Top Homeschooling in Alaska Myths Busted

 Earlier, homeschooling in Alaska was something that people from super religious families or off grid folks chose. However, times have changed and homeschooling is now mainstream. Despite the awareness, there are several myths surrounding it today. You may have a heard a few, which might have restricted you from choosing it. However, there are several others that might be new for you.

Here we will be taking you through the different myths that we will be busting.

1. Homeschool kids don’t get socialization opportunities. However, that is not true. They have a lot of opportunities to interact with people of all ages via sports and clubs. They will also be able to socialize through community classes and other aspects. They also get opportunities to grow with people from across age groups, giving them social diversity opportunities.

2. The next myth surrounding homeschool is that you need to be a trained teacher to homeschool your kids. That is again not true. You don’t need a teacher’s degree. You just need the willingness to learn with your child. Moreover, homeschooling is easier as you know your child best and can provide them the best learning opportunities. That’s why a parent becomes the best homeschool Anchorage teacher.

3. People believe that if you homeschool your child, they may fall academically behind others. However, the truth is that they may score at par or above average on the standardized tests. Owing to the personalized pace and one-on-one attention they get, they may be able to learn better and offer more. As a result, the kids who are homeschooled at their pace learn better and faster.

4. Many believe that homeschooling is just school at home. However, that is not true. It is not schooling at home; it goes beyond the traditional classroom. You might invest in nature walks and audiobooks that aren’t part of the traditional learning environment. It can also include project-based learning. Homeschooling in Alaska offers this kind of flexibility in learning.

5. It is also a myth that you need to follow a strict schedule if you want to succeed with homeschooling. However, it is the flexibility in homeschooling that allows you to thrive in this environment. The best part about homeschooling is that there is no right way to it. You can find your own rhythm and follow it. Most often, your rhythm is different from others.

6. Homeschoolers are not disciplined or responsible, which is again a myth. Homeschoolers can manage their own time and plan the projects independently. Moreover, they get complete ownership of learning in the new environment. They become active participants of the learning environment instead of passive ones.

7. A lot of homeschooling parents believe that they may miss out on extracurricular activities. However, that is again not true. As they aren’t tied to a regular and rigid schedule, they can take up sports, dance and other lessons. This is why best homeschool Anchorage offers the best flexibility.

8. Homeschooling doesn’t need you to spend a lot of money on resources. In fact, you can avail most of them for free.

How to Make Time for Yourself While Conducting Homeschool Wasilla?

Homeschooling isn’t your job as a teacher but, a lifestyle that you need to adopt. When you opt for homeschool Wasilla, you become a parent, teacher, counsellor and chauffeur for them. There are too many things happening, especially lesson plans and library trips and meals. In all this, it is easy to forget yourself,

Taking time out while you are homeschooling your child can be difficult. There is the guilt that you need to be present while they prepare the project. Next, you might find several interruptions during the day while you want to sit quietly like they are unable to find the glue or book. It becomes difficult to find time to care for the self in all this.

You need to carve time for yourself amidst the busy schedule as self-care is not optional. Here are a few strategies that can help you make some me-time that can help you relieve your stress.

1. Start by giving yourself the permission to take rest. This is the biggest strategy that actually works in your favour. Most times you feel guilty of taking that break from your work or duties, thinking you aren’t a dedicated homeschooler or mother. However, to ensure your dedication to best homeschool Wasilla, you need to make sure you take regular breaks. You need to be a person before you become a homeschooling parent. You have the right to take breaks, breathe in and even take some time out. When you opt for self-respect and emotional regulation, you give a chance to thrive in the homeschool environment.

2. Me-time need not be perfect all the time. You don’t need an entire block of solitude where you are uninterrupted and journalling or enjoying your tea. You just need to find some tiny pockets throughout the day where you can ensure you reduce the chaos. For instance, 10-minutes before everyone wakes up in the morning can help you get started homeschool Wasilla chaos free. Similarly, a solo walk while your kids play within eyesight is also a great way to enjoy some me-time. You can also have a quiet moment in your car where you are just breathing. Sitting on the porch with coffee while they are drawing with sidewalk chalk is also a good idea.

3. When your child outgrows nap periods, you might want to ensure there is a quiet period for both of you. You should have a quiet hour or half hour where you do something while they do something independently. For instance, they can do puzzles, drawing or audiobooks independently. This would allow the two of you to decompress from the stress of the day. Make sure you don’t end up doing your work during that period. It might be tempting to fold the laundry or even organize the shelves. But, you should simply lie in silence or read a book during that period.

4. Get help when needed so that you can relax a bit and be stress free. The best homeschool Wasilla can get overwhelming if you don’t sit down for a break. That’s why it is always good to outsource a few jobs here and there.

Top Tips to Conduct Alaska Homeschool Programs with ADHD or Autism Child

Home schools in Alaska can feel exciting, and overwhelming and the stakes grow higher when you are homeschooling a neurodivergent child. You will be their teacher, which is rather obvious. But more than that you would be offering to provide learning at their pace while giving them the required space to thrive.

You will be learning and teaching simultaneously. So, what are some of the things that can help when you are teaching a neurodivergent child? You need to adopt practical strategies and shift your mindset slightly to ensure it is less chaotic. Moreover, you can also ensure that there are specific routines that make sense in your homeschool.

Here are a few tips that can help when you are navigating the homeschool space with a neurodivergent child.

1. Having flexible structure over rigid schedules can help your child thrive in homeschooling environment. If you try to replicate the traditional school schedule at home, it can frustrate everyone involved. You might notice that it can cause chaos in their learning journey. Your child might want routine and predictability. However, you don’t need to put it down to minute-by-minute plan. Instead of keeping it rigid, you can have a smooth workflow for the day. Say, you have morning movement, breakfast, some focused work time, sensory play, creative learning and so on. You can use visual schedules in Alaska home school programs to ensure the child is aware of the transitions and doesn’t get anxious. You should also give in buffer time between activities so that the child doesn’t rush through the day.

2. You should create an environment that helps your child grow. Sensory input is pivotal in creating a specific environment for your child. You should always ensure the room isn’t too bright or noisy. At the same time, avoid having the room too cluttered, which can derail their focus. You should make the area sensory friendly. Start by having soft lighting in the form of lamps. You can offer them a cozy quiet corner with a weighted blanket. Fidget tools within their reach can also help. Lastly use trampoline to provide them with movement breaks in home schools in Alaska. When you give them a supportive physical environment, you will notice that it supports their learning. You can also keep moving their learning from floor to the table and so on. This would also help them learn better.

3. If your child is leaning towards some topic, you might want to go in-depth with that. Let’s not force your child into reading comprehension or learning the entire unit around a topic. You can offer them things that they prefer learning. Every bit should be done in
an engaging and fun way. They should feel interested in the particular task, this way they would be more attentive and confident.

4. Don’t offer the entire task to your child. You should ideally break down the entire task into micro steps that can help them learn better. Your child might find things like planning, memory and attention overwhelming. So, it is a good idea to break down these tasks into smaller steps. For instance, get them to write their name, ask them to read the question aloud, make them answer it and then colour the picture once done.

When you conduct Alaska homeschool programs for neurodivergent child, it can be rewarding. You must listen to the child and follow their lead.