If you are starting homeschooling, then you should take practical steps and make pedagogical choices. Some of the tips to get started on homeschooling in Ontario are:
- Withdraw your child from school: if your child is attending a school in Ontario at present, then you will have to provide the school board a written notification of homeschooling. It is just courtesy and common sense to ensure that school doesn’t think that the child is being withdrawn for any other purpose. If your child hasn’t been to an Ontario school, then you don’t need to send a letter of intent. Withdrawal of the child is the first step. In case your child has been bullied in school, then take some time to detox it and regain his/ her interest in learning.
- De-school your child: Give your child some time to live freely for some time with your support. Make sure they are detoxed from the negative impact of attending school such as being bullied, performance anxiety, peer pressure, low self-esteem and more. The basics of starting homeschooling is to de-school your child first. Don’t make any mistakes. Restore the natural curiosity and interest of your child in learning for a good homeschooling experience.
- De-school yourself too: While you are working on detoxing your child, detox your mind too about what education was for you before. Get rid of the institutional model learning and focus on what natural learning and individual learning looks like. Read content on de-schooling to have a well-planned homeschooling structure.
- Select your teaching style: While drafting your homeschooling plan, figure out the approach you want to take. It will change with time as you progress. Check out the different learning styles and teaching methods.
- Select your learning material: Once you have finalized your approach, you should select your supplies and learning material. Some homeschooling approaches don’t need educational material while others need conventional educational material. So decide accordingly.
- Begin your program: Once you have chosen the method and curriculum, draft a schedule which works for you and your child.
- Change as needed: After you have started homeschooling, don’t forget to make adjustments as and when needed. Be responsive to how your child acts to your teaching method, material and regime. If a particular thing doesn’t work for you, then make changes. One of the benefits of homeschooling is that you can tailor everything as per the needs of your child and situations arising.
- Networking: To keep your child involved with other kids and for events like field trips, you should socialize and join local support groups.
Starting homeschooling is a daunting task and you may need to put a lot of effort in the beginning. The special education format is a boon for the kid and the parents if dealt nicely. If you are looking for homeschooling in Ontario, then consider Read Write Think. You can get the best 1 on 1 homeschooling help from here either in person or online.
