Home schooling should be enjoyable. As the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Also, keeping learning fun is one of the best ways to ensure that your children learn well, and are happy to cooperate in the learning process.  To ensure this, you need keep a few things in mind.

• To make home schooling more enjoyable you should be flexible with time.  Remember, one of the main advantages of homeschooling is that your child need not be bound to the normal school schedules. Why ignore this by applying strict rules and schedules?

• Keep a simple lifestyle and make homeschooling a part of it. This way you will not have to worry too much about the timings. But make sure your child is spending the required amount of time on studying.

• Even though you keep your timings flexible, try to follow a routine.

• Consider the temperament of your particular child and how they adapt to new subjects and changes in topics.  Rather than rushing into a new topic, ease into it. Start with giving your child an overview of what they are about to learn.  This will also set their focus to the coming information and increase retention.  Also, spend more time on topics that the child is struggling with.

• Keep your living areas neat. When homeschooling, there is no particular place of study. Any place in the house can be used to study. It may be the kitchen table, the couch or even the bed. Keep them clean and easily accessible at all times.

• It is very important to have a proper mindset when it comes to homeschooling. Both you and your child should have a proper attitude towards this. Set your child up with the recognition that learning and study are important disciplines, as well as a privilege.  Learning need not be formalised, but it should be valued.

• To make learning more fun, first cover the main topic. Then you can spend time enjoying the post sessions with games and talks about the subject. You can incorporate a lot of studies into the extra curricular activities.

• Have all your resources organised. Make sure you can access your resources, such as pencils, papers, crayons, and paint brushes, when you need them. If you are unorganised, your child will spend time looking for something and get distracted form the main topic of study.

• Always have enough time for extra curricular activities like arts and crafts. Children really enjoy this time and you should make sure you are nurturing their creative side.

• Whenever you find time, try to make learning fun. You need to make sure your kids are enjoying their studies. Share in reading aloud and spend time together researching new things. If you saw an article about a spider spend more time researching more about it.

• You need to be prepared for new schedules and new ways of homeschooling as your kid grows. The same methods you used to make learning fun for a 5 year old may not be as effective on a 12 year old. You need to spend enough time with them to make sure you and your kids are on the same page when it comes to homeschooling.

• Finally, don’t lose track of what is being taught. You should be able to spend some time with your children making things fun while at the same time you should keep track of what must be taught next.

If you spend enough time with your kids and have good homeschooling principles learning can be fun. Both you and your child can have a great time homeschooling.

“Hey, Mom! Let’s go on a field trip!” Those words can either inspire us or put us into a state of complete panic. Over the years, as I’ve spoken with many homeschooling moms, it appears they either gravitate toward the field trip concept and love to plan, organize and promote it OR they dread it. If you happen to fall into the first category, then this article will inspire you and give you some new ideas. However, if you dread field trips yet would still like to incorporate them into your homeschool plan, then this article is for you.

First of all, let me say that “a field trip” and “100 kids all together doing the same activity” are NOT synonymous!  It can really put you off to think that you have to work with a large group to have a field trip. Some of our best field trips have been with just one other family or our family alone. So, with that little misunderstanding out of the way, let’s plan a field trip.

There are several things you might consider as you plan your field trip:

1. What are you currently studying that might be enhanced by a field trip?
2. What are your children particularly interested in these days?
3. What resources are available in your “own back yard” but seldom used?

As you answer these questions, ideas for field trips will start to emerge.    Some ideas to get you started:  Zoo, Library, Dr.’s Office, Dental Office, Fire Dept., Police Station, Museums, Bowling, Miniature Golf , Petting Farm, Ball Game Nature Walk, Hospital, Nursing Home, Grocery Store, Bakery, Planetarium, Greenhouse,  Humane Society, Music Store, Beauty Shop, Post Office, Newspaper Office, Bike Shop, Swimming Pool, Food Bank, Bookstore, Optometrist, Veterinarian Office, Farm,  Horse Ranch, Courthouse, Daycare Center

Once you’ve decided where you and the children would like to go for a field trip, the next step is to plan it out.  First, call the place and ask if they have pre-planned tours for small groups. If they do, then most of the work is already done for you. All you need do is get the details and sign up. If they don’t, then you will need to make the necessary arrangements for your group (or family) to visit.

