By Dr Martina Geromin, Published Academic and Co-Founder at School Beyond Limitations.
An increasing number of families are turning to home-based education for a multitude of reasons today. For many parents, the move to home schooling is a direct response to the perceived limitations of mainstream education and its inability to support their children in a way that works for them. Feeling excluded, or like you don’t ‘fit in’ at school is a common concern for many and is a major driver for the current rise in homeschooling. Overcrowded classrooms are also a growing concern for parents, especially in schools where teachers are stretched thin or are in short supply. In a class of 30+ students, individual attention is hard to come by and children are often expected to work at the same pace as everyone else – which can leave some children feeling invisible.
While homeschooling or online schooling can offer unique opportunities for more personalised learning, depending on whether you intend to home school as a parent, or take support from an online school with scheduled lessons, the transition from a traditional school environment to home requires careful consideration, planning and commitment. Every child is unique and therefore every learning journey is different, but there are some essential aspects parents should consider when creating an effective home study setting.
Creating the Perfect Space and Mindset for Study
Regardless of whether you are teaching your child yourself, or you have enrolled your child with an online school, there will be an expectation on the parent to support their child’s learning at home. A dedicated study area can significantly influence a child’s focus and motivation so creating an effective space to learn is an important place to start. When choosing a place for your child to study, it is important that the space is reflective of a learning environment, so that your child can distinguish this from other areas of the home associated with leisure or down time. Designate a quiet, comfortable, well-lit area in your home for studying. Equip the space with a table or desk and a comfortable chair as well as a water bottle and any necessary stationery supplies, i.e., pens, notebooks and a computer.
Involve your child in this process and incorporate personal touches to your child’s study space. Allow children to personalise their study area with items that inspire them, whether pictures, books or plants. This sense of ownership can enhance their enthusiasm for learning.
Remove Distraction and Instil a Love of Learning
Keep distractions like TV and mobile phones out of sight as they will only interfere with the learning process. During your ‘school day’ it is helpful to ensure that your child understands that learning is taking place everywhere and at any time, whether you are incorporating learning of maths through cooking or shopping (measuring or calculating) or English by reading books, magazines and recipes, and even STEM, creative arts or physical fitness via gardening, experimenting, observing nature, taking photographs or engaging with art. When learning at home, it is important for children to recognise the wealth of learning that happens around them.
For home learning, first and foremost you are creating a model for a love of learning. Part of this philosophy involves nurturing your child to have a growth mindset – praise their efforts and their results to help them to build resilience, encourage them to recognise that challenges and failure are fantastic opportunities to learn. While your child is engaged in home learning, you could try ring-fencing extra time for your child every day by creating a shared learning moment where everybody at home is engaged in activities. This can be magical, especially for younger children as it involves other family members, which helps children to avoid feeling siloed or isolated with their learning.
Avoiding Isolation and Building Structure
Isolation is one of the key concerns around home-based learning, so it is important to invest in the socialisation of your child. As a parent, you should actively seek out co-curricular activities like sports clubs and societies and also community events where your child can interact in person with other children and make new friendships. If your child is learning with an online school, they will have daily access to a virtual classroom setting with other children online too, so this provides an additional avenue to socialise virtually both during lessons and outside of them. Many online schools will also offer one-to-one mentoring support for your child, which allows children to talk to a dedicated person every week and gain any support they need. For parents teaching at home, it is important to interact regularly with your child and discuss both learning and outside interests.
Establishing a routine is crucial for home learning. Make sure you are consistent with your learning schedule and make space for learning opportunities that allow your child to experience that learning is part of life: encourage your child to go out into the fresh air, go for a walk together, socialise with a pet or play some sport. A structured routine helps children understand expectations and fosters a sense of stability which is vital for successful home learning, so having a daily allocated time for tasks that develop out of the learning experience as well as goals within the study space is also helpful.
Home schooling requires a significant time commitment from parents in terms of supporting learning. Once the study space is established, parents can implement strategies to support their child’s learning.
Kickstarting Your Home Education Journey: Seven Steps for Success
Here are some effective tips for getting home learning off of the ground:
- Set Clear Goals: Define short-term and long-term educational goals together with your child. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their learning journey.
- Encourage Curiosity: Promote a love for learning by encouraging questions and exploration. Use every day experiences as educational opportunities.
- Incorporate Variety: Different subjects may require different approaches. Use a mix of textbooks, online resources, hands-on activities, and physical field trips to keep learning engaging and diverse.
- Use Technology: Encourage the use of online platforms and educational apps to supplement learning. Virtual classes, educational videos, and interactive games can offer additional support and make learning more enjoyable.
- Foster Independence: Encourage children to take responsibility for their work by promoting self-directed learning. As they grow older, guide them to set their own goals and manage their time effectively.
- Regular Assessment: Monitor progress through informal assessments such as quizzes, discussions, or projects. This allows parents to identify strengths and areas for improvement, adapting their approach as needed.
- Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge efforts and accomplishments, no matter how small. Celebrating milestones boosts motivation and reinforces a positive attitude toward learning.
Preparing for Battle
While homeschooling can be extremely rewarding for parents, it also presents a myriad of complex challenges. Preparation is absolutely key to success – here are some common issues parents that parents may encounter with home learning and some ways to combat these:
1. Balancing Responsibilities: Juggling work, household responsibilities, and teaching your child at the same time can be overwhelming. Establishing a routine that allows for dedicated teaching time while managing other obligations separately, will keep you on an even keel.
2. Dealing with Resistance: Some children may resist learning at home initially, especially if they are accustomed to traditional schooling. In this case, patience, persistence and flexibility are key; you will know your child’s personality better than anyone else, so find ways of personalising learning by focusing on your child’s interests or creating themes so you make study time enjoyable and relevant to your child.
3. Maintaining Motivation: Keeping both parents and children motivated can be challenging at home. Regularly reassess goals, introduce new subjects, or change the study environment to refresh enthusiasm. During the summer months, try learning outdoors where possible with plenty of shade and hydration.
4. Finding Support: Connect with other homeschooling families for support and resources. Online forums, local groups, and co-ops can offer valuable guidance, camaraderie, and opportunities for socialisation. Likewise, if your child is learning with an online school, you will have greater access to others within your community, so it is worth capitalising on this.
5. Self-Care for Parents: Taking care of yourself as a parent is crucial for maintaining a positive homeschooling environment. Parents should carve out time for self-care, whether through hobbies, exercise, or socialising, to recharge and stay upbeat and motivated for learning.
A Worthwhile Journey
In summary, educating children at home is a significant yet fulfilling task that requires thorough planning, commitment, and adaptability. By creating a conducive study environment, and implementing effective learning strategies, parents can support their children’s education in meaningful ways. While challenges may arise, the opportunity to foster a love for learning, personalise your child’s education, and build strong family bonds makes the homeschooling journey very worthwhile.
About the expert
Dr Martina Geromin, is co-founder of School Beyond Limitations, an international online school based in London, which seeks to disrupt the boundaries of traditional education. Dr Geromin is also a multi-time published academic author with 35 years in education and research. She has worked internationally as a teacher, university lecturer, trainer, adult educator and executive within global educational institutions. Her passion is focused on helping children to uncover and embrace their uniqueness, learning how to bring it to life in a meaningful way. She sees education and personal development as transformative and as a driver for real change. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy, a Doctor of Business Administration in Higher Education Management and a Master’s Degree in Giftedness, Dr Geromin has also authored numerous articles and books over the last 35 years including Tacit Knowledge Sharing at Higher Education Institutions (which is a widely used reference source for academics in the field of knowledge transfer). Find out more at www.school-beyond-limitations.com
