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math games for kids

The best free math games for kids – gamified learning

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This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my affiliate disclaimer page HERE.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Why should you utilize free online math games?

Important features to consider in choosing math games

The top free online math games for kids

How math games enhance critical thinking and quick reasoning

Conclusion: Why must children use math games?

Introduction

Discover the best free math games available for kids to improve their accuracy, speed, and confidence in this post. These free online math games are absolutely amazing. Children can play these leading math games online for free to improve their quick reasoning and math skills. A balance between offline activities and gamified math learning can be stunning. The two collectively produce amazing retention results.

As a guardian, parent, or educator, getting your children enthused about math can seem like a herculean task. It doesn’t have to be so. With the right engagement, children learn effortlessly. This is an unquestionable fact, and it applies to math learners studying fundamentals such as division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction in lower-grade math, as well as students tackling more advanced mathematics concepts taught in a comprehensive math curriculum.

Free online math programs and other game-based learning platforms are two of the most certain ways to help your children achieve success in math without feeling they are making an effort. Transforming your children’s screen time into academic learning is now simple with the recent increase in math websites that provide kids with interactive practice, thought-provoking challenges, and puzzles. In sharp contrast to traditional math classroom settings, game-based learning inspires students to practice basic math concepts while having fun, thereby improving their reasoning, memory retention and recall, speed, and accuracy.  

This post aims to simplify things for you by highlighting some free online math games for children to practice, as well as the importance of game-based math education.

Rest assured, you will find the perfect options for your children, whether they are elementary students, children pursuing a homeschool math curriculum, or kids in need of math help. However, if you want offline math games to supplement the online options, there are many available on Amazon.

Why should you utilize free online math games as an approach to math learning?

Generally, children enjoy playing games. Yes, they love games, and the math games described in this post are free. Why not use them? With games, the interactivity, immediate response, and challenges or puzzles engage their cognitive thinking more than a normal worksheet alone would. So, it is essential to incorporate games into your children’s daily routines. It builds their proficiency in math facts and sharpens their mental calculation skills, which prepares them for higher-level thinking in the near future. Below are the specific and detailed advantages of math games in a child’s developmental journey.

  1. Increased inspiration and a positive mindset about math: Online math games help dispel the notion that math is difficult, as practice becomes play. Children who play online math games have fun and don’t view math as stressful or problematic. Gaining instant rewards, reaching higher levels, and seeing immediate progress motivate children, giving them the confidence for longer engagements, which frequently leads to a lasting positive view regarding math learning.
  1. Enhanced speed and precision, or accuracy: To achieve math fluency, both speed and precision or accuracy are mandatory. Math games or challenges are mostly timed with instantaneous scoring, and difficulty levels automatically adjust as a learner progresses. This prepares the brain to quickly recall fundamental math facts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, without the stress associated with the traditional test system.
  1. Improved retention of math facts: Many children learning lower-grade math find it difficult to memorize important math facts. Since these online math games involve repetition, children naturally absorb mathematical concepts effortlessly through the entertaining gameplay.
  1. Secure and accessible learning: Most internet games require no complex downloads since they are browser-based. This makes learning more flexible, mobile-friendly, and easily accessible from any location, allowing learners to utilize the daily little learning sessions available to them.
  1. Support after-school learning and homeschooling: Parents and guardians who teach their children homeschool math or help with school learning homework have the opportunity to make good use of these abundant educational resources or free tools. This can significantly enrich any homeschool math curriculum by combining online math games or digital activities with homeschool printable worksheets.

Important features to consider in choosing math games

When selecting an online math game for your child, there are essential features to look for. Let’s quickly walk through some of these crucial elements of math games before going into the details of recommended platforms. Key points to consider are as follows.

  1. Difficulty level or graded difficulty: The knowledge and skill level of children vary from lower grade to advanced math thinkers. The selected games should cater to these characteristic differences of learners.
  1. Interactive design: A key feature of excellent math games and manipulatives is a design that encourages active participation or digital replication of hands-on play. The visuals, manipulations, and touch help children learn without difficulty.
  1. Focus on specific skills: Another essential feature of the best math games is the focus on individual skill development. The targeted areas are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with a gradual integration of such skills in the long term.
  1. Level-based motivation or rewards: Gamification features such as time challenges, badges, and level advancement motivate children to learn persistently.
  1. School and homeschool learning compatibility: Does the selected math game align with the learner’s school-level math curriculum or the homeschool math curriculum they are following? It is a vital factor to check when choosing an online math game for children.

The top free online math games for kids to develop their math skills

Here is a comprehensive list of reliable and engaging free math platforms where kids can play games to sharpen their reasoning and, at the same time, improve their math skills.

