You Can Teach Your Child At Home! How's Your Patience Level?
Posted: Monday, May 17, 2010
by Connie Case
It's not hard to teach your child at home. The hard part is being patient with your own child who knows how to push your buttons!! When parents say to me, "I want to home school!" I say, "Well, how's your patience level?" If they answer back, "Not so good with my own children!" I say "No, don't do it!" Only if you can be patient with your child no matter what they throw at you, then you can home school. (I don't mean throw things physically I mean throw things mentally!) Although I've seen a few kids throw things at their parents!!
I think it's great when parents decided to home school and succeed. I've been asked to tutor many times from parents who were home schooling. It's more than they bargained for! It's not their fault really. They had good intentions, they just didn't realize what teaching entails. Also, they do not know the many things a child can try to get away with while they are being taught.
Something starts when a child starts learning. As teachers we know that every child is not the "fast
learner" or the child who gets the concept the first time it's introduced. Every child is different.. They are wonderfully put together with love, and a brain and an inquisitive mind. Some are quick to get it, and others are a bit slower. Each child has to be worked with differently.
Just because a child is a bit slower than another classmate only means you have to adjust the way you present concepts, he or she just might need a bit more practicing on the subject. They are not "slow" he or she could be excellent in another subject. This is what you learn as a teacher. Each child is an individual and must be treated that way.
Learning can be a challenge. Presented in a fun easy way, with no pressure attached to it is the best way to present learning to a child. Games, exercises with a pencil, and giving loads of encouragement is what I practiced when I was teaching. I got a lot more smiles and more work from them when they were treated like an individual! An Important Individual!
SO, when you want to teach your child at home, be patient, go take a walk if they get frustrated. Let
them go outside and play if it becomes a struggle... Take a break!! Start again fresh.. Make sure they eat well, rest well and play well. Also, have treats and little prizes. These little things mean so much to a child who is learning.
HAVE FUN!
Connie Case
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)I have a lot of respect for those brave souls who do home school their kiddos. Tough job. BTW, Welcome to SearchWarp!THANKS! Glad you enjoyed the article! CC
Your article has wonderful information in it, Connie. Teachers, whether they're parents or not, are so often impatient and don't realise how much their own stuff stifles the child. Thanks.Thanks Jennifer. Yes, patients should be a requirement for teachers!! CC
Some great things to think about before committing to home schooling. Thanks for writing this piece.You're totally welcome... Loved writing it... CC
Thank you for writing this Connie! It brings up some great points. My own son has asked me to homeschool next year and I have been on the fence about it. I used to teach and I agree that it is totally different when it is other kids. My son is a fast learner, I just think he would miss the social aspect of it all and the competition with others really pushes him! Thanks again for shedding some light!You're totally welcome... If you do decide to homeschool him, you could always enroll him in local baseball teams, basketball, swimming etc. I use to do that when my sons were young.. Thanks! CC
Hi CC, I recognized you are a teacher before I read it. It is how you start the article, I think. Point well taken and I also perceived you are very patient and deliberate. I enjoy your article and am happy you chose that profession. Or did it choose you?I think we both chose each other!!! Thanks! CC
A good article for anyone considering home schooling-It's not as easy as it sounds- Thanks- EllaThis is true Ella! Thanks! CC
I don't know, I think more emphasis should be on teaching the child patience. Sometimes the realization that the parent has limited patience could be an incentive for the child to buckle down and behave. Not all kids are attention deficit disordered, not the ones that stay away from TV and junk food and get regular exercise and sleep. Some of the problem is just learning you have to do what you are told.
I am a home schooling working mother of 3 very active girls and I can say that I need a double dosage of patience. It's not easy when I work part time because it seems that I never get time to myself. But it is very rewarding to keep my kids at home with me so I train myself with he big help from God to have patience. Every child is very different and they are wonderfully made to be my children and I enjoy every bit of their uniqueness. I handle one differently and with care and respect. Thank you for a great article!
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