Help Your Child Process What Happened in Uvalde Texas

On May 24, 2022, we all saw the horrifying news of another mass shooting. This time, most casualties were children—innocent, sweet children going about their typical school day at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. The Uvalde, Texas, shooting claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. And is the most deadly shooting in the United States since the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults in 2012. Many children have seen the news and are now afraid to step foot in their schools. So, what can you do to help your child process what happened in Uvalde Texas?

Less than ten days ago, we posted a blog entitled ‘Help Your Child Cope With News About Gun Violence,’ following the mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store. Sadly, we are again writing another blog about another tragedy connected to gun violence in the United States. It seems like nowhere is safe, and it is tragic for our children to see these acts of violence happening around them. What can you do to help your child process what happened in Uvalde, Texas? And how can we help our children feel comfortable even with all of these tragedies?

Help your child process what happened in Uvalde, Texas.

It’s terrifying for anyone to think they could be killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But especially so for children. Children shouldn’t have to feel afraid when they attend school; they shouldn’t have to do active shooter drills in their schools. But unfortunately, with tragedies like these happening more and more, our minds must think about the ‘what ifs.’ And must take action.

While I’d love to say that your children can somehow avoid the news of what happened in Uvalde, Texas, there is a significant chance that through friends, media, social media, or even family, they will learn about the horrific events that took place on May 24, 2022. So, how can you help your child process what happened in Uvalde, Texas?

When trying to help your child process what happened in Uvalde Texas, be there for them.

The most important way that you can help your child process what happened in Uvalde, Texas, is to be there for them. What is happening to the world’s youth isn’t fair, and many of us cannot understand this type of horrific violent act against young people. This is why it’s essential to be there for your child when trying to process these tragic events.

Listen to their concerns.

If your child is struggling to process the news and events, openly listen to their worries and concerns about it. You likely don’t have all the answers because none of us do. But when they can share their anxieties, it helps them process and work through the emotions and big thoughts they are struggling to deal with.

Don’t force them to go to school.

Sending your kids to school when they’re struggling with anxiety regarding what happened isn’t a great idea. Yes, you’ll want your child to get back to everyday life and routine again, but when the news of such an event is so fresh, it’s ok to let your child have some time to process it and feel comfortable. There is nothing wrong with taking a day or two off of school to work through their feelings. Just be sure that you are there to help them, or another trusted adult is there to guide them through those thoughts and feelings so that they don’t spiral into something even more significant.

Avoid brushing it off like it was no big deal.

I believe that many of us brush things off to comfort ourselves. Saying things like, “Well, that’s not even close to us.” “Don’t worry about that; it would never happen here.” “The news always reports the worst of everything.” “Stop worrying about it; it didn’t happen here.” While these might be comforting things to say to ourselves, these dismissive words will likely only alienate our children from sharing how they feel in future situations. What happened is a big deal; it’s horrifying, disturbing, and something that should make you feel uncomfortable, even though it wasn’t necessarily close to you in proximity.

Encourage them to journal their thoughts.

Writing, drawing, and doodling are unique ways to release worries and stress caught in your mind. Encourage your child to indulge in some art, writing, or music to help them process those big thoughts that they’re struggling with.

Remind them that they are safe.

As mentioned in the previous blog about helping our children cope with gun violence, really emphasize reminding your child that they are safe. Right now, they are safe. And you will never put them into any dangerous situation. While you know that sometimes dangerous things happen, you don’t need to share those thoughts with them right now.

Be honest, but don’t overshare.

When your child asks you questions regarding the event, find out what they know. Be honest in answering their questions, but avoid oversharing details. Always be mindful of your child’s age and what they should and shouldn’t know.

Remind yourself that you are processing everything too.

We are often hardest on ourselves, especially when we assume that we should have it all figured out as parents. There is no handbook on how to deal with such a horrific event. So, don’t rush or suffocate your feelings. It’s ok to feel sad, struggle with what happened, or have difficulty processing it. Be patient with yourself because your children will learn that it’s ok to take time to process their thoughts and feelings too, and it’s ok to work through these events at their own pace.

Up-to-date information on Uvalde, Texas.

Why Parents Are Turning To Homeschooling

Why Parents Are Turning to Homeschooling

The other day, I was at a dentist’s appointment with my kids. While we were there, the secretary asked my daughter if she enjoyed the morning off school to be at the dentist. My daughter responded with a “no” because she despises dentist’s appointments. I followed up the question with, “We will be doing school when we are home as we homeschool.” She looked at me with disbelief and said, “You homeschool? How could your children be socialized then? With online learning, children were struggling with isolation and lack of socialization.” I then went into a long explanation about how homeschooling is far from isolation learning. She still looked confused, as many people do when they wonder why parents are turning to homeschooling as their education choice.

