Homeschool curriculums can be vast and varied, because you can teach your kiddos things at home that they would never learn in a public-school environment. But where to begin? The following topics are ideas on what you can add to a homeschool curriculum to enrich the lives of your youngsters.
Emotion Comprehension – Teach Compassion and Positive Perspective
Nowadays, empathy and how to handle emotions is left out of public school curriculums because it’s thought to be unnecessary. However, in the real world, as adults, kids are going to have to know how to handle strong emotions. And that begins at home. Lead by examples to show children positive perspective and compassion. Make volunteering in the community apart of the curriculum. For example, as a family, volunteer at a soup kitchen, raise money for a needy family, or pack up donations to the local animal shelters.
Culture Studies – Teach Respect of and Love for Others
In the modern world, the “isms” run rampant—racism, sexism, etc. It all coincides with misunderstanding and ignorance. However, love, respect, and acceptance come with knowledge, so teach your children about different cultures, concepts, and traditions. Let them know that everyone in the world is a little different, with their own unique beliefs—and that’s okay.
Life Skills – Teaches Finances and Real-Life, Real-World Problem Management
This one is vitally important to the well-being of your kiddos when they reach adulthood. Life skills are best taught at home because home economics is no longer an available class in most public classrooms. In this sense, life skills would be financial management, real-world problem scenarios, and the proper methods for dealing with stress. Not to mention the basics of survival, such as cooking their own meals, buying their own groceries, being successful in a job, and perhaps raising a family of their own.
Literature – Introduce the Classics and Encouraging Learning Through Reading
Literacy is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child, and the classics of literature are there to give them a different sense of wonder, imagination, and culture. Kids can learn a lot about themselves and the world around them by simply cracking open a book and reading a few pages for an hour every day. Reading encourages them to gain more knowledge by sparking their drives to learn.
Homeschool is often frowned upon, but the abundant, positive numbers of well-adjusted, once-homeschooled adults speak for themselves. Consider it an alternative method for helping your child find the path to the success of their goals and dreams. Plus, you could always take an online parenting course to ensure your homeschool curriculum is meeting the needs and educational requirements of your kiddos’ developments.