Day 14 of #Write28Days Challenge
So, I have written about setting up a morning routine, a midday routine and an evening routine. Today, I will write about setting up a homeschool routine.
Setting Up a Homeschool Routine
Like all the routines I have written about, the main benefit of setting up a homeschool routine is that the child (and you) know exactly what to expect of their day, even if each day is different from the next.
For example, if you have homeschool co-op every Monday, swimming lessons every Wednesday and nature walks every Friday, the child will know that these are the activities due on that day of the week. This can actually help the child keep track of her days better.
Putting Your Homeschool on Autopilot
The other benefit of setting up a homeschool routine is that your homeschool gets put on autopilot. This means that you will do a lot less “reminding” in “loud voices”, ahem. They just know what to expect each day when it is school time.
Even when I had babies and toddlers, they would know when it is school time and would toddle off to play by themselves after a period of realising that that was the order of the day.
I need our homeschool to operate on an autopilot mode because if they are all waiting on me or each other to start school, school will not be done 90% of the time.
Maybe if I had just a child or two, being 100% hands-on may work but not when we have many children in the homeschool.
A Timer to the Rescue
Again, in the beginning, having a timer is helpful especially for the younger children and those who like to daydream.
Flexibility in our Homeschool Routine
In our homeschool, the primary school levels and above have a lot of autonomy and flexibility in how they want their homeschool day to look like as long as they finish up what is listed in their homeschool planner.
They can start when they want and with whichever subjects they want. But they are required to finish up everything before dinner. Because my goal is to raise self-taught and independent learners, I avoid sitting with them to ensure that they do their work.
Occasionally a child or two will need me to do that for a period of time before they realise that it is better if mom is not sitting with them.
With those in preschool and kindergarten levels, I control their routine since I do all the teaching. But they do know that school starts after breakfast and so, they will get ready accordingly.
Daily Homeschool Routine
Our usual homeschool routine goes like this:
Wake up >>> Morning Routine >>> Start School >>> Go through work with me >>> Finish >>> Free time.
What About Interruptions?
Yes, there will be interruptions on a daily basis, planned and unplanned/unforeseen ones. Then what?
For example, we have regular eye doctor check-ups and dental appointments. Sometimes, we will also have impromptu movie outings. And occasionally someone falls ill.
When these planned or unplanned interruptions happen, we still proceed with our homeschool routine. When the time comes to leave the house, they will take a break for the interruption and then return to finish up the routine.
We have been doing this since we started homeschooling back in 2004. Every child we add to our homeschool knows the drill. It has been a great blessing that I don’t have to nag anyone to do their schoolwork.
What About When Illnesses Strike?
Of course, when the child falls ill, school is off for the day/s that he is ill. But if mom falls ill, school still continues. I may then assign an older child to grade the younger children’s work or they can grade their work themselves.
Next up will be the topic of setting up systems for housework and homeschooling.
Related Links
Raising Independent Learners
The Blessing of a Timer
Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot
1 Comment on Setting Up a Homeschool Routine
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Flexibility within structure. That’s how we made it through homeschooling too. I had an ideal plan for each day but it never happened. 🙂 Nonetheless, I loved that there was always a way to make things work out in the end.