Before the field trip

Do a little research so that you know:

• prices/group rates
• group size limit
• ages allowed
• if there are picnic or eating facilities

Make the necessary arrangements for the trip:

• call or visit the facility and make any necessary reservations or arrangements
• set date/time and a possible rain date
• request map, directions and parking info
• request any available info. to help prepare the students/parents
• determine how payment will be made (if necessary)

Get all information about the trip out to your group well in advance.   Remind everyone to BRING THE CAMERA!

During the field trip

• If you are the coordinator, plan to arrive early at the location
• Introduce yourself to the person in charge and pay any necessary fees
• Once the group arrives, get them all together for instructions in behavioral expectations, tour agenda and any other pertinent info.

After the field trip

• Send at least one general thank you note and encourage individual families to do likewise.
• Discuss the trip with the children, asking open-ended questions to get them talking i.e. What did you like most about what we saw?  What surprised you about this field trip?  How has what you saw today changed the way you feel about (fill in the blank)? Where would you like our next field trip to be?

Rather than going out on a field trip, you might consider bringing the field trip to you.   If you have a space where your family and perhaps a few others can comfortably meet (such as your church fellowship hall) you can have the field trip come to you. Many individuals or groups welcome the chance to speak to a group of students or families.

Some ideas:  Missionaries, Policemen,Firemen, Nurse, K-9 Unit, Artist, Forestry Service, Sign Language  Teacher, Auto Mechanic, Lawyer, Judge, Public Health Nurse, Skin Care/hair care, Animal Shelter, Parents & their Jobs

And for those of you who simply don’t want to go out on a field trip or even have one come to you, there’s always the Virtual Field Trip!

• Virtual Field Trips  - www.home-educate.com/fieldtrip.shtml
• About.com Field Trips Online - homeschooling.about.com/cs/fieldtrips/

Summer camp is a great way to supplement your child’s home school experience.  In camp, your child can improve social skills and develop a sense of independence.  Summer camp can also be a good transition from home school to mainstream schooling.

From parochial programs to sports camps, organizations across the globe offer a wide range of experiences for your student.  This article lists five handy tips to help you choose the best summer camp for your child.

BEAT THE RUSH. Most camps have limited enrollment and an application process. More exclusive programs will fill early. Start your search in winter. Doing so will afford your child a wider variety of choices.

ASK AROUND. Ask area schools and other home schools for recommendations.  Schools receive materials about academic camps, exploratory excursions, and other summer programs.  Talk to other parents and kids about camps they have attended.

CONSIDER THIS. What are your child’s interests? Skills? Temperament? For the athletic child, consider sports camps (these are usually 1-week affairs). For the child in need of academic support, look to programs at boarding schools.

SCHEDULE. Do you have family excursions, business trips, birthdays, or holidays during the summer? When does school end for your child? When will the new school year begin? To work around schedules, consider a combination of 1-week-long camps. Also, consider day camps to allow your child to participate in evening events.

BUDGET. Are you looking for a great deal, or would you prefer an “all-inclusive” experience for your child? For the former, YMCAs and churches offer low- or no-cost programs. For the latter, consider organizations such as Experiment International (EI) or the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Many programs offer financial aid.

To enhance your child’s academic experience, enroll her in a summer camp.  Use the tips above to make the best choice about your child’s summer experience.

6.  Homeschool teaching is more an extension to parenting than it is like being a traditional teacher.  Your personality and parenting style need not change just because your duties have expanded.  You taught your child to walk, talk and tie their shoe laces; now you are teaching them more.

