Critical Homeschool Curriculum Mistakes to Avoid

Designing your own Homeschool curriculum can be intimidating. Your child's education depends on it; yet it's something you're doing for the very first time. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources out there to help. After doing your research, you'll easily be able to create a fantastic curriculum - as long as you avoid these four mistakes.

Mistake #1: Not talking to Your Children

Your children should be an important part of the curriculum design process. Here are a few of the things you should consider:

1. What are they naturally good at?

2. What subjects do they have the most trouble with?

3. What do they want to learn?

4. What do they want to do when they grow up?

5. What subjects do they find boring? (Tip: pay special attention to making these classes fun!)

Mistake #2: Thinking you have to Do it Alone

Don't design your curriculum in a black hole. Getting input from other moms and other educators can make the whole design process a lot easier. Working with other parents will also give you insight into how they're designing their curriculum, which can influence how you design yours.

Mistake #3: Following the Curriculum to the Letter

Think of your curriculum as more of a set of guidelines than a strict schedule. A lot of learning has to happen organically. When your child is forming new neural connections, the last thing you want to do is interrupt them because "time's up." Use your intuition and always place your child's development ahead of following the curriculum.

Mistake #4: Undervaluing Breaks

Breaks are crucial to learning. Kids who're pushed too far without a break experience a sharp drop in retention. Though it may be tempting to save time by cutting on breaks, doing so is almost always counterproductive.

Make sure to avoid these four mistakes when designing your child's curriculum. Homeschool can be fun, easy and educational!