  1. Math Playground: Math Playground has hundreds of purposeful mathematical learning games that enhance basic math skills and quick thinking. The platform’s games cover a wide range of topics, including multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. Others are early algebraic reasoning, fractions, and geometry. There are interactive puzzles, critical thinking adventures, timed fluency challenges, and logical reasoning games for kids to choose from. This site is the favorite of many parents because it perfectly blends math and cognitive development.
  1. SplashLearn: Many homeschooling families and teachers prefer SplashLearn, a game-based and curriculum-aligned learning platform that covers both English and math from preschool to grade 5. Though the platform has paid features, the fundamental game-based learning modules are free. The majority of elementary students achieve true mastery here because it matches their school-based math curricula. With its adaptive learning approach and ample interactive practice, SplashLearn is ideal for enhancing lower-grade math skills and other advanced mathematical concepts. 
  1. CoolMath4Kids: CoolMath4Kids is one of the popular free online math learning websites. It has fun math games centered on multiplication, division, numbers, logic, and other fundamental skills. Children learn important math facts and boost their confidence level through the platform’s fast and daring challenges. Kinesthetic learners and visual learners find CoolMath4Kids amazing because of the engaging activities available to them. It is also the obvious choice for puzzle-loving children.
  1. Khan Academy Kids: Khan Academy Kids offers fun learning games for lower-grade math, logic, and foundational reading. All these are absolutely free. The platform has several math games and quizzes that cover logical patterns, early numeracy, basic math operations, and shapes, which improve children’s math skills. It is a go-to website for parents and guardians seeking math help for their kids. 
  1. Prodigy Math Game: With Prodigy’s adaptive learning games, children play math adventures by answering questions and advancing through levels and stories. Despite the fact that Prodigy has paid membership options, the math games content is free, and anyone can access it. The platform is a great learning place for kids who require structured practice to supplement classroom activities or math homework. Because the content of Prodigy aligns with most schools’ requirements, some teachers and educators use it in their math classes.
  1. ABCya Math Games: ABCya provides grade-level games that cover a wide range of topics, from basic counting to advanced math skills. Teachers love the platform because of the focus on core or essential skills. Children, on the other hand, enjoy the website’s creative themes. Math facts are reinforced through play and repetition, making the site the favorite for kids struggling with math. There are printable worksheets that parents and guardians can use with the online games for organized learning at home.
  1. Toy Theater: Toy Theater offers free educational games for children, most specifically those at the elementary level. It utilizes fun teacher-approved games that provide entertaining ways for children to learn logic and basic math, such as interactive charts, mini simulations of typical classroom tools, and math manipulatives. It is an ideal website for children to learn using math games and manipulatives. The reason is that children can use virtual forms of counters, number charts, dice, fraction bars, and spinners.
  1. Fluent Facts: Fluent Facts is a completely free online math game website for kids to master math facts through interactive practice. You don’t even need to sign up to use this website. It is perfect for children who want to build accuracy and speed in basic math skills, including multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. There are also blends of addition and subtraction games, as well as multiplication and division games. A leaderboard displays the top gamers and their respective countries.

How math games enhance critical thinking and quick reasoning

Aside from improving children’s basic math skills, learning through games also promotes their cognitive development. Let’s take a closer look at how game-based learning affects children’s reasoning and thinking.

  1. It enhances pattern recognition: In math games, players are required to recognize number sequences, logical relationships, and shapes. Recurrent exposure to similar patterns increases the brain’s ability to envisage outcomes and recall structures quickly. Apart from its application in mathematics, this skill is valuable in science, coding, and everyday problem-solving.
  1. It strengthens problem-solving abilities: Math games are interactive in nature, requiring strategic thinking instead of rote memorization. Players often use different tactics, learn from their errors, and adjust their approaches in subsequent games. This process helps them develop flexible thinking skills and become self-assured in their own decisions and in navigating challenges.
  1. It builds confidence: Math games and learning games in general create a relaxed environment where mistakes are considered necessary elements of learning, and not a sign of failure. Because of this, children can retake challenges without shameful feelings, thereby reducing any anxieties associated with math learning. When this continues for some time, small victories eventually boost confidence and inspire them to tackle difficult challenges.
  1. It promotes self or independent learning: Learners who play math games advance at their own pace, promoting self-directed study. Additionally, built-in responses enable children to pinpoint areas where they need to improve. This reduces overreliance on teachers and parents, fostering accountability and a growth-oriented mindset to education or learning.
  1. It increases mental agility and speed: Through timed challenges, adventures, and swift tasks, children’s brains are trained to think quickly and analyze information accurately. Frequent gameplay boosts mental computation and response time. The skills acquired through these games can translate into excellent performances in tests and real-life scenarios where one has to reason quickly.

Conclusion: Why must children use math games for learning?

It is essential and recommended for your children to use math games because they (math games) are gateways to math mastery in this digital age. However, math games cannot, and should not, replace offline learning. A combination and proper blending of both is key to producing outstanding results.

Learning games in general, including math games, allow children to practice important fundamental skills in a fun and interactive way. Their confidence level in basic math concepts increases, their fluency improves, and they reason much faster because of the repetitive nature of the games they play. The small challenges these games offer children keep them motivated, encouraging learning, making math more enjoyable, and less stressful.

The connection between comprehension and mastery is made complete through math games when combined with simple home tasks, hands-on manipulatives, and printable worksheets. The bottom line is that math games make the subject less fearful. There is no frustration because kids play and learn at their own pace. This builds a persistent spirit in children, develops their problem-solving skills, and curiosity that goes beyond the classroom or math lessons.

Let that child smile at the sight or mention of math.

Homeschooling streamlined; thrive as a homeschooler.

