I have been writing a on a continuing theme here the last few months, with the emphasis being on the many perks of homeschooling. Before I get to the next Perk of the Month, let me re-cap for those who may not have been following along. Feel free to view any of the previous perks listed here in my top ten format:

#10 Take Off Season Family Vacations

#9 Develop A Love of Learning

#8 Teach to Develop Your Child’s Interests

#7 The Great Outdoors as Your Classroom

and for this month: #6 You Can Develop Your Own Learning Plan

As many of us know, homeschooling in our province (British Columbia, Canada) allows us the choice of registering or enrolling our children. For more information about registering or enrolling click here. Both options allow quite a variety of flexibility, but which ever you choose it can be very beneficial to create your own learning plan. Creating or customizing your own learning plan can create infinite possibilities of topics to study, and the order you choose to study them. Customizing can allow you to say, teach history chronologically, spend a year on one science topic if the interest is there, and choose curriculum to better fit your child’s learning style and academic abilities – just to name a few.

You also have the option of working above, at or below said “grade level”, adopting a variety of homeschooling methods or philosophies, you have time to take subjects out of the box and/or break the boundaries that separate them. For instance, if you choose to teach or enhance world history with literature, you can often do away with a history or social studies text book. I often use a world history spine such as a children’s world history encyclopedia, or a curriculum like Story of the World, as a jumping off point and enhance this method with a variety of children’s biographies, and literature (both fiction and non-fiction) written around these topics. This way I find we cover everything without abandoning the excitement of discovery and simultaneously cementing the things they are learning. Personally, I find I remember historical events and time periods much more vividly if I have connected with it emotionally (through literature for example), rather than trying to remember a jumble of facts.

Though I’m not convinced that there is really a perfect learning environment (private, public, or home school), by now you should start to see the value of the kind of flexibility a home learning environment can emulate. I know this perk is one I highly value and am continually revisiting in order to create a learning environment that academically challenges and stimulates the love of learning in my children.

Cheryl has been married to her ‘do all’ husband for 13 years. They live in British Columbia, Canada on beautiful Vancouver Island. Cheryl has been homeschooling their two daughters ages 9 & 11, for 6 years. Her approach to homeschooling is mostly ecclectic with a dash of Classical & Charlotte Mason. She used to be one of those parents who thought they could never homeschool – boy, was she wrong! She enjoys blogging to encourage others that they too can homeschool if the desire is upon their hearts. She homeschools simply because – her kids are worth it. Please visit Cheryl at HomeSchool Journey.