|
 How Much Does It Cost?
How Much Time Does It Take?
How Do I Choose a Program?
Am I Qualified?
"But I'm not a certified teacher!"
Parents are natural teachers because they are positioned in their children's lives to nurture learning. We all know that each child differs from the next and their academics will be best met when we understand them. Parents can nurture their child's intellectual growth because they know them intimately and love them deeply. The parent-child relationship must be a healthy one in order to homeschool.
A healthy learning environment will demand co-operation, obedience, respect, and patience. If these criteria are absent then it is best to not open any books until they are established. Building a healthy relationship may take weeks or months if bringing a child home from a negative experience. Take time to rebuild your relationship with love and laughter.
Researched evidence proves that a parent does not need to be a certified teacher to teach their own, and there is no correlation between the educational performance of the student and the teacher's educational background. What is needed is a firm conviction that staying home to school is the very best choice for the child.
Whatever the obstacles, doubts and opposition that you may encounter, being convinced that your child's best interest will be served should give you the confidence and courage to follow through with your choice.
How Much Does It Cost?
The financial cost will depend on the materials chosen. Curriculum companies will suggest complete programs including teachers guides and manipulatives which could cost well over a thousand dollars. However, basic programs can be acquired within the one hundred dollar range for one year of resources covering the basic subject areas in primary grades. All books, software and resources are the parents' expense with no obligation from the government or school to provide funding, materials or services.
The more important costs to consider are the ones to the parent and to the child. Sacrifices will be made requiring adjustments to the routine of having a child with you all day every day. Parents must carefully consider the demands put on their time to educate their child.
How Much Time Does It Take?
|
Approx. daily time spent on academic subjects
|
|
Grades
|
Hours
|
|
K & 1
|
1
|
|
2 & 3
|
1.5
|
|
4 & 5
|
2
|
|
6 & 7
|
2.5
|
|
8-12
|
3-4
|
The parent choosing to home educate will have to sacrificially and unselfishly adjust their own lives to accommodate this new routine. The child's education is of primary importance and they will need you to take the necessary time to explain concepts and patiently offer the motivation to learn and the support to accomplish goals.
You must desire to spend time with your children. The time committed to teaching is proportioned to the age of the child and number of children in the home. The amount of time spent teaching the basics will be influenced by the educational philosophy that you adopt. It may be necessary to de-school yourself before you begin to educate!
How Do I Choose a Program?
There are several approaches to homeschooling and numerous options for administrating them. The key objective of all home school parents, whichever approach is used, is to provide an "educational program" that will teach the basic skills and to ensure that continual improvement is accomplished.
One might say that formal education is anathema and that children learn best from everyday life experiences. Others may say that students should do seatwork for three hours a day, six days a week. The bottom line is there is no one right way. Choose a method that appeals to you, fits your child's learning style, and works well with your family schedule.
Read Teaching Your Own... Homeschooling in British Columbia for more information.
There are several approaches to homeschooling and numerous options to administrating them. The key objective of all home school parents--whichever approach is used--is to provide an educational program" that will teach the basic skills and to ensure continual improvement is being accomplished.
The two most common philosophical approaches:
1) traditional textbook - approach following a specified scope and sequence
2) unschooling - the parent provides resources for the child to access as he is pursuing his own area of interest.
The BC Home School Association can provide you with curriculum and resources as well as assistance determining the method and materials best suited for your child. A list of curriculum suppliers is available.
If choosing to use a BC Ministry of Education administered program, visit the Distance Education website for the Branch nearest you.
|
