12 Tips for Homeschooling Your Kids

One of the best parts about homeschooling is that you don’t have to be confined to a specific routine. Be flexible and you’ll soon figure out a schedule that works best for your family. Feel free to plan around your mealtimes, work schedule or even your kid’s favorite TV program.

If possible, try to find a place in your home that you can dedicate specifically for studying, suggests NPR. Separating your living spaces from your learning space is an easy way to get your kids to change gears when it’s time to focus.

This is one of the most important tips for homeschooling. If your child is struggling to stay motivated or getting frustrated with their schoolwork, take a minute to evaluate the expectations that have been set for them. Remember that each child learns differently. Talk with your child and their teacher and determine a plan that works best for everyone.

While you're used to powering through multiple tasks in a day, it's important to consider that the rate at which your child learns may be different from yours or from other children. When assisting with schoolwork, try to let your child guide the pace for learning.

Play time, creativity and exercise can be just as important as learning. Set aside a little time each day to do something creative, exercise or go outdoors.

If your kids are e-learning through a public or private school, their teachers are just an email away. Don't be afraid to reach out when your child needs a little extra help, encouragement or clarification on an assignment, suggests K12.

Let's be honest – we're all a little rusty on our math skills. If you’re struggling with how to homeschool on a certain topic, know that there are an abundance of free online resources that can help.

Mealtime can be something that gets easily overlooked or rushed, but doing so could potentially make things harder for you in the long run. Set aside at least 30 minutes for lunch, and be sure to serve healthy, filling foods to help curb hunger and avoid the need for more afternoon snack breaks.

Online learning can mean spending more time on devices. When you stack the time they spend on the computer or tablet for school with their regular usage it can add up to an awful lot of screen time. Take a look at your kid’s daily activity, and make sure to set a reasonable limit.

Consider offering small rewards to encourage participation and completion of assignments, suggests K12. Incentives such as an at-home movie night, one-on-one parent/child time or family game night are great options.

Don't forget the value of teaching some basic life skills. Now can be a great opportunity for older kids and teens to help with everyday tasks such as cleaning, doing the laundry or cooking. Younger kids can help with tidying up or you can use this time to practice personal care skills like fastening buttons and tying shoes. These types of learning can be just as valuable as skills taught in the classroom.

Despite how you may feel, chances are you're doing a much better job than you realize. Don't forget to schedule a little time each day for yourself – even if that means waiting until the kids have gone to bed or allowing them to have a little extra TV time.

Putting even just a few of these tips for homeschooling into practice is a great first step towards finding balance in your routine. With a little patience and creativity, we're sure you’ll learn how to homeschool in a way that works for you and your family.

At DeVry, our online programs start every 8 weeks and we offer a variety of student resources and tools to help you stay on track.