Here’s why parents are turning to homeschooling:

After two years of the pandemic and homeschooling becoming a norm in education, I shouldn’t still have to give explanations to strangers about my children’s social lives. Yet, that remains one of the most common questions I receive. The world needs to subscribe to the Schoolio Blog and read blogs like Socialization and Homeschooling. One thing that might interest you about homeschooling is that socialization is one of the main reasons why parents are turning to homeschooling as their preferred education method.

One of the most important reasons why parents are turning to homeschooling is because of healthy socialization. When homeschooled, children have much less exposure to peer pressure and bullying. Homeschooled children are also able to have more customized social interactions. Additionally, most children in the public school system spend hours in classrooms listening to teachers. In comparison, homeschooled children have many more opportunities for learning activities outside of the home.

A flexible homeschooling curriculum means homeschool families have more opportunities to participate in fun activities. Some of which include: museum trips, park playdates, community service activities, art classes, and track and field days.

Using a flexible homeschool curriculum and making homeschooling a lifestyle significantly improves emotional and psychological development in children. While also strengthening family connections and connections with other homeschooled children.

Homeschooling means having access to higher quality education.

Many parents believe that the quality of education is not what it once was. With a decline in the education budget, increased student enrolment, large class sizes, burnt-out teachers, and other factors. Parents feel that homeschooling gives them more control over their children’s learning. In 2015, long before the pandemic and the devastating effects on children’s education, a Career and College Readiness Survey showed shocking results. These results indicated that less than half of high school students feel academically ready for college.

Interrupted education, overcrowded classrooms, and fewer resources have made it extremely difficult for teachers to provide one-on-one instruction to students. When homeschooling, parents can use a curriculum that follows learning standards while also offering personalized education to their child, which is so often missing in today’s learning venues.

Homeschooling can support a child with diverse learning needs.

Unfortunately, children with learning disabilities or even physical disabilities have difficulty thriving in a traditional learning environment. Many schools don’t have adequate resources and time available to support children with diverse learning needs. Additionally, formal education is a one size fits all model when we all know that one size fits nobody. Having a customizable curriculum and a flexible learning environment is essential for children with diverse learning needs.

Homeschooling means educational stability.

Even before the pandemic began, there were teacher strikes, bad weather and many other reasons students were forced to miss class. Homeschooling means educational stability for many students as they have that flexible learning solution and learning lifestyle that keeps them learning even when schools are not in. Many homeschooling parents (who were homeschooling before the pandemic) were thankful that they had chosen that educational path for their children, as homeschooling offered much-needed stability to their days.

Homeschooling means better educational results.

It might shock you that homeschooled children often score better on federal standardized tests than their public school peers. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute showed that homeschooled children often achieve much higher results. Regardless of parents’ income or teaching experience.

Homeschooling offers student-athletes and musicians a flexible education option.

Many student-athletes have intense travel and practice schedules. Additionally, many students who participate in fine arts, theatre, or music need time to rehearse and perform. These students need a flexible education option that will work around their busy schedules.

Homeschooling offers a learning environment that children enjoy.

Unfortunately, many public school children feel stressed over the volume of homework and the lack of instruction. Many children don’t thrive in environments that are high stress, where they are required to memorize and keep up with their peers around them. This popular model of education doesn’t cater to the majority of students. Learning should be fun and engaging, not blank and stressful. Homeschooled parents report that they have much more time during their day to incorporate fun activities and hands-on lessons that encourage learning.

Should you homeschool?

Even though many think homeschooling is a terrible option, as the secretary at the dentist did, the reality is that homeschooling can be an excellent option for many families. But is it the right choice for your family? Ask yourself these questions:

Does my family need more flexibility?
Do I want to give my children and myself the freedom to choose?
Would I like to be more involved in my child’s education?
Is my child struggling academically?
Does my child need more positive social experiences?
Are there affordable homeschool curriculums available?
Does my work schedule permit this choice for my family?

If you answered yes to more than two of these questions, then homeschooling might be an excellent option for your family. Remember, there are many families and experts available to help guide you through the process of homeschooling, like the caring staff at Schoolio Learning, that wants you to excel on your homeschooling journey. If homeschooling seems like the best option for your family, but you aren’t sure where to start – please reach out to us, and we can help set you and your family up for success.

