Homeschooling parents have the freedom to make decisions and adapt methods of teaching for each individual child. There are various forms of homeschool styles such as Charlotte Mason Learning, Eclectic Education, World Schooling, Unschooling, and our own version at Moving Mountains Daily – Adventure Schooling, all of which match the lifestyle of the family unit.
But homeschooling is more than just choosing a style, choosing curriculum, and helping children navigate their school day. Children learn about the world around them and how to problem solve just by having fun and playing. By making sure that your closets and activity cabinets are full of educational activities, it is possible to extend your homeschool day, without teaching!
It also led to an incredible salmon study.
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Less is Best
Parents new to homeschooling often envision and compare their new routine to the school schedule they just left behind – or, are taking a break from. But when you consider the classroom schedule, much of the day involves standing in lines, waiting for others to finish their work, scheduled recesses, and lining up for lunch. All this side action takes time. In looking at this perspective, you can see why the average homeschooling day takes less time.
Letting Young Minds Rest
Downtime, or quiet time, allows kids to take a brain break, which is just as important as school work. Times are stressful, not just for parents turned teachers, but for kids as well. Everyone’s routine has been upset and the fear of an unseen virus is traumatizing to young minds. Children need a break from Covid worries, school instruction, planned activities, or from being on-the-go. During downtime, they have freedom to explore, read, or do what they want within the limits set as a family.
Self-Led Learning Skills
Downtime won’t last long! Sooner or later the kids will be looking for something to do. In the home that caters to investigation and exploration, you will find a variety of interesting educational toys, games, books, and manipulatives that allows self-led, independent learning. This type of play can extend the school day beyond the textbooks and seat work. Learning continues in the afternoon, only – without the parent!
Extend the School Day
Games, large floor puzzles, alphabet and number puzzles, magnetic sorters, flannel story boards all actively engage children, yet inspire learning skills. Activities that inspire creative imagination and encourages learning, adds more ‘bang for the buck’ to your school day!
The rest of this post is written by Andrew.
Here are some of my favorite activities that I think other families will like:
I like this water color paint set because sometimes it is nice to sit and paint. It is also a good travel activity.
I have learned about electricity and circuitry using Snap Circuits. There are directions on how to build different types of circuits. Some will turn on a light, or play music. My favorite is a fan that turns a propeller and lights up. I am learning to design my own.
Light Bright can be a little difficult but to see a picture light up in the dark is cool. At first the little bulbs were hard to push into the screen but now I don’t need so much help.
I still enjoy paint by sticker. I think it is relaxing to pull dtickers and create a picture.
When I was in Preschool I liked building these Tomy motorized vehicles. It made me happy to watch something that I made move across the floor.
Note from Danielle: I stopped Andrew at five favorites. I think he could have gone on forever!
Check out our other homeschool posts:
To Homeschool or not to Homeschool
Homeschooling and the Socialization Issue
Learning Beyond the Classroom
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