SMILE
The SMILE Technique to Homeschooling
As vacation fun turns into memory and we begin to transition from summer to fall, homeschool families put the finishing touches on what will be the new school year. Though the school year may seem to have some ups and downs, just remember to always "SMILE."
S chedule
M aterials
I magination
L ove
E ncouragement
Schedule: It is often difficult to transition from days filled with sun and fun to days exploring the mysteries of literature, science and math. Keeping a schedule for each day or week helps keep both you and your homeschoolers on track. It also keeps everyone involved and excited as they look forward to fabulous classes, concepts and activities planned. Schedule reminders can be large, colorful and pictorial for younger learners or smaller and more concise for use as simple reminders. They can be magnetized for the refrigerator or even hole punched for a notebook, or calendar. Whichever schedule reminder you choose for your family, maintaining a daily, weekly or even monthly reminder schedule is an easy and fun way to ensure your whole family is up to date with activities.
Materials When planning for all of the exciting and fascinating concepts to be shared throughout the year, it is often challenging to distinguish between materials needed and items wanted, especially when on a tight budget. The key to obtaining quality materials, and enjoyable as well as exciting activities, is understanding your learner. Be prepared to focus on a variety of concepts, using a myriad of learning cues. These materials need not be expensive to be stimulating. They simply need to be in sync with your learner. Harmony between you, your learner and the concepts to be learned is the easiest way to avoid those ‘unnecessary’ purchases.
Imagination is perhaps one of our greatest gifts. All too often it is quelled by the 'process of education. Whether through music, or the arts, be sure to always include activities which provide for those imaginative and creative juices to flow. Unit studies are an excellent way of tying together specific concepts, while encouraging expression through various artistic medium.
Love is a verb. It is something we do everyday. Our children see our love through our actions and caring deeds. Sometimes, though, a child might become frustrated with a new concept or idea. He or she might feel we have been let down because it takes a while for a concept to become understood. This is when our love, patience and understanding shine. Letting your child know it is O.K. to spend extra time on some concepts in order to understand them, and that not all ideas and concepts will be quickly mastered, will not only do wonders to help your child through the learning process, it will also help sustain the joys that come with the learning journey.
Encouragement. Of course, encouragement is integral to the entire concept of learning with a 'smile'. Without positive words and gestures of encouragement, a challenging concept becomes unapproachable. Yet, with some simple and soothing words, that same challenge soon becomes possible. Positive reinforcement through the use of encouragement lasts far beyond the concept or subject being learned. It becomes a lasting memory of a goal achieved, a lesson learned, a challenge overcome, building hope, confidence and strength of character your child will carry with him or her throughout life.
Five simple letters, five integral concepts to carry throughout the homeschooling journey...SMILE