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3.2) Proof of work 3.3) Work the learner is proud of Term4
1.Preparation for homeschooling
Before homeschooling is started a couple of things should be considered which can influence the quality of the learning programme.
Moving from a formal school system to a more informal homeschooling system can be quite a challenge for both learner and parent. The normal school routine should make way for the homeschooling routine, which means that every member of the family will have to adapt and change their schedules and routines.
In order to simplify the transition from one routine to another, the family can make use of unschooling. Unschooling is the process through which learners and parents go in order to prepare themselves for the new way of learning which will take place at home.
It is important that you as parent and facilitator use this time of unschooling to improve your skills, as the ability of the learner to perform and learn is directly influenced by the parent and facilitator’s conduct.
Table 1.1 and 1.2 provides you with a few points which can be considered in order to be a better parent and facilitator to the learner. Each parent should look at themselves critically and decide which aspects could be improved. No parent is perfect, but luckily parenting skills can be improved by attending classes presented at community centres and churches. Many books have been written on this subject and many articles are also available on the Internet.
Table 1.1 Focus points for the parent and facilitator
• Value the learner’s individuality, but set boundaries where necessary. • Trust in the learner’s abilities. • Respect the learner’s interests, ideas, opinions and personality. • Be loving and accept the learner as he/she is, but with the understanding that it is expected of him/her to behave in a socially acceptable manner at all times. • Punish consistently. • The learner should be aware that it is expected of him/her to be committed and loyal and to perform well, and that he/she will have the necessary support to do so.
Table 1.2 The following list was compiled by children …
• Treat us with respect. • Be enthusiastic. • Know the work that we have to learn. • Be available when we need extra help. • Make use of multimedia resources. • Be friendly towards us. • Talk to us about your own life. • Use games to help us remember the work better. • Do not discuss too much work with us at one time. • Do not give us too many rules at once. • Give us a chance to also teach a class.
