Last updated on November 26th, 2020 at 02:39 pm
Homeschooling offers the most flexible and diverse education options out there. It’s no wonder so many families are doing it or thinking about doing it.
With that said, before you begin homeschooling there is something you ought to consider.
Your homeschool will take place in an ever changing environment, your home.
Whatever length of time you commit to homeschooling, consider the many changes that will take place in your home over this period of time. Family additions like a new baby or a grandparent, loss of a loved one and relocation just to name a few.
In our family our home is not only a homeschool, but also my personal workplace, my sons’ construction site, my daughter’s creativity center, and a place of fellowship.
Because of the dynamics of this home operation, you must be prepared for the challenges it will bring. And homeschooling will be challenging and tough for anyone who goes into it lightly.
For this reason, I want to share with you two things I’ve learned which have helped me to maintain the course thus far, and I hope it will offer the same encouragement to you as well.
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Ask yourself “Why?”
I know it sounds so simple, but the “why” makes all the difference between your success or failure at homeschooling your child.
Your “why” will keep you at it for the long haul, or short haul if that’s your goal.
Here are some good reasons why many parents living in the Bahamas have chosen to homeschool their children.
- Flexibility – Able to learn at a pace that is best for the child.
- High quality of education for a fraction of the cost of traditional schools -The one-on-one learning which takes place in a homeschool environment ensures that children almost always “gets it” before moving on to new topics. Over time, the teaching style complements well with the learning style of the child. This creates a rich learning experience for the child.
- Religious Beliefs – The homeschool environment offers parents the ability to practice their religious beliefs in freedom without restrictions or prejudices.
- Social Issues – Avoiding negative peer pressure, drugs and violence.
- Customized learning options – I met a parent who was struggling to incorporate a special computer training into her child’s academics. She needed her son to take off a few hours from traditional school once a week in order to attend a non-school based class offered by a third party. Because of how important this was to her son, she decided to homeschool.
- Simply to spend more time together as a family.
What is your reason for wanting to homeschool?
Think deeply about it and find out the true reason behind it. If you know why you’re doing it, it will keep you focused until the end.
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Avoid the “Assembly Line Education” Effect.
This is based on the belief that one size education fits all.
Sometimes as parents, we depend solely upon our own schooling experiences to train our kids. Our personal schooling experience was likely in a traditional school which has its own special structure.
Traditional schools are designed to manage and teach a mass population. This is evidenced by homework assignments, assemblies, bell ringing for breaks and lunch, standing in lines, raising your hands, permission to use the restroom, standardized tests, etc.
I read about a well-known homeschooling mother who at first, was very timid about her ability to teach her own children. She nervously began each day with the pledge and national anthem. Although there is nothing wrong with teaching your children the pledge and national anthem, none of this is necessary to educate your child.
Your child is unique. Use this time to structure a unique learning experience for him. Use existing or self-created curricula which helps your child to develop his private uniqueness and self-reliance.
Unlike a school teacher who must keep the lessons moving, you have time to ensure that your child understands the lesson content before moving on to a new topic. You have the time to explore your child’s uniqueness and creativity, a highly valued set of skills in this new world.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider trying out some of the more popular homeschooling styles such as;
- Eclectic or relaxed homeschooling
- Unit Studies
- Unschooling
- Classical homeschooling
- Work/Study/Service method
- The Charlotte Mason method
- The Waldorf method
- Montessori or
- Multiple Intelligences
Your one-on-one interaction with your child allows you to establish a personal relationship with him and determine exactly which skills need to be worked on at any point in the homeschooling journey.
Keeping your child’s learning style in mind and choosing appropriate learning materials which he has an interest in will make for a smoother homeschooling experience.
You are not mandated to recreate a traditional school setting in your home. Choose one approach which suits your family. And if you need to adjust your methods for the changing environment, then do so and move on.
And when the “formal” academic lessons are completed for the day, don’t be afraid of the heaps of free time left over that your child has. This time can be used to build community and family relationships.
Have you already begun homeschooling? What has helped you to stay the course?
If you would like to learn more about homeschooling and how it can work for your family, join our free “Thinking of Homeschooling – Virtual Workshop”.
Do you need a licence to home school and do you need to report to the Ministry of Education.
Hi Sharon,
As far as I’m aware, the Ministry of Education has not made it mandatory that you report to them. However if a child is to receive a Bahamas high school diploma, he would be required to sit the BJC and BGCSE exams and therefore register with the Ministry of Education first. Here’s a link to the Homeschool unit of the Ministry of Education’s website https://www.ministryofeducationbahamas.com/copy-of-freedom-of-information. I hope this helps.
i need licence for home schooling.