7.  You are taking responsibility for the welfare of your own family, rather than expecting a teacher in a full classroom to assist you in raising your children.  There are some fabulous teachers out there, but they are responsible for a classroom of kids and cannot keep an eye on everyone’s emotional, physical and academic well-being as well as you can keep an eye on your child’s.

8.  Libraries and the internet.  It is amazing how many resources and how much information is easily accessible to homeschool parents and students in today’s world.  You don’t have to have a PhD to be a homeschool teacher, as you can access most, if not all, of the information you need just as easily as a teacher can.  You can even study theories on learning and teaching if you desire, or you can just see what works through trial and error with your child.

9.  Broader socialization.  Contrary to the common fear of homeschooling not providing enough socialization for the homeschooled child, it is quite interesting to see that many homeschooled children are very sociable indeed.  Freed from the expectation that socializing is restricted to within age groups, homeschooled children are often equally comfortable with children younger than themselves, children who are older, and even adults.  They are also often less defensive than their peers, having been saved from the unnatural pressures of school group conformity.  While there are many anti-homeschoolers who argue that surviving peer-pressure is a necessary right of passage, I disagree.  I have personally found that the same behaviors and talents that made me a target at high school contributed to my popularity at university and in the workforce, where individualism was more highly valued.

10.  Subject of Study Freedom.  Your local school may have a limited selection of subjects as electives but, as a homeschooler, the world is your oyster.  As long as you cover the minimal requirements as set out by your local authority, or as expected by your university of choice (if tertiary education is a goal), you are free to expand on them in any way you want.  If your child has a particular area of interest or talent, such as music, sport, or dance, you are free to pursue this further within your curriculum.

This list is far from conclusive, and it is ever-changing and ever-growing, but I thought I’d share as an example of some of the many benefits of homeschooling.

1. Being home with the kids.  When you spend extended periods of time with your kids, being a part of their lives and their educations, you start to really get to know them in a way that is not possible when they are under the care of other for seven or more hours of the day.  It is truly a comfort to know that you have little need for concern that negative influences such as bullying, other disruptive children in class, following a group schedule that may or may not suit your child, will influence your child’s education and natural enjoyment of learning.
2. The opportunity to learn from each other.  Even if you have read everything there is to know about homeschooling, when you begin the homeschool journey with your own child it will be a learning experience for you both.  Fortunately, homeschooling is flexible, so there is nothing to stop you from just jumping right in and learning as you go.  Learning from your mistakes and moving forward will be a good experience for both you and your child and may, as an unexpected benefit, even help you grow as a team.
3. Personal growth for you, your child, and your family as a whole.  Many successful homeschooling families are truly amazed at the change they experience as a family unit, in a positive way, and often in a quite short time frame.  And, once it becomes common place to utilize experiences as educational, you may find that you and your child have more time to have fun while also learning.  Because you have the responsibility of educating your child, you may start to find yourself creating more and more opportunities for field trips where you will both enjoy a learning experience together.  Even holiday adventures become an opportunity to learn new things, and in a fun way!
4. Each homeschooling journey is unique.  There is no pressure to compete with other homeschooling families as your style will be unique to your family.  Each family is working towards the goal of providing their children with a top-notch education, but each family and each child is different with different dynamics, so it is not of benefit to compare.
5. Flexible schedules.  Homeschooling does not run to a restrictive schedule.  Classes where your child requires more assistance or, alternatively, is ‘on a roll’ can run over, and other classes where your child catches on very quickly may require less time than you had allocated.   With homeschooling, you have time to laugh and play while also learning, a bonus that is difficult to achieve in a full classroom setting.

Homeschool co-ops do not fit every family, so do not expect a co-op to necessarily be perfect for your family. As a matter of fact, you should determine that a co-op is not a good "fit" before you make the commitment to participate for a full semester or year. The following 14 reasons why you may not want to join a co-op are based on feedback from former members for whom our co-op, Academy Days, did not work out.

