For decades, traditional education has been the predominant model. Parents taught their kids the basics and then let them out in the school to socialize, gain knowledge and skills, and develop personally. But, times are changing, and so do schooling trends.
Today, more and more parents are reconsidering their beliefs and making a choice in the favor of homeschooling. The stats concerning this matter confirm that studying at home is a new big trend and they are rather impressive. As of 2019, there are already 2.5 million children in the US who are studying in their own homes and this number keeps growing by an average of 2% to 8% every year according to the National Home Education Research Institute. A similar situation can be observed in the rest of the world. For example, in the UK it has increased by 40% over the last three years.
Looking at these numbers, it becomes quite clear that homeschooling is still gaining momentum. Bu
t, there is one key thing to keep in mind – choosing this form of study you undertake full responsibility for your child’s success and even a single mistake on your side can ruin everything. To help you get on the right track, here are the main mistakes you should avoid.
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Not Teaching a Child to Ask for Help
We all know how intensive and challenging studying can get. But, what we don’t recognize is that students might only need a bit of help from time to time in order to succeed. Not being able to recognize this, parents make a huge mistake—they don’t teach their children to ask for help when they need it. As a result, learners attempt to handle everything on their own, which eventually leads to burnout and many other issues. But you can change this! Whether asking for help will mean to order write my essay services at EssayPro, ask a parent for assistance, or simply talk when something is unclear—your task is to show your child that it’s okay. In the future, the ability to ask for help will help a kid succeed in various spheres. After all, every successful person will tell you that it wouldn’t be possible to achieve heights without some extra help. So, be sure not to make this mistake!
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Not Establishing a Daily Routine
The next error to watch out for is very common among transitioners and parents who have never taught their kids at home. Beginners often overlook the importance of setting a fixed daily routine. And, most often, this results in a lack of organization and poor academic outcomes.
Here is what you need to remember. Choosing this form of study, you will have to plan everything from lessons and homework to extracurricular and peer activities. And, it is vital that you schedule everything wisely. By saying this, we mean there should be a livable and predictable daily routine that would give a sense of organization and help your kid remain productive.
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Overscheduling or Under-Scheduling
Another common issue that gets in the way is unwise scheduling. Many beginners tend to either overschedule or under-schedule their child’s curriculum, which always leads to negative consequences.
To be more specific, by overscheduling the curriculum you put too much pressure on your kid, not leaving any time for extracurricular or peer activities. This often results in burnout and stress. On the contrary, if you under-schedule the curriculum, you will put the academic results at risk.
So, what is the solution? Find a balance! Make sure that your child has just enough lessons, extracurricular activities, and free time. This will be the key to success in everything.
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Not Considering Individuality
Unless you are a professional teacher, failing to consider your kid’s individuality and needs is one of those issues that you are doomed to face. Many parents tend to believe that their kids are just like them. This makes them seek teaching methods that would work for them, overlooking the needs of a child. And this is a huge mistake.
One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is the possibility of a personalized approach. Thus, it is vital that you identify your learner’s individual traits and adjust the learning style to meet his unique needs.
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Comparing Your Child to Others
Having to spend nearly all your time next to your kids can make you start comparing them to others, even if it’s unintentional. And you should really resist this temptation no matter how much it bothers you.
Learn to understand and embrace your child’s individuality and do not compare them to other kids. Keep in mind that everyone is special and has their own learning curve, so there is absolutely no point in pushing your kid to match any expectations whether they are yours or imposed by society. Such an approach will only add more tension and can even weaken the bond you currently have in your family.
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Biting More Than You Can Chew
Finally, one last mistake you want to avoid when homeschooling your child is the confidence that you can handle everything on your own. You might be able to do this. But, in most cases, this will only make you feel stressed and too overwhelmed.
Don’t fall into the common trap by trying to keep up with everything around the house and in teaching too and blaming yourself for a failure. Instead, learn to set priorities right and don’t be afraid to take breaks and ask for help.
The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
Now that you know about the key mistakes that should be avoided for the maximum effectiveness of homeschooling, chances are that you are wondering what is in it for you. So, let’s take a moment here to analyze this.
While the definition of homeschooling should be very clear to each of you, one thing that is not that clear is whether it is a good solution for your family in particular. In order to answer this question and make the best decision, it is vital to understand what big pros and cons are there. So, before we move on to the common mistakes, let’s quickly summarize the perks and drawbacks.
Pros:
- Flexibility and comfort;
- Family relationship building;
- Typically lower cost;
- The possibility for personalized, safe-paced learning that is more effective;
- Maturity and independence;
- More free time;
- Lack of common school issues like bullying.
Cons:
- Drastic lifestyle change for all family members;
- Lack of socialization;
- Difficult transition and adjustment;
- Commonly-made mistakes by parents that ruin the whole experience.
The Bottom Line
So, is homeschooling the right option for you and your child? It might be. As you now know, this form of study has its perks, as well as certain drawbacks. Not to mention a wide range of common mistakes made by parents that can ruin a child’s experience.
But, luckily, after reading this article, you are aware of all the frequent mistakes and can avoid them to ensure that your kids study effectively. So, keep this article as your guide, and don’t hesitate to use the tips we shared here!
