Types of Home School Curriculum for Kids

There are different kinds of home school curriculum that parents like us can choose from. Under those curriculum are the subjects and topics that our child would learn and study. It is important for us to understand what they are so we could ensure that our sons and daughters are getting the knowledge which is appropriate for their age. We can choose from various of companies that provide homeschooling programs. For this post, I will talk to you about the different kinds of curriculum offered in a house based educational program. Knowing what they offer will help is in think if it is right or not meant for our kid.

Comprehensive Programs

There are a lot of companies that offer this type of education. This one provides complete lessons for all kinds of academic subjects. Materials are provided and your child can go through them with supervision. There are different kinds of lessons for all grade levels. Among the companies that follow this kind of process are A Beka Book, Calvert Education, Connections Academy, and more.

Online Learning

This curriculum involves the use of a reliable Internet connection. All lessons, discussions, and practical exams are done virtually. Parents enroll their child and they perform all educational related activities in the website. The companies that offer this kind of curriculum are Time4Learning, Global Student Network, International Virtual Learning Academy, and more.

Test Preparation

There are a lot of examinations for students out there. May it be SAT, ACT, and GMAT. This type of curriculum can help students in preparing for the kind of exam that they will be taking. Some companies can provide professional tutors, and some let students study on their own by offering them learning materials online. The companies that offer this kind of services are United Digital Learning, Global Student Network, and International Virtual Academy.

All programs are designed to meet specific needs. Our duties as parents are to decide which curriculum would best fit our children and provide them with unlimited support. Letting them learn at home doesn’t give them the right to do the things that they want. They need to be reminded constantly that when it is their schedule for studying, then they must comply. Giving our 100% support and guidance assures them that everything is okay. Allow them to have breaks and to do the things that they love most in order to avoid information overload and stress. Make them experience that learning does not have to be complicated but challenging and fun.

Different Kinds of Homeschooling Programs to Choose From

Do you feel that your child is ready to start school? Parents are given choices whether to enroll their kids in a homeschooling program or in a regular school with classrooms, classmates, and different subject teachers. Note that there are a lot of options for it. Times have changed. Along with gadgets, the education system has also evolved. One factor is the homeschool program, which include various kinds. It is an external form of educational system supported or sponsored by taxpayers, schools, and more. They comprise different curriculum and are open for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school levels. For this post, I will share to you different programs and their differences.

Accredited Home School Programs

Under this category are the Distance Education Accrediting Commission or DEAC and University accredited programs. The DEAC program is mostly for students who are exposed in the foreign services. From the name itself, university accredited programs are offered by large schools to high school students who are planning to enroll in their university once in college.

Home School Programs By Format

Under this category is the CD-Rom based Curriculum, Correspondence Schools, and Online schools. CD-Rom based curriculum can be used by a student, even if he or she does not have any Internet connection. One factor to consider is to have a PC that will pair up with the said application. Correspondence Schools is a program that involves a professional teacher who will provide tools for each academic subject. A student must be able to complete it and be evaluated before moving on to the next level for a certain subject. Lastly, the Online School program. This one can either be grade or interest based. The curriculum can be tailored to fit each student’s preference. One factor to consider is that a fast and reliable Internet connection.

International Home School Programs

Available in Australia, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, and more. Some are government-supported and some are association powered.

There are a lot of programs not mentioned. Once you have completely decided to enroll your child in a home type of education, you must review, learn, and criticize every program before finally deciding which one to choose. Never forget that we must also take into consideration the ability and skills of our kid. Don’t just choose a program because it is what you like or is what you can afford. Understand the mental level of your son or daughter. Will they be able to handle the task ahead or not?

Why the Reviews of ABC Mouse are Positive

ABC Mouse is an online learning website that aims to educate children ages 2 to 7. It is one of the newest websites to date that has creative graphical designs fit for preschoolers and kindergarten students. It promotes fun and accessible learning for all kinds of subjects from reading, math, music, arts and coloring. Since it has been established, the reviews of abc mouse are mostly positive and can be witnessed and heard from what other moms are saying.

There are a lot of reasons why. For this post, we will discuss why parents give reviews that have great content. We will weigh them in and give proof.

Colorful website

Having a graphically unique site is an edge, and that is what ABC Mouse has. It attracts more parents, educators, and students because it has a simple, straight to the point webpage.

Evolving Curriculum

The aim of the creators of ABC Mouse is to provide a balance between serious and fun learning. To be able to achieve this, they make sure that they create a curriculum that is different from the others, which is way improved, updated, and child friendly.

Informative Printables and Other Paraphernalia

When a child is enrolled in the program, ABC Mouse provides their very own tools, lesson printouts and more. The product was made like this in order for teachers and parents to monitor their students’ progress.

Free 30-Day Trial

If you still question their program, the people at ABC Mouse urge new customers to try their free 30-day trial. A month is already enough for parents to know that they have chosen the right kind of homeschool curriculum for their son and daughter’s mental development.

Mobile Learning

The flow of teaching can be done wherever and whenever a parent and the child wants. They do not have to be forced to stay in the same room for the rest of the program. This approach limits a student’s chances of getting bored.

