A day of homeschooling
What is a typical day like for a homeschooling family? In many ways, it is the same as anyone else’s day. Parents go to work, chores are done around the house (he hopes) and children do their homework, with or without the help of their parents. Yet in many ways, the day is very, very different for the homeschooling parent.
The differences
The main difference is that the child (or children, but let’s work with just one), does not need to get out of bed, rush to get dressed, eat breakfast and then take the bus. The parent is not left alone for hours and the child does not attend a class elsewhere. The parent does not have to guess or worry about what is happening with their child because the child is there.
This difference leads to many other differences. The family can go on a field trip, with the parent learning alongside the child. The child’s crafts can be shown to parents right away and can even be considered for a craft fair or display. Student questions can be answered when they arise, with the necessary tutoring provided quickly and effectively. Communications are fast, loving, and productive.
A possible schedule
Let’s work through a normal day on homeschooling, seeing what is done and how long it takes. A key fact to remember is that all schedules are subject to change as determined by the teacher / parent or child.
Many homeschoolers start their lessons in the morning, but find there is no bus ride, no classroom, or no meeting. Therefore, the child can take time to dress, eat, and get comfortable. Lessons begin when the child and parent are ready to begin, not in an administratively set window of time.
A typical homeschool day covers four or five subjects. Each lesson is created individually for the child, with input from both parent and child. Some lessons will take a short period of time, say 30 minutes, and others will take longer, up to hours. Lessons will include reading, writing, math, art, and other activities as needed and desired.
If we take an average of an hour per lesson, the student finishes in the early afternoon. Lunch is handled when there is a break between lessons, and once the lessons are over, the child is free to run and play with no time limit. The child can control the amount of time needed, while the parent sets the target results.
On other days, there are field trips, trips to the library, and other outdoor activities. The child can participate in sports, organizations, and other outdoor activities without fear or guilt for missing school. The teacher knows that the child will be able to perform special activities without having to make arrangements with third parties, and the administrative paperwork is kept to a minimum, with almost no time during the normal day.
I guess the main point is that the day is much less structured and much more productive than is possible in a school. Time can be structured according to the student’s needs, not someone else’s needs. The material can be covered as many times as necessary and additional activities are welcome, not treated as a burden.
In short, the child can learn individually, with an individualized schedule. There is no typical day, only the day of the child. Learning as it should be.