Thinking About Homeschool? We've Got Tips
Homeschool is on the rise; so much so that rates of homeschooled families nearly doubled after the COVID-19 pandemic. Being able to have your children at home, enjoying a flexible schedule without constraints, not having to worry about absences, and being able to teach your own curriculum are just a few of the desirable factors of homeschooling. If you're thinking about taking the leap but have no idea where to start, we're here to help. Keep reading for our favorite homeschooling tips and how sensory toys are going to play a huge part in your day.
Ways to Make Home Feel Like School
One of the key factors in getting your little homeschooler into "school mode" is finding a place to immerse. Very similarly to how your bedroom should only be for sleep, it is important to find a spot in your home to dedicate to school.
It doesn't have to be a big, overly decorated, or even dedicated room in your home. Even just a particular seat at the table or a special desk can work great.
Other ways to make home feel like school:
- Clear off clutter. Clutter can be distracting, especially for young learners. Make sure there is a clear space they can focus.
- Have a supply area. Pencils, pens, crayons, and other school supplies should be easy to grab nearby so they don't lose focus or momentum.
- Set up a visual timer. A color-blocked clock, timer, or other visual timer can help young learners understand when school time begins and ends.
Building a Routine
An important aspect of homeschooling is building a routine. While one of the many perks of homeschooling is the ability to have a flexible schedule, travel, and enjoy spontaneity, young learners especially will need a routine to cling to while at home on regular days.
The amount of time you spend on homeschooling will depend on the age of your child. Here is a basic breakdown of how long to spend per day on school per grade:
- Kindergarten: 1 hour, 3–4 days a week
- 1st Grade: 1–1.5 hours, 4 days a week
- 2nd Grade: 1.5 hours, 4 days a week
- 3rd Grade: 2 hours, 4 days a week
- 4th Grade: 2 hours, 5 days a week
- 5th Grade: 3 hours, 5 days a week
- 6th–8th Grade: 4–5 hours, 5 days a week
- 9th–10th Grade: 5 hours, 5 days a week
- 11th–12th Grade: 6 hours, 5 days a week
Younger learners only need to spend about an hour or two per school day, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy your day on other things such as museum visits, playdates, and crafting.
Older learners will need a more structured environment, including:
- Morning anchor. After your regular morning routine of breakfast and connection, focus on high-attention subjects such as math or reading. Now is when your child will have the most energy.
- Midday reset. Now is the perfect time for a nap for little learners, or a physical activity for older kids. This could be a walk around the block, a midday exercise class, or even just some at-home yoga.
- Afternoon wrap-up. After resetting, focus on lighter tasks such as reading or catching up on tasks. At around 3 pm, let your child enjoy unstructured play, adventures, or social activities for the rest of the day.
Things for Parents to Remember
Prioritize Basics
Make sure you start with teaching your children the essentials, such as math, reading, and writing. Any other curriculum you choose will build off of those. Prioritizing basics can mean other things as well, such as regular life skills including cooking, cleaning, and helping with chores around the house.
Find a Community
Homeschooling is more popular right now than ever, which means there is likely a huge community of families just like yours in your area. Do some searching on Facebook for a nearby group, or look for places that offer daytime classes such as martial arts or gymnastics for a social break in the day.
You may also want to look into joining a co-op in your area. Homeschooling co-ops are a group of families who team up to share the work of educating and socializing. Instead of teaching every subject alone at home, parents take turns teaching classes and organizing activities. This can be a great way to get an intimate school experience for your child or the experience of parents having their children out of the house for a few hours, while also enjoying all the benefits of homeschooling.
Bring in the Sensory Toys
If you're finding that your little learner is having trouble paying attention, staying focused, or taking direction from you, make sure they have a sensory fidget toy to help them through their learning hours.
Sensory fidget toys are clinically proven to help children stay focused, pay attention for longer periods of time, and absorb more material while studying.
Spike has an entire line of sensory fidget toys that do not have batteries, moving parts, lights, or any other distractions. They are made of silicone, which makes them super durable and easy to wash!
They come in many shapes and forms, such as our Pencil Gripper and Topper, Spike Sensory Ball, and our Spike Fij-Its.