MorningStar’s Home Education News

By Mimi Rothschild 

So, how can homeschoolers circumvent the trends that I’ve written about in the last two posts? It seems that we Christian homeschoolers have many forces working against us when it comes to raising children properly. Here are a few tips that should help homeschoolers prevent their kids from growing up too fast.

Limit Television

Watching TV is a passive activity that requires little to no imagination. By limiting this kind of play, parents can encourage children to find their own fun with imaginative activities like books, pretend games, and role-playing. Even playing videogames requires interactive learning. This will also limit the amount of advertising to which your homeschoolers are exposed.

Provide open-ended play options

Too many parents feel that they need to provide expensive toys like Leapfrog computers or high-tech dolls that talk, chew, and even wet the bed. Have you ever watched a toddler on Christmas spend more time playing with the box or wrapping paper than the supposedly must-have toy inside? This stands as a testament to the power of imaginative play. A simple refrigerator box can make a great castle, bustling market, spaceship, or race car.

Play with your children

If you take an active role in your homeschooler’s play, you’ll find that they will prefer coming to you for a playful wrestle or game of hide and seek rather than head to the TV for a violent cartoon. Children naturally desire playful interaction with their parents. Make sure mom and dad are available for different kinds of indoor and outdoor fun. Family board games are great for inclement weather. When the weather is nice, head outside for a walk in the woods or a game of touch-football.

Talk to your homeschoolers

If your kids feel that they can come to you with tough questions, they will be less likely to seek out answers elsewhere. Wouldn’t you rather teach your kids about the birds and the bees than the suspicious teenager down the street? Your homeschooler should feel that you are always available to talk to about any issue. That way, you can act as a safety valve, ensuring that your kids aren’t exposed to age-inappropriate content.

Make your homeschool a fun place to be

If your homeschoolers feel like they don’t have to “grow up” to be cool, they won’t! They will be happy just being kids, content in their role as children. Girls won’t feel pressure to dress provocatively and boys won’t feel the need to bully others. Many of the problems that arise in elementary schools come from the pressure to be something other than a kid. Let your homeschoolers know that it’s ok to be a kid. Also, make your home the place where all the neighborhood kids want to be to have good, clean fun.