What is the Correct Environment for Homeschooling?
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Many new homeschooling parents, or more often, friends and family ask this question. Actually, there is no one correct environment for  homeschooling. We do know that the home is often the "correct" environment for learning. Several longitudinal studies show that children, especially in their first 8 years, do better at home than in a public or private school, provided they are given a reasonable amount of freedom and guidance from their parents or guardians.
The late, John Holt (a former educator who after realizing he couldn't reform the system, founded the modern, home-
school movement) authored classics such as "Why Children Fail" and "Growing without Schools" that do a good job of discussing what children need from their environment in order to do well - - intellectually, emotionally and socially.
These homeschooling books are interestingly found on many reading lists in education programs for public school teachers.
Children thrive when these basic needs are met:
- Freedom within safe boundaries to explore – their neighborhoods, community, own yards and to choose, create, play, and express their individuality.
- Time to be alone and just do nothing but think or daydream.
- A close relationship with an adult and caring role models who model and teach the positives of giving, sharing, helping, loving. In other words, a loving family.
- Young children especially thrive in an environment that offers consistency, security, predictability and protection from negative influences.
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- Children need the opportunity to learn in a way that fits their individual learning styles, whether that means allowing the child to "fidget" and walk around, listen to music, or to have a perfectly quiet room, free of distractions.
- Children need to be supported in their quest to learn about things that have meaning for them. Unless your child has already tuned out due to formal education methods, in supporting a child this way, you can be assured that your child will learn the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic and much, much more whether in a curriculum based or unschooling homeschool environment.
The best public school system and the best teachers can't do as much as  you can to provide this sort of nurturing environment. Instead, the schools tell kids to be quite, and advocate medication for those who won't sit down, be quiet and do as they are told.
In more recent years, with the increase in shootings and other forms of school violence, schools have become frightening places for many children. " one in every nine schoolchildren is terrified of physical harm happening to them in school..." wrote best-selling author/educator, John Taylor Gatto in his latest book, The Underground History of American Education, A Schoolteacher's Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling.
If you are still worrying about providing the correct environment for homeschooling your children, simply pay attention to how each child learns best. Take some time to observe, and also don't forget to ask the child. You may be surprised at the answers you get.
Need Kids Crafts? Have A Look!
Science Fair e-books are not only for use by kids entering science fairs, they are also a great help for homeschoolers. Science Projects can be fun activities and the kids can learn a lot without even knowing it. Do have a look at the excellent e-book that follows.
Science Fair Ideas
101 Easy Science Projects
You’re sure to find THE project for you in this amazing e-book:
- Whether you are a parent or a student trying to find an idea for a science project
- A teacher looking for ideas for the classroom
- Or a science enthusiast who enjoys the delight of experimentation
One of the biggest obstacles when you are looking for science fair project ideas, is coming up with a project that uses readily available materials.
Science doesn't have to be:
- Complicated
- Expensive
- Using specialized laboratory equipment.
There are great science projects that can be performed using common household items.
There is no need to go out and purchase expensive science project kits:
With our book you will find 101 science experiments listed with detailed step by step instructions.
You will also find a discussion of the principle being tested and why that concept is important.
Are You Looking For Fun And Easy Projects That Can Be Done In A Short Time?
Then you came to the right place:
Yes…the classic "egg in the bottle" and the "erupting volcano" is here, but you’ll find many, many more fun and educational projects that are easy to do with ordinary household items.
This book is a great resource for home school parents who are looking for inexpensive ways to demonstrate different scientific principles to their children.
Download This E-Book Now! Access Is Instant. Start Your Project Now.
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