Outside of the normal public school routine of a certificate or diploma at the end of each school year, it can be easy to forget to acknowledge homeschoolers for their accomplishments. But it is important that they feel just as validated in their schooling achievements as everyone else, and why stop at once a year? Here are ____ homeschool milestones to celebrate.
1. Moving Up a Grade
The standard end-of-the-year accomplishment is nothing to be sneezed at. Finishing an entire year of school is a big deal for anyone. Whether you print out a certificate or go out to dinner as a family, take a moment to stress how big of a deal this is. Your child will appreciate it.
2. Beginning a New School Year
Just like finishing a grade, beginning a new one is a big achievement. It can be hard for any student to start up school after a long summer break, so remind them that it’s going to be a fun and fulfilling year. You can celebrate this homeschool milestone by letting them pick out a new back-to-school outfit, deciding what subjects they want to cover on the first day, or throwing a good old fashioned party.
3. Completing a Difficult Subject
Everyone learns differently, and your child is going to come across subjects that are particularly difficult for them. It could be times tables, spelling, or a certain reading level. Whatever the case, encourage your child to work their hardest to master it and when they do, take some time to celebrate it.
4. Finishing a Book
It’s incredibly important to foster a love of reading in your children. Rewarding them for their reading progress is a good way to show them how much it means to you and instills the importance of reading in their heads. When your child finishes a book, you can celebrate this homeschool milestone by gifting them a new book or watching a movie based on the book with popcorn and candy.
5. Extracurricular Activity Achievements
Extracurricular successes should be celebrated as well. This will help your child become well-rounded in their education and interests, as well as encourage them to continue to try new things. The end of a sports season, a dance recital, or participation in a city-wide spelling bee are all big accomplishments that should be recognized.
HomeschoolFacts.com has a complete list of support groups to help support you in your homeschooling endeavors and connect with homeschoolers near you. You can search the list of support groups here: https://www.homeschoolfacts.com/homeschool-support-groups.html