Schoolhouse Teachers Review, an online homeschool curriculum

Schoolhouse Teachers Review

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This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my affiliate disclaimer page HERE.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction and background

Pros of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

Cons of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

Pricing of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

Key of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

Summary and conclusion

Introduction

Every parent dreams of seeing their child or children succeed in all spheres of life, including education. To help actualize this educational ambition, it is important to choose the right schooling system. This choice could be the popular public or private school system or a workable alternative known as homeschooling, also called home education, as detailed in this Schoolhouse Teachers Review.

Homeschooling, as the name suggests, means providing education at home. There are innumerable platforms and online homeschooling programs that can help your child receive quality education at home without following the traditional school system. However, deciding on the right homeschooling curriculum style to use can be a daunting task. This blog post, Schoolhouse Teachers Review, seeks to simplify that decision-making process for you. The blog content particularly focuses on whether Schoolhouse Teachers, one of those virtual schooling programs, is ideal for you and your family.

Background of Schoolhouse Teachers

The history of Schoolhouse Teachers dates back to when Gena Suarez used her eBay store to sell secondhand homeschool curricula. Her growth in the business led to the creation of “The Old Schoolhouse” newsletter in 2001. As the newsletter gained traction, Gena realized she needed extra help, and her husband became the first person to assist her full-time. Together, they hired employees to ensure the smooth operation of the popular newsletter. When The Old Schoolhouse newsletter became fully accessible online, the idea of reaching out to more homeschoolers emerged, leading to the formation of Schoolhouse Teachers in 2012.

Schoolhouse Teachers is The Old Schoolhouse’s fully online, internet-based homeschooling curriculum division. It provides a Christian-based, comprehensive, resourced curriculum with over 400 self-paced membership courses for children from prekindergarten to grade 12. One family membership allows access to all the courses, 25,000+ streaming videos, planning tools, and unlimited access to the World Book Online resource library. You can browse available core and elective courses by grade level or by the subject of your interest.

The comprehensive Schoolhouse Teachers Christian curriculum covers different courses, including arts, Bible studies, computer and technology, drama and speech, foreign languages, and many elective subjects. Additional subjects include geography, health and fitness, history, language arts, math, music, physical education, social studies, science, and preschool education. Their preschool playground has a detailed list of preschool resources and fun activities for kids. Knowing how overwhelming homeschooling can be, especially for new homeschoolers, Schoolhouse Teachers offers a resource called Just for Parents Resources to serve as a parental guide through your homeschooling journey.

There is a saying that goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Considering this, Schoolhouse Teachers has developed a Holiday and Seasonal Resources Center with more than 500 resources for homeschoolers. These include summer resources, fall and Thanksgiving resources, Christmas corner resources, and Easter resources.

Joining Schoolhouse Teachers gives you access to engaging videos, colorful printable certificates for each completed class, and full-length downloadable textbooks you can print. Additionally, homeschoolers find support with lesson guides, teacher editions, quizzes, and tests with answers from an enthusiastic group of professionals. The team of dedicated experts works continuously to keep the Schoolhouse Teachers’ curriculum current and up-to-date. Note that this Schoolhouse Teachers Review is entirely based on my research.

Schoolhouse Teachers Review; interface

Pros of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

Why you should use the Schoolhouse Teachers online homeschool curriculum

Many homeschooling families are using the Schoolhouse Teachers curriculum for several reasons including the following:

    1. It offers an affordable and cost-effective subscription-based online homeschool curriculum. Why do I think so? The good thing, and probably the main reason many people use Schoolhouse Teachers, is that you need only one subscription (membership fee) for your entire family, irrespective of the number of children using the curriculum.
      Imagine homeschooling five children with a curriculum that requires each user to have a separate subscription. That quickly translates into five times the subscription fee for all the children. This is entirely different when using the Schoolhouse Teachers’ homeschool curriculum. The subscription fee remains the same even if you are homeschooling multiple children. This approach eliminates the extra cost of purchasing or subscribing to separate curriculums for each child and grade. This curriculum is ideal for large families with many children.
    2. The Schoolhouse Teachers platform has comprehensive planning tools, including ready-made homeschool lesson plans for all courses with daily checklists to track students’ progress. Additionally, there are GPA trackers, report card creation tools, certificates of accomplishment, and record-keeping resources, which save parents precious time in curriculum planning and their daily homeschool organization. This time-saving lesson-planning component is beneficial for busy homeschoolers who are homeschooling while working full-time.
    3. It has a comprehensive curriculum covering all the core subjects and several elective homeschool subjects for all grade levels. The platform features a complete homeschool curriculum with over 400 courses framed within a Christian worldview. These courses cover fundamental and specialized topics such as art, foreign languages, music, and life skills. These extensive options allow families to customize education to meet children’s interests, needs, and talents.
    4. Schoolhouse Teaches provides a flexible, self-paced homeschool program. Students can study online or print out downloadable lessons and learn offline according to their schedules and individual learning styles. The flexibility of the curriculum also allows parents to select courses that suit their children’s needs, interests, and talents. These flexible learning options are valuable for meeting the diverse needs of homeschooling families with multiple children.
    5. It doesn’t matter whether you are a new or an experienced homeschooler. At some point in time, you will need some support or advice to make decisions about your children’s studies to become a successful homeschooler. Schoolhouse Teachers stands tall in this regard with its supportive community, a homeschool support group. Users of the Schoolhouse Teachers homeschool curriculum become members of a supportive online community where homeschoolers connect, share experiences, and gain insights from one another. The network fosters a sense of comradeship, contributing to the success of homeschoolers.
    6. The Schoolhouse Teachers’ homeschool curriculum uses different homeschooling methods to meet the diverse needs of homeschooling families. These methods include the Unit Studies Homeschooling Method, which allows children to explore specific topics in detail, and the Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method, where children learn through practical activities and real-world experiences.