Education is the number one priority. With what is going on in this world, from technologies to people’s personalities, it is highly important that parents are present in a child’s every milestone. No matter what type of program you placed them into, without your personal support and encouragement, the curriculum will not work. The first lessons are taught at home by the mother and father. Constant monitoring of progress is encouraged. With this, children will instill in their minds that learning can be a fun and challenging experience and not the opposite.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling

There are different reasons why parents choose to have their children homeschooled. As parents, we all want what is best for our kids. No matter the circumstance, as long as they have what they need in order to experience a brilliant education, we are always willing to sacrifice. Homeschooling requires quality supervision. We must be firm with what we say, instruct, and delegate. Sometimes, we have to forget that we are the dads or the moms and force ourselves to act as their teacher. There will be times that they will act up, and we must learn how to deal with their tantrums professionally. For this post, I will share to you various advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling your child.

Comfort

We choose to enroll them in the program because of this first and the most common reason, which is comfort. Nothing beats staying at home and having all the things you need. This is perfect for both the students and the parents. Children can take up their lessons in their most preferred area of the house. Parents, on the other hand, can still work on their chores while they are supervising their kids.

Safety

Staying indoors with you is the safest place. Sometimes, we are not prepared to let them go on their own that’s why we decide to enroll them in a homeschool program. We wonder if they would be able to take it on their own if we send them to regular schools. If you are doubtful, start choosing the best house schooling programs now. They can study under the same roof, and you can keep an eye on them closely.

Lack of Social Skills

Because they stay indoors most of the time, it is important that we expose them into the outside world once in a while. You can let them play with their friends. You can also change locations and conduct sessions outdoors. Developing social skills as young as 2 years old is a must. We must try to avoid in letting our children become a loner. Letting them experience the happenings outside can prepare them if ever you need to send them to a regular school setting.

The homeschooling life varies from family to family but they all have the same goal, which is to educate. We may have them at home with us, but we must never forget to set time for studying, and time for playing. Make the rules with them and acknowledge their needs. Avoid being strict but practice being a firm educator. The list can go on and on, but these are the most common advantages and disadvantages. We must never forget our aim, and that is to give them the best learning experience that we can.

Things to Consider in a Preschool Homeschool Curriculum

Homeschool companies are improving their lessons every time. They try to design topics that would fit what’s in and out of the business. As much as possible, they try to use the latest available technology in order to attract more parents and students. As parents, we are left with the burden on deciding which is the best curriculum for our children.

For this post, I will be talking about the factors to consider in choosing a preschool homeschool curriculum that will benefit both the children and their parents.

Learning Activities

One thing to consider is if they offer various learning activities. This may include social interaction, problem solving, production activities, and more. Minus the process of having lectures and reading, learning activities focuses on the application of what is learned. More on “doing” and at the same time “learning”.

Educational Games

All work and no play can be tiring and can be such a chore. Children have a low attention span that is why it is important for us to choose a program which can provide different exciting educational games. It can either be board or electronic games. At ages two to five years old, all they ever want to do is play. There are a lot of games online. We just have to make sure that they play education-related games.

Online and Offline Activities

The right curriculum must have online and offline activities. This is good because children can’t just stay indoors all the time. They need to go out, explore, apply what they learn, and socialize. Interacting with other people can help them release their stress and other things that bother them. Exposure to real-time happenings is a must so that each student would be able to compare all the things from what they have learned inside.

Comprehensive Math and Reading Lessons

Double check and make sure that the lessons a homeschool company provides would fit your child’s needs. Review their lessons and compare them with your kid’s weakness. The pacing of the discussions must be equal to the capabilities of each student.

There are times when a company would offer free trial runs. Make sure that it is legit. Again, choosing the ideal curriculum must pair up with the student’s needs and the parent’s availability. We must always be present during every session. Treat them as students and provide them with rules that will make it look like they are in a real school setting.

How Online Homeschool Works

When the time comes that your child will need to be in school, you will start to weigh in two options. Whether to send them to a traditional school or teach them in your house.

Nowadays, there is a growing population and percentage of homeschooled students in the world. Parents choose this method because they feel confident that they can get to monitor their child’s mental capacity closely.

Programs can be handed to a parent personally or via online. Before, booklets are provided and must be followed. Now, lessons are being given via email, or website posts. Students will then work on their computers. Online Homeschool Service is one of the growing businesses. Year after year, more parents join the program. As a 38-year-old parent, I always check every company’s curriculum. I look it up and ask myself if my kid would be able to do it or not.

Lessons should be tailored to fit each type of child and their needs. It is important to always bear in mind that no child is the same. They are all different from their perceptions down to their likes and dislikes. When providing them with lectures and practice tests, be physically present, and never leave their side. Leaving them alone would let them think that you lack interest in supporting them. It is also important that we praise them for their achievements and correct them if they have mistakes.

Once you decide to enrol your child in an online homeschool program, lessons will then be provided via email or through the said company’s website. There will be different lessons and activities that he or she must complete before advancing to the next curriculum.

It is highly important that we provide our students/children with an area in the house that is conducive for learning. It can be anywhere, but all tools must be accessible so that they will experience no distractions.

Homeschooling has its pros and cons. Weigh them, and make sure that the program you choose will fit you and your son or daughter’s needs. Be firm with your schedule and provide appropriate breaks. Whenever they feel too tired, talk to them or let them do something that they want or enjoy. Then suggest going back to the lessons. A calm approach is needed for this type of situation. Our children look to us as both their parent and their educator. Balance your duty and never leave anything out.