I would like to home school my kids
Hi Bernice, that’s great. I hope this article helps you to get started with some basic information.
Hello,
I don’t know if this site is still being monitored but I juat wanted ro say this was a good read and valuable insight into homeschoolibg here in The Bahamas. We have decided (after going through the primary level educational system) to take on homeschooling for our son for the first time…still feels weird saying that 😳…but it was absolutely necessary for us…for him!
Thanks once again and will keep a look out for updates and postings.
Hi Meka, Ah yes it can seem weird at first, 🙂 but after awhile it becomes quite normal for you and your family. All the best with your homeschooling journey!
Hello Meka,
can you recommend a teacher? Where did you find the teacher?
Best wishes, Tina
Hi I’m a Primary School Teacher with a 7 grader in a Private school. I’m having problems watching my son fail after paying so much money for him to have him do well. There is a saying of old (A doctor can not treat his family ). Well this saying has been true for me and my son (either I’m to forceful or I’m to demanding, and learning never stops with me). These are the same methods I use in my first grade class and my students love it, they want to stay in at lunch time and TRY MORE OR COME TO SCHOOL ON THE WEEKEND. I need a top Home School center for my son please where he can be comfortable and willing to learn. My son is a Science lover by heart who is always ready to create something or to tell how something is made.
Hi Celie,
Thanks for sharing. There are a few homeschooling programs locally and many available internationally. I don’t have an exhaustive list of the local programs but I’m aware of Boost Academy and Southside Academy who work directly with homeschool students.
Also, we are offering live online classes and on-demand classes in several subjects. You may sample the on-demand classes here;
https://thestudentshed.com/access-your-course/
If you do consider working with your son again, it may help to start slow at first to get an idea of his personal learning style and what works best for him.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best.
Tansey
Hello, is this site still being monitored? I agree with the last post that the article is very helpful.
In this new realty of COVID-19, many parents like myself, have found ourselves in the world of homeschooling and tips like those noted in the article are needed more than ever. Please add more . . . keep them coming.
Many thanks.
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Thank you. We published a free “Thinking of Homeschooling”- Online Workshop. In it we cover more details to help parents get started. If you’re interested in this you can find it here; https://www.thestudentshed.net/downloads/thinking-of-homeschooling-workshop/
I’m considering homeschooling for my son. How can I find out what the average cost is for an individualized curriculum and daily one on one instruction?
Hi Kelly,
Kindly get in touch with us at info@thestudentshed.com and we can discuss the options further.
Tansey
Good day.
The article was a very good read. Would the same requirements apply if a group of unrelated children were to be schooled at one home?
Also, what are the best ways to research which homeschool programs are good ones?
Hi Sheriece,
Yes the same would apply if it’s a group of unrelated students. Because each child is unique and family goals differ, I think it’s even more important to establish a goal for each student you’re working with.
A useful resource to get information on homeschool programs would be Facebook homeschool groups.
There are a lot to choose from and you can check out the ones which suit your interest.
All the best.
Hi I’m interested in homeschooling I have 3 in primary grades 4 5 2 and kindergarten. I’m not sure what they suppose to be doing at those stages can you help?
Hi Latisha,
You can get a thorough idea of what your kids need to learn by reviewing the curriculum for each grade level.
Here’s a link to the curriculum that we have available for the core subjects of science, math and english; https://thestudentshed.com/bahamas-curriculum-2/
Also, if you can reach out to the Ministry of Education you may be able to purchase/obtain additional curriculum for other subjects.
All the best!
Great read! I’m interested in homeschooling my two kids. Grades 6 and 1 is the expectation for this fall. My youngest was made to repeat kindergarden which broked her spirit when her fellow classmates went onto grade 1 last year. I worked with her at home in addition to her schooling and she did very well. But now with COVID-19 here, and my oldest an asthmatic won’t be going back to school. I’m willing to take on this challenge and make good on my promise to nurture/teach my kids.
Hi Keva,
It sounds like it is a great time for your family to begin homeschooling. 🙂 And you wouldn’t have to do it alone because there are many parents doing it, and there is plenty of resources available online to help us parents along the way.
Stay in touch and all the best!
Great read! I’m interested in homeschooling my two kids. Grades 6 and 1 is the expectation for this fall. My youngest was made to repeat kindergarten which broked her spirit when her fellow classmates went onto grade 1 last year. I worked with her at home in addition to her schooling and she did very well. But now with COVID-19 here, and my oldest an asthmatic won’t be going back to school, or her sister. I’m willing to take on this challenge and make good on my promise to nurture/teach my kids.