      Moreover, the curriculum provides a traditional or offline homeschooling method. In this offline approach, children learn using textbooks, well-organized lesson plans, and workbooks seen in public and private school settings. There are downloadable lessons to support offline learning. Finally, we have the online homeschool program. It is the dominant component of the curriculum. This program features several streaming video lessons and access to World Book Online, which has games, eBooks, and other educational videos. These audiovisuals engage learners’ multiple senses, enhancing learning and retention.
      The availability of different homeschooling methods on the same platform makes it easy to meet individual educational needs without spending a fortune.

    7. The Schoolhouse Teachers platform understands the significance of inclusive education and has designed a homeschool curriculum that supports special needs students. Special needs homeschooling parents can utilize the resources and tools available on the platform to address children’s learning challenges and create conducive learning spaces for their success.
    8. The Schoolhouse Teachers’ platform has experienced homeschool educators who are knowledgeable in their respective fields. These experts designed the courses and lessons on the platform, making it an expert-approved curriculum and ensuring students receive excellent teachings from well-informed professionals. Students have access to these experienced educators and can learn from them.
    9. To stay current with trends in education, the Schoolhouse Teachers platform undergoes regular updates and improvements. Additionally, the platform uses feedback from homeschoolers to make improvements, alongside updating the general content of the curriculum. These ensure that homeschoolers get present-day information and effective instructional resources. Moreover, dedicated customer service representatives are available to chat with parents.
    10. The Schoolhouse Teachers’ homeschool curriculum has numerous engaging multimedia resources and tools, such as interactive lessons, videos, and regularly updated content that enhance learners’ experience. The combination of these dynamic learning options and comprehensive text-based lessons makes lessons more captivating. In addition, the platform’s diverse resources cater to learners’ different learning needs and styles.
    11. The platform has well-organized content, making it user-friendly for new homeschoolers. Learners can navigate through courses and lessons by grade level and subject. Other equally useful navigation options right at the homepage are “New homeschooler,” “Already homeschooling,” “Special needs,” “Schoolhouse co-ops,” etcetera, all aimed at easy use of the platform. The mobile-friendly feature of the website allows students to learn anywhere and anytime with internet access. Besides, you can bookmark classes and access them directly from the member dashboard.

The 11 key reasons elaborated above and other benefits that families find helpful make Schoolhouse Teachers’ homeschool curriculum the obvious choice for parents who want to educate their children through twelfth grade effectively. It is the most cost-effective complete homeschool curriculum for all grade levels.

Schoolhouse Teachers Review; streaming videos

Cons of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

What you may not like about the Schoolhouse Teachers online homeschool curriculum

Some homeschooling families do not use the Schoolhouse Teachers homeschool curriculum for some reasons including the following;

    1. The curriculum is not accredited. If an accredited homeschool curriculum is your number one priority, then Schoolhouse Teachers may not be the right choice for you.
    2. The Schoolhouse Teachers’ homeschool curriculum is Christian-based. It is a strong faith-based curriculum with most content centered around a Christian or Biblical worldview. This makes the curriculum less appealing to families that prefer secular education.
    3. The Schoolhouse Teachers platform does not offer live classes or live teaching. Since there are no teacher-led sessions, parents automatically become the primary instructors. This poses a challenge to busy parents who are homeschooling and working full-time.
    4. The website contains too many resources that can overwhelm new homeschoolers. Consequently, new users might need some time to become familiar with the platform.

Pricing of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

The Schoolhouse Teachers platform offers four all-inclusive pricing options for homeschoolers: lifetime, yearly, quarterly, or monthly billing plans. Subscribing to these plans may come with discounts or promotions during specific periods. Furthermore, the Bright Beginnings package is only available for residents within the United States of America.

    1. Lifetime plan: This one-time payment plan is for homeschoolers who appreciate the curriculum and intend to use it for an extended period. It is even more beneficial for families planning to homeschool multiple kids from lower grades through grade 12 using the same curriculum. The lifetime ultimate family membership fee is $1850.00.
    2. Yearly or annual plan: Homeschoolers using this plan are billed every year. It is a cost-effective option for long-term use. The annual subscription fees are $269.97 for prekindergarten to grade 12 and $209.97 for prekindergarten to grade 8.
    3. Quarterly plan: The billing cycle for this plan is every three months or 91 days. It is an ideal choice for homeschoolers who prefer a balance between short-term and long-term plans. The quarterly subscription fees are $59.97 for prekindergarten to grade 12 and $44.97 for prekindergarten to grade 8.
    4. Monthly plan: This option is preferred by short-term homeschoolers and those trying the platform for the first time. The monthly membership subscription fees are $29.97 for prekindergarten to grade 12 and $22.97 for prekindergarten to grade 8.
    5. Bright Beginnings package: Only residents within the United States can use this package. It costs $299.00 for first-time registrations and $269.97 for yearly renewals.