Can you travel and homeschooling? Check this out.

Check out our one-of-a-kind homeschooling curriculum.

Why You Should Teach Your Child About Honeybees

Did you know that honeybees are responsible for almost one in every three bites of food that you eat? Honeybees also play an essential role in every aspect of the ecosystem. By supporting the growth of flowers, trees, and many other plants, these then serve as food and shelter for all creatures. Are you wondering why you should teach your child about honeybees? Let’s take a look.

There are many reasons.

There are so many reasons why you should teach your child about honeybees; to narrow it down, here are the three most important reasons.

Learning about honeybees helps our children maintain a healthy respect for buzzing creatures.

It’s very typical for children to have a bit of fear related to bees, especially if they have been stung by a wasp, bumblebee or some other buzzing creature. Fear of bees has caused many misunderstandings from previous generations about their importance. That can all change, and fears can disappear when we educate this generation about what honeybees are like and how important they are to all of us. Honeybees are so much more than tiny, stinging insects, and when we educate our children, they can start to see them for what they are.

Honeybees are essential to human life and health.

You could help your child understand that honeybees are essential to human life and the environment. They work as pollinators and producers of almost every plant that you see. When honeybees thrive, crops thrive, the environment thrives, and we thrive, which is why it’s so important to teach our children that.

The future belongs to our children.

And that future needs honeybees in it to be a promising future. As our children get older, it will be up to them to help shape the world around them. That’s why teaching them to care for, and respect honeybees is so essential, as these honeybees are so crucial for plant life on Earth.

Now, you know why you should teach your child about honeybees, but how can you do it?

1. Create a honeybee garden in your yard.

The honeybees will be extremely grateful to have a garden full of plants to help them thrive. Planning and creating a garden will be fun and informative for your child. Are you curious about what types of plants the honeybees will enjoy the most? Check out this list!

2. Set up a visit with a beekeeper.

Many beekeepers are more than happy to give you a tour and share their knowledge of honeybees. Look up local beekeepers and find out if they do visits. Then enjoy an afternoon learning about honeybees!

3. Go outside!

Taking a walk in nature is an excellent way to get familiar with wildlife and honeybees at the same time.

4. Check out the Schoolio Science unit all about Bees & Honey!

Education really is the best tool for helping our children learn about the importance of honeybees. This is why the Schoolio Science: Bees & Honey Special Interest unit is a must-have.

What’s in the Schoolio Science: All About Honeybees Special Interest Unit?

This unique special interest unit is all the buzz for families aiming to teach their children about the importance of honeybees. Each lesson of this special interest unit is packed with fun and helpful information to bring a bounty of knowledge to your child.

Your child will learn all about Pollination and Pollinators while doing a fun ‘I Spy Pollinators’ game following the lesson. Then they can dive right into the importance of bees in lesson 2, and have fun working on the “What Do Bees Do?“, activity. They then can work on some fun experiments like the pollination experiment where they can use bee, butterfly and flower templates to experiment.

Additionally, your child will have the opportunity to learn important lessons and activities like “Life in the Hive: Who’s Why?”, “Life Cycle of a Honeybee”, “How Do Bees Make Honey?”, and more.

We are pleased to be able to offer such a unique learning unit to help your child learn all about the importance of honeybees for a super affordable price.

Science: All About Honeybees – Special Interest Unit

Pick up your copy of this unit today!

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Help Your Child Cope With News About Gun Violence

In 2022 there have been 198 mass shootings in the United States, and it’s only May. Hearing of these tragedies has become so common that many people have become nearly numb to the news. We don’t understand why someone would choose to hurt other people in the name of hate, but our children are the ones who often have the big questions, not understanding why these awful events take place. You might be wondering how to help your child cope with news about gun violence?

They shouldn’t have to understand.

It hurts to see our kids trying to understand hate, violence, and crimes like these. Going grocery shopping at a local store shouldn’t be where a violent event occurs. Going to school to get an education shouldn’t be where your child doesn’t feel safe. Yet, active shooter drills are a part of their education for many children.

As much as we would like to shelter our children from the world’s dangers and these traumatic news reports, unfortunately, you can’t in most cases. So, how do you help your child cope with news about gun violence? How do you inform them to keep them safe but not remove their innocence and zest for the world?

It seems like nowhere is safe.

