by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Back to school time! The fall season brings on new challenges for homeschooled kids, as well as those in a more traditional school setting. It's your family's first year homeschooling and you need to establish a routine. Having experienced the beginning-of-the-year dread several times over, I've learned a thing or two. When you have a basic plan, most things just fall into place as they come. Establishing a routine from the beginning makes each homeschool day much less stressful. If your children throughout the summer, like mine do, then you may already have a taste of what the school year will be like.

Figure out your family's learning style. Will your family be educated primarily at home or will you be on the go? Is unschooling right for you? Montessori, classic, or eclectic? Will you be taking field trips a couple times per year or daily? We like to integrate field trips into lessons where possible. Decide what your family's main homeschool style will be as well as how and where it will be implemented. Use this information to establish your routine by working together. It's much easier to stay on track when you have an idea of the general direction you want to take things.

Consider your existing family schedule. Do the kids participate in dance, karate, basketball, piano, or other extracurricular activities? If so, then you'll need to remember to work that schedule into your homeschool schedule. Prioritize all of the existing activities, chores, and jobs. Is there anything in the existing schedule that can be rearranged or eliminated if necessary? I find it helpful to number each schedule item in order of importance. That way, if something needs to be changed, I can easily see what to start rotating or eliminating first.

Have a family meeting. This is an absolute must to get everyone on the same page. Establish the routine by discussing goals, expectations, scheduling, and more. Give everyone a chance to speak and ask questions so that nothing is left unsaid. It's easier to establish your homeschool routine when it's clear what everyone wants and needs. Take everyone's thoughts into consideration before finalizing anything. While you may not be able to give Johnny that wish of 169 recess days and one school day for the year, you can probably make sure he gets to ride his bike for recess a few times per week.

Make a schedule. It's important to do this during the family meeting so that everyone has input, as far as what's scheduled. It's also essential establishing a routine. If everyone knows how things will be from the beginning, the day to day process will run more smoothly. Be sure to allow time for getting to any destinations outside the home when creating the schedule. For instance, if one child needs to be at soccer practice at 2 p.m, be sure to allow time in between the previous class and getting to the soccer field. Remember that your schedule can be more flexible than in a traditional classroom. If necessary, schoolwork can resume after the soccer practice.

Be clear and consistent about what's expected. Talk about how the schedule will work, as well as what each person is expected to do. Every family member should know the overall learning style and methods being implemented. It should be clear that if you choose unschooling the eclectic way, everyone should stick to that. Unschooling is a bit more flexible, as far as establishing a routine. But rules do need to be laid out, such as the fact that even if the operational mood is relaxed, learning should still be taking place.

RELATED:
Back to School: Laying Ground Behavioral Rules
Gym Class Activities for Homeschool
Homeschool FAQ: Common Myths & Questions

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network:
http://web.archive.org/web/20140806195145/http://shine.yahoo.com/back-homeschool-establishing-routine-190300503.html

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Language, math, science, reading, and Behavior 101...wait, your child's school doesn't teach behavior. That's your job as a parent. Back to school time means picking up necessary supplies. But part of that also includes laying ground behavioral rules. Does your child know what you and the teachers expect where behavior is concerned? Are you sure? Even if you go over this year after year, it still needs to be done. Your child always needs to know what is expected, so as to avoid confusion.

Write an outline of what you expect in and out of school. An outline can help you make sure to cover all bases. One list for behaviors expected during school hours and a separate one for what's expected once school gets out can be very helpful. If you have children who will be taking the school bus home, make a list of those rules as well. The same goes for walking or any other means of getting home, whether you'll be present for that time or not. Recess and also the time period in between leaving school and getting home can be a time where kids play around and even get into trouble at times.

Discuss afterschool and study rules. Once you have your outline, it's time to start discussing with your child what is expected. Be sure to bring up rules for getting home, including how to act on the way home. Does your child need to study at a time when you won't be there? If so, make sure it is known that you expect studying and not goofing off during that time. Even older kids will need a reminder of this, as will kids who will have someone supervising them. Kids will often try to get away with more with a sitter than they will with their parents.

Also talk about what you expect when your child in school. Go over the school's rules and policies. Then, also go over any behaviors you expect beyond that. Younger kids may need to have this talk more than once. Older kids should understand the concept and have likely been through a similar routine at some point. You know your child best. So if there are extra points about behavior that you think you should address based on past years, don't hesitate to do so. Setting these rules ahead of time will help avoid some instances where your child misbehaves unintentionally.

Be sure your child knows what happens if they don't follow the behavioral rules. This is a key component of making sure your child listens to your guidance on behavior. There should be clear discipline measures set for various types of misbehaviors. Some families find it helpful to create a chart for reminder purposes. This helps you, as well as your child, keep track of the appropriate punishments. Just having the talks and setting these rules is not enough. When your child actually does misbehave, you need to follow through with whatever approach you have laid out. This shows your child you are serious and expect good behavior.

Have a meeting with your child and teachers. Once you have set up your home system, it also helps to have a meeting that includes yourself, your child, and the teacher. Depending on your child's grade level and school, there may be more than one teacher to meet with. The teachers should be able to tell you and your child everything they expect and they may possibly have something to add besides the general school policy. This shows your child, as well as teachers, that you are serious about the behaviors you expect.

RELATED:
Guide to Positive Discipline for Children
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* I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network:
http://web.archive.org/web/20130518074420/http://shine.yahoo.com/back-school-laying-ground-behavioral-rules-200500232.html