If you experience any of these situations, please, please, please do not join a co-op!

1. If you have a full time job or a busy extracurricular schedule and already have limited days for "book learning" at home, then you will find co-op too time-consuming. Co-op may take a full day out of your week, especially if you must be there too to help in some way. A co-op is truly a "cooperative" effort, so members rely on everyone to make it work successfully and expect members to honor their commitment when they join. If you already don't have time for co-op, don't sign up.
2. If you have health problems or family obligations to help ailing parents or other relatives, focus on those priorities first. Do not add more stress to your life by committing your family’s precious time and energy to a co-op. If you and your children will not be able to meet your weekly obligations, you will let yourself, your family and the co-op down.
3. If you are moving or will move this year, this is not a good time to join a co-op. If moving to the area, understandably your first inclination is to get involved in local activities. However, you and your family need time to adjust to the move. You would do better to participate in a local support group rather than in a co-op; in a support group, you are generally not obligated to attend every event, whereas your membership in co-op obligates you to attend every week, unless you are sick. Similarly, if you are planning to move away during the semester, even just across town, you will already have enough to do preparing to move without having to make time for co-op. In either case, wait until you're comfortably settled in your new home before joining co-op.
4. If you already know that you may miss three weeks per semester, do not join co-op as you and your children will already miss so many classes -- and that's before illnesses! Of course, illnesses and emergencies do occur unexpectedly – and you should not attend co-op if you are sick – but you should also respect the time and effort that teachers put into their classes each week. They deserve the mutual respect of having students be in class and on time, barring unforeseen situations and illnesses. Honor your commitment and make punctual attendance a priority. On the other hand, once you've committed to co-op, don't let your absences due to illnesses or other emergencies cause you to pull out. Instead, ask for help; finding temporary substitutes for a few weeks is much easier than securing permanent replacements for a family who quits mid-semester.
5. Similarly, if your children are prone to frequent illnesses, you may want to wait until their immune systems build up because you will likely miss too many days to make co-op worthwhile. No one wants co-op to be a source of sickness, so if you or your children are sick or recovering from an illness, even the common cold or a sinus infection, do not attend co-op that week. Indeed, many co-ops expect parents and children to stay home until they are symptom-free. If you will likely miss a lot of co-op due to illnesses, you should not join.
6. If this is your first year homeschooling, you really need to take a year to adjust and find out what style works best for your family. Co-op is not a substitute or alternative to schooling at home. Indeed, jumping right into a co-op before adjusting to homeschooling may overwhelm you and your children.
7. Similarly, if you are joining co-op as a substitute for school or so you won't have to teach your children at home, then a co-op will not meet your needs. Classes usually meet only once a week, so the parent is still the primary teacher. Ultimately, you are responsible for your children's education because the bulk of their education is completed at home and, as the parent, you know your children better than any teacher ever could.
8. If you homeschool because your child could not learn in a classroom environment or if your child does not do well in a group setting, you probably will not be pleased with co-op. Although classes typically are small, most co-ops still group students by grade or age and expect “classroom manners” – even if they don't always know to raise their hands! Also, whiteboards, tables and chairs may make classrooms very efficient for teaching a class, but may give the classes a bit of a school-like feel. Fortunately, with homeschooling parents as teachers, co-op activities are usually more out-of-the-box! Additionally, with even a small group of families, co-ops must rely on some rules and guidelines to maintain order and efficiency. If you unschool, you and your child may not feel comfortable even in a relaxed setting.
9. If you homeschool because you feel no one else can adequately teach your child what he needs to know in any given subject, you will not be satisfied with any parent who teaches a co-op class. Instead, accept that others may not teach a subject the way you would and relinquish some control; at home, focus on subjects not taught at co-op to maximize your time. Alternatively, accept that you will be supplementing at home to a certain extent, or plan to teach that subject at co-op yourself. If you're not okay with these options, you should not join any co-op.
10. If you join co-op for purely socialization reasons, you will likely find the classes too academic. Most high school classes and junior high classes require homework. Also, a few classes, such as the Apologia sciences, may require lessons at home during winter break in order to finish the courses in one year. You would do better to join a local homeschool support group for socialization opportunities.
11. If you join co-op for rigorous, college-prep courses, you may find the classes not challenging enough. In most co-ops, parents remain the primary teachers of their own children. Although high school courses may be college-prep, a weekly class for a few months cannot possibly cover all there is to know in a particular subject. Depending on the subject, you may want to supplement at home by assigning extra books or research.
12. If you have babies and toddlers in your family, you may want to wait until they are a little older. Although a nursery may be available, the co-op may interrupt their feedings and nap schedules. Plus, little ones usually get sick more frequently than older children, which could cause your family to miss a lot more of co-op than you want.
13. If your child is undergoing obedience issues, or a "clingy" phase, or social or behavioral problems, this is not a good time to join a co-op. Focus on the character and emotional growth of your child before putting him in a situation for which he may not be ready, whether or not the cause is behavioral or developmental. This applies to preschool, kindergarten, elementary, or high school students. Additionally, because most parents are not equipped to teach or maintain discipline in classes containing children with severe disabilities, if you have a special needs child, co-op may not fit the needs of your child at this time.
14. If you are on a tight budget or live a good distance from the co-op's location, you may not want to make the financial investment. Although class fees may be minimal, fees do add up for a large family. Also, gas prices may be prohibitive if you live a considerable distance from the co-op.

