How to End the Homeschooling Year Feeling Great
Now that the homeschool year is winding down, are you worried your children didn't finish everything you had mapped out for them? Are you feeling a little despair?
If you are, let me dispel your concerns because you deserve the right to feel great about all that you and your kids accomplished.
One of my favorite, unforgettable homeschooling moments was when my daughter's friend asked her what grade she would be entering in the upcoming year.
When my daughter replied, saying she would be moving into the seventh grade, her friend objected and insisted that it wasn't possible because she hadn't finished a particular area of math (what that area was long escapes my memory).
With a huff, my daughter said, "I know what I know, and you can't put that into any grade. I will be in the seventh grade next year because I just finished the sixth grade!" Her friend had no further objection.
The reality is that a homeschooled child cannot—into a grade level—be squished. The world of knowledge is infinite, and their knowledge reflects this. But, people will ask your children what grade they are in, and it’s good to have an answer for them.
In the early years, the question always perplexed my kids, and they would look at me a little confused. I had to explain that kids in school are put into grade levels based on their ages. They soon learned how to answer the question to their inquisitor’s satisfaction.
However, what we expect a child to learn per grade in public school is narrow and confining compared to homeschooled children's experience.
The latter have the luxury of diving deeply into vast areas of interest and the time and freedom to learn more about any subject of their choice on any given day.
While homeschooled kids get the basic 3Rs at home, they might not get them on the same schedule as public-school kids, but they should get them.
What homeschooling parent, therefore, has not fretted about a child lagging behind grade level in a particular area to reflect on the child's advancement in so many others?
And herein lies the problem: don't compare what your homeschooled child has learned to his public schooled counterparts! It's like comparing apples to oranges; homeschooled children are on the road less traveled and that makes all the difference.
You have embarked your child on an adventure in pursuit of knowledge for its own sake while a schooled child is trying to pass tests and keep his grades up. Both paths will eventually lead to a career, but how they get there is so utterly different that it's unfair to compare them.
Furthermore, keep in mind that what public school children study for an entire year, homeschooled children can learn in months or weeks. Think of your summer school crash courses. If you are worried your child has slipped behind in a subject, you can quickly remedy the situation. However, you must avoid letting your child think he's behind, for this may cause dismay.
The last point is crucial. Do not let your child know that you think he is behind.
Now is an excellent time to take stock of the year without a panic. Stealthily do any last-minute catch-up if you think it's necessary. Reflect on all the other things your children learned because you allowed them the freedom to pursue their interests, when it was appropriate to, rather than rigidly adhering to lesson plans.
The surest strategy is to have a plan, as one does need a direction and final destination, but be flexible enough to digress when your children's interests travel off your map.
They will arrive, but their journey may be a little more exciting than you previously imagined.
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Elizabeth Y. Hanson is an Educator, Homeschool Emerita, Writer, and a Love and Leadership Certified Parenting Coach with 20+ years of experience working in children’s education.
Utilizing her unusual skill set, coupled with her unique combination of mentors, Elizabeth has developed a comprehensive understanding of how to raise and educate a child. She devotes her time to helping parents get it right.
☞ Disclaimer: This is not a politically-correct blog.
