Do you have a skill or talent you can share with other homeschoolers? Chances are, another parent in your area does, too!

A teaching exchange can be a great way to introduce your students to new things without having to teach them yourself.  No money changes hands, and parents share what they know with other kids who want to learn about them.

Teaching exchanges can be spontaneous.  For example, if you’re teaching about the Underground Railroad in your homeschool tomorrow, you might want to invite another family to listen in.

Teaching exchanges can also be planned.  For instance, every Monday you and several other families get together to learn together.  Rotate homes so that hosting doesn’t always fall on one person.  Work it out so that one parent talks about a topic in history, while another parent gives an art lesson.  You get the idea.

Don’t be afraid to offer up what you know.  You’d be surprised how many homeschooling families are anxious to learn about sewing, knitting and crochet.  Or wood-working, ballroom dancing, or caring for a new puppy.  Even computer maintenance, fishing, gardening or cooking are great topics.  Don’t forget esoteric things like improving memory,  thinking positively, or manners and etiquette, either. 

Consider allowing older students to help or to lead classes by themselves (great leadership training!) if you feel that younger children may relate well to older children in your homeschooling circle. 

Don’t allow your lack of teaching experience to stop you from sharing your expertise, either.  In teaching swap situations, nobody expects you to act like a classroom teacher.  It’s all about sharing what you know with other children just like yours.  Pretend you are speaking to your own kids, and you’ll be just fine.

[Photo: Pics4Learning]