Dangerous, deadly and devastating mass shootings continue to be the central theme of news reports, senseless killings in the name of hate. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to matter where you are or what you’re doing, nowhere seems safe. Schools, concerts, bars, malls, movie theatres, churches, and grocery stores are just some of the locations where these deadly acts take place, which can cause a lot of anxiety for children and adults alike. Is it safe to go to the grocery store to get groceries? Many people on Saturday, May 14, 2022, thought so. They never would’ve guessed that a grocery store would be a place where a hate crime would occur or that going grocery shopping would be how their lives would end so abruptly, harshly, cruelly, and filled with hateful motives.

Mass shootings seem to be happening more and more with each year that goes by; finding the words to explain again and again why it happened and continues to happen can be a challenge.

What are the right words to explain traumatic gun violence incidents and help your child cope with news about gun violence?

Assure their safety.

Always assure your child that they are safe and that you are always looking out for their safety. A clinical psychologist at Doctor’s on Demand, John Mayer, Ph.D., told parents.com in an interview explaining gun violence to children that assuring your child during these scary times is extremely important. “Reassuring our children in these turbulent and violent times is an important question for parenting. Say to your children: ‘We will never take you anywhere or put you in any place where there is danger. That is our primary job as parents to protect you. We will always keep you safe.’ That fundamental message of safety is critical to make sure your children hear.” says John Mayer, Ph.D.

We all know that the truth is we can’t always guarantee our children’s safety, but our children need to be assured nonetheless. They need to know that they are safe at school with their teachers, at the grocery store with you, or at the movies with their grandparents. Living in constant fear of what could happen is not suitable for children.

Teach them about the importance of gun safety.

According to EveryTown.org, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States alone. Every year 18,000 children and teens are shot, killed or wounded because guns are not handled safely. Additionally, around 3 million other children are exposed to gun violence directly.

Talking to your children about gun safety:

Teach them never to touch a gun unless carefully supervised by an adult.
Let them know that only adults trained to do so, like police, should handle guns.
Explain the consequences of real guns vs. toy guns. They aren’t a toy.

Don’t let your child hear it all from social media, T.V. or friends in school.

These horrific events are gruesome, and reports are filled with details that your child shouldn’t absorb, especially if they’re young. Aim to have a gentle conversation with your child about the tragic event. Try to avoid finding out through another source that will likely provide too much detail for their young minds. For example: Having the news report on the T.V. when your child comes home from school can cause them to dwell on the events and instill fears and worries that they don’t need happening in their growing minds.

Give your child an open space to share their thoughts and worries.

Some children hardly notice or care about what is happening worldwide, but others may face anxiety about horrific events connected to gun violence. Always assure your child that they can bring these worries and concerns up to you. Keep conversations open and take the time and consideration to listen to what they are saying to you. Everyone benefits from talking to someone when they’re facing anxiety about something. When your child can share their concerns and worries in a safe environment, they will feel more confident, secure and better able to process and understand what they are feeling and thinking.

Always be sure to keep things age-appropriate when figuring out how to help your child cope with news about gun violence.

Your young children won’t need a massive explanation for why something horrific like a mass shooting occurred; assuring your child’s safety to them is extremely important in their younger years. Children ages 12 and up are often more able to be introduced to in-depth conversations like how these senseless actions are immoral and unacceptable.

Give them space and freedom to acknowledge.

Many times, we as adults are dismissive of the daily tragic events. We have become desensitized and almost numb to horrific events, like mass shootings, reported on the news. Remember, your child is sensitive, and these events are upsetting. Don’t brush off their feelings and questions because that is what we are used to doing. Please give them the space and freedom to sit with their emotions and think through them. Be there for them, guiding them through these thoughts and feelings positively.

A helpful resource for helping your child manage their thoughts and feelings.

Using the Thoughts and Feelings: Learning to Manage How I think and Feel, Special Interest Unit, you can help your child learn positive lessons on managing those big emotions.

Learn more about Thoughts and Feelings: Learning to Manage How I Think and Feel.

The Role of Play and Rewards in Education

Should homeschooling be fun? And what is the role of play and rewards in education? In Episode 7 of The Schoolio Live Q & A, Sathish Bala, CEO of Schoolio, shares that he has talked to many homeschooling parents who felt that it wasn’t normal to incorporate play into their homeschooling routine.

What is the role of play and rewards in education?

“Play is the first form of learning that any kid does, right? Any toddler playing with blocks is learning about the world around them. As they get older their interests will change, but we can adapt that to still be educational.” Shares Lindsey Casselman, Co-Founder and Lead Curriculum Developer at Schoolio Learning. It’s important to have a balance, even if a subject isn’t necessarily fun, it can still be rewarding.

