Today’s education system is falling short for many children. Public schools are struggling to meet the needs of their students, and parents from all walks of life are seeking creative solutions. Fortunately, with the advent of technology and the Internet, it’s now possible to homeschool your child in a way that’s affordable, interactive, and tailored to their interests. There are so many ways to homeschool your child online; you just have to know where to look. With a little planning and research, you can have your child reading by third grade and tackling algebra by seventh grade — all while letting them explore topics they love at their own pace with no oppressive curriculum or grading grind. Here are 10 tips on how you can raise your kid's education without sending them to school.
Build a library
A child’s education begins with books. The more you can build your child’s library, the more you can enrich their education. There are countless ways to acquire books for your child, including borrowing from friends, buying used books online, and asking for donations from libraries. If you’re looking for a way to build your library even if you’re on a budget, consider finding a bookstore that sells used books and buying them in bulk. You can also use the public library to borrow books, audiobooks, and DVDs. Your child’s books can be their lifelong resource for learning. Start a book club with friends and relatives so they can share the books they love and get new ideas from each other. Encourage your child to reread their favorite books so they can start building a strong knowledge base.
Use screen time wisely
Screens can be a wonderful part of a well-rounded education, but only if you use them wisely. As a parent, your job is to monitor and guide your child’s screen time, making sure they don’t get too addicted and that they’re using tech in the most productive way possible. This can be easier said than done, but it’s important that you remain firm while also showing your child healthy ways to enjoy screen time. For example, if you allow your child 90 minutes of screen time per day, they might spend 30 minutes on a reading app like Book Panda, 30 minutes on a coding app like Hopscotch, and 30 minutes on a music app like GarageBand. The remaining time can be for social media or other apps that don’t involve reading or creativity. Your child should always take breaks from screens and make sure they’re getting plenty of exercises, sleeping enough, and eating a good diet. And you should limit screen time for yourself, too, so you’re not setting a bad example.
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If your child’s school has read as a core subject, that’s fantastic, but you can encourage them to read even more outside of school. There are many books outside the classroom that can give your child a more sophisticated understanding of the world, as well as expose them to new ideas and ways of thinking. Consider hosting or joining a book club with friends and family members who are of similar age and reading level. This can be a great chance for your child to socialize with like-minded people. You can also join book exchanges, such as the Book Swap app, where you can borrow books from others and leave them behind for someone else to read. You can also use websites like Goodreads to keep up with the books you want to read, track your progress, and meet others who like to read the same books.
Help your child find their passion and build on it
Many kids don’t know what they want to do with their lives until their 20s and 30s. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be successful, but it does mean that they’ll have to put in more time and effort to get where they want to go. If you can help your child find their passion as a child, they can build on that passion as they grow up. While your child is young, encourage them to explore different interests, but also pay attention to what they engage with the most. If they spend a lot of time playing with LEGOs or tinkering with electronics, those are good signs that they’re passionate about those fields and should be encouraged to pursue them. You can also help your child find their passion by talking to them about the world around them. Let them know that their thoughts and ideas matter, and help them to understand that they have something unique and valuable to contribute to the world. You can do this by asking your children questions, being open to their ideas, and letting them know that they can be anything they want to be.
Don’t forget math and science
Kids are often drawn to subjects that are more creative and hands-on, like art, music, and computer programming. Some parents worry that math and science aren’t as interesting or relevant, but that’s simply not true. Math and science are crucial for your child’s future career and well-being. Plus, there are plenty of creative ways to teach math and science, so you don’t have to worry about it being dry or boring. Consider letting your child explore a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) toy such as a Spirograph, Rainbow Loom, or Little Bits kit. You can also sign up for a subscription box that is tailored to your child’s age and interests, such as Little Passports or My First Lab.
Think about certification options
Depending on your child’s interests and passions, you may want them to pursue a certification in their field of choice. For example, if your child loves playing with LEGOs, they can pursue a Lego certification, which comes with lots of benefits, including discounts on LEGOs and other products. There are also many other certification programs, including Scentsy’s Young Entrepreneur Program and Girl Scouts. If your child is interested in pursuing certification, research online and contact the organization to see if there are any programs for younger children. It’s important to note that pursuing a certification isn’t just a fun hobby for your child — it shows colleges that your child is serious about what they want to do after high school. It can also help your child make money while they’re still in school.
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Find an online tutor or mentor for your child (and maybe for you)
There are lots of online tutoring and mentorship programs available, and many of them are tailored to young children and teenagers. For example, you can sign up for a program like Tutor.com, where you can choose to tutor online in specific subjects, including math, science, English, and foreign languages. If your child wants to learn more about a specific subject, such as art, history, or sports, there are also websites like Skills are, where experts in those fields will give them one-on-one mentorship. If you’re a parent looking for ways to further your education, there are online programs for adults, too. There are also online mentorship programs, where experts in your field will mentor you, helping you advance in your career. If you sign up for one of these programs, make sure that you have time to commit to the program and follow through with it.
Commit to making education a priority
As a parent, you can’t just casually let your child explore the world through books and online activities. You have to make education a priority, and that means making time for it. It can be helpful to have a dedicated time during the week when you sit down with your child and explore new books or learning activities together. Also, make sure to keep track of your child’s progress, so you can follow up with them if they’re falling behind. You can keep track of your child’s progress by creating a reading chart, where your child marks off a book each week or creating a reading log where your child writes down the books they read. By keeping track of their progress, you can also make sure your child isn’t reading too much, which can hinder their development.