Schools might reopen in september or october, many parents are in confusion whether to send their preschoolers to school or not. Parents who are comfortable with online classes may not prefer this article, but if are looking for home schooling options, then you are on right site.
I started home schooling my kindergarten kid this year. When I started, I had lots of questions and practical problems, because I was not confident about my teaching skills at that time. Overcoming the problems one by one I got some hope that I can teach my child. Let me share my experiences with you, it might help some of you with an idea of home schooling.
- Start where you are:
When I searched for home schooling options, and its requirements, I got suggestions to buy a printer, coloured charts, and many other pre requisites. But during the initial lockdown, for me it was practically impossible to buy even coloured charts. So, I used crayons and color pencils which I already had, and some of the un used cardboards for teaching my kid. I used live vegetables and fruits instead of charts. I used sky and clouds for explaining weather. So dont be scared of starting your home school, you can start with what you have.
- Take help:
If you don't have any idea of their curriculum, take help from the internet or their school teachers. Mostly for preschoolers, writing skills and identifying are important aspects to throw light on. So I found it easy.
- Go with the pace of your kid:
One of the best thing about home schooling is the teacher can go in student pace. You can personally check and teach them according to their interest and ability to learn. I designed a time table, according to her interest I start schooling.
- Timely evaluation:
Generally in the schools, the evaluation will be done quarterly, monthly, or yearly. But when you are schooling at home you can get clear idea where your child lags or where they can excel.
- It's okay to break!!:
If you are not from teaching background, kindergarten teaching is not as easy as you think. You may have mood swings or your kids might not be interested, be prepared. In that time its okay to take a break. Take a break and start slowly.
- Create routine:
For kids, creating routine may take time, when they are habituated they can follow it more than you. Create a routine for home school and let them understand that you will be the teacher for them. Initially try to make them sit for 15 minutes in hime school, and gradually increase the time. Now my daughter will be in home school for 1.30 hours. Generally I let her choose what she wants to do in the school.
- Believe in your kid and have faith
Preschool kids take time to adapt to this new method, so have faith in your kids. They might get bored, as they will be only kid on the class. Say them after the pandemic they can join their friends.
- Design your own syllubus:
Along with their curriculum, add extra curricular activities according to their intrest. Like I have added yoga, and music in her syllubus.
- Go creative:
Preschool kids love singing rhymes than sitting and writing. So create some games so that they can learn while playing.
I created a game of clapping alternate hands and saying numbers.
The only things you need for home schooling are patience and creativity. Don't forget to appriciate your kid's efforts to cope up in this pandamic situation, give them a STAR. Let your little one stay safe at home and also learn at same time.
