Category: homeschool-Children

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You Might Be Homeschooled If ….

This list was submitted to us by a reader Shona Joni via contact form. If you would like to share a joke, quotes or image about homeschooling or educational information send it us via our contact form with your name and website if applicable. If suitable, we will surely post it and we will share it on homeschool world site.

You might be homeschooled if…

  • You’ve rehearsed answers to the question “So why aren’t you in school?”
  • You are on a first name basis with your librarian.
  • You have the tomfool idea that the world is your classroom and you are always learning.
  • You have argued about whether Christopher Paolini is a good writer or not.
  • You have to use smaller words to communicate with “normal” kids.
  • You grin at the yellow bus as it rolls past your window carrying hostages, er, students, to prison–school, that is.
  • You are confused as to whether you have “homework” or not.
  • You maintain a blog in a more intelligent and pertinent way than most adults do

Would you like to add to this list of You Might be Homeschooled If….

While you here check out our vast articles on homeschooling tips, homeschool curriculum ideas and homeschool faqs.

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homeschool-Children Homeschooling tips

7 Lies About Homeschooling

 

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Image source: Sing, Spell, Read and Write  from Homeschool Curriculum

In time that I am homeschooling my kids about 3 years, I have heard many misconceptions and lies about homeschooling from media, well meaning but un-informed people. I am sure if you are homeschooling your kids or a homeschooler student, you may have heard many myths of these yourself, such as;

1. Is homeschooling legal? : Yes it is.
2. What do you do all day? : Study, play, meet other homeschoolers, relax, read, build things
3. Homeschooling kids will not survive in “real” world outside. : Yes, they do see : famous homeschooler you did not know.
4. homeschoolers live sheltered life. – I guess they kind of do.
5. Homeschooling kids do not dress up nicely: Yes, they may miss out on designer stuff.. and it is a good thing
6. Homeschooler are all conservative Christians: Yes many Christian are homeschooler but there are many other religious and non religious people do homeschooling also
7. Homeschooling kids have no social life: With many park days and field trip choices, social issue is last thing we have to worry about

Check out: Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe

There are of course many more myths about homeschooling and homeschooling curriculum, religion people may have; I found such a cool video from a real nice kid name Jordon who was homeschooled and now he is in college; Here is one funny, level headed guy. Watch the video yourself below;

7 Lies about Homeschooling Video

Your turn: Have you been asked such myths and lies for homeschooling? Share with us

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homeschool-Children Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

Making Most Of Winter Break For Your Kids

winter

Image source: When Winter Comes

During Christmas holidays in US schools are out and weather is cold, and holidays are busy and rushed for many, so how do weas parents make the most of the winter break? Actually, in our household and many other homeschooling family, winter break does not stop us from learning new things and skills. Learning happens during holidays break and even in weekend for many homeschooling family but in relaxed manner a bit.

Winter break are about 2 weeks or so, much shorter compared to summer break, even though it can get trying for some kids if they do not have some routine to follow and do. Here are some ideas for parents and kids to make most of the winter break!

1. Spend time learning weak subject during school break.

If your child has one particular subject area where she is not comfortable, you can spend more time practicing it in relaxed manner. Maybe taking and looking at the subject from different perspective may help understanding the topic much better when there is no pressure to meet deadline.

2. Take a break

Let your child or you take break from learning and teaching for short while. Making them decompress from information overload for short while will do kids and parents much good. That does not mean, sitting in front of television all day!

3. Go for fun field trips

You and your child (children) can take a day trip to local museums for fun field trip that is educational yet does not feel shcoolish. Many children love science museum outing where can see dinosaur fossils, hands on experience with many technological toys and gadgets. Petting zoos, Theme park such as Disney land, or Disney world can be be refresher.

4. Volunteer with your child

Winter break is perfect time to volunteer with your child at homeless shelter, food pantry, helping older neighbours with lawn mowing or son. During Christmas time, many people can use the help. If your child is young, you can still do little help with them to start off in giving spirit.

5. Enjoy Family Time

If you as a parent have break from work or you are at work at home mom, take it easy during last week of the year and spend time with family. You can watch Christmas movies together, play board games, do and make puzzles, sing a silly songs or whatever works well for you and your family.

See WINTER BREAK? LET’S HIT THE POOL.(Holidays)(Swimming, day camps, field trips – there’s a lot to do with kids while school’s out): An article from: The Register-Guard

Whatever you decide, enjoy time and learn while having fun. Have a great Holidays to you and your family!

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Homeschool FAQ homeschool-Children Homeschool-Family Homeschooling tips

Does Homeschooling Magnify The Family Issues?

