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Homeschooling hours
How many, how often and when? These are some oft-repeated questions
when it comes to homeschooling hours. Flexibility is of course one
of the key underlying principles behind homeschooling. This
flexibility applies not only to the curriculum but also to the
number of hours. It is only natural that parents, especially if they
have just started out on homeschooling should feel that their
children should be at their books all the time when regular
school-goers are at school. This is not only fallacious but can
also be damaging and counter-productive.
One of the most ignored but glaring drawbacks of the public
schooling system is the sheer waste of time and energy that it
causes. Many periods are simply wasted away and the child
effectively derives only 1-3 hours of study everyday. Then, there
are days when the studies become too intensive and other days when
it's only games and no work at all. There is a lot of 'invisible
wastage' involved here.
Early on in your homeschooling practice, work out a schedule. It is
advisable to stick to the same hours everyday. A routine makes it
easier to learn and gives structure to the learning experience. It
also tells the students that parents are strict about their
learning. A routine also allows your child to free his mind from
other activities and concentrate on studies. He knows that a
particular time is strictly set aside for learning.
The actual number of hours that you need depends on the curriculum
you have chosen and the learning style that suits your child. If you
are dealing with a subject that seems to be more complex, you may
need to sit with the child for a longer period. Using various
techniques, it may be necessary to demonstrate what you are trying
to teach. For instance, a lesson in Algebra may take more time than
a lesson in English.
Homeschooling does not refer to the practice of sitting in front of
the books and learning the printed matter. Field trips, watching
documentaries, visiting factories and libraries also make up an
important slice of the homeschooling process. It makes sense to
intersperse these activities so that learning becomes fun. You may
want to finish off the few hours of textbook learning in the morning
and dedicate the afternoons to these kinds of activities.
Given the fact that too many public school hours are wasted in
meaningless activities ranging from talking to extra-curricular
activities, do not allow public school hours to dictate the time you
should spend teaching your child at home. Remember that at home, he
is getting a high-quality one-to-one time that is highly productive.
About 1-3 hours of study is enough in the primary level. It is of
course true that the more number of hours you put in, the more
learning takes place. This is also the reason why homeschooling
children are much smarter and more balanced than regular school
going children.
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