How to Homeschool Temporarily

Occasionally a person has a need to homeschool for a short period of time. It can be due to illness, or it can be just to get a child back on track. While I would not recommend homeschooling for just a year or two to everyone, I have seen that it can be very useful.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Set goals for the time you plan to homeschool. It is helpful to know how long you will be homeschooling your kids, and what you plan to accomplish in that time. Your goal can be to teach your child discipline, to de-stress your child, or to catch them up academically.
2. Break up your goals for the child into a doable time line. Set mini goals within your overall goal. To that, add a system where you can chart accomplishments and reward the child.
3. Get curriculum that corresponds with your local school district. If you are planning to put your child back in school in a year or two, it makes sense to use a curriculum that is in sync with the local school district. Many school systems have websites that tell you exactly what children are studying though it may take some interpreting. Some school districts also have online public schools that kids can do online.
4. Be open to homeschooling for the long term. Many people start homeschooling with the goal of doing it just for a short while. Once they realize the benefits, however, they continue to homeschool.
5. Don’t expect miracles. While homeschooling success in the form of outstanding progress can be realized in one year or less, it is more likely that a child will begin to truly excel after homeschooling for two or more years. If your goal is to homeschool from January until the next school year, do not be unrealistic and push your child too hard. If they were in a stressful situation before they will need time to decompress and adjust to schooling at home.

Tips & Warnings

• Set realistic goals for the time you plan to homeschool.
• Don’t push a child too hard right after pulling them out of school.