My name is Jasmin, a mother of two. My question is how can I keep my son from getting distracted and keep focus during school hours, (we homeschool) without constant reminding him to go back to the book? I will like to learn how to make him enthusiastic about school. Our son's name is Joshua, he's 9 years old and doing 3rd grade, as well as finishing 2nd year of piano, and receiving training/lessons in swimming and football(soccer) each week, as well as doing jobs in the home, and he is a bookworm, a passion for reading. Our daugther's name is Janelle, she is 5 years old and she will start preschool next year, she does swimming lessons and home duties also.
As you can see, I'm a busy mother, because I also homeschool both of them, and doing activities with a Christian homeschool group in the area, in which we do things together on a weekly/regular basis. When we do school my children are in their desks and mummy is in the kitchen working, but we are all together, as our house is a open living area (except the bedrooms) and my help is at their reach. Thanks!
Home schooling is challenging for mom – and sometimes dad! It’s really like having a job. There are certain hours of the day that must be devoted to school.
It’s difficult for your son to concentrate on an assignment when little sister is playing or doing something he’d like to be doing and you are making noises in the kitchen. Nine-year-olds need the teacher with them in school all the time. They are learning to organize school work and to do their assignments promptly. So, gather up your mending, letter writing, knitting, or reading to do while your son is working on his workbook pages. But keep a close eye on the school work. Teach every new concept. Make the lessons interesting. Don’t just say, “Look at page 29 and do what it says.” That’s not teaching. Your immediate presence makes school official.
When the kids are older, they will be more independent in their studying. But for now, they need you with them during home school time. They will like school better and find it more interesting.
I remember my mother, a teacher by profession, sitting with me most of the morning, even when I was doing the 8th grade through Home Study Institute. Sometimes she would leave for a short time, but she always came back and was constantly there to interact with me about my school work. She did not do that when I was doing academy-level work. Then I organized my own studies and did them by myself.
For most families, home school works better if you keep regular hours. Kids like routine. They need to know what to expect each day. It makes them feel secure. Decide on a schedule for the subjects and post it in clear view. This gives structure to the school day and provides a goal for finishing an assignment.
Be a little flexible about assignments. If he has already mastered a math concept and can do it easily, then only do a few of the problems or skip that set of problems altogether. The purpose is to learn – not to complete pages. This is one of the big advantages of home schooling. You can make it fit your child.
Between each subject, give a 5-10 minute break (recess) to do something active. Kids need to move around, maybe even run around the yard.
Provide incentives for your son to finish promptly. You are helping him build lifetime school habits. Set a timer for the amount of time you think he needs to finish an assignment. If he finishes before the timer rings, and does it carefully and mostly correctly, give him a reward. For example, he can earn a chip every time he finishes on time. The chips go in a jar on his desk. Make a little “store” in a box or a drawer with small things he would like. Label each item with the “price” (number of chips required to purchase an item). He can “buy” things from the store with his chips. Remember, some assignments will take longer than anyone anticipated. Reward him for continued attention and perseverance in finishing, even if it takes longer.
Decide on a time for school to finish each day. If he goofs off and isn’t finished with the day’s work, then he has “home work” to do later in the day, instead of playing. As soon as he sees that he can do some things that are fun if he finishes school on time, he’ll be greatly interested in finishing.
Oh, yes, all kids need free time. Don’t try to schedule every minute of your son’s days.
Most of all, have fun home schooling! It’s a great opportunity to bond with your kids while you are teaching them in the way they learn most easily.
Answer provided by Donna J. Habenicht, Ed.D., professor emeritus of educational and pyschological counseling psychology at Andrews University.