Summer is winding down, and it seems that the whole USA is in a back to school frame of mind. Seeing friends and family sharing about first days of school has me thinking of our first year of home education, what things helped with the transition, and what I wish I'd done differently.
Whether you're starting homeschool for the first time, or transitioning home from a community-based school, I hope these tips will help you thorough the adjustment period.
° Recognize that a period of adjustment will be needed.
The best way to begin is to acknowledge that an adjustment period will be needed. Even though home is a place of learning from the time our children are born, they will still need a bit of time to sort out what that means in an academic sense. It might take a little while to reconcile the idea of home as a place for structured learning vs. relaxation and leisure.
° Create a schedule - or two!
I'm always more productive when I have an agenda for the day. Just like I did for all the years I worked in an office, I take some time each evening to prepare a prioritized task list for the next day. C has two visual schedules - one on his bedroom door to help guide his morning time, and one that shows him each school day and what subjects will be covered.
° Put the "home" in Homeschool.
If your child's coming home from a challenging school situation, there may be some negative feelings associated with school. That was certainly true in C's case, and one of my regrets is that I tried to recreate school at home in the beginning. Making our home look like school with charts, rug time, etc., was simply recreating an environment that was causing him anxiety.
If school has been a stressful place for your child, take full advantage of being at home by creating the anti-school. Abandon the desk for a pile of cushions on the floor. Go outside and study as weather permits.Work simple lessons in with an enjoyable activity. A few that Chico enjoyed were sand and water play, ball games in the back yard, and even learning while floating in the pool!
° Let your child lead.
In the rush and excitement of teaching, don't forget to let your child teach you. Especially with an Autistic child, there can be a habit of trying to lead him from activity to activity. Take some time to sit near as he plays. Join in if he allows it, but follow his lead. If he stacks blocks, stack your own. If he sifts sand though his fingers, grab a pile and sift away. Don't coerce, or try to change what he's doing. Be present, and enjoy taking time to try and see the world through your child's eyes. This is one of the greatest gifts of homeschooling.
Are you in a period of school transition? What are some things you've found to make it easier?
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