In the previous section, we discussed about the emerging concept of Homeschooling in India. Since the concept is new and revolutionary in nature, let’s have a look at the approach people take towards Homeschooling their children. Nevertheless, with a mere number of 100-150 home-schools in India so far, parental interest in homeschooling is rising.
This is a wonderful piece of writing from educationworldonline.net as this article explains 7 important steps to home schooling.
Ref: http://www.educationworldonline.net/index.php/page-article-choice-more-id-778
For Indian parents aspiring to join the home school movement, here is some start-up advice gathered from various sources including practitioner parents:
1. Research home schooling. Visit a library, read books; search the internet and talk to parents who home school their children. Do your homework and ascertain what home schooling involves in terms of time, money, patience and effort. Home schooling needs the support of both parents.
2. Join a home schooling group on the internet. You could sign up as a member on various online portals or a support group for parents home schooling children in India. On this informal websites you’ll interact with parents who answer questions, share their at-home teaching expertise, and tell you how home schooling works for them. Moreover there is plenty of advice on age-appropriate activities such as sports, music, and art.
3. Choose a curriculum. Parents can choose to follow any examination board curriculum (ICSE, CBSE, Cambridge International Examinations or the National Institute of Open School). If you choose a set curriculum, you have to use the prescribed textbooks. Home schooling curriculum/ textbooks can also be ordered online from a number of education providers.
However most home schooling parents adopt a more liberal approach, preferring an eclectic mix of curriculums and pedagogies or just letting children choose what they want to learn, without structured timetables or course material.
4. Set specific goals/ outcomes. Home schooling shouldn’t become a permanent holiday. It is important to set academic and other goals. Make a plan/ time table to meet the goals you’ve outlined. Break up the academic schedule and each subject into lessons. Plan how to break up the syllabus week by week. But remember that flexibility is one of the key appeals of home schooling and you can always adapt the schedule to your children’s changing needs.
5. Create a schooling space. As a home schooler you need to designate an area in your home where knowledge is acquired. It could be the living room, a balcony or study room. Equip this area with teaching aids like blackboard, calendars, book shelves, lesson plans, books, computer with internet connectivity, etc.
6. Organize social and extra-curricular activities. Home schooled children also need to interact with their peers. Organize a play group and depending on your child’s interests, enroll her in art, yoga, music, dance and/ or sports workshops.
7. Choose the national board exam your child will take. Home schoolers in India have the option to write the class X exam of the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) or the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) as private candidates. However, the Delhi-based CISCE board doesn’t allow home schooled children to write its class X and XII exam as private candidates, while CBSE allows only home schooled girls to write its board exams.
Hope this article helps many individuals and parents looking forward to adopt Homeschool approach for their children.
P.S. This article has excerpts taken from:
http://www.educationworldonline.net/index.php/page-article-choice-more-id-778
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