Flexibility is one of the marvelous benefits of homeschooling but this doesn’t mean that homeschoolers should not work with any schedule at all. If you’re new to homeschooling, you may feel the requirement to pursue rigorous homeschool schedules. You may also expect your children to sit in front of their book for the entire time that public school students spend at school. This is not essential. In fact, it can be counter productive.

One of the most ignored but apparent drawbacks of the public schools is the large loss of time that inevitably occurs. Often at the end of the entire school day, students have actually only spent two or three hours doing important studying. Even on good days, public schools are less productive than homeschooling simply because of the numbers. Teachers are repeatedly working with twenty to thirty students at once and it takes a long time to ensure that everyone has understood the lesson. At home, your child is receiving one on one assistance and will often get through lessons much quicker than kids at the public school. Therefore, you should not feel the requirement to mimic the schedule public schools follow. Create your own homeschool schedule that will best suit your family and your child’s interests.

Although you don’t have to mimic public school schedules it is a good idea to create a sense of consistency and organization for your child. This helps children become more efficient and productive. Create your own timing according to what suits you best. For example, if you enjoy working early in the morning, rise early, get the studying out of the way and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your convenience. This will leave you with plenty of time for entertainment activities and social outings.