No More Tantrums
4 Tricks to Smooth Transitions For Homeschoolers
Can you relate to this?
You’ve got little Johnny working on their reading and when it’s time to move on to another subject, Johnny has a meltdown and it takes twenty minutes to get him calmed down. Transitions from one task to another can be a major cause of stress and upset when homeschooling. Here are some easy steps to help make those transitions as smooth as possible.
1. Be clear about what’s going to happen. Before beginning your homeschooling session, tell your child what you have planned for the day. “Today we’re going to start with reading, then writing and math.” It may seem simple, but kids like the comfort of predictability. If your child is a visual learner, making cards with a picture or the words of each of the subject will work just as well. Place them somewhere for your child to see throughout your schooling session.
2. Use “first, then.” This is a trick teachers use all the time. Break down the work for each subject before you begin. “First, you’re going to read me the story and then I’m going to ask you some questions about it.” This strategy provides a structure and a sequence of events.
3. Give your child the heads up. When you’re getting near the end of your allotted time, tell your child. Start with a five-minute warning and then give them a one-minute warning. This prepares your child to switch tasks. A visual timer is also a great way for your child to monitor how much time is left to finish the activity they are on.
4. Give your child choice and voice. If the sequence of subjects doesn’t matter, give them an opportunity to create their own schedule. If you are going to work on math, writing and science let your child choose the order they want to do them in. Give your child some autonomy in choosing how their school day is going to look.
Remember…
Each of these tricks will make transitioning easier during homeschooling sessions. It’s important to be consistent and stick to the day’s plan. It won’t take long for your child to become comfortable with the routine and both you and your child will be much calmer the more you do it.
Heather Hobbs is a retired teacher and middle-grade author. It was her love of books that got her into teaching and the inspiration to become a writer. Her first series, Breaking the Rules, deals with bullying and identity in middle school. Her love of ancient history and research led her to writing The Time Chasers Series, time travel adventures for middle-grade readers.
https://www.facebook.com/hrhobbsbooks