Wander into the quaint town of Ericeira and step into the wonderful world of homeschooling and parental choice. With its idyllic beaches, endless waves and warm community, this cozy coastal town makes it easy for families to make choices based on health and happiness, and one of those choices is homeschooling.
Since arriving in Ericeira, I’ve enjoyed chatting with families about curriculum expectations, home study routines and social opportunities for kids. Just this morning, from the co-working office where I was teaching, I had a fortuitous meeting with an expat parent looking for a teacher. She shared that travel, flexibility and stability were her top motivators- three advantages that all nomads and homeschools can relate to. Find out more about homeschooling from expat parents living locally at Homeschooling In Portugal – Frequently Asked Questions and Homeschooling & Alternative Schools.
I don’t know about anyone else, but when it comes to education, it feels like a new dawn has broken- one that empowers families to choose a learning model which works for and around them. Certainly in Ericeira, homeschooling is about much more than simply having kids at home. For people here, homeschooling is about choice. It’s about freedom. It is life by design.
For any parents who’ve already joined the movement, read below for some Step-Into Homeschooling tips and tricks!
How I stepped into homeschooling
I qualified as an elementary teacher in 2010 and spent the next 11 years teaching in schools. In July 2022, I chose lifestyle and travel over classroom life, and created my own online teaching platform. I now support homeschooling families as an online tutor. Here are some top tips from my teaching and tutoring experience. Let’s step in together!
First step into homeschooling: Play your role with Gusto!
Blurring the boundaries between parent and teacher can be tricky, especially with younger children. Teaching is a role, so create clarity by getting into character! Start by asking yourself questions like:
What does my teacher persona look like?
What are my values as a teacher?
What do my students enjoy about my lessons?
What are my goals as a teacher?
As a teacher, what do I expect of my students?
When I first trained, I felt like I was stepping onto the stage every time I walked into a classroom. It was nerve-wracking at first: a sea of 28 faces all staring at me, waiting for me to speak. But after a while, I started to enjoy it, and then I loved it. I played my part and my students played theirs, and before long we were a great team. So, each time you teach, imagine the same and play your role with gusto. You could:
Wear fun glasses;
Get a teaching wand;
Wear a Harry Potter robe;
Put an apple on the desk.
Basically, anything that signals to your child that they’re in a learning environment and the relaxed rules of the home might not apply. That way, when the lesson is over, you can resume your normal roles without the blurred lines.
Second step into homeschooling: Push Mindset over Rewards
Parents and teachers alike understand the tempting lure of a quick-fix reward. Namely, when a child misbehaves or starts to give up on their studies, we hear ourselves saying something like this:
“Come on. If you do x, then you can enjoy y.”
I’m not preaching and I’m not judging. We’ve all done it countless times. (I caught myself trading maths for Minecraft with my 7-year-old nephew over the summer break. He’s a little trickster!) BUT, if you can avoid it, or even catch yourself in the act, then although it might feel like you’ve lost the battle, you’re making steps towards winning the war.
As a general rule, when you’re in character, try to avoid trades, transactions or bribes. Kids are sneaky so watch out! Avoid anything that tells children that they can claim a reward for the completion of work or for showing resilience. Instead…
Encourage your child to talk to their mind.
The subconscious mind is a wonderful thing- and it’s highly suggestible until the age of 12. Children who talk to and work with their minds transition much easier into their teenage and adult years. Studies also show that they are more confident and at ease with who they are.
Why?
Because they know how their minds work.
Because they know how to encourage themselves.
Because they know how to be their own champions.
None of the above comes from an ipad or a cookie or a stint in front of the tv. It comes from within and as we know as adults, that’s where the really hard work begins.
Example
Imagine your child starts to get bored and doesn’t want to finish their work. You’re on a schedule and you’d like them to complete it. Your child is becoming agitated and so are you.
Avoid: “Come on. You can play with your ipad if you finish.”
Instead “Ok, it’s time to talk to your mind. Your brilliant mind believes what you tell it. Tell it to help you concentrate. Come on. You’re the boss. Tell your mind how it can help you.”
Say and have your child repeat: “Brilliant mind, please can you help me to…”
The quicker children see their brilliant minds as friends, the easier they can overcome challenges in school and in life. Give it a try! (I told my nephew he was learning Mind Control. He loves it!)
Third step into homeschooling: forget about the Jones’.
If homeschooling is new territory for you, then if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably gone down a black hole of Googling homeschool models, reading “the best approaches” to homeschooling and chatting with other homeschooling parents to see what they do and how they do it. Whilst research and community are invaluable in any new venture, remember why you chose homeschooling in the first place:
You wanted to take the reins.
You wanted to decide.
You wanted to make your own routine.
Remember that it’s OK to make different choices to the other homeschoolers and that it’s also OK if your routine doesn’t match anyone else’s. There’s no competition- only individual choice.
Find out more about homeschooling and local schools at Childcare and Schools.
And, follow us on Instagram.
I’m Around!
I’ll be here until 16th January 2023. If any homeschooling parents would like to talk about curriculum, progress in elementary subjects or mindset classes, I’d be happy to meet! You can find me on instagram at MissTiffinsTales or on my website at www.misstiffinstales.com Otherwise, see you on the waves!
P.S. Travelling teachers- this is the place to be!