Can rewards be beneficial for those challenging subjects?

If your child isn’t enjoying math, and it’s tricky to make it fun for them. Try to make it rewarding for your child. Maybe a nice walk when the algebra lesson is complete, or a hot chocolate when they complete their writing for the day. The rewards don’t have to be extravagant. Actually, the simpler the better. Let’s just take a look at adult life, you work, and you might not enjoy it, but the reward is that you will get paid. Why not offer little rewards for those subjects that your child is struggling with?

Find out what motivates your child.

Does your child enjoy working towards a reward? What about incorporating play into their learning routine? Spend some time learning what motivates your child and then aim to incorporate that into their learning plan.

Listen in to this intriguing conversation with Sathish Bala and Lindsey Casselman on the Schoolio Live Q & A.

Click Here to Watch Now!

General Homeschool Questions Answered

Is an accredited homeschooling curriculum important? What’s the best way to homeschool? Is Schoolio an MLM? These questions, plus other general homeschool questions answered on episode six of Schoolio Live Q & A.

How important is the ability to choose your learning materials?

Being able to choose a curriculum for your child’s learning experience is vital to help them thrive on their homeschooling journey. That’s why we aim to structure our curriculum so that you, as the homeschooling parent, have the choice to follow government expectations for their grade level, or if you’d like to select your units, you are more than welcome to do that. The key is that meeting your child where they are at with their educational needs is essential. This is why it can be crucial to select a curriculum based on what they need to learn to catch up and thrive rather than following education expectations for their age.

When a homeschooling parent and child choose to mix and match the curriculum, it can benefit your child and your homeschool in general.

Is there such thing as a curriculum specific to a particular country? Like a Canadian curriculum?

A curriculum is a program of study, so any company or government can make a curriculum. It is Canadian or nation-specific when created with that country’s content in mind. In Canada, for example, the government doesn’t make the curriculum; they only make the expectations for children by age and grade. In school, there isn’t a pre-fabricated curriculum. Alternatively, teachers often write their lesson plans. There is no such thing as a government body that will certify a homeschooling curriculum for you.

Is an accredited curriculum important when it comes to homeschooling?

Many parents need their general homeschool questions answered, and this one is no different. Accreditation is only for schools, not for products. Essentially, when the government accredits a school, it must offer certain subjects and content; they must demonstrate that they are assessing.

In summary, every government concept could be covered in our curriculum, but it can’t be accredited as the government can’t control what of it you teach your child.

Is Schoolio Learning an MLM?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumours circulating throughout homeschool Facebook groups that Schoolio Learning is an MLM. The answer is, no, we are not a multi-level marketing company. And when you purchase a curriculum from us, you are not required to sell our curriculum.

Episode 6 of The Schoolio Live Q & A answers these questions and more with Lindsey Casselman and Sathish Bala.

CLICK HERE to Watch Episode 6!

Check out this epic read about debunking homeschool myths!

Find only the best homeschooling curriculum here.

Lack of Support for Educators

There is a continued lack of support for educators, causing many educators to leave the profession altogether. Many educators report feeling exhausted and burnt out especially following two years of confusion related to online and pandemic learning. Sathish Bala, CEO and Co-Founder of Schoolio Learning, and Lindsey Casselman, co-founder and lead content writer, share their thoughts on this education crisis.

The lack of support for educators is causing an educational crisis.

“What do you think is happening? Is it all Covid related? Or was that the final push over the edge?” Asks Sathish during episode 5 of The Schoolio Live Q & A. “I think that teachers were already struggling and overworked, and Covid was the straw that broke the camels back in a lot of areas.” Shares Lindsey. The reality is, the more teachers that leave, the more pressure and stress is placed on the teachers that remain.

What can educators do to lessen that stress that is constantly being placed on them?

Lindsey shared in episode 5, that teachers don’t just teach during the day, and that’s it. They are working around the clock preparing materials for learning, lesson plans, and more. Everyone seems to be under the impression that teachers don’t have it so bad because they get to sign out at 4pm, have weekends off, and summers too. But the reality is that teachers are always working to ensure that their students are getting the most of their education. Then when they head to the classroom, they must find a way to teach 20+ children effectively. Most parents would agree from their time at home with virtual learning, that even just teaching one or two children can be challenging, now imagine teaching 20+ daily.

Tips for finding balance as an educator.

The lack of support for educators is truly causing a trickling-down effect that is now causing many students to slip through the cracks in the education system. If we help the teacher, we can help the students. So how can teachers find the balance and help that they need as educators?

