Want to build a classroom at home? Here’s how to get started!
Guiding your child through homeschooling is a wholesome and inspiring job. You cater to their every single need as a parent at home, and then turn around to take on the role of their educators as well. Homeschooling parents are like invisible superheroes,wearing a pair of slacks, an apron, and a tired-but-wide smile instead of a cape.
As unnerving as this task can seem, together as a community of homeschoolers, we have tried and tested hundreds of hacks to reap the rewards from homeschooling. Research suggests that a conducive learning environment, where a student is in a setting designed to challenge their senses, leads to more productivity and better understanding. Similarly, while homeschooling, your child needs a setting which exudes an aura of knowledge bearing and learning. So let’s get you started on the basics of converting your living room into a classroom!
- Be VERY Organized
This organization does not point to having a robotic, mechanized approach towards your homeschooling journey. Rather it refers to having a clear approach to each day that you plan with your child. Be conscious of what your goals are for that day, be present in your setting and have all your thoughts collected.
Set up a learning space for your child every night before going to bed. Have all the stationary and school supplies arranged and sorted. Use bins, baskets, or colorful containers to give the room a soulful, clean presence. Make use of labels, markers and bookmarks to give a flow to each day that continues. Waking up to a space that is welcoming and well-assembled will allow you and your child to have an extremely productive day ahead.
- Know your resources
With an abundance of online teaching and homeschooling applications, platforms or tools at your disposal, it is a herculean effort to research them all. Filtering them and pinpointing the tools that suit your needs in the best possible way is one of the most important tasks that have to be carried out. In figuring out which tools to use as a homeschooler, highlight the areas where you require assistance. Some broad areas include scheduling, curriculums, timetabling, online classes, activities and more. Here are a few tools to help you explore:
Cozi
Cozi is an application for organizing your life including a variety of different lists including to-do lists, shopping lists, calendar and even a family journal.
P2PU
Peer 2 Peer University is a grassroots network of individuals who seek to create an equitable, empowering, and liberating alternative to mainstream higher education.
Village Square
Village Square is a platform allowing students to learn online from experienced, dedicated educators on a wide range of subjects.
- Create classroom vibes
Turn your study space into a living classroom. Try to create a school-like environment so that your child can experience that learning space type atmosphere during their homeschooling lesson. Arrange for whiteboards and bulletin boards to maximize the visual aspect of homeschooling.
You can also practice displaying artwork, assignments, and various classwork around the room to augment the level of output and supplement the portfolio of a classroom. Put around motivational posters and allow your child to move around in a free space, open their minds and educate their souls.
Homeschooling is a vigorous journey with lots of twists and turns but it is all worth the effort when you see your children grow into self-sufficient, empathetic individuals. To quote Aristotle, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
