Home School Curriculums - Is One Right for Your Child?

ABeka, Sonlight, Five in a Row; these are all different home school curriculums amidst a whole family of home school curriculums. If you have made the choice to home school your children, you are obviously planning on being a very active part of their education. While some home school families choose to use one curriculum for all courses, many families choose to select individual books or series for each class every year.

If you are leaning toward choosing a curriculum, there are several factors you should consider before making your commitment to a specific curriculum. I'll cover those factors that will help you decide which curriculum is right for you!

First of all, you will want to choose between a religion based curriculum verses a traditional school curriculum. There are many choices in both categories. If you desire to focus on religious classes and help your children learn about creation, and the Bible, you will want to choose from the group of Christian home school curriculums. If you just want to teach your child at home, and follow the teachings of the public school system, a non-Bible based curriculum would be for you.

Another thing to consider is the amount of time you want to spend each day for school. Traditional school hours are approximately 7 hours a day, but many home schooling familes spend far less time on official school business. Home schooling families try to learn through daily tasks and make every opportunity to teach their children. Some curriculums are lengthy and are divided very rigidly into classes and instruction time, while others can be completed in a very short amount of time. Be sure you know the time frame that is expected to complete the curriculum before you purchase is and be sure that it agrees with your wishes for teaching, and for your children's learning!

Your teaching style should also be considered when choosing a curriculum. Some curriculums are very planned out with teacher's guides, daily study guides and homework assignments. Others are very flexible and require more work from the parent. Yet even others, require little direction from the parent as a teacher, but are self taught curriculums that the child can learn by just reading the material.

If you want to be a very active part of your child's every day learning, choose a curriculum that is heavy on flexibility. These will force you to initiate learning and make it a daily choice for you. If you wish to have the books teach your child, be sure that the study is very clearly laid out for you and your child.

One more consideration is the specialty of the curriculum. You can find science based studies, Religious oriented studies, culture based curriculums, and many other categories. Choose the right one for your families desires so that your home schooling days can be most beneficial. IF you child is very interested in math and science, be sure the home school curriculum will nurture and strengthen that interest. Likewise, follow the interests of the child, and the home schooling experience will be best for everyone!

Home schooling curriculums are popping up everywhere. The increase in home schooling has started to influence text book writers across the nation, and even international writes to compile home school text books so that every family can find the ones best suited to their needs. Do your research and have your child's input to make your curriculum choice be the best you can find!