1. Outsource your planning.

Many people don’t realize that teachers actually write and prepare most of their classroom content. Not only is that time-consuming, but it’s also draining. So why not utilize a curriculum that you can use again and again to help your students excel? Something like the Schoolio curriculum is perfect for teachers preparing lessons.

2. Assign simple tasks to your students.

When you have a large class size, it can become very overwhelming, pretty quick. So set up simple tasks for your students in the classroom, that way you aren’t doing it all.

3. Find some good mentors to help guide you.

Getting someone else’s opinion is important, especially when you have such an important job like teaching. Finding good mentors is very important to help guide you through the tough days and challenges that you will inevitably face.

Find out more on Episode 5 of The Schoolio Live Q & A with Sathish and Lindsey.

Click Here to Watch Episode 5!

Are you looking for a curriculum to help your students excel? Then look no further than Schoolio Learning!

We have a one-of-a-kind homeschooling curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Learn more about our curriculum and find out for yourself why it’s the best solution for all your learning needs.

Click here to view our curriculum.

The Burnout Remedy For Parents

Burnout isn’t exclusive to office workers. It’s widespread among parents too. While not as talked about, parents are struggling now more than ever before, which is something that we need to talk about. Unfortunately, many parents (with dads being at the top of that list) don’t seek the help they need when they’re feeling burnt out. Instead, they dismiss their feelings and continue trying to get through it independently. Which has us wondering, what is the burnout remedy for parents?

The burnout remedy for parents that we all need.

Dr. Ben and Dr. Ashley from The Burnout Blueprint have 14 years of combined experience helping parents with burnout. Their vast focus is on quality of life; how do you feel? How are you sleeping? They always found that burnout was gradual; it didn’t happen quickly. However, they have seen burnout in parents become much more prevalent over the past five years and now much worse since the pandemic.

Homeschooling parents are lacking that community which might be aiding in that burnout.

Lindsey Casselman, a co-founder of Schoolio, shares that since the beginning of the pandemic, she has seen a rise in homeschooling parents feeling immensely stressed. She believes that it is due to the lack of community that homeschooling parents are dealing with now. Before the pandemic, parents had access to homeschooling communities and a way to get a break. Now they are essentially cut off while trying to manage their mental health.

Zoey, CEO of Daddy’s Digest, shared that she once was a teacher and yet found it very difficult to try to homeschool her child during the pandemic and believes that parents are feeling very guilty for what their children are facing right now.

Immediately overnight our homes became our workplace.

Dr. Ben shared that immediately overnight, your home became your workplace. We often focus on burnout in the workplace, but we don’t usually look at the home environment, the working from home, and the homeschooling environment. To get well again, we must identify where on the burnout spectrum you are. Are you just starting to feel burnt out? Or are you deep in it? Recognizing this is the first step in the burnout blueprint to get the burnout remedy in full motion.

Pillars of good health are hugely important.

Good food, good sleep, exercise, and surprisingly doing less. These are all very important for parents to emphasize. Are you finding that you are working more and more hours but getting less and less done? Then it’s time to understand that your might be dealing with burnout, and it’s time to get help!

Learn more about The Burnout Blueprint by Daddy’s Digest on the Schoolio Live Q & A, Episode 4.

Click here to watch Episode 4!

Looking for more helpful homeschooling and parental resources? We’ve got you covered! Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you never miss a helpful blog!

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A Digital Learning Platform that will change the world.

We all want to give our children the best opportunities to excel in life. And a good education seems like one of the most significant ways to ensure they get those opportunities. Some parents choose traditional education, some opt for private learning methods, while others prefer to homeschool. Those who choose the latter can sometimes find themselves exhausted from trying to provide the ultimate learning experience for their children. That’s where a digital learning platform might be the game-changer they’ve been longing for.

A Digital Learning Platform, unique innovation by Schoolio.

If you’ve never heard of Schoolio, we are a curriculum company based in Canada. But that’s not all; we are working on some fantastic educational innovations to support parents, teachers and most importantly, students. Our team has been working around the clock on a digital learning platform that will change the world of education as we know it.

We do so by converting all digital pdf lessons into audio and visual lessons for students. There are around 4,000 pieces of content from Kindergarten to Grade 8 across all core subjects, Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. The videos are created for children to have fun while also absorbing the essential learning materials.

Creating a Unique Learning Experience For Each Child.

How are we doing that? By creating content geared toward your child’s age group to avoid learning fatigue. Our mission is always to help children everywhere have access to the education they deserve. We are proud to offer this learning option to everyone soon!

