Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Last time, we thought about how the teaching parent can participate with an only child to make homeschool projects more fun. Co-ops and group classes are also great options if you have an only child, or just one child being homeschooled.

For younger children who are not studying intensive academic subjects yet, co-op time might be best spent on field trips, nature walks, or extracurriculars such as music. Young children are still establishing a good foundation in the basics, so make your time out with other families an opportunity to hone social skills and delight in exploring the world around you!

Older students are often motivated by joining other students in a class. If English is a difficult subject for your student, taking it in a co-op might just provide the incentive your child needs to persevere.

Many subjects are better studied with others. Foreign languages, performance arts, and science labs that require expensive equipment are great choices for co-op classes. And visit the HSLDA website to learn about dual enrollment college courses for your high-schooler!

Beyond taking classes outside the home, your older student might benefit from pursuing an internship. This is a great way to narrow down his or her vocational interest, and provides terrific personal and educational experience. Next time, we’ll discuss socialization for the single child.

And until then, I’m Mike Smith.