We are instilling these benefits onto our children sometimes without meaning to. We are teaching them the convenience of computers and omitting the hands-on learning process.

Children are learning to read and write with computer games instead of homemade flash cards. They are reading their bedtime stories online instead of in bed with their parents. Slowly traditions are being broken and the computer is becoming a child’s learning tool. Many parents are buying computer learning games instead of board games and pop-up books.

Parents are leaving the learning up to the computers and spending less quality time with their children. The most important learning step for children is interaction with others. If they are sitting in front of the screen all day, they do not learn to share, wait their turn, or even something as simples as manners. Children need to be in contact with other children, adults, and animals. They need to experience things first hand not off a computer screen.

When children log on to the computer their innocence is noticeable. Children are an easy target for adults who pose to be other children with similar interests. Sexual offenders often chat online with children and then make plans to meet them or slowly filter information about them.

Children are innocents and honesty on the computer can pose some huge problems. They do not know any better and usually it will only harm them in the end.

One benefit of the computer age is that children are becoming smarter. They are growing up computer literate and will have that as a huge advantage. Computer literacy is becoming a huge job qualification and feeling comfortable with one will put them a step ahead.

Children will also be able to complete homework on line. In some places, if you miss school you can find out the assignments that you miss and catch up. This is very helpful if your child comes down with the flu, but do you want them to feel like it is okay to miss school because they can catch up with their computer?

Overall, children can benefit from computers if they are used wisely. Parents that supervise their children when they are on the computer can ensure that everything is happening safely.

Computers are the wave of the future, but old fashioned learning techniques should not be forgotten. A child needs to interact physically with other people and not learn everything from computers.

Here are some tips to help you stay organized:

Designate certain spaces for specific activities

A playroom is not the best place to work, since it reminds the kids of playtime. If you do not have another space to use, section off the playroom into areas for work and play. It is a good idea to create a math center, a science center, a reading area, etc. It not only allows you to keep the items you need handy, instead of having to put science stuff away before starting on math, it also helps break up the day for the kids since they are allowed to move from one area to another. This will help reduce boredom for children as well as parents.

A place for everything

After organizing specific areas, you also need to find places for home schooling gear. Leaving items scattered does not make for a productive experience when you return to the area. Have your children help you put everything back in place when “school is out” for the day. You will be glad you did when you are able to start fresh with a neat, organized area the next morning.

Stick to your schedule

Make sure the kids eat something at appropriate times so they will not be distracted from their work because they are hungry. If it is time to do math, do math. When home schooling, it is easy to rearrange your schedule for more enticing activities, but it can become a trap. Do not let the kids pressure you into changing the schedule too often. Of course, being too rigid is not good either, so be flexible when necessary. If something important comes up, it is okay to bend the schedule a bit, but on a daily basis, try to stick to it as closely as possible.

Concentrate on one thing at a time

Do not try to do too much at once. If it is time for reading, focus on reading and do not try to incorporate other subjects at the same time. It is also a good idea to schedule household chores for rest time, playtime, snack time, or “after school.” Attempting to do the laundry or to wash dishes while home schooling is not conducive to a productive learning atmosphere. This may require extra planning and more of your time, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Enlist help

If you know someone that works in a field your child is interested in, invite that person to speak to your child or have your child visit him or her at work if possible. On the other hand, if there is a subject that is not exactly your best, consider bringing in a tutor or trading subjects with another home schooling parent in your area. Nothing is more frustrating for parent and child than trying to work on a difficult subject, especially if you are ill prepared to teach that subject. Another parent might agree to teach your children math, while you teach his or her children science, or vice versa.