The table below summarizes the billing plans for various grade ranges yearly, quarterly, and monthly.

Schoolhouse Teachers Review; pricing

Key features of the Schoolhouse Teachers Homeschool Curriculum

    • One membership covers the entire family; no usage limits.
    • Lesson plans are done for you.
    • No extra charges for more children or grade levels.
    • No hidden fees and no additional textbooks to purchase.
    • Membership community (homeschool co-op) on social media.
    • It is self-paced and can be done online or offline.
    • Schedule creators.
    • Experiment-based programs.
    • It has over 400 course options.
    • Preschool through high school courses.
    • Excellent live customer support or chat.
    • Access to 25,000+ streaming videos.
    • Strong Christian-based curriculum.
    • High school credit and transcript support.
    • Access to World Book Online.
    • Curriculums are well-organized for easy use.

Summary and conclusion

The Schoolhouse Teachers homeschool curriculum is considered cost-effective, allowing an entire family to use one membership subscription. Its flexibility, self-paced learning, all-inclusive pricing, and over 400 courses for prekindergarten to grade 12 make it the favorite of many homeschoolers. Parents looking to instill Christian principles in their children equally find this curriculum helpful because it is based on a biblical worldview. The versatile and robust nature of the curriculum makes it a valuable resource for homeschooling parents.

However, families whose top priorities are curriculum accreditation and secular education may find Schoolhouse Teachers less suited for their needs.

I hope this Schoolhouse Teachers review will help you make an informed decision regarding your homeschooling journey. Are you convinced that you want to start homeschooling with Schoolhouse Teachers? If yes, click HERE to see the list of all available courses and purchase a subscription that suits you.

Frequently asked questions about homeschooling (homeschool FAQs)

Frequently asked questions about homeschooling (homeschool FAQs)

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This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information check out my affiliate disclaimer page HERE.

Many families around the world, especially in the United States of America, are homeschooling one or more children. With the surge in homeschooling following COVID-19 and years after, more families are opting to homeschool their children. However, these families have countless questions about homeschooling. There are endless frequently asked questions about homeschooling. Most of these questions and concerns center around how to start homeschooling, legal requirements, selecting a homeschool curriculum, socialization concerns, homeschool resources, and much more.

This homeschool FAQ post seeks to answer the common homeschooling questions for an easy decision-making process on home education programs. Let us get into it so you can get the detailed homeschooling information you need.

Which is more effective: public/private schooling or homeschooling?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about homeschooling or parents’ concerns regarding home education. Whether public/private schooling or homeschooling is more effective depends on many factors, including curriculum quality, teacher or parental involvement, socialization concerns, and, most importantly, the child’s learning style.

Though a person’s success is not determined by only academics, available data or research shows that homeschooled kids most often outperform their peers in public schools on standardized tests. This difference in academic performance can be attributed to personalized learning, flexible curriculums, and the undivided attention homeschoolers get.

In conclusion, based on academic grounds, homeschooling is generally more effective than public or private schooling.

Is it compulsory for my kids to study all homeschool subjects I deem important?

The short answer to this question is simply no. Many families decide to homeschool their children because of the flexible nature of homeschooling. So why make it rigid for your kids? However, I have a long answer as detailed below.

Have you ever wondered why kids or students dislike studying some subjects? If yes, your guess will be as good as mine. Students with little or zero interest in those subjects feel reluctant to study them.

And what are the consequences of forcing such subjects or courses on students after seeing all the signs that they don’t interest them?

It leads to a lack of motivation to study well, hence poor performance and unfilled careers in the future. If you pressure them to study these subjects despite their disinterest, you will be responsible for their future career misfortunes.

So, how can you avoid this? It is simple. Never force your kids to study subjects they have no interest in. Let the kid choose the course that ignites their passion. After allowing the child to select a course of their interest, what next? Do you watch them wander through the wilderness? No. You have to be their guide and facilitate the learning process because you know your child’s interest areas better than anyone else. You’re the best teacher for your children, and no one else is worthy of teaching them more than you.

However, I do not mean your children should not study foundational core subjects essential for lifelong learning. Critical thinking, reading, math, and writing are elementary courses for continuous learning. It is therefore important to use persuasive methods and different teaching strategies to get your children interested in basic subjects they may not want to study.

The bottom line is to let your children have a balanced education. Consider their interests, needs, and future goals. Also, factor in the legal homeschooling requirements in your state or country to achieve these goals. Pique the child’s interest and curiosity to learn any subject, no matter how difficult it may seem, but never force it.

As a homeschooling parent, must I teach my kids everything, including their study subjects?

This is one of the frequently asked questions about homeschooling or the concern of many families considering home education. This question might have crossed your mind if you’re new to homeschooling or considering how to start homeschooling your children. The answer is no. You do not necessarily have to teach your kids every subject. What you teach depends on your knowledge and skill level and the needs and interests of the children you are currently homeschooling or intend to homeschool.