Homeschooling Magnifies Family Problems (and That’s a Good Thing)

BY Jennifer Fulwiler

“Okay, guys, it’s time for today’s lessons!” I say in my most positive voice. “We’re going to start with math. Let’s look at—”

“Maaa-aaath? I hate math!” comes a voice from the peanut gallery.

“I’m bored. I don’t want to do homeschool today,” says another one.

Thus began our first day of homeschooling for the season, and it only went downhill from there. The subsequent days have been somewhat better, but I still have to fight at least one battle of wills at the homeschool table every day. I don’t expect perfect behavior, but do ask that I see a slightly better attitude than you might expect from, say, prisoners working on a chain gang. We don’t always get there. And it tests the limits of my patience every time.

After a particularly frustrating session I called a friend who is also a homeschooler, and wondered aloud if we should send the kids back to school. We had tried a public charter school for a semester last year. It wasn’t a good fit for our family for a lot of reasons—reasons that I still agreed with—but I was tempted to go back there just because I was so frustrated with the behavior problems I was seeing.

Thank goodness for wise counsel, because my friend’s response was exactly what I needed to hear. “Homeschooling isn’t causing these problems,” she pointed out. “It’s just magnifying problems that were already there.”

She was right. Before we homeschooled, I was still impatient. My kids are generally quite sweet, but we still had occasional issues with them talking back and not wanting to listen. Sending them to school didn’t solve any of those problems, it just made them easier to forget about since I didn’t have to confront them as often. Having my children’s education taken care of by someone else also led me to be relaxed—probably too relaxed—about what happened in the house on a daily basis. There was no specific goal we were trying to accomplish on a typical day, so if my requests were being ignored here and there, it didn’t feel like a big deal. But when my children’s education became my responsibility, that changed. Suddenly, there was more at stake than whether or not I had help picking up the living room floor in the afternoon—if they continued not to do what I asked them to do, it could impact their entire education.

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone (as Simcha pointed out in her recent post about the benefits of sending her kids to school). There are a lot of reasons a family might choose a different model of education, but I’ve come to think that a bad dynamic between parents and kids shouldn’t be one of them. I used to think that those daily battles of wills were a bug in the homeschooling system; now I see them as a feature. Homeschooling acts as a magnifying glass, enlarging your view of any cracks that run through the foundation of your family, thus allowing you to address them before they grow larger and deeper.

Source: http://www.ncregister.com/ National Catholic Register

Related:

Help! I’m Married to a Homeschooling Mom: Showing Dads How to Meet the Needs of Their Homeschooling Wives

Looking Backward: My Twenty-Five Years as a Homeschooling Mother

 

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Homeschool Parenting Tips homeschool-Children

Tips for Toddler Tantrums

Many Young parents get scared when they hear stories about the “terrible twos.” Take courage, though, you will survive the toddler stage. It’s not easy to understand why your toddler has a tantrum but at such a young age, a child is consumed with thoughts of themselves. Everything is about them and how they feel. Until they are taught how to share, every toy or piece of food they see automatically belongs to them.

Toddler temper tantrums can have a variety of effects. Your first thought might be that everyone is focused on you and your screaming child, but getting embarrassed won’t diffuse the situation. Besides, as a parent, you have many more years of embarrassing situations to look forward to courtesy of your children. So worrying about what others think during this situation is simply going to stress you and make you feel worse.

Here are a few tips to help you cope during tantrums:

Taming Toddler Tantrums: Tips that Really Work

1. Ignore the tantrum. This technique works best when at home. In public places, you don’t want to ever leave your child unattended as a form of punishment. Good behavior in public begins at home. Ignoring a toddler is not harsh. If your child is squirming on the floor screaming for a cookie, continue to talk to them as if you never noticed. Eventually, they will get the hint and stop screaming.

2. Avoid instant gratification. In public, toddlers throw tantrums when they are denied something that they want. Some parents give in to keep their child quiet but a child learns quickly. Tantrums will continue if they know you will cave. Simply tell them “no” and keep moving.

3. Don’t get angry. When you scream and they scream the situation is wildly out of control. You’ll end up crying and your toddler will still be screaming. In any situation, raised voices mean civilized conversation has ended in favor of basic primal instincts. Don’t revert back to the days of early man. Keep using the same calm voice you use when they are behaving to get your child to calm down as well.

4. Praise your toddler when they behave well. Positive reinforcement is better than negative. In the absence of positive attention a child will behave badly just to get some attention at all. Acting out and throwing tantrums may be a cry for attention. Don’t let it get to this point. Clap and celebrate when they go to the potty successfully and when they put away their toys. Good manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” deserve a smile and a hand clap as well.

