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| Secrets of Successful Homeschool |
 6. Read when you are in doubt! If the baby is ill, your toddler is bustling, the washing machine is flooding, and lunch is burning don't just give up, get reading. Reading is the best method for your kids to learn and retain. Gather up the family and sit comfortably on the chesterfield with a good classic. Reading aloud is an excellent activity for your children. Even experienced readers listen to the story aloud with great pleasure, especially when they don't have to sound out each word and get through those they may not know. Choose the right rhyme and rhythm while reading, so even little ones can delight. Try to make it a drama performance, change your voice and the sound levels of your voice. Discuss the plot after reading. You can even tape record your story so that pre-readers can listen to it again and again and enjoy the story while you are busy with your washing machine!
7. Surround yourself with home school tutors. It can be an online group, or a support group, or just a great mom you met at church or at the library, communicate with these people! Ask questions; ask for useful advice, most likely, they will help you with great pleasure, because someone in their life helped them. Try not to do this alone. Even a good home education magazine will be helpful for you in your search. If you need encouragement, read home education books.
8. Use the Library! It is an excellent resource, which can help you. Libraries accumulate not only books of any and every subject but reference books, video tapes, audio tapes, learning materials, computer accesses, computer software and so much more. Having just a notebook and some pencils, you could educate your children with just a library at hand! Don't spend a lot of money on all these reference books for home. Use the libraries!
9. Take sometimes break days. Take a day off, if you are sick, or some family obligations make a day difficult. Instead of great big weeks off or even the whole summer, take frequent days off through the year to renew and encourage yourself. The children will be delighted and you will get a chance to regroup. Just be sure they aren't every other day!
10. Organize time for learning! Make sure you are not overdoing field trips and social outings. Too many commissions and outings can disturb learning and overwhelm your schedule. Do not forget that you are home schooling not car schooling! Try and schedule a day that is occupied and three or four days that are not. Your family will be grateful!
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