Teaching young children or elementary homeschool is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.
Today, I’m sharing common mistakes to avoid when teaching elementary aged children.
This can be one of the hardest times of homeschooling because there is so much intensive training.
Elementary homeschool means not just teaching in the formative years but you’re going beyond academics.
When they are toddlers and preschoolers we understand they have a need to create chaos.
However, as they grow and move on to grades 3 – 6, we should be expecting other things of them.
The elementary homeschool years was a time that I worked hard. Not only was I teaching them how to read and write, but I was developing their character as well.
Explaining common mistakes, I am hoping you will steer clear of them.
3 Tips for Elementary Homeschool
First, look at these tips.
1. Don’t Push or Be Overly Ambitious
Yes, easier said than done.
I have had many new homeschoolers tell me that their first grader loved doing worksheet after worksheet for hours and they let them.
Maybe so, but by third grade you will have a resistant learner if you keep that pace.
I have heard it many times when parents say they have a gifted learner.
Maybe so, but even gifted learners are still young children.
Anybody that knows me can relate to the fact that when I started homeschooling, arts and crafts was something that I rolled my eyes at.
What a waste of time I thought.
Too, my poor first son survived my “drill and kill”. But I learned soon enough that learning should be fun.
And that valuable gross and fine motor skills are taught through such fun things.
So, while teaching, instead of thinking about going up in grade level because they are advanced, think about expanding out.
Think of how to enrich what you are learning now.
In addition, the load becomes more the higher the grade because more is expected of them.
Allow them to step pace in learning to one that makes learning a delight instead of a drudgery to be fulfilled just because they have the ability. Remember this is no race.
Why do this instead of going on to the next level? Curriculum is laid out and planned with a child of a certain age in mind.
{Spending time with Mr. Senior 2013 in how to keep a room. At the time I remember thinking it was more important to teach him how to read so he wouldn’t be “behind”.}
2. Teaching Responsibility Now – Equals Freedom Later
As I mentioned earlier, homeschooling goes beyond the three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.
Also, I encouraged you in the beginning to focus on the 3 Rs of curriculum.
So, one more advantage to doing this is so that you have the energy to focus on developing their hearts and character.
Many days I had tears because it seemed like the messes never ended and then somebody needed me for something else.
However, taking the time to train them to put away their school supplies, pick up their toys, hang up their clothes and do chores around the house builds character.
It instills in your children a sense of caring for family and a pride in self-care.
{Cleaning of my book shelves for a new year was always inhibited by one “walking terror” or another. Here is Tiny as he end up being my last preschooler. }
Many days I felt it was easier for me to do all the cleaning because it was quicker and done “right”.
But if I did that, then nobody would want to be around my sons when they got older because then I would be raising ungrateful and spoiled boys.
3. Don’t ONLY Cover the 3 Rs
No I am not telling you something different now, I want you to eventually grow.
When you first begin and when you are overwhelmed, it is okay to just focus on the 3 Rs as you teach elementary homeschool.
Because if a child gets behind in art for example ,it will not handicap him for the rest of his life.
If he struggles with learning how to read, it can.
Additionally, new homeschoolers need to find a balance between finishing ALL of what is planned for the day in the 3 Rs versus moving on to the more fun subjects like art, geography, history and science.
It is not healthy and you zoom right to the top of the list of burnout and sending your children back to public school when you insist that you go beyond the 3 hours or so in the morning that is allotted for doing the 3 R’s.
I hear of nightmare stories of children schooling ALL day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and some yes even to 5:00 p.m. Nothing is accomplished this way.
Let me repeat, nothing ever has been accomplished except to have the child feel learning is drudgery. Instead of becoming a skillful, informative, well educated and loving teacher we have become a drill sergeant.
If attitude is the problem with your kids, I will share some tips on the rebels in your home on Day 26: Rebel or Resister – Are You the Cause?
I encourage you to MAKE time for the fun subjects or the science experiment that you never get because they are always “behind” in their language arts or math. Are you planning too much?
Homeschooling Elementary Aged Children
Remember that if they are doing history or science then more than likely some writing and math will be involved. Many times during my journey, I have had to first do the science experiment or fun thing that seems to keep escaping us and then start the 3 R’s.
I PROMISE if you will rein yourself in and STOP the 3 Rs right about noonish and take up fun activities after lunch, your home school journey will stay balanced, rigorous, hands-on, fun AND advanced.
Take comfort understanding that during the public school day, there are just a very few hours of actual instruction time between recess, lunch, roll call and other interruptions.
Please don’t give up when the going is tough.
Yes, my sons are older now and I am here to tell you the blessings of enjoying teen boys that know how to clean my home, cook and buy groceries and take care of me when needed is a blessing I couldn’t see when they were very little and tears poured from my eyes.
(Mr. Senior 2013 & Mr. Awesome at my niece’s wedding last month along with much loved aunts and uncles on hubby’s side.)
Happy tears now stream as I see the handsome (I admit my obvious bias) and loving men they are becoming! Young children don’t stay young long, they do grow up.
Can you see the realization of your vision as you teach and LOVE your young children?
New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics
1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics
- 1 Learn The Lingo (& free glossary)
- 2: Homeschool Roots Matter
- 3 What is NOT Homeschooling
- 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers
- 5: The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round & ‘Round
- 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations
- 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing?
8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners
- 8: Organize Your Home – Then School
- 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year
- 10 Grocery Shopping Cooking Laundry
- 11: Swoonworthy Learning Spaces & Homeschool Rooms
- 12: Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool
- 13. Streamlined Record Keeping
- 14 Homeschool Supplies List
15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum
- 15: Discovering Learning Styles
- 16: Practical Tips for Learning Styles
- 17: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum
Hugs
