What does a typical day look like for a homeschooling family? In many ways, it’s the same as anyone else’s day. Parents go to work, chores are done around the house (wait), and children do their homework, either with or without the help of their parents. However, in many ways the day is very, very different for the homeschooling parent.
The differences
The main difference is that the child (or children, but let’s work with only one), does not need to get out of bed, rush to get dressed, eat breakfast, and then catch the bus. The father is not left alone for hours and the child does not attend classes elsewhere. The father does not have to guess or even worry about what is going on with his child because the child is right there.
This difference leads to many other differences. The family can go hiking, with the father learning alongside the child. The child’s craft can be shown to parents right away and even considered for a craft fair or exhibit. Student questions can be answered when they arise, with any necessary tutoring provided quickly and effectively. Communications are fast, loving and productive.
A possible schedule
Let’s work through a normal day at homeschooling, seeing what gets done and how long it takes. A key fact to remember is that all times are subject to change as determined by the teacher/parent or the child.
Many homeschoolers start their lessons in the morning, but notice that there is no bus ride, classroom, or assembly. Thus, the child can take time to dress, eat, and get comfortable. Lessons start when the child and parent are ready to start, not at an administratively determined time interval.
A typical homeschool day covers four or five subjects. Each lesson is individually created for the child, with input from both parent and child. Some lessons will take a short period of time, say 30 minutes, and some will take longer, up to hours. Lessons will include reading, writing, math, art, and other activities as needed and desired.
If we take an average of one hour per lesson, the student finishes in the early afternoon. Lunch is handled when there is a break between lessons, and after the lessons are over, the child can run and play without a time limit. The child can control the amount of time needed, while the parent sets the target results.
On other days, there are excursions, visits to the library and other outdoor activities. The child can participate in sports, organizations, and other outdoor activities without fear or guilt about missing school. The teacher knows that the child will be able to do special activities without having to make third-party arrangements, and administrative paperwork is kept to a minimum, with almost no time during the normal day.
I guess the main point is that the day is much less structured and much more productive than is possible in a school. Time can be structured around the student’s needs, not someone else’s needs. The material can be covered as many times as necessary and additional activities are welcome, not treated as a burden.
In short, the child can learn as an individual, with an individualized schedule. There is no typical day, only Children’s Day. Learning how it should be.