If you’re knowledgeable in all the subject areas, you can teach everything if you wish. Otherwise, engage the services of specialized subject home education tutors if you cannot confidently handle a subject of your child’s interest. Another alternative is to join homeschool co-ops near you to take turns teaching specific subjects to homeschoolers based on the expertise of the different homeschooling parents in the group. Additionally, you can make good use of online courses or curriculums like Schoolhouse Teachers (a complete review is available here) to ensure your children lack nothing concerning getting a comprehensive education.

So, as a homeschooling parent, you decide or have a greater influence on what your kids learn, how they learn it, and who their teachers are.

How do you teach your child to read?

Teaching a child to memorize simple words is less effective than teaching that same child phonics. So, the best way to get a child to start reading is to teach them the relationship between sounds and letters. Children with a strong understanding of phonics can read thousands of words effortlessly.

As a homeschooling parent, why must I pay closer attention to the emotional and mental health of my child than to their grades?

Though many strive for academic success, don’t prioritize it over your child’s emotional well-being. Everyone’s mental and emotional health is crucial to being effective and efficient in whatever they do. The same thing applies to children in their learning processes. Emotionally sound children can learn more effectively and effortlessly without viewing education as a chore or a burden.

Scolding your child due to low grades produces stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem in children. Such children will lose focus and interest in learning. So, limit very high expectations on grades, as it may be detrimental to your child’s mental health. A healthy mind retains more information, and success in life goes beyond academic grades.

Do homeschooled children get enough socialization?

This question might have crossed your mind if you are thinking of homeschooling your children. You can say, “I am going to homeschool my children.” Then someone asks, “How will they socialize?”

Homeschooling does not mean living in a cave. It is just a common stereotype that children who undergo homeschooling lack socialization. If the environment in which you’re homeschooling your children provides them with the right opportunities to socialize, it leads to stronger social skills than their peers in public schools. This is because they associate with people of different age groups (siblings, community members, and adults), not just other children within their age group.

Research shows that homeschooled children have higher scores in terms of social and emotional health than their peers in traditional schools. Homeschooled children also have higher or similar self-esteem to children attending public schools. Give the homeschooled children the chance to participate in co-ops, community events, sports, volunteer work, and clubs, and their socialization needs will be met. Have you ever wondered how people who haven’t been through formal education (schooling) socialize? People should understand that socialization is not limited to the four walls of a classroom.

So, children’s inability to socialize is not about homeschooling as an educational model, but how it is done. Here are more reasons to homeschool your children.

Homeschooling streamlined; thrive as a homeschooler how to get started with homeschooling.

Get information on homeschooling and start with the best homeschool prgram

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This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information check out my affiliate disclaimer page HERE.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Homeschooling and 16 reasons to homeschool your children

How do you choose the right curriculum for your child?

10 Types of Homeschooling Curriculum Styles and Methods

Homeschooling

What is homeschooling, or home education, you may wonder? Homeschooling is a unique, life-changing educational choice that empowers families to control their children’s learning mostly at home. It allows children to receive an education at home or other convenient locations rather than in traditional classrooms. In other words, homeschooling involves teaching school-age children outside the conventional educational setting where students physically attend classes. Learners typically receive guidance from parents, hired home education tutors, or online instructors. Homeschooling your children works by following a homeschool curriculum, like the Schoolhouse Teachers (read the full curriculum review here), depending on your children’s needs and interests. It’s important not to confuse homeschooling with online learning or distance education, where a physical school still governs the curriculum and instruction the student receives.

Why homeschool?

Should I homeschool my children? Thinking of why homeschooling is beneficial or why homeschoolers are smarter? If you are considering home education, you may have pondered these questions or similar thoughts. Many families worldwide are embracing homeschooling, and its popularity is increasing daily. Where is homeschooling most popular? The United States leads in homeschooling statistics, with over 3 million children being homeschooled for several reasons.

16 reasons to homeschool your children

      1. Homeschooling your children allows you to control their learning at a pace that suits their abilities. That ensures their success academically and socially, thus clarifying the doubt: Are homeschooled kids more successful?
      2. Does homeschooling affect child development? Yes, it does. Homeschooling your kids helps preserve their innocence, allowing them to focus on their development without comparing themselves to others.
      3. The flexible nature of homeschooling curriculums, like the homeschooling curriculum for kindergarten, encourages creativity and ingenuity.
      4. You can choose specific homeschooling curriculums tailored to your children’s needs and interests. Examples of these defined curriculums are homeschooling for college credit and homeschooling programs for high schoolers preparing for college.
      5. You can homeschool and travel without disrupting your children’s studies, thus allowing continuous education.
      6. Homeschooling is the best option if your family lives far from a physical school location.
      7. You gain more time for your kids and address their needs, which align with their talents.
      8. Your children are less likely to experience physical and emotional bullying from their peers.
      9. Homeschooling your children minimizes their exposure to bad behaviors and habits from other children.
      10. You get personally involved in your kids’ learning and development.
      11. You have greater control over the subjects and content your children learn.
      12. There won’t be any worries about the safety of a traditional school environment.
      13. You can choose a Christian homeschool curriculum based on moral or religious beliefs.
      14. There is no competition for higher grades or class rankings with homeschooled kids.
      15. Homeschooling creates strong bonds between parents and children.
      16. Homeschooling your children reduces pressure, allowing you to set the learning pace for them.

Homeschooling streamlined; thrive as a homeschooler.

choosing a homeschool curriculum, reasons to homeschool your children.

