Teaching methods are many, depending on what your choice of teaching should incorporate. Textbooks have been the most relied method for most types of teaching; but it depends on how much we lean on them or just take them as guidelines. What are important are how to go about the teaching method and what program to choose from! It will help to consult the web, books and articles on the different kinds of programs available. It would also help to consult and discuss with other similar minded persons as to the choice available and advisable.
Home School Method
Today, the student to teacher ratio compels parents to opt for the home school method where the student can get better personal attention. This of course follows the traditional school teaching method of textbooks, assignments, grades and evaluations. If the child has been accustomed to the ways of a public school, the home school method will not be difficult to abide by. This is alright for older children, but in the case of younger children it will take time to adjust to a different set of rules and schedules. The curriculum will need your attention. No curriculum will ideally suit your needs and you may need to mix and match them to suit your and your child's needs.
Non-Schooling Method
Many parents are of the belief that the child should be allowed to learn and grow from everyday situations. The belief is that the child learns more through the method of curiosity or enthusiasm rather than the text book. This is applicable to natural learning situations and surroundings when children learn faster, and retain and recall just as fast. This is so for mathematics too. The grasp and understanding is faster than working from a textbook or writing on paper. This kind of learning can be applicable to the pre-school years. There is much to learn about nature, plants, animals and weather for a child. Shopping for grocery and vegetable or fruit too is exciting. It helps the child to know the names and recognize the item being purchased as well as simple calculations when paying the bill.
Other Methods of Home-schooling
The Montessori Method of learning is quite popular among children. A proper environment needs to be organized for the child to learn. A child progresses according to his own pace under the observation of the teacher. This method allows for experimental learning. Some parents opt for Home-schooling from the junior high-level stage, after the child has attended a Montessori schooling in the initial stages.
Informal Method of Schooling
Charlotte Mason advocated the method of informal learning through observing. Subjects like history and geography too could be learnt by visiting and seeing places. Traveling is the answer to this subject.
Unit Study Method
In this method, a topic with several subjects surrounding it helps in an all round learning. This could involve colors to vocabulary, to sentence formation and grammar. Similarly other topics could be selected to develop learning. It is important to know your child and what methods would best be applicable when teaching your child. The textbook system may be boring and outdated, while first hand learning with the preschool stage is a welcome change.
Kris Koonar
Original source: http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-program-to-homeschool-your-child-342937.html
