How to Raise a Learner at Home

Homeschooling your child means raising an independent learner at home. You have to take on the dual role of a parent and teacher with the end goal of nurturing a well-rounded individual in mind. With the many challenges present at home, here are some things that might help you empower your child and create a learning space that encourages independence and self-direction.

• Teach your child about responsible time management. Teach your child how to create and follow a schedule with an allotted time for studies, rest, and recreation. Proper time management will motivate your child to do and accomplish more.
• Pay attention to your child’s learning style. Knowing your child’s learning style will guide you on what teaching style or approach is best for you to use. Identify if your child is a language learner, auditory learner, or visual learner.
• Encourage your child to read. Books promote literacy, creativity, and knowledge. Frequent reading helps your child discover valuable life lessons, instill good character, and develop other skills.
• Involve your child in household chores. Aside from inculcating a sense of responsibility to your child, household chores actually provide learning opportunities in math, science, and literacy.
• Encourage self-discovery. Let your child explore his or her unique skills and talents through hobbies and unstructured play. Provide them open-ended explorations where they can discover things they are capable of doing excellently.
• Express love in many ways. Choose the most effective means to express love to your child from physical touch, affirmative words, gifts, acts of service, and quality time. Authors Gary Chapman and Rose Campbell of the book “The Five Love Languages of Children” note that a child who feels loved and can identify with his parents is much inclined to discipline and learning.

Homeschooling requires different ways on how to tailor learning towards an independent, competent child equipped to face the world. Learning is a lifetime process, and a partnership with a school is ideal to guide you in competently managing your child’s education through this period. There are Christian homeschools in Manila, like VCIS HomeStudy™, that offer programs which integrate faith to the curriculum, and can provide helpful resources to aid and guide you in teaching your child.