options available.  There are online courses designed to supplement a particularly difficult subject; or, you can find curriculum that will aid you in giving your child all the resources needed to fully succeed in all their classroom assignments.  You could also seek out other home schooling families in the area that may be more qualified in a particular subject than you that may be more than willing to help you.  Also, there may be an area you are well-versed in that you can use to exchange teaching skills with other home schooling parents as well.  The bottom line is, don’t panic; there is always help available.

5)  Prepare classes the night before. It is always a good idea to start the school day prepared.  By simply sitting your children down and saying ‘open your books’ will only frustrate your children and yourself.  Gather all the supplies and materials needed for the next day’s schooling the night before.  This will take some extra effort on your part but it will be worth it.  This is actually part of what makes planning and a routine successful and your children will appreciate the extra effort on your part (and you will too!).

6)  Assign chores to your children. When you decide to home school, you will need to change the way you look at some things.  In order to better manage your time, it is imperative that you enlist your children in household chores.  By doing so you not only get the help needed to keep the house in order, but your children can gain experience as well by learning how to keep the house neat and clean.  In fact, it can be treated as part of the home school curriculum.

7)  Don’t let outside distractions steal your time. It never fails; just as you settle down to begin your home school day, the phone rings or there is someone at the door.  In order to limit these time stealers, it is vital that you inform family and friends not to call or come over during certain hours of the school day.  You may also consider getting a phone answering machine to take messages from callers and then put the phone on the ‘do not disturb’ feature.  As has been stated above, in addition to preparing classes the night before, consider overlapping subjects where possible.  This will enable you to combine some subjects and thus save the time it would take to teach each class by itself.  You could also consider meal preparation as part of the school day while getting the evening meal ready at the same time.

8)  Learn to say no. In this fast-paced society we live in, as parents determine to add home schooling to that list, it will be necessary to learn to say no from time to time.  For example, it is okay to refuse invitations to lunch for the sake of your children’s education.  Be firm but fair; consider scheduling a luncheon date around your school day.  If someone stops by and wants to visit, welcome them in with the understanding that you are right in the middle of teaching your children but, if they want to be a part of it, they are welcome to join in.  If not, then politely tell them you will have to catch up with them later; your children’s education comes first.

In conclusion, you will need to prioritize your daily activities in order to adequately educate your children at home.  This will mean a real change in your day to day operations.  But, if you will apply these 8 time management tips for home schoolers, you will be successful in giving them the individual attention needed so they will become happy, healthy, well-adjusted adults.

Related posts:

1. Support System for Home Schoolers
2. Educational Software For Home Schoolers
3. Tips on How to Home School Your Child
4. Home Schooling – A Wonderful Option
5. Home School Programs

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