There are so many different resources to use when schooling at home or supplementing your child’s education. Worksheets are only one method used to achieve your goals.
Worksheets are definitely not for every style of learner. Of my 4 children, I have a few who adore worksheets and can’t wait to see what the next page looks like!
And then I have other children who are not as interested in worksheet-style learning in the least.
The beautiful thing about teaching your children at home, is that you can cater to the ways that they learn best!
If your child is a fan of worksheets, then keep reading for a few tips on how to make worksheets even more useful in your home.
HINT: The key here is going to be interaction!
Always go over the directions of the worksheet with your child.
If able, have your child read the directions aloud to you. If there are multiple steps listed in the directions, make sure he understands which part should be completed first and then second.
If your child doesn’t read yet, make sure you point out the directions and read them aloud.
It is important for a student to realize the directions are there and that they must follow them!
Avoid Worksheet Syndrome.
To avoid Worksheet Syndrome, actively discuss the worksheet with your child.
What does this ‘active discussion’ look like exactly?
Ask your child questions similar to these: What is your favorite picture on this page? Why? What is the hardest math problem you solved on this worksheet? Were there any parts that you didn’t understand?
When children see a pile of worksheets they need to complete, their eyes glaze over. A key to avoiding Worksheet Syndrome is staying actively engaged with your child.
I have yet to meet a child that wants to sit and do tedious work all alone. 🙂
Allow for any discussion that flows from completing the worksheet.
Whether your child has ideas about the story on a Reading Comprehension worksheet or has questions about the Bible Verse she practiced for handwriting, allow time for her to ask those questions and share her ideas.
So many of the fun parts that happen during a school day are not planned. Make sure you’re engaged with the worksheet and participate in the conversation that might flow as a result!
Review the completed worksheet with your child.
You might give a grade for a completed worksheet, or you might check off the worksheet from a curriculum to-do list. You might not fret with grades at all, and just add the completed page to your child’s stack of finished work.
Regardless of how you implement worksheets in your home, review your child’s answers. As a parent, you want to catch problem areas quickly and give ample praise for a job well done.
By reviewing your child’s work, you also see if he has mastered the topic at hand. If he has not, choose another worksheet or printable activity and work on it together.
If he has mastered the topic, choose another worksheet with a higher level of difficulty or consider the topic ‘mastered’ and move on.