No co-op will fit every family. Before joining a homeschool co-op, you should consider what the Lord may have planned for your family this year. Ask yourself if participating in a co-op right now would help or hinder your family at this particular time. Also, examine your reasons for joining a co-op. Consider what you expect from participating, and ask other members if this co-op will likely meet those expectations. If not, don't worry. You definitely do not need a co-op to homeschool successfully.

Carren W. Joye is the author of Homeschooling More Than One Child: A Practical Guide for Families (ISBN 0-595-34259-0), Alabama State History Curriculum for grades K-9, and A Stay-at-Home Mom’s Complete Guide to Playgroups (ISBN 0-595-14684-8). A homeschooling mom of four children, she has founded four successful playgroups, a homeschool support group, homeschool co-op and homeschool covering. For more information on her books and state history curriculum, visit her web site at www.carrenjoye.com.

Top 10 Reasons to Learn Communication Skills

Study after study shows that effective communicators have longer marriages, deeper friendships, better relationships, more successful college and career experiences, make more money and are generally happier than their less articulate counterparts.  Most people know communication is important, but they don’t fully understand to what degree.  Eighty-seven percent of everything we do during the day is communication related; communication is far more than just making speeches or having good manners.  While you may manage to live your entire life without making a speech, you will not get through one day without communicating something to someone!  Here are the top 10 reasons you and your children should learn effective communication skills.

1. Your Marriage

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” -Proverbs 21:19

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over half of all marriages end in divorce and the number one reason cited is lack of effective communication! By the way, that number doesn't improve if you only consider the Christian community. No two people are going to get along ALL the time. The trick in a long relationship isn't avoiding conflict, it's the successful resolution thereof!  In addition, men and women communicate in completely different ways and sometimes for very different reasons. I talk about this in my book Say What You Mean Every Day, in chapter one, “How to Talk to Your Spouse 'Cuz You Must!”

2. Your Kids

"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” -Colossians 3:21

Parents who communicate effectively with their children give them a clear sense of boundaries and security. They show them love and give them a sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Children who learn to communicate effectively can articulate their wants and needs. Those who don't are led to violent behavior in order to have those misunderstood needs met.