5. Run errands after nap time. Kids get punchy when they get tired. A toddler misbehaves more often if they are dragged around when they are tired.

6. Carry snacks with you. Low blood sugar can lead to tantrums. If you are out longer than anticipated and lunch or dinner time is close at hand, let them eat a healthy snack to keep their hunger pains at bay and sugar levels stable.

7. Be consistent in your punishment. At home, you might use “time out” to deal with a tantrum for bad behavior. In public do the same. Sit your child on a bench for five minutes or take them to the car. Eventually they will learn that you are not a pushover and they will begin to behave.

You will survive the toddler years. Nip temper tantrums in the bud with the above tips.

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Educational Toys Homeschool Curriculum Homeschool Teens homeschool-Children Homeschooling tips

Educational Toy: Learning Through Computer: Part 2

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Today we notice everywhere around us someone has a computer. Computers are in homes, offices and even in cars. With so much technology, it is logical that our children someday must learn how to operate a computer.

Nowadays children start out as soon as they begin to push bottoms. They make computers for the youngest child. They make computers for 18 months and older so your child can start learning at the youngest age. As your child grows so do the computers. Therefore, your child will be able to learn from the skills of a computer for many of years, since educational toys provide them a learning tool. The computers today designed for young children is technology advanced that your child would think that he is actually operating a real computer.

Click here to see Educational Game Software For Kids

What kinds of computers are available for my child?

There are all kinds of computer for your child to learn on. For the little ones that have their favorite characters, they may enjoy the Dora PC that allows them to Explore. Sponge Bob and his square pants, along with superman and many more may inspire your child to learn about technology.

Technology discovered that children attract to their favorite characters, so they designed the latest computers, including the laptops and desktops.

Dell Latitude D600 14.1-Inch Laptop – 512MB RAM, 30GB Hard Drive

Dell D620 Laptop Duo Core with Windows XP

How do these computers teach our children?

These are computers designed for preschoolers, helping them to learn from 18 months and up. Now one might think that an 18 month would have no interest in computers, yet technology has made it possible inspire nearly any young one this age.

Benefits of Computer:

The computers will encourage cause and effect while your child enjoys exploration, shapes, numbers, and more. Your child will enjoy touching animals or instrument, to hear the related sounds.

Some of the activities that challenge kids, include the rewarding lights and sound effects, as well as the buttons on the mouse that light up, this computer has a memory matching game as well as a game to help to learn numbers and shapes.

For those long trips to Aunt Maggie’s house, a handy dandy carrying case with handle makes it easy for your child to learn on the move.

If you do not think your child will like that one, maybe your child will enjoy the Geosafair laptop. The laptop that uses cards like flash cards will help your child learn. With this laptop, it comes with 63 different cards with learning tools on both sides. This will make 126 sides, which are lessons. The cards are lessons that teach your child about wildlife, animals, science, language, math, maps, history, and trivia games and more. Each learning tool will inspire your child to continue learning new skills.

For the children that are still small and learning but are already in school there is a computer, which is the children’s laptop. This computer has much to offer, since your child will learn math games, word puzzle, telling time, memory skills, keyboard skill, music composition, English and Spanish translation is available also, which teaches your child new languages. The laptop comes with a realistic mouse with five different buttons to use.

How do I find these computers?

Some computers that teach your child learning skills are in all the big stores like at your local Wal-Mart or even Target stores have this computer. Some times your smaller computers are found in Rite Aide or Walgreen’s. They are using these computers in school as well as home. If you cannot find what you are looking for in your local stores you can go to the Internet and find them on there as well on amazon like below;

Computer For Kids

Computer PC For Home

 

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Educational Toys homeschool-Children Homeschooling tips K12 Homeschooling

Chromashift Dinosaur: Educational Toy From Discovery Channel

dino

Image Source: Robot Dino Toy
 

Chromashift Dinosaur:

Unleashing your child’s inhibitions is easy today even if the child has a learning disability. Today educational toys teach your children about history, math, and teaches them how to read. You can find educational toys that teach your child how to speak foreign languages. The toys are designed to develop your child’s abilities and skills, teaching them to grow healthy. Once your child reaches college, he or she will have more knowledge that helps him or her get ahead of education. In fact, the educational toys will help your child throughout elementary, central and high school. The children will have advantages since educational toys build comprehension and reading skills, which is the prime targets that help them to relate to any subject taught in schools.

Some of the common toys today include my favorite, Chromashift. This historical educational toy brings in a realistic depiction of reptiles. Its bio-mechanic ability to move makes this toy interesting enough to inspire your child to learn more about historical creations. The toy changes colors, which the purpose is to inspire your child to take interest in Chromashift.

