In this article
Last year approximately 4 percent of school-age children were homeschooled. That number is expected to increase by at least 10 percent according to the National Home Educators Research Institute, with many schools still closed and students doing virtual learning.
Many families new to virtual learning are trying to find their groove this year. Homeschooling older kids has their own unique set of challenges; they’re more likely to become bored and miss the social aspects of traditional school. If you’re struggling with how to make your teen’s homeschool day fun and engaging while supporting your teen’s mental health during this time, these 7 tips may help.
How to homeschool teens: Give them some control
Part of effectively keeping teens engaged in virtual learning is to work with them, and not against them. Try giving them the reigns to find out what works for their own virtual learning experience.
1. Let them sleep in
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, teens should sleep for 8-10 hours per night. Your teen will be better able to focus and have a longer attention span and thus better grades if well-rested. A full night’s rest can also help with mood and attitude. This makes everyone in the home’s life easier, not just your teens.
Also, studies have shown that a later start time for schools can have a postive effect on teens’ moods and also be beneficial for students’ learning.
High school history teacher Nicholas Ferroni agrees. “Don’t make them wake up at 6 or 7 o’clock, let them sleep in, but at the same time try to create some sort of structure. Make sure there are routines,” Ferroni. told The Today Show. “Especially for high school students, let them sleep in, just make sure to push everything back.”
2. Incorporate learning games into your teen’s homeschool day
It’s often difficult to find fun online games for older students; many of the online resources are geared toward helping young kids connect with their classmates. Common Sense Media has compiled a list of fun learning games for teenagers to supplement assignments.
3. Give teens some autonomy over their education
If you’re homeschooling your teens in the traditional sense, you have options when it comes to curriculum. Take this opportunity to learn about your teen’s interests and goals. Letting older kids take ownership of what they learn about can foster independence and critical thinking.
“I try to make sure there are subjects they are interested in doing like art, music and cooking when the schedule allows, Laura Canada Oneill told Mom.com. “While it is important to consider what they need to graduate or apply to future school, they need to have some control over the subjects studied,” the homeschooling mom told us.
Ditch the drudgery: Schedule in fun activities for your teens
Teen bordeom is real. Try and break up the pressures of a school day with fun activities.
4. Make time for socially distanced meet-ups
Depending on your family’s comfort level, allow teens to socialize with friends as long as they’re practicing social distancing. Gina Lincicum told Mom.com that her family uses lunch as social time. “Our driving teen is allowed to meet friends outdoors for lunch 1-2 times per week, with social distancing,” she said. “We have also invited our neighbor over to join my three teens for lunch. We are doing the same level of quarantining as his family, so we know the level of exposure and are comfortable with it.”
5. Let teens study with friends online in real-time
Teens have been connecting with one another virtually over the last several months. Homeschooling mom of four Amiyrah Martin suggests that parents let their homeschooling teens complete school work together. “Teens can create their own ‘group study sessions,’ she told Mom.com. “Allow them to use Skype or FaceTime on computers or phones. A scheduled virtual study hall is a great motivator for teens to complete work while still having fun with friends.”
Make homeschooling fun by putting away the books for a while
Let’s face it – everyone gets bored with conjugating verbs and calculating mass after awhile. Allow your teen to put away the books for a little outside-the-box learning to re-energize and re-engage.
6. Consider a family staycation
With so many parents working remotely and students distance learning, many families are taking advantage of staycation opportunities. Camping, hiking, and beach vacations are great staycation options for families. They allow for a change of scenery while still remaining connected to work and school. Pack up the laptops, lesson plans, and bathing suits and mix in some fun.
7. Help your teen explore their interests
If your teen’s online learning schedule allows, let them set their own learning schedule. If you’re homeschooling teens for the first time, this is the perfect way to help them discover their passions and embrace their talents.
Oneill, who has already graduated 2 of her sons from high school, advocates allowing teens to manage their time so they can learn how to free up hours for things they want to do. “I give my high school son his weekly schedule of work that is due on Friday afternoon. He gets his weekend free to do online watch sessions with friends if all his work is completed,” she told Mom.com.
8. Offer your teen real-world challenges
Over the last year, my oldest son has helped with maintenance around the house. He’s learned to install ceiling fans and taught himself how to build a computer. Successfully performing these household tasks can build your teen’s confidence. You may find that offering your teen independence in this way will lead them to take initiative and ownership of their lives and discover other ways to make virtual learning fun on their own.