How do you choose the right curriculum for your child? Which homeschooling program is the best?

The success or failure of your home education journey largely depends on your choice of a homeschooling curriculum. Selecting a homeschool curriculum is a crucial step that requires careful consideration of your educational goals, family values, and, most significantly, available resources. Though not exhaustive, here are key guiding steps to help you determine which curriculum is best for homeschooling your children. Note that it is not mandatory to follow the steps as stated below. However, it will be beneficial to take all of them into consideration.

      1. First, think carefully about homeschooling and conclude why homeschooling is the best option for your children or family. Set definite educational goals that you intend to achieve through homeschooling. These goals could be academic excellence, religious or moral education, character development, obtaining a specific skill, meeting a particular need, etc. If you’re after a faith-based approach, the question, “Which Christian homeschool curriculum is best for my children?” may be imperative. Choose a homeschooling curriculum that aligns with your goals. You may also want to read the 16 reasons to homeschool your children.
      2. How do you create a structured schedule for homeschooling? From the start, you should decide who takes charge of the homeschooling. Will it be you, the parent, or a hired tutor? It is crucial to be crystal clear about who leads the homeschooling process. This clarity will help you plan your daily schedules, decide on the teaching approach, and determine how much time you need to commit daily. This is imperative because a well-structured, flexible curriculum does not require much of your time like a disorganized one.
        You can control the entire homeschooling process or hire homeschooling tutors to teach specific subjects. Whichever you settle on, keep it well coordinated and in line with your family routine to ensure consistency and balance.
      3. Another important factor you can’t ignore is checking the legal status of homeschooling in your country or state. If you live in the United States, for instance, you have to check the states where homeschooling is legal and ensure that the curriculum of your interest complies with your state’s regulations. Homeschooling in Texas laws are a bit lenient, requiring minimal supervision.
      4. Explore and understand different types of curricula, such as traditional, unschooling, Montessori, online curriculum, and classical education. This knowledge will help you choose one that matches your children’s learning styles and goals while reflecting your family values.
      5. Additionally, consider the interests and needs of the children you plan to homeschool. If you are unsure of your children’s interest areas, here is a hint. Children’s interests often revolve around topics or subjects that ignite their curiosity. Identify these areas and ensure your children’s learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic learning, etc.) align with the curriculum.
      6. Choose a place that will foster a love of learning in your homeschool environment. Design and decorate the learning environment well to make it attractive to your children. Let it display hands-on activities, enough space for engagement, real-world experiences, structured lessons, and less distraction. It should be a flexible home learning environment focused on children’s interests and needs to encourage creativity and ingenuity. Will your homeschool learning environment allow a successful implementation of the chosen curriculum? Food for thought.
      7. What homeschool curriculum should I use? The answer to that question rests on your resources, particularly your budget. After gathering all the information and deciding to homeschool your children, the resources and tools available could be the final key factors. Homeschooling curriculums vary widely, from free resources to paid trials and subscriptions billed monthly or yearly. Depending on your chosen curriculum, there can be additional costs for textbooks, worksheets, tablets, laptops, and other supplies. Deliberate on these before selecting a homeschooling curriculum for your children. You might also look into an all-inclusive curriculum like Schoolhouse Teachers, where one subscription covers the entire family.

A careful consideration of the factors mentioned above can help you determine which curriculum is best for homeschooling. That will address your concern about what homeschool curriculum is best for your child and meets their needs and interests. Homeschooling streamlined; thrive as a homeschooler.

How do you choose the right curriculum for your child? Which homeschooling program is the best?

10 Types of Homeschooling Curriculum Styles and Methods

There is no such thing as the best curriculum style. Do you believe that? The best curriculum may not meet my needs and goals. So it won’t be a choice for me. However, there is a right curriculum style for every homeschooler.  That curriculum style aligns with your family values, educational goals, and needs. Choosing the right homeschooling curriculum style is crucial for your success. Below are 10 homeschooling curriculum styles and methods for homeschooling families and those looking for homeschooling ideas.

