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Parents want what is best for their children. We want them to have every opportunity to explore and learn, to grow and to succeed. Homeschooling affords us all kinds of educational freedoms, especially in my home state of Michigan. This freedom leaves a lot of space for decision making. You may be thinking, “should we do school five days a week, or maybe four and a co-op day?” “ Should I use that fifth day for something else… maybe field trips, art classes, swim classes…” There are just so many choices.
First of all, what is a co-op?
The co-op I have been a part of has offered classes such as public speaking, Spanish, art history, choir, gym, sewing, crochet, cooking, drama and many more. Families arrive in the morning, enjoy an opening assembly together and then have three hours of classes. Each class is 50 minutes. Afterwards, the children eat lunch together while the parents clean the building the co-op is using and monitor the children. It is well organized and a wonderful way to connect with other homeschoolers in our area.
Costs can vary from one co-op to another. We belong to a pretty low cost co-op that also accepts Boxtops for Education as payment. It is wonderful! If you want to check out co-ops in your area, head on over to HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) to see a great list of homeschool organizations.
How do I know if a co-op is best for my child?
ADHD kids sometimes really struggle in a classroom setting. They are expected to keep still, be quiet and only respond when they are called on. This can be really difficult for a child that needs to be in constant motion. Their minds are moving at the speed of light and they are asked to sit quietly and listen to a teacher, who may or may not be engaging enough to satisfy your child’s need for mental stimulation.
Something to strongly consider when you are deciding whether or not a co-op setting would be best for your child is whether they will struggle, but learn skills to be able to thrive in that setting, or whether they will be “in trouble” most of the time. In the case of the latter, what is that teaching your child about him or herself?
Can your child…
- sit for about an hour without getting out of their seat?
- wait until they are called on to answer a question or participate in conversations?
- follow directions?
- be respectful to authority?
- pay attention to a lecture?
- refrain from talking with classmates during a lecture?
- be kind to fellow classmates?
- adhere to co-op rules
- control their body in a school-like setting?
What will this experience teach your child about themself?
The most important thing to consider is your child. Will this experience stoke the fires of their curiosity and their love of learning? Will it teach them that if they work hard at something they can do great things? Will it teach them that they are troublemakers? Will it teach them that they can’t keep up? Will it make them feel smart and confident, or tear them down?
If your child is not built for a classroom/co-op setting that is okay! Not everyone will go on to sit at a desk for 40 hours a week. I would encourage you to find what does fit your child’s strengths. Find what builds them up. Find what makes them curious! Find what will create a love of learning in them that will last a lifetime.
One last thought:
If you are interested in joining your local homeschool co-op but are concerned that it may not be a good fit for your child, contact the leaders of the co-op to discuss accommodations that can be made for your child. Sometimes co-ops will have lots of movement based classes that would be a great fit! Don’t be shy, most co-op leaders and participants are very welcoming and kind!
