Many parents new to homeschooling are baffled as to how to start and end a homeschooling day. Should they start out as early as public and private schools? How should the homeschooling day be structured? What should be the time allotment for each subject?

A homeschooling day need not start out as early as public or private school. And albeit quantity can be a factor, one of the advantages of homeschooling is that homeschool give more importance and weight on quality rather than quantity. Structure is also one of the major differences between homeschool and mainstream schools. This is based on the principle and philosophy that in homeschooling, the child sets the pace, rather than the school year setting the pace. Therefore, a parent may opt to extend a few minutes should the child have a weakness on the lesson especially if the lesson is yet being introduced. Time allotment for each subject depends on the child but there should be a clear defining timeline between one subject and the next, allowing a clear psychological transition of one subject to the next for the child. Consequently, a certain level of structure will still have to be implemented, although not as rigid as in public or private schools.

Here are more tips on how to start and end a homeschooling day:

1. Set a time to start and end your day. Depending on the subjects for the day, a homeschooling parent sets the time when class should begin and when it should end. Formalize the start and end of your homeschooling day with a regular routine such as a prayer (for Christian homeschoolers), an exercise or a particular routine to set the mood of learning for the child and to focus the child’s attention into what is about to happen.

2. Schedule one break in the morning, one break in the afternoon and lunch in between. Allow the child to digest what has been discussed. Allow the child space to recollect some insights on the activities done.

3. Schedule a nap time for younger homeschooling children. And while they are napping, schedule the most difficult and demanding subject with the older child.

4. Assign children into their own study spaces and work areas where you can assign them with their own individual studying. Assisted independent learning should be highly encouraged.

5. For older siblings, you may schedule theory and practice or application of a skill and concept separately, especially in science subjects.

6. Allow a time for creative independence. With this time, the child should be free to create, read and explore his interests with the parents supervision.