——: What should parents do who are “weak” in some specific part of the curriculum such as geography or, say, grammar?-——
Don’t compare yourself against an imaginary ideal.
Teachers are of average intelligence, and they’re “teaching,” or really, talking at 20 children. You will be tutoring one or two children. The greatest teacher in the world can’t compete with a dedicated tutor, motivated by love. You will be able to accomplish in two hours what teachers can’t accomplish in a full day.
I know. My wife and I have done it for 11 years. Believe it or not, it’s a cakewalk.
Begin at age 4 or 5 with a phonics book, like Alphaphonics. If you spend 15-30 minutes per day for 30 days, your child will be able to read Dr. Seuss books on his own. And that’s the hardest thing you’ll have to do.
Yes, in 20 hours of instruction, your child will be able to read on his own. Both of ours did. It’s pretty typical.
After that your options are unlimited. I prefer unschooling, but in a compromise with my wife, agreed to a rigid pre-packaged curriculum.
Our kids needed one-on-one kitchen table instruction for 2-3 hours per day, up to third grade.
After that, they simply looked up their daily assignment, and completed it, before my wife rolled out of bed. They knew that they could play after they finished their work, so they were motivated.
They will need help in HS, in subjects like math and English, but there are countless supplemental resources out there —many for free.
So don’t let that stop you.
Both of our girls are a year ahead of their age/grade, and tested well on their SATS.
Unfortunately, the oldest wants to go to college, ruining an otherwise perfect record.
LOL!
I'd like to echo Thomas' post. Our daughter is already reading at 3 years old. It's easy to do, just takes a little patience. There are excellent books out there that can help you with your weak areas. For instance, not too great with math? Get Saxon books. You may not be much better at math afterwards, but I guarantee you as long as you crack the whip on your kids to do the lessons, they'll be experts.
Oh, for beginning reading we've been using the free lessons on Starfall. Our daughter loves it and plays with it all the time.