Watch this video from the Schoolio Live Q & A, Episode 3 with Nirmala and Sathish to see a preview of this fantastic new program!

Click here to watch Episode 3!

Learn even more about our Digital platform by visiting our website!

Check it out!

Guiding Your Own Growth

Guiding Your Own Growth – Guest Blog By Kaila Gilley.

You against the world. On the one hand, this sentiment frees. You choose an untraditional education route for your child, at least in part, because of its liberty—your kids, your family unit, your choice: your opportunity. On the other hand, however, it is a heavy opportunity. Guiding your own growth can sometimes be heavy.

It’s pressure like a drip, drip, drip, that’ll never stop,” sings Jessica Darrow in Disney’s Encanto. “Pressure that’ll tip, tip, ’til you just go pop.” It’s all on you. These tiny humans you birthed, and then you poured into each your every morsel of energy, love, patience, and humanity. Your heart is outside of your body.

Them, then you.

You (and your partner) shoulder responsibility for their academic education, emotional well-being, physical capacity, intellectual stimulation, character development, social health, etc. You wear all of the hats and play all of the roles.

“Who am I if I can’t carry it all?”

Our phenomenal project-based learning (PBL) charter school had a massive crush on professional development when I was in the classroom. In the morning, he brought her protein shakes, which they used to toast to life-long learning; they stayed up late discussing how best to keep teachers’ passions aflame.

We had professional development (PD) most mornings for an hour before school, meeting within teaching teams (the combination of Math, Science, English and Social Studies teachers), within departments (English Teachers), within grade levels (9th-grade teachers), with our mentos, with our leadership, with support for students with special needs, within groups we opted into, within whole school-wide discussions, with parents and community members.

We worked with layers of people to best understand and teach to the layers of our students.

Then, I moved.

My partner and I had babies and decided to educate our kids at home. With a very demanding career dragging away his focus, I hold most of the responsibility for our three precious children, our most important people, and I lack a previously layered professional support system.

I teach my children without mentors, without department heads, without leadership, without teams—just me—tip, tip, tipping.

So, I decided to reenter the space for professional educators, guiding my growth. And I told my friend about it. “A side hustle?” she responded. I cringed at her tone. Not exactly the slap on the back, good-job-kid, I was hoping for. It was not the interest that peaked, a tell-me-more curiosity that I craved. Nor was it plain, blunt indifference.

Her inflection verbalized, “Boo.” Voice equivalent of a thumbs down. I watched one of my Mom Star Rating flickers and then died. A transparent thought bubble floated over her head as if on a screen. A picture of my children projected within it like an old sepia film. Their big sad, reflecting eyes staring up with want, empty arms outstretched, and souls drained by sudden attention withdrawal as if the side hustle had morphed into a Harry Potter dementor and deflated the innocence from their lives one by one.

In a world with subjective interpretations of “good parenting,” her scene played out with a definitive F for failure on my motherhood report card.

Contrary to her projection, here is my actual, new reality in short conversation blurbs:

“Hi, Susie’s Mom! Do you remember our conversation the other day? The one where you said you were overwhelmed by choosing a curriculum? Turns out you’re not alone. Lemme share this great article I found about what some others moms did to make the decision more manageable.”

“Hey Junior, did you know Schoolio has a unit about Winter Holidays from Around the World? I thought you’d like those. Yes, we can get that for you. It’s only $10!”

“Coop Comrades, I just heard about some online tutoring available for families embracing untraditional education methods for their children. I just thought I’d share!”

“Hey sweetie, can I work next to your while you do your thing?”

Considering her interpretation in contrast to my present state, I stared at her thought bubble and gently popped it. I was not my reality; it was her fears: part-time side hustle, full-time betterment. I have reclaimed my personal and professional growth, full empowerment.

Now it isn’t all roses and fairytales when guiding your own growth.

It doesn’t evaporate dirty dishes or alleviate large families of the stomach flu. The transition bumps violently along some days and glides gracefully on others. But, at a minimum, this week, I comforted Susie’s mom, tossed Junior an idea, supported my coop comrades, and worked separately with my little girl. All thanks to my re-entry.

More exposure, more ideas, more connections, more sparks, more intrigue, more inspiration.

“One quality of leaders and high achievers in every area seems to be a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development,” says Brain Tracy, Canadian motivational speaker and self-development author.

As a group of people striving to nurture and guide the growth of our children, we too must embrace the G-word.

