Launching a New School Year
Ready…set… go! The new school year season is ahead and coming soon. Here are some fantastic tips to prepare for a successful new year🌼
Recommit to your WHY…
Remember when you first decided to homeschool? What were your initial motivations? Are they the same or have they changed? If so, consider how and write this down. When difficult homeschooling days show up this is where you go to remind yourself why you are doing this.
Reflect on last year’s teaching…
How did you feel about all of your teaching content? Perhaps there are some areas to make some adjustments in. There are many ways to measure your success and it’s not based on how you feel. The true determining factor is “did my child learn what I set out to teach them?” Even on days when you don’t feel successful surprisingly your child can still get the lesson goal!
Create systems and routines…
Each day your child homeschools is a day to a reaffirm and teach your family’s values. Values are integrated each day into our life choices, routines , habits and lifestyle. This is the biggest advantage homeschoolers have, is the access to parents and their rich guidance day to day. Take time to create meaningful routines. You may choose to make mornings exciting, afternoons filled with surprises and evening calm and reflective. Whatever you choose stick with it! Allow your homeschooler to prioritize what’s important. Routines have the benefit of building security in children’s lives, and it sticks with them for life, so make it memorable and consistent.
Stay creative and open…
Curriculum is only the starting point for teaching. Don’t be afraid to pick and choose what you teach. Make selections about the teaching material based on what can challenge them, build confidence and move them forward step by step. Consider adding some creative flair with music timers, rotating activities, dance breaks, stickers, showing off their work, and not letting the mundane takeover.
Monitor Progress…
As you move through the year don’t forget to check in on their learning. Use verbal and written forms of monitoring progress. This can be done daily, weekly, monthly, just plan to make it a consistent practice that’s built into the learning.
Happy Homeschooling in your new school year!