Homeschool
Physical Education
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For all its advantages
and benefits, home schooling has some limitations,
according to many people who argue that this form
of education lacks several key components.
They would often claim
that while home schooling provides children with adequate
education, it does not give students everything that
they need in order to become well-rounded adults in
the future. For example, they say, children who are
home schooled can miss out on physical education classes.
Without proper homeschool physical education, children
may not fully comprehend and enjoy sports and athletics,
not to mention teamwork, they argue.
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None of these
contentions are true, however. While it may be true that
home schooling features unconventional teaching strategies,
it certainly does not lack material and content for the
holistic formation of students. In reality, home schooling's
unique attributes allow it to be innovative and even revolutionary
when it comes to teaching.
For many moms,
home schooling gives children the opportunity to learn everything
they can in a relaxed atmosphere and a convenient environment.
Studies have proven that homeschooled students actually
learn faster than ordinary students because they can advance
at their own pace. Without anyone setting the pace for their
learning, children tend to grasp ideas and lessons quickly
and without much pressure. They also become more inquisitive
and curious about their lessons. Most homeschooled students
also become more interested in their lessons and develop
their critical thinking at an earlier age. Because of this,
they mature much earlier and develop great love and appreciation
for education.
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Contrary to a common
belief, homeschooling also allows young children to
engage in physical activities more often. Moms would
often report that their kids attend classes in the
morning and are usually free to run around the backyard
in the afternoon. This is usually not possible in
regular schools. Young students have to learn at the
pace of the slowest child. As a result, they spend
more than enough time glued to their desks and missing
out on great physical activities.
But how about homeschooled
children in high-rise apartments or houses with small
gardens and backyards? Sad to say, not all homeschooled
students live in white picket houses with large backyards.
Some families live in posh suites overlooking busy
city streets while other simply do not have gardens
or backyards large enough for children to run around
in.
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The reality is,
physical education in a homeschooling
program will encounter obstacles that may seem impossible
to overcome. Moms should not despair, though. There are
literally dozens of ideas that are available for physical
education programs.
Moms would often
find out that there are children in the neighborhood or
community that like the same sports. You can contact other
parents in the area if they would be willing to join a sporting
team. If you are not a sports-minded mom, then it would
be good to ask your husband or significant other to assist
you in setting up a program for your kids. Of course, you
would have to run the team yourself especially if you are
the only one left at home during the day.
A sports team
would be a great chance for your kids to experience teamwork
and competition. At the same time, of course, they would
be able to run around and exercise. Be sure first of what
sport your children like. A sports program would be useless
if the parents themselves force their kids to play a sport
that they dislike. Finding like-minded parents will help
you maintain a team and a program for your kids.
Because most
students, home schooled or not, are usually free by mid-afternoon,
you can hold tryouts, training sessions, and friendly games
regularly. The important thing is to keep the children happy
and interested in the activities. A student who is content
will look forward everyday to playing sports. You can even
use this enthusiasm to your advantage. Reward your children
with extended playing hours if they do well in your homeschooling
sessions. Give them new equipment or clothes for their sport
if they perform exceptionally.
Of course, organizing
and running a team requires a lot of work on your part.
Never be afraid to ask for help from other moms and parents.
Managing a small army of young children can be a headache
if you are all alone. To avoid this, hold special meetings
for parents to discuss the program and plan for the team's
future. As with everything else, the key is cooperation.
Getting parents to contribute to the team's success and
growth will definitely go a long way in ensuring the success
of a sports program.
You can even
look for resources from several sources. Public libraries
often stock books about physical education and team management.
Even local athletes may be more than willing to share their
knowledge with you. Who knows, you can even invite them
to share their experience and help train the team every
once in a while. And of course, there's the internet. It
is full of tips, guides, resources, and information about
teaching physical education. You can find thousands upon
thousands of instructional material like videos, pictures,
and write-ups. These will be a crucial source of knowledge
for you and other parents.
Once you have
thought out your plans and gathered all the information
and support you need, it is time to look for a venue. Sports
facilities can often become too crowded. For your program
to succeed and for the team to have somewhere to train and
practice, you have to improvise. Before even committing
to manage a sports team, look for places where children
will enjoy playing. Some schools might even allow you to
use their facilities. Even church recreational halls can
become practice centers for the team. Tennis, basketball,
or volleyball courts are often unavailable so make sure
to book a full month in advance. Part of running a team
and a successful physical education program is to foresee
and pre-empt any problems.
Sports will not
only give homeschooled children the physical exercise they
need, it also gives them a chance to socialize. Physical
education is not just about exercise and strenuous physical
activities, it is also about teamwork and sportsmanship.
More
resources:
- Here's a resource for children's
physical
education equipment online that also includes information
about curriculum programs and lesson plans.
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