How many, how often and when? These are some oft-repeated questions when it comes to homeschooling hours. Flexibility is of course one of the key underlying principles behind homeschooling. This flexibility applies not only to the curriculum but also to the number of hours.It is only natural that parents, especially if they have just started out on homeschooling should feel that their children should be at their books all the time when regular school-goers are at school. This is not only fallacious but can also be damaging and counter-productive.

In reviewing a typical public school day, it becomes evident thatactual teaching time is approximately three hours per day. Public schooldays are filled with snack, recess, lunch, extra curricular activities,and games. In addition, it is important to note that public schoolstandards dictate an average of 20-to-1 student/teacher ratio. In the home, it's 1-to-1.

Early on in your homeschooling practice, work out a schedule and set goals for the use of your days. Some homeschooling families find it helpful to stick to the same hours everyday. A routine may make it easier to learn and it gives structure to the learning experience. It also tells the students that parents are committed to their learning. A routine also allows your child to know what to expectso that they can concentrate on studies. He knows that a particular time or day is strictly set aside for learning or is dedicated to a specific subject.

The actual number of hours that you need depends on the curriculum you have chosen and the learning style that suits your child. If you are dealing with a subject that seems to be more complex, you may need to sit with the child for a longer period. Using various techniques, it may be necessary to demonstrate what you are trying to teach. For instance, a lesson in Algebra may take more time than a lesson in English.

Homeschooling does not refer to the practice of sitting in front of the books and learning the printed matter. Field trips, watching documentaries, visiting factories and libraries also make up an important slice of the homeschooling process. It makes sense to intersperse these activities so that learning becomes fun. You may want to finish off the few hours of textbook learning in the morning and dedicate the afternoons to these kinds of activities.

Remember,public school hours are not all filled with textbookteaching, so do not allow public school hours to dictate the time you should spend teaching your child at home. Homeschooling provides a high-quality one-to-one educational experience that is highly productive. About 1-3 hours of study is enough in the primary level. It is of course true that the more number of hours you put in, the more learning takes place.

< Prev		Next >