After having made the transition from in-person to online education this past spring, many parents have spent the summer grappling with the decision of whether to send their children back to school—either in-person or virtually—or to homeschool them. For those who have opted for the latter, the beginning of this school year may seem like a daunting prospect; however, this four-part series by McGrath Institute staff member and long-time homechooler Caroline Murphy offers ways to approach this form of education that can help enrich both the educational experience and life at home, while preserving the mental wherewithal of both parents and children.
Part 1, The Challenges and the Joys, outlines many of the immediate challenges that faced parents in the wake of this past spring's stay-at-home orders, but its insights on how to understand and approach homeschooling in light of the continuing challenges of the pandemic still offer reassurance to parents who are new to this task.
Part 2, Laying the Foundation, offers ways to ensure that essential needs are being met: connection, sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
Part 3, Rhythm & Routine, provides simple ways to consider how to structure the day's activities so that they promote self-directed learning rather than lock children into "forced productivity."
Part 4 concludes the series with some of the author's most highly recommended resources for approaching the task of homeschooling.
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