Figuring out how to homeschool your kids can be overwhelming at first, especially when you add in multiple age levels. Depending on the ages of your kids and the distance between them, you could potentially have a student in high school, middle, elementary, and pre-K all at the same time. Even if you only have two children, learning to balance multiple levels of education with different curriculums on top of individual learning styles and educational needs can be tricky to figure out. But homeschooling different ages doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing fiasco if you know the pro tips experienced homeschoolers use.
Pro Tip #1 – You Are Their Parent.
In those moments when you get caught up in curriculums and requirements and prescripted timelines, remember that you are their parent and you know what’s best for them. If something isn’t working after a good, honest try, change it! You don’t need anyone’s permission to do what’s best for your child.
Pro Tip #2 – Make a Plan.
Decide what your goals are for each child and for overall learning within your family. Stick to the basics as your core – reading, writing, and mathematics. Then add the icing, relying on the interests of your children to guide you.
Pro Tip #3 – Make One-on-one Time with Each Child.
Every day, each child should have some one-on-one time with you. Even if it is only 10 minutes reading a book, every child craves quality time with their parents, which allows you to build relationships. Try to have longer intervals when possible, but make the time for each child.
Pro Tip #4 – Welcome Group Learning.
Knowing how your kids work best together can be a great awakening for your schooling. Whether it’s playing a game or cooking a meal, there are always things to promote group learning. Some homeschoolers prefer unit studies, where everyone focuses on the same subject but with assignments appropriate for each grade level. Others prefer to have family read-alouds or Bible time. History often works for multiple levels, most preferably in the early elementary to middle school ages. No matter what subject it is, time spent together enables growth in teamwork and problem solving while strengthening familial relationships.
Pro Tip #5 – Know Their Learning Styles.
Knowing how your kids learn – whether visual, linguistic, auditory, kinesthetic, or a combination – can be your best guide when choosing subjects and curriculum. And if something isn’t working, make a change! Their personalities together with their learning styles can help you meet both their emotional and educational needs so you find success together. Working towards independent learning will help you focus on a goal for each subject.
Pro Tip #6 – Use Life Lessons.
Never underestimate the power of everyday life. Home repairs, baking and cooking, yard work, grocery shopping…they all provide opportunities for learning. Having older children guide younger children builds self-esteem for both, but younger children teaching older children can be just as valuable. Opportunities like these allow for learning without tagging it as “school.”
Pro Tip #7 – Leverage the Internet.
Using media to help balance your time can be exciting for your kids and provide you with the needed time for one-on-one work. Decide how much screen time works for each child, and look for programs that do more than one thing. LightSail for Homeschoolers provides a literacy platform that adapts to your child’s needs and grows along with them, while allowing you complete control over what they can access. From pre-K to 12th grade, each child moves at their own pace in reading, writing, vocabulary, and fluency. This can be a game-changer for the homeschooling parent with multiple kids, as each child can find their own interests and ways to explore learning on LightSail.
Posted on 6.Jun.21 in Homeschool Tips
