10 Takeaways From a New Homeschool
I'm four weeks into homeschooling my 3rd grader, and I've already learned more than I expected. Here are 10 takeaways from a new homeschool — the things I'd tell any parent who's just starting out.
1. It's okay to start slow or hold back when need to
Easy does it but when I got that learning plan in week 1 and saw 75 minutes of Language Arts a day, my instinct was to cram it all in. But starting slow and building up has worked far better than trying to do everything at once.
2. Listening can be curriculum too
When workbooks get tiring, we have been doing audio books and they may just be a game changer.
3. Take it outdoors
I grabbed a workbook and set it up on our outdoor table and I noticed my daughter was breathing deeper when doing her work.
4. Don't always go with the flow
Something unexpected happens daily.
When my daughter wanted to draw a waffle because Alexa said it was National Waffle Day, I could have said "not now, we're doing math." I'm glad I didn't. That's the kind of thing she remembers.
5. Creating out of thin air is fun
This is why I take photos of the cake baking and the yoga and the walks. That's school too.
They like to show off what they know
It was fun listening to my daughter tell her dad about what she learned in school today or the photo she drew.
7. Look for something fun during school
Learning about maps for geography which had a fountain in the middle of it, I asked my daughter if she knows where a fountain is in our town, she said no, so we took a trip downtown to find one.
8. There are still temper tantrums and attitudes
There were a few times these last few weeks where she just needed a peaceful time out in her room, or to ride her bike down the block ... and guess what, I let her ... I had plenty to do while she cooled down.
9. Just because something is hard, doesn't meant the day is ruined
Change subjects, go outside, fix a snack, ask her to have free time, its all good.
10. Kids still need to be kids
They are only this little for so long, let them play.
What I'm Remembering
Nothing goes smoothly even with the best plan and spreadsheet. If something isnt working, change it up then come back to it later. There is a lot of give and take
Four weeks in, that's the lesson I keep coming back to.
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