Summary:

Hello Andy, my name is Clodagh, an Interaction Design at Ulster University. I’m working on a project focusing on designing a smart home environment for homeschooling. Is it ok, if I ask you some questions about your experience with homeschooling?

Background:

Parents, mum stays at home dad works on a construction site, 2 children aged 4 & 6 years old.

Questions & Answers:

Parents:

1. Why did you choose homeschooling for your children?

"We wanted to provide a more personalised learning experience and create a flexible environment where our children could learn at their own pace. It also allows us to teach values and subjects that we think are important in a way that fits their interests."

2. How do you structure a typical day of homeschooling?

"We begin with a morning routine that includes a family meeting. After that, we focus on core subjects like math, reading, and writing, followed by a break for lunch. The afternoon is for creative activities, like art, science experiments, or outdoor play."

3. What subjects do you focus on at this age?

"At this stage, we focus on building strong foundations in reading, writing, and math. We also include hands-on learning in science and social studies, and we make time for creative activities like drawing and music."

4. How do you keep your child engaged and motivated during lessons?

"We use games, hands-on activities, and interactive lessons to keep things fun. I also allow my child to take breaks when needed, so they don’t get overwhelmed. We keep lessons short to maintain focus."

5. How do you address challenges like a lack of socialisation or peer interaction?

"We make sure to attend playdates and community events. Our kids also take part in extracurricular activities like sports or music classes which help them interact with other children."

6. What do you think your child enjoys most about homeschooling?

"They love the freedom to explore topics they’re curious about. They also enjoy the flexibility of learning in a relaxed environment and having more one-on-one attention."

7. What has been the biggest challenge for you as a homeschooling parent?

"Time management is always a challenge. Balancing homeschooling with household duties and personal time can be tough, but we’ve found a rhythm that works for our family."