3. Your Ministry

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1Peter 3:15

What harm does it do if you approach someone the wrong way about Jesus? The worst they can do is say no, right? Wrong! Someone who has been told repeatedly that they are going to hell may grow weary of people spiritually beating them up. It leaves them with a bad taste in their mouth about Jesus, Christianity or Christians in general. This can apply to other Christians who don't see things exactly as you do. "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-" 1 Cor 10:32

4. Your Education

"He who answers before listening-that is his folly and his shame." -Proverbs 18:13

"Students with ineffective listening skills fail to absorb much of the material to which they are exposed. Their problems are intensified when they respond incorrectly or inappropriately because of poor speaking skills." -National Communication Association study on Why Communication is Important

5. Your College Career

"From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied." -Proverbs 18:20

College applications require several essays these days. Not only do they evaluate your student's accomplishments, which are written into the essay, but they evaluate the ability of the student to convey this effectively. Admission officers are looking for articulate and accomplished candidates. If your student is accomplished but cannot convey that to a college admissions board, he will be passed over for one who can! Even the college entrance exams are communication skills-intensive these days.

6. Your Job Interview

"A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul." -Proverbs 18:7

These days, companies are looking for someone who is knowledgeable and confident without being arrogant. They ask interview questions designed to flush out your true desires and beliefs and they evaluate your appearance to help them judge which candidate is best. Not all of your interview is based on your resume; in fact, they will only grant an interview if you have a stellar resume! The resume is just the beginning of the job interview process. Interviewers will ask you things like, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Employers want a concise, but not negative reason why you left your previous employment. According to a study in 2000 done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 1000 human resource managers ranked preferred skills for being hired as follows: 1) Oral Communication Skills, 2) Written Communication Skills and 3) Listening (which is a communication skill).

7. Climbing your Corporate Ladder

"He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend." -Proverbs 22:11

People with good communication skills are more likely to do a better job which would naturally result in promotions. Here are some of the results of various studies on the impact of communication skills on job success:

• Research done by the U.S. Department of Labor concluded that the skills most needed by employers in the 21st century that tomorrow's workers must master are "listening and speaking abilities."
• Persuasion skills and the ability to interact with others result in greater career advancement and higher salaries for graduates according to a 20 year-study of Stanford University MBA's.

8. Your Business

"Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Colossians 4:6

Business owners have to communicate on a variety of issues including 1) How to save time and money on your supplies, 2) Creating a communication package for your business, 3) How to present yourself as an expert in your field, 4) How to effectively handle customer service, complaints and returns, 5) How to make contacts, 6) Effective use of social networking groups, 7) Handling kids and business, How/when to share your faith in business, 9) How to gain support from family and friends, 10) How to motivate your employees, 11) How to train your customer service staff, and 12) How to deal with customer relations and company image issues.  All of these issues involve mastering certain communication skills!

9. Your Friendships

"An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of the citadel." Proverbs 18:19

Good communicators enjoy 1) Self Confidence, 2) Leadership, 3) Personal Presence, 4) Credibility, 5) Ability to Explain and Persuade, 6) Understanding of Others, and 7) Interaction Enjoyment.  Every one of these qualities help us to make friends and maintain relationships!

10. Your Happiness

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." -Proverbs 25:11

Studies show that effective communicators are actually happier than their counterparts. This is precisely because they have happier marriages, better friendships and relationships, better careers, make more money and are fulfilled.  They know how to get the things they want and need in life because they know how to communicate those wants and needs effectively.

In today’s complicated and secular world, miscommunication and misunderstanding abounds and, because of this, it takes far more communication skill to get along in the world these days.  Further, each aspect of communication requires different skills and techniques in order to master. For these reasons, the Lord mentions communication skills HUNDREDS of times in His Word. Communication skills are vital for all relationships, for career success, and most importantly, are imperative in order to fulfill The Great Commission.  God talks about communication skills in His Word literally hundreds of times.  Isn’t it about time we heeded His warnings and studied them?

JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication, but it's her humorous approach to communication skills which has made her a highly sought-after Christian speaker and writer.  Her articles appear on Crosswalk.com, Dr. Laura.com and in homeschool publications, such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, which also endorses her Say What You Mean curricula. JoJo is the owner of Art of Eloquence.com, the host of the weekly podcast, Grace Talk Soup, the creator of Foot in Mouth Man, the host of the annual Say What You Mean Convention.com.  For more information on JoJo or creative and fun communication curricula, visit ArtofEloquence.com.

Supplementing the year-round home school curriculum with summer camp is a great idea.  But along with this idea comes anxiety. Chances are, you and your child have the same fears: Walking into a gaggle of kids and parents. Everyone knowing everyone, except you. Getting lost on campus. Awkward moments at orientation. Your child -- eating alone at a far bench, friendless for the entire summer.

This nightmare does not have to be your child’s reality. Summer camp should, and can, be fun and rewarding.  This article will alleviate your fears by offering tips to make your child’s summer camp experience positive.

FACE IT. Use social networks and good old email to help your child connect with other campers before the summer begins. Set up a fan page for the camp on Facebook.  On this fan page, campers and parents can chat, post questions, and give reminders. Encourage your child to email other campers.

GO AWAY. On the first day of camp, take your child to her destination, assist her in settling in, and then leave. Lingering parents create lingering feelings of doubt about being away from home. Homesickness is normal.  The sooner you leave, the sooner your child can establish her camp as a home away from home.

BE NOSY. To keep track of your child’s experience, get the names of directors, advisors, and other support staff. Develop a regular time to check in with a supervising adult.

BE PREDICTABLE. Set a time during which you will call your child each day. Routine check-ins are helpful, especially for parents of children enrolled in sleep-away programs. This daily conversation will ease anxiety for you and homesickness for your child.

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE. During the first days of camp, it is normal for your child to have complaints. To frame your child’s conversation in a positive way, use these starters: Tell me 3 good things that happened today. What was the best thing about your day? Tell me about all of the interesting kids and instructors you meet today.

ADDRESS CONCERNS. Of course, you should not ignore your child’s concerns. Listen and affirm any worries he has and then follow up using the camp’s advising system. If your child’s camp is local, pay an unannounced visit so that you can get a more candid assessment of your child’s experience.

Summer camp can be both exciting and anxious-making.  If you follow the tips above, then your child’s time at camp will be positive and successful.

There is something you can do about it and that's what makes homeschooling successful. When your child tells you that he doesn't like school, you know the program doesn't fit.  Just like when a shoe pinches, it's time to get a new one.

Your child will start showing signs when he does not like school. Red flags may appear in his attitude, action, and work. He might even come out and say he doesn't like it with words that none of us like to hear. He might just be having a bad day. But when the problem continues day after day, it's time to do something about it.

Step one - Completely ignore the undesirable actions, as long as he's not hurting anyone.  He doesn't need any attention, negative or positive, as a reward.

Step two - Recognize with in yourself that it's not working for him, and you need to make some changes.  Keep it to yourself, don't tell him about it just yet. Think back over the last few days, or weeks. At what times, in what subjects have these signs been showing up? Try to make as complete a list as you can.  If there was a final blow up, what triggered it? Write down all your findings and conclusions.

Step three - Take a break. Stop school for a day. Do something the child enjoys. Now here's the most important thing.  Don't connect it in any way to the bad behavior of the child.  Make up an excuse. "Aunt Betty needs some help today. Let's take the day off and go visit."

Step four - Call the  family together when every one is happy and there are no pressing emotional issues. The dinner table would be a good time. It's important at this stage to keep a positive discussion. Start with one person, preferably one that has been having a good time at school. Ask "what do you like about school?"  Write down the exact words of the answer. Ask another child and write down the answer.  Continue until everyone has given two or three answers.

