2003 — Learning to Read — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis
It’s that time of year! Lots of home school families are gearing up for another new school year again or perhaps some are getting started for the very first time – how exciting! We’d like to share with you our top 5 tips for home schooling (which we’ve compiled from the last 20 years.) Here we go…
1) Go to the Top. Pray every day for strength and guidance from God the Father. He cares deeply for you, your children, and your home school – so seek His help. So many home school moms get overwhelmed and feel that they just can’t do this. With God’s help – yes, you can! Tap into the wisdom and help that is waiting for you.
2) Don’t sweat the small stuff. If your child doesn’t finish every single math problem on the page or if you have to spread a science lesson out over two days instead of one, repeat after me, “It’s okay!” (Trust me, I have to do this one A LOT because I tend to be just a little OCD.) In the vast scheme of things, your kids will learn what they need to know, subjects that need to be covered will be covered, and your kids will be functioning intelligent adults one day so don’t worry over every little detail in your day-to-day schooling.
3) Have fun! Don’t get so bogged down in “book work” that you forget to provide learning experiences through life. (See #2) Take a nature walk and turn it into a fun scavenger hunt. Cook an exotic dish that you read about together in a book. Dress up like the Celts you read about in history and make your own homemade we
apons. Learning in this way is not only fun but memorable!
(My two fierce Celts)
4) Work with your kids, not against them. There are no “cookie cutter” curricula that works for every child. Just because EVERYONE else loves Saxon math doesn’t mean it will be the best fit for your child. Does your child learn best by seeing (visual), hearing (auditory) or being hands-on (kinesthetic)? Choose books, activities, and curriculum which best suits their style of learning to help them thrive and succeed.
5) Heaven is the goal! While learning, good grades, and achievements are all important, keep in mind the most important goal of all – heaven. The Lord won’t be interested in your children’s report cards or transcripts, but He will be interested in their knowledge and application of His word in their life. Even if you’re having one of those days where math isn’t going to get done and the dog ate the science project, take the time to feed the precious souls intrusted to your care with the bread of life. That will be a successful day.
May God bless you richly in your new school year! ~Paul & Heather Pryor
*If you are a veteran home-school mom and have some tips of your own, please feel free to share in the comments.