A: My favorite part about homeschooling was being able to spend a lot of time with my kids while watching them learn at the pace and style that best suited their needs. I was able to watch them really learn, not just academics but also life skills based on God's word.
Q: What challenges did you encounter as a homeschool mom?
A: One challenge that I faced was trying to find time for myself. I was with the children 24/7, literally. It became essential for my emotional and mental well-being to find times of separation from them. It was healthy for them and for me. I enlisted my sisters and friends to exchange babysitting services so that we all could have some time free. Some friends even tried a childcare co-op. Another challenge was trying to find assorted methods of teaching a particular subject if the child just wasn't getting it. And lastly, establishing discipline for school time, study time, chore time, Bible/prayer time, meal time, and fun time. Note that I didn't add family time. When you are a homeschool family, it's all family time.
Q: What are the top things new homeschool moms should keep in mind when they first start?
A: New homeschool moms should keep in mind:
1) Your teaching style and each child's learning style may (and probably will be) different, so you be willing to adapt; you're the example. You are learning too.
2) Separate school from home time...establish time for schooling and time when you are off duty from teaching. (I'd assign work that was not being done in a timely manner as homework, following the homeschool time, and I'd say that the teacher is not available until school time the next day...just like public school.)
3) Follow God's order for the family...Mom's the teacher; Dad's the principal.
4) If you wouldn't want a teacher yelling at your child in school, don't you yell at him/her either. If learning has stopped for whatever reason, take some time apart from each other for either getting the wiggles out or for getting a chore or two done. You'll both (or all) be refreshed when you return to the studies.
Q: How do learning styles factor in when homeschooling?
A: Learning styles are very prominent in homeschooling. You as parent/teacher have a learning style, and will probably be most comfortable teaching the way you would best learn. However, you need to adapt your teaching methods to the style of the children/learners. Learn the seven learning styles (Are there still only seven?) Use a variety of teaching methods. For example: If your child is an audio learner, practice spelling words to a beat. If you have a visual learner, use a white board and lots of color, or sidewalk chalk. If you have a kinesthetic learner use letter blocks, magnetic letters, movement to act out words, or have child/student make flash cards using 3x5 cards that he/she cuts into quarters, and writes each letter of the word on a separate piece; then scramble the letters and have him/her rearrange them correctly.
Also, know your limitations and areas of gifting/knowledge and then work within them. You may wish to work cooperatively with other parents to teach a small class a specific topic and have another parent teach another subject that is not your forte'.
You are learning to teach. Your child is learning to learn. Remember how much grace and mercy our heavenly Father gives to us. Do likewise with your children.
Robin Stokes spent several years homeschooling her children. Both are now high school graduates.
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