Now ask "What can we do to make school better?" Again, make no reference or connection to the targeted negative behavior. Write down the suggestions even if they are unreasonable or unrealistic. Children have big imaginations.

Step five - Take the child aside to a private place where you can be alone with him. This is between the two of you. Ask him for specific reasons why he's done what he's done or why he does not like school. Keep this private.  He doesn't need everyone giving their opinion or criticism. Ask what subjects are hard, which are easy.  Are lessons too long, not plain, or is there not enough time. Write everything down.

Step six - Using all the data you've collected, let the child help you come up with a new schedule.  If he's suggested things that are out of the question, like having recess all day, explain that it won't work. Allow a little longer time for subjects and projects that he enjoys. Take each of the other children in for a similar private conference. They don't have to do something bad to get a little of your time and attention.

Step seven - Write up a new school schedule with the whole family.  Let them know what changes will be made.  Thank them all for their help.

Step eight - Make the new schedule happen as close to the way you wrote it as possible.  Don't let yourself slide back into the old habits.

Lily Ann is a mother to six bright children. She has enjoyed great success in the area of homeschooling. She is always looking for ways to improve and loves to learn new things. Please visit her website.

Sometimes it is difficult to know what to buy homeschooled children to make the learning process more fun and educational.  Whether you are a homeschooling parent, or the friend of a homeschooling family, these gift suggestions will provide you with some great ideas for educational gifts for the homeschooled child.

The following gifts have the dual benefit of being both fun and educational.  In the homeschooling environment, they also make unique and entertaining teaching tools:

• The Tree Puppet: This is a 17 inch puppet shaped like a tree.  It has various holes throughout it for animal finger puppets.  What a fun opportunity for children to learn about various animals and their place in the world.  The finger puppets are also removable, meaning that the puppets are also great to use for story telling, both by the child and by the teacher.
• The Mega Volcano: This kit contains a 12 inch volcano, as well as paints, dinosaurs and the recipe for making lava.  This kit has actually been used at some of the science fairs for elementary aged kids.  Boys especially like this idea.
• The Busy Body Book: This book is ideal for the homeschooling parent.  Basically, it is  an organizer complete with a grid where you can schedule and coordinate all of the activities for each member of the family.  It even has space for meal planning and homework schedules.
• The Teaching Tank: This is a simple but awesome little science aid.  It doesn’t require much in the way of tools, and allows the child to see exactly what is going on with the root of a plant, worms or other small creatures.  It is also very user friendly and easy to clean.
• Voice Recorder For Toddlers: Developed by the people at Parent’s Magazine, this voice recorder looks like a mobile phone.  Aimed at the toddler market, it is geared so that they can record their voice, or you can record yours, and the toddler can play it back with ease.  It also comes with sounds and songs, to entertain your child as well as educate.
• The Animal Hospital: This is another product from Parent’s Magazine.  The animal hospital comes with 3 animals for the child to care for.  There is also a carrying kit and very realistic looking veterinary tools.  You need only provide the battery for the included flashlight.
• The Fly Fusion: This is a very cool gift for a pre-teen or teenager.  The Fly Fusion is a pen that is much more than a pen.  When you use the Fly Fusion Pen to write on the Fly Fusion paper, it transfers it to a digital format that can be uploaded onto a PC and converted to text.   The pen also stores mp3 files.
• Leapfrog Leapster: Leapfrog products are always a hit.  This learning game system allows your child to write, paint, draw and play games that encourage them to enjoy math, reading, and to be creative.
• Cook Books For Kids: There are tons of these out there on the market, but this is always a tried and true gift.  Kids have a natural curiosity to know what Mum and Dad are doing in the kitchen and they want to help.
• Tell Me More: This software is designed to teach a child another language - English, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, French, Arabic or Japanese.  Once the software is purchased, you can actually create an account for everyone in the family.  This is a great investment in your child’s future because there is a growing demand for multi-lingual abilities in the workplace.