Homeschooling in Thailand: Tips and tricks for beginners
Whether you’ve gotten a taste for homeschooling during the COVID-19 lockdown or are considering an alternative educational route, there are some things you need to know to get started. Even though remote learning has been an alternative form of education for some time, it has recently become more accessible than ever.
As schools throughout Thailand switch between being open and closed to adapt to the latest coronavirus news, some parents are starting to think about shifting to homeschooling for good. In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we’ll offer tips and tricks for beginners who are homeschooling in Thailand.
Tips for successful homeschooling in Thailand
If you’re a parent who hasn’t thought about homeschooling until recently, the idea of switching from regular schooling can be overwhelming. After all, you want to provide your child with the best experience possible. There are challenges to homeschooling that can leave you wondering, “how can I get better at homeschooling?” – especially if you have younger children or are working full-time.
As with many things in life, you’ll learn to overcome them with time. The following tips can help make the transition to homeschooling as smooth and successful as possible.
Select the right homeschooling program
The most important choice you’ll make when it comes to successful homeschooling is choosing the right program, though this tip for homeschooling during COVID-19 doesn’t apply. However, the right selection comes down to several factors, such as your child’s age, learning style, interests, priorities, and concerns. You’ll also need to think about your budget, your time commitment, and your confidence in teaching certain subjects.
How much does homeschooling cost?
If you’re signing up for a homeschooling program through a school, then you’ll have to pay a tuition fee. While this fee is usually cheaper than attending in person, remember that you’ll likely also have to pay for expenses such as learning equipment, utilities, and so on. Other expenses that may come up include tutors and exam fees.
Homeschooling without a school program, on the other hand, usually involves fewer fees and is, therefore, more affordable. However, it can require more hands-on teaching, especially if you have younger children.
Create a space to learn
Regardless of the size of your home, you should dedicate a space to homeschooling. Whether you choose an entire room or a desk is up to you, the important thing is that it is the base for learning to take place and where all the materials are stored. Of course, you’ll likely move throughout the home, and even outdoors, throughout the day or week – depending on the subject and task at hand. Encourage your child to get creative with their learning space and organize it in a way that works for them.
Stick to a schedule
While where and when a child learns at home can change according to the child, subject, etc., one thing that should remain consistent is a schedule. Maintaining structure is a must when homeschooling as it prevents children from becoming distracted and doing things outside of their schooling and gives them direction to focus on instead. It’s even more important to follow a daily schedule if your child isn’t following a homeschooling program. Some things to keep in mind when coming up with a daily schedule include:
- Don’t fill up the whole schedule: Make sure you’re being practical about what can be completed in a day. Remember that children also need to be physically active when they are not studying or doing school work. Set aside time for outdoor activities to not only help with their physical health but help them learn better and focus as well.
- Change the schedule when needed: One of the advantages of homeschooling is that it offers more room for flexibility and spontaneity. For example, if your child does not feel up to learning about science one morning, there’s no harm in switching up the subjects instead.
- Make the schedule attractive: If you have little ones, it can be helpful to color-code the schedule so that both parties can see what’s on the agenda at any time of day. If your child is older, you can take a look at different schedule templates or have them come up with one that works for them. As long as it’s clear for everyone to understand, encourage them to get as creative as they want to with it.
Set learning objectives
Learning objectives are brief, clear statements of what learners will be able to achieve by the end of a lesson, activity, course, or curriculum. By defining learning outcomes, learning objectives focus teaching and help to organize and prioritize learning. Set goals with your child to get them involved and use the time as an opportunity to teach them about SMART goals, an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
Encourage life-long learning
Even though formal education can be important, and your child will likely have to pass some form of standardized exam in their life, what’s more important is a healthy attitude towards learning. Fortunately, homeschooling offers a great way for children to see first-hand that education is a life-long journey, and to find their own way to fall in love with it.
Aside from core subjects, they can explore their interests in astronomy, art, and more. When learning about astronomy, for example, they can start with a science textbook, then go to a planetarium or walk around at night and explore the subject in great depth. On top of that, what they learn can change as their interests change.
As children are encouraged to learn in a way that is interesting to them, with the support of their parents, they will find it easier to explore their interests and find joy in learning throughout life.
Put your child’s health first with Pacific Prime Thailand
As a parent, you’ll always want what’s best for your children, whether that’s education or healthcare. While Thailand is home to world-class hospitals, accessing them can set you back if you don’t have the right private health insurance in place. Children’s healthcare needs can vary but likely require regular checkups and immunizations. Outpatient coverage is typically recommended for children, though it’s best to speak to an insurance expert such as Pacific Prime Thailand to ensure your exact needs are met.
Whether you’re looking for insurance for a family in Thailand or other health insurance in Thailand options, our advisors are happy to help. Contact us to discuss your options and receive a free plan comparison today.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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