Perhaps the most difficult challenge that a homeschooling parent faces is meeting their own expectations. New homeschool teachers have a number of preconceived notions which may not always translate well in the classroom. This can leave them wondering about just how good a job they are doing of teaching their children. In order to reduce this anxiety it is a good idea to set some learning goals before you begin homeschooling. Here’s what you need to consider before you set homeschool learning goals for your students.
The Age and Grade of the Homeschool Student
In trying to make the homeschool students do their best a parent can sometimes forget that each child has a natural limit. A three year old may not be able to write a single word, but can sing the nursery rhymes with ease. A six year old may have trouble with division but can do addition with ease. As the child grows older, and the grades get higher, you can set more advanced goals for them. Do not try and make them college level students in the first grade!
The Attention Span and Attitude of the Student
Each child has a different personality. This affects their learning style as well. If your first born was a quiet child who sat on the chair and wrote out multiplication tables, you may feel all children learn that way. Your younger one may never sit in class but dance around from one end to the other as he recites the multiplication tables. To you this may seem like playing, but he will have picked up the tables just as well as your elder child. Each student has a distinctive learning style and you need to understand that to be able to set goals accordingly.
The Curriculum Being Followed
Age and grade appropriate curriculum are available from a number of sources for homeschooling families. These give you a good idea of what your child is expected to know at the end of the school year. Browse through a number of them to get a general idea of what your child needs to learn that year. Now sit down and write it out in measurable goals. Use these goals as your gauge through the school year to see if you are on track.