Teaching methods are many, depending on what your choice of teaching should incorporate. Textbooks have been the most relied method for most types of teaching; but it depends on how much we lean on them or just take them as guidelines. What are important are how to go about the teaching method and what program to choose from! It will help to consult the web, books and articles on the different kinds of programs available. It would also help to consult and discuss with other similar minded persons as to the choice available and advisable.
Home School Method
Today, the student to teacher ratio compels parents to opt for the home school method where the student can get better personal attention. This of course follows the traditional school teaching method of textbooks, assignments, grades and evaluations. If the child has been accustomed to the ways of a public school, the home school method will not be difficult to abide by. This is alright for older children, but in the case of younger children it will take time to adjust to a different set of rules and schedules. The curriculum will need your attention. No curriculum will ideally suit your needs and you may need to mix and match them to suit your and your child's needs.
Non-Schooling Method
Many parents are of the belief that the child should be allowed to learn and grow from everyday situations. The belief is that the child learns more through the method of curiosity or enthusiasm rather than the text book. This is applicable to natural learning situations and surroundings when children learn faster, and retain and recall just as fast. This is so for mathematics too. The grasp and understanding is faster than working from a textbook or writing on paper. This kind of learning can be applicable to the pre-school years. There is much to learn about nature, plants, animals and weather for a child. Shopping for grocery and vegetable or fruit too is exciting. It helps the child to know the names and recognize the item being purchased as well as simple calculations when paying the bill.
Other Methods of Home-schooling
The Montessori Method of learning is quite popular among children. A proper environment needs to be organized for the child to learn. A child progresses according to his own pace under the observation of the teacher. This method allows for experimental learning. Some parents opt for Home-schooling from the junior high-level stage, after the child has attended a Montessori schooling in the initial stages.
Informal Method of Schooling
Charlotte Mason advocated the method of informal learning through observing. Subjects like history and geography too could be learnt by visiting and seeing places. Traveling is the answer to this subject.
Unit Study Method
In this method, a topic with several subjects surrounding it helps in an all round learning. This could involve colors to vocabulary, to sentence formation and grammar. Similarly other topics could be selected to develop learning. It is important to know your child and what methods would best be applicable when teaching your child. The textbook system may be boring and outdated, while first hand learning with the preschool stage is a welcome change.
In ancient times, home-schooling children were a way of life. There was no existence of public schools; however with time public schools came into existence and educating children informally at home changed. Sending, children to public schools to fulfill the educational requirements became a norm. In the recent times, though more and more parents are opting for home educating their children as a result of non-conducive environment in the schools.
Antisocial elements, safety issues, lack of proper attention, etc. are some of the reasons for the rise in home schooling systems of education. But before you decide to home school your child it is recommended to build a favorable environment within your home first that fosters an optimal and all round development in your child.
Creating the right environment at home for learning is more than, a spacious room, done up with all the tools and equipment needed for educating your children; it is charging the whole atmosphere at home to encourage and stimulate the full growth of your children.
The most important requirement of a home school is the presence of at least one of the parents. The security of a homely environment is achieved only if there is somebody in the house to make it a home. The role of a mother staying at home and looking after the family is degraded in this age of career oriented women, but none other than the mother can make a house a home. It is the mother who gives that affection and inspiration to a child and who teaches and instills in him the ability to live harmoniously in the society and do great things. After all the hand that rocks the cradle truly rules the world!
Another essential element in the atmosphere, for children who are being educated at home is to have an environment that encourages play. There should be enough playthings around and a designated place for playing, since children learn a lot while playing. This stimulates their creative and intellectual abilities. It gives them experiential learning, enhances their conceptual knowledge on the relationship of things as their play takes them to make new discoveries.
Promote curiosity and creativity by giving them exciting ideas, for thought provocation. It is advisable to provide the little minds with fuel by reading books to them, narrating stories of historical heroism, great inventions and discoveries, biographies of great people, fables etc. All of these things kindle the little minds with curiosity and lead them on a quest for more.
Home educators need to cultivate trust and respect in a child; convey to your child that you have full faith in his abilities and show respect for his unique qualities. This will take you a long way in instilling these virtues in your child. Teach him the importance of good manners by practicing what you preach.
Create a relaxed and flexible environment in your home that promotes a healthy communication system. It is important to listen to your child and be attentive his or her needs. Have sympathy for your child when he or she falters in life, develop a support system that builds confidence and trust in him.
The right kind of atmosphere is foundation for a successful home schooling system, wherein parents entrust upon themselves the delightful task of educating their own children and watching them grow every minute.