When we decided to homeschool, the kids were still toddlers and we were mostly involved in playgroups, rather than school groups. Our group happened to be primarily Waldorf focused, so technology was totally off the table - which was great for kids that age. I did start to notice as they got older how helpful it was for me to have technology around, though. I never liked sitting behind a computer … [Read more...]
Homeschool Styles
Methods and Approaches to Homeschooling There are many benefits to homeschooling, including the ability to tailor the program to fit the needs of your family. This can include outdoor explorations, reading books, or even working on individualized education programs at a table. It's great to have a homeschooling style that works well with your family's lifestyle. There are some disadvantages to … [Read more...]
8 Ways Parents Can Be Successful Working from Home and Homeschooling
As much as I loved homeschooling my kids, I also wanted to put my education and experience to use contributing to the family finances. I found out, like so many other homeschool parents, it's not as easy as you might think. Though there are chunks of time when our kids are occupied, it's not always easy to predict when those times will come. And - as every parent knows - the surest way to get your … [Read more...]
Should You Homeschool Your College-Bound High Schooler?
I speak from experience - both of my homeschool kids were accepted at the college of their choice. They both actually went to high school for a couple of years to get used to traditional schooling, but the process of getting their high school credits to transfer to traditional school is not that different than having those same classes recognized by a college. Homeschooling Is a Great Option for … [Read more...]
Tips for Organizing the Unorganized Homeschool Mom
You know that homeschool one mom – the one who is always calm, whose kids are always clean and polite? The mother who always arrives early, looking perfect, with snacks and drinks? There seems to be one in every co-op. A mom who makes it all look easy, like she isn't trying. She is always ready for company, her lesson plans are always pristine, and there are never any dried french fries or … [Read more...]
The Gregorian Calendar History
Are you an electronic calendar person or a paper calendar person? Is it wrong to be both? There are so many calendars to keep up with that are online - the kids sports teams keep everyone informed of changes to practice times on a Google Calendar; any time I have a business meeting, all the details get filled out automatically on my laptop & sync to my phone. Hard to beat that for … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Traditions for the Homeschool Family
This Valentine's Day, start some traditions with your family that will make everyone feel loved and connected. Valentine's Day is often thought of as a day for "courtly love," but it's also a day to remember and share our love for all our loved ones. Learn About Valentine’s Day Celebrations Valentine's Day has become focused on romantic love to the point where it is now considered … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Homeschooling Year Round
Benefits of Homeschooling Year-Round Less Stress What homeschool mom doesn’t need less stress? I don't have to worry about cramming all of our learning into a 36-week schedule when homeschooling year round. Instead, you can have 52 weeks to work with. Then you don't have to worry about falling behind if you take a few days (or even a week) off. It feels good to be able to take a day off from … [Read more...]
The Best Fun Virtual Field Trips That Happen to Be Free
Looking for something fun to do on a cold, rainy day? There are some really great destinations you can reach, without leaving your home. Despite the best efforts of educators, remote learning makes it difficult to provide every lesson as an interactive experience. This is due to a variety of factors, such as students' schedules and budgets. It would not be possible to take your class … [Read more...]
How Handwriting Develops
Handwriting is more than just making letters on a page. In order to be successful, students must first be able to control small movements with their fingers, hands, and wrists, as well as being able to coordinate what they see with what they do with their hands. Each child develops differently, so there is no specific timeline for when they will develop pre-writing skills. Experts have suggested … [Read more...]