    1. Traditional Homeschooling: This homeschooling style, also known as school-at-home, follows the principles of the public or private school system within a home setting. It has well-structured schedules and specific study rooms and uses homeschooling textbooks, lesson plans, and workbooks like traditional schools. Some families prefer online options with all the features of this curriculum style.
      This curriculum style suits new homeschoolers and families transitioning from traditional schools. It is also the right choice for homeschooling families that adhere to structured schedules or prefer structured approaches.
      Homeschool curricula such as Abeka, Easy Peasy All-in-One, Alpha Omega Publications, BJU Press, Northgate Academy, and others use a traditional curriculum.
    2. Online homeschooling program or virtual schooling: This curriculum style is primarily designed by experts. It is internet-based and offers interactive lessons, assignments, and assessments. There are options for live classes or self-paced learning, supported by homeschool tutors and parental involvement. The program’s flexibility accommodates various learning styles, making education accessible and captivating.
      This curriculum style is ideal for families seeking high standards in subject knowledge or expert-led instruction. Schoolhouse Teachers, Monarch, K12, Khan Academy, and Master Books offer online homeschooling programs. If you’re homeschooling multiple children, Schoolhouse Teachers is more cost-effective because one subscription covers the entire family. Check out the complete Schoolhouse Teachers review in one of my blog posts.
    3. Classical Education: It is not a new homeschooling style since it has existed for a long time. The classical education homeschool curriculum approach consists of three stages collectively called Trivium. These stages are the Grammar stage (building a foundation of knowledge), the Logic stage (developing reasoning skills based on the knowledge gained), and the Rhetoric stage (applying the knowledge obtained). This curriculum encourages well-rounded thinking. Homeschooling families interested in systematic education may opt for this curriculum.
      Typical examples of classical education homeschool curricula include Veritas Press, Memoria Press, Angelicum Academy, Classical U, and Classical Conversations.
    4. Charlotte Mason Method: This homeschooling curriculum style is named after the British educator Charlotte Mason. She visualized a society where all children learn through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, and other real-life experiences. This approach emphasizes the use of well-written and engaging literature, nature studies, and the arts. These materials are called “living books” because they provide more vivid pictures of reality than traditional textbooks.
      The method includes practices such as narration, focused lessons, music appreciation, and dictation. Curricula that adopt the Charlotte Mason homeschooling style are Simply Charlotte Mason, Ambleside Online, The Alveary, My Father’s World, and Riverbend Press.
    5. Montessori Homeschooling: The Montessori homeschooling curriculum method is a child-centered approach that prioritizes experiential learning to gain knowledge through self-paced, hands-on activities, and collaborative experiences. Children learn with specially made materials that promote independence as they progress through their developmental stages. The curriculum avoids rote learning using worksheets and textbooks.
      Are you wondering how to foster a love of learning in your homeschool environment? The Montessori homeschooling curriculum is an excellent choice. It encourages learning in a flexible, structured environment. Several examples of the Montessori homeschool curriculums include the Montessori Compass, Keys of the World, Montessori Guide, Waseca Biomes, and Montessori by Mom.
    6. Unit Studies: The unit studies homeschooling method is an educational approach that allows for an in-depth exploration of a topic or theme. The study is interdisciplinary and integrates several subjects, such as history, literature, science, and math, around the central theme. Subject integration and in-depth studies enable children to learn knowledge interconnectedness and increase their understanding, It is flexible with hands-on activities, field trips, creative tasks, experiments, etc.
      The unit studies homeschooling curriculum style is ideal for families with many different-aged children. Customizing one topic can meet the needs of multi-age children according to their abilities. UnitStudy.com, Gather ‘Round Homeschool, and Five in a Row are unit study homeschooling curriculum options.
    7. Unschooling: It is an informal and flexible method without a strict curriculum. Children control their learning based on their interests, which allows them to acquire knowledge naturally through life experiences. Children learn through curiosity, real-world applications, passions, and exploration without their parents making decisions for them.
      This technique promotes creativity and self-motivation. Unschooling proponents, including John Holt, believe that learning is not merely a product of teaching. Therefore, they recommend removing the teacher-led factor to enable children to learn independently. Unschooling may be a suitable option for families that do not like following routines and schedules.
    8. Waldorf Education: The Waldorf homeschooling curriculum style is based on the educational ideology invented by Rudolf Steiner. It centers on a holistic approach to learning, with an emphasis on children’s physical, intellectual, artistic, and emotional development. The curriculum was designed with the developmental stages of children in mind. It prioritizes individual growth over standardized testing and competition for grades as seen in the traditional school system. The curriculum gives preference to experiential learning over rote learning or screen-based learning. Formal academics are typically introduced to children starting at age eight.
      The Waldorf curriculum covers subject areas such as arts and crafts, math and science, language arts, practical life skills, storytelling, literature, etc. Families wishing to have their children develop naturally through hands-on learning to foster creativity may choose this curriculum.
      Waldorf homeschooling curriculums include Oak Meadow, Live Education, Earthschooling, and Christopherus Homeschool Resources.
    9. Eclectic Homeschooling: This curriculum aligns its style with its name. The eclectic homeschooling curriculum combines elements from several curricula to create a personalized education based on children’s needs and interests. Homeschoolers can choose what works best for them from any curriculum without adopting the entire curriculum. This flexible nature of the eclectic curriculum encourages personalization more than any other because homeschoolers choose what suits them best.
      Some examples of eclectic homeschooling curriculums include Timberdoodle, Master Books, Curriculum Express, and My Father’s World.
    10. Project-Based Homeschooling: The project-based homeschooling method is a child-led educational approach focusing on long-term projects based on the child’s interests. It is a flexible interdisciplinary technique that enables children to gain in-depth knowledge of a topic through real-world applications. Because it is child-centered, parents only facilitate the process rather than give direct instructions. The method allows children to think critically, become creative, and develop problem-solving skills while encouraging self-decision-making.
      For instance, a child who takes a gardening project as the basis for learning mimics real-world gardening activities thoroughly throughout the process. This enhances the child’s practical skills for real-life situations. Some project-based homeschooling curriculums include Miacademy, PBLWorks, Sreb, and Smart Learning.

Choosing the right curriculum is essential for homeschooling success. By evaluating the above options, families can find a homeschooling method that fits their educational ideology and meets their children’s needs. They can do this by adopting a full curriculum or picking elements and resources from various curricula tailored to their needs. Homeschooling streamlined; thrive as a homeschooler.