Discovery Channel Toy:

Discovery Exclusive Chrome Shift Roboreptile Robotic Reptile Green Chrome By WowWee

This reptile has inspired many because it is a Discovery Channel replica and was seen on television. In fact, the Ellen Show introduced this fun reptile to millions of people nationally helping them to see how it benefits the child and helps them through development.

How the Chromashift works:
Chromashift has a motion sensor or bio-morphic which its advanced features uses organic elements to move around. This toy is robotic and has dual aggressive emotion-like features that help him to walk at his choice of speed. The colorful shift in his structure changes while it lights up giving your child the ability to watch Chromashift at angles view his surroundings. If you are familiar with the history of dinosaurs you will notice traits that help your child learn too what you know about this history. This robotic creature hunts his prey on all fours and stands to run using both his legs.

Interactive Learning Toy:
Dino-robot or Chromashift rather will whip that tail around as his head moves, snapping as he moves along, using his rear legs, Chromashift runs and jumps. Do not let your child try sneaking up behind Chromashift because he can sense the movement and will instantly make a run for it.

Robotic toys, such as Chromashift teaches your child to express emotions while showing him how dinosaurs demonstrated their emotional responses. The toy has a couple of moods that show his satisfaction, hunger, aggressiveness and submissive side.

Your child learns how to work this toy by using modes that function from remote control. He has an independent guard and using the switch, Chromashift will even fall asleep. Stereo sensors, which infrared sensors control his vision, produce the sounds and a laser picks up through sensor motion making Chromashift become aware of the surroundings in his environment.

Discovery Exclusive Chrome Shift Roboreptile Robotic Reptile Green Chrome By WowWee

What does my child get with Chromashift?
Your child gets the benefits of learning how historic creatures roamed the earth. Your child will also receive a hood with Chromashift as well as accessories. The hood fits comfortably over Chromashift face. The concept is to demonstrate Chromashift’s ability to subdue his moods and relax.

In summary, the benefit your child receives from this educational toy is that he or she will learn that it is ok to show emotions. Your child will develop behavior patterns that help him or her take control. At what time your child sees that Chromashift becomes aggressive when he is hungry that when he eats he feels content. Finally, your child can program these dinosaurs to train him to show any emotion your child wants the Chromashift to display.

Click here to see all Robot Dinosaurs Toys to Play and Learn from.

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homeschool-Children Homeschooling Resource Homeschooling tips

Field Trip Ideas For Homeschoolers

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One of the best we can learn is from going to museums, field trips and actually seeing and doing how things works. Regular public schools also have field trips to educate the children. When you are homeschooling, you can customized and cater the field trip according to your child’s interests. You can check out various museum and other ideas at museum and more site.

Homeschool – Field trips

If you are going over a particular subject with the family and
feel that a field trip would be beneficial, then that’s what you
should do – go for a trip. If you are attached to a support group,
you can plan to include other children too.

Here are some guidelines that will help you plan:
1) Collect the rates
2) Allowed ages
3) Special highlights
4) Size of the group
5) Timings
6) Eating facilities

Inform your support group of all these details well in advance so
that the necessary circulars may be sent out. On the appointed
day, arrange to meet with other parents and children in a
particular place. Plan the mode of travel and reach the place at
least 10 minutes in advance.

The field trip is not just fun. So, let your kids bring their
writing material. Allow them time to stare and admire. Do not
hurry them along. Collect data beforehand so that you can clear
doubts. Get help from a guide, if necessary. And most importantly,
have fun and enjoy the time you spend with your children.

Check out:

Homeschool Reference Books for Parents

Best early education homeschool curriculum

Homeschooling poster: Cheap, fun and educational

Homeschooling via DVD Videos

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Homeschool Curriculum homeschool-Children Homeschooling Resource

Free Homeschooling Videos

As a teacher I know the value of good picture and good educational video that can enhance the learning experience. As they picture is much better compared to thousand words. Then it must be that moving pictures (video) must be worth a million words. My kids love watching videos, and sometimes I let them watch educational videos and educational games, so they think they are having fun but actually are learning at the same time.

Here are some Homeschooling free Videos for Further Learning about Homeschooler and its issues: You can check our our DVD curriculum ideas and educational posters ideas to supplement and enhance learning at home.

Sample Videos of Children’s Learning

ABC Phonics Song

Counting 1 to 10

Dry Ice Science Project

Learning Spanish

Addition and Substraction Rap

How to Tell Time (Analog and Digital)