While the pandemic forced many parents to homeschool their children, many still choose to homeschool even after it has subsided due to the positive effects on their children. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of homeschooling families in the UK increased by 40 per cent.
Some of the reasons why parents prefer homeschooling for their children include the lack of choice in schools, travelling, and the belief that homeschooling can provide their children with a better education.
Aside from choosing the right school for your child, homeschooling also involves a lot of planning. It involves removing your child from school, finding the necessary resources, and raising them to the level of excellence they need to make their mark in this competitive world.
If you're considering online homeschooling for your child; we have a guide to help you get started. Find out how you can make the transition easier for your child and yourself.
What to Look For in an Online Homeschool?
While modern online homeschooling emulates physical schools in various ways, an exceptional homeschool has teachers trained in how to make the most of the digital setting. It can be much easier to teach a small group of children than to teach one-on-one. Finding an online homeschool with teachers who understand the subject matter they're teaching is the first step toward ensuring students get the most out of their education.
Before you consider homeschooling, you must identify the type of learning style that your child will be comfortable with. This can be done by asking them what they like to do and how they prefer to be involved in their learning.
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Find a Home Education Group
A support system can be very helpful when your child is new to online homeschooling. It can help you gather information and advice from other experienced parents. You'll also be able to find some great resources.
One of the best ways to keep in touch with other homeschooling parents is through the LetS network. This is a great service that allows parents to exchange goods and services.
What Curriculum Should My Children Follow?
Cambridge International provides children in the UK with an educational experience that will help them learn the curriculum through modern methods that allow for a thorough understanding and retention of information.
With global acceptability and a diverse range of subjects to choose from, parents are encouraged to opt for an online school that teaches various Cambridge subjects that interest their child.
A Day In the Life
Planning your day in advance can help you and your child track how they plan on taking on the day's itinerary. Contrary to popular belief, it's very easy to get started. Start by setting aside an hour for lunch and an hour for breaks in the morning and afternoon. This will allow you to remember that your child's attention span is flexible. If you plan to take a trip, this can also be added to the schedule.
Another important aspect of planning your school day has a timetable. This can be done by setting out the various goals that you want to achieve. You can also organise each lesson by asking yourself the lesson's duration, difficulty, and aims.
Sonya Kumar, a tutor for Polo & Tweed, provides her top tips on navigating the minefields of homeschooling. She believes that establishing a specific learning space for your child’s studies can help greatly ensure their attendance is maintained. Make sure it's free from toys and other distractions, and plan by scheduling one week at a time.
You can get the most out of your school day by tackling the heavier subjects first during revision. Having a good breakfast will help keep your children focused and allow them to start feeling better after lunch. Plan a variety of activities after lunch to keep them entertained.
This rule can also be applied to the weather. If the weather looks like it's going to get worse, try scheduling an activity outside before breakfast. Thankfully, your online class won't be affected by the weather, another benefit of homeschooling that parents often take for granted.
Although the afternoon will be more informal, plenty of activities can still be done to help tie in with the curriculum. For instance, you can create arts and crafts activities that help with counting and fractions. You can also download a variety of science experiments for your children to follow on YouTube.
One of the most effective ways to keep the children focused is by having them create a PowerPoint presentation of the lessons that they have learned that week. This will help them sink in and improve their IT skills as well.
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Breaks are important and should be well-defined, so your child knows when they can have some time for themselves. If your children have started to get frustrated, let them run around and release their pent-up frustrations.
There are plenty of resources that are designed to help you make the most of online homeschooling. One of these is BBC Bitesize, which is free. Oxford Owl also has a variety of sections that are not only free but also have some of the most interesting and up-to-date educational content.
Should You Get a Tutor?
While homeschooling has various benefits, it can sometimes be challenging, especially at first. That being said, although a tutor can also help you with certain subjects, it's best to enrol your child in an online school that provides your children with the attention and guidance they need to excel at their subjects without any added help.
At Cambridge Home School Online, we provide a quality British online education to students worldwide. We offer four homeschooling programs that help students get the guidance they need, from when they start school to pre-university. Parents can view our list of programs as well as subjects offered here. We're proud to provide a high-quality learning opportunity in many subjects to students who may otherwise have been unable to find the right guidance.
Touted as the leading British online school by many on TrustSpot, we provide the academic and non-academic support students need to succeed in school, helping them perform exceptionally well and have an enjoyable online learning experience. Let's get started!
About the Author
The author is a vastly experienced O and A Levels teacher with over 15 years of experience heading academic departments at some of the most prestigious schools in the UK. She has been associated with Cambridge Home School for over 5 years.
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