Growth maintains our current roles as leaders and high achievers and offers a path toward self-selected improvement. We get to grow professionally in our personal lives. Growth gives us a way towards better.

“Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives,” says Robert John Meehan, author and advocate for American teachers and learners.

If we come together through part-time hustles, we halt our single-perspective limitations and empower our community, families, and ourselves. We join in, learn and improve.

“I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we choose to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage, or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time,” says Brene Brown, an emotion researcher and motivational speaker.

We join the arena; then we dare greatly; we guide our greatness. Who and how will you empower today?

Guiding Your Own Growth was written by: Kaila Gilley

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Kids Are Struggling With School Now More Than Ever Before.

Kids are struggling with school now more than ever before. Where is the problem? Is it the education system? Could it be the teachers? Or is it the parents? It’s hard to pinpoint the exact problem, but it is clear that children need consistency, especially regarding their education. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s education has been anything but consistent. Between school closures, lockdowns, online, and in-person, children have had a massive lack of consistency, ultimately leading to them falling drastically behind in their learning.

Kids are struggling with school now more than ever before.

But did this issue start before the pandemic? Was the pandemic the catalyst that shone an ever-needed light on the fact that children have been slipping through the cracks of the education system on substantial levels since long before the pandemic began? The truth is that giant class sizes and budget cuts are a recipe for children’s education to be neglected. While it’s true that some children thrive in these situations, many others do not.

Sathish shares that his daughter struggled to understand certain concepts; she wanted to learn more about specific subjects. But there just wasn’t enough time in school for her to explore her education the way she wanted. Flexibility in education is another essential factor constantly neglected in the traditional schooling model. This is why many parents are turning to homeschooling.

Parents are concerned for their children; they don’t know where or how to start when it comes to homeschooling.

Firstly, if you aim to start homeschooling, you need to get into successful habits for your own family. The first and most important habit that successful homeschoolers get into is flexibility. Not to be confused with inconsistency. Your children can learn quickly when you’re flexible as a homeschool family. To dive into what interests them and to realize that learning is all around us. Embracing that learning happens all the time, that knowledge is and should be a lifestyle, not just something that happens from 9 am – 3 pm daily.

Let go of this fear that you are ruining your child’s education by homeschooling.

It can be a scary thought to take your children out of school and try to teach them to help them catch up when you feel unprepared. It would be best to stop telling yourself that you aren’t good enough to teach. And it would be best if you never aimed to fill your child’s day with bookwork. Take it one day at a time, make it simple, and be patient with yourself and your child.

Check out Episode 2 of Schoolio Q & A for more information on this topic.

Also, check out this blog about children slipping through the cracks of the education system.
Kids Are Slipping Through The Cracks Of A Broken Education System.

Book a Concierge Call.

If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
Click here to book a Concierge Call.

Does Your Child Struggle to Learn From You?

Does your child struggle to learn from you? They appear to have no issue learning from anyone else, but they shut off the second you pick up a book and try to teach them. Why is that? In Episode One of The Schoolio Live Q & A, Sathish Bala, CEO of Schoolio Learning, shares that his daughter said, “I can’t learn from you.” When he attempted to teach her during the beginning of the pandemic.

He was being fired from teaching his child.

Sathish shared that he felt he was being fired from teaching his child. He then realized that so much of what he was trying to teach his daughter wasn’t his; it was his dad’s blueprint. Sathish wasn’t alone in feeling this way, as many parents felt the same way during the height of the pandemic. As a parent-teacher, you are faced with the unbearable weight of trying to ensure your child is learning what they are supposed to understand when they’re supposed to be learning it.

This can cause parents to feel terrible stress, making them short-tempered, frustrated and irritated. Unfortunately, this stress can also bring out the worst in them, as Sathish noted during the episode.

How a unit system can help.

Lindsey shares the importance of an excellent curriculum to balance parents’ worries about meeting all the requirements. A simplified, easy-to-teach curriculum is the best alternative for veteran and new homeschoolers. Aside from a simplified and easy-to-teach curriculum, Lindsey pointed out the importance of a unit learning system. Sharing that when you have access to a unit style of education, you can pick and choose what your child needs to be learning and when.

Suppose you notice your child falling behind in one area of math but not another; you can select the unit your child needs to work on. Rather than choosing a grade lower for their math, you can select the unit they need.

Leaving a community.

Lindsey also shared how the first few days, weeks and even months of homeschooling can be challenging, especially if you have removed your child from the public school system. She shared how it felt like she was leaving a community when she decided to homeschool her two children. This is why she urges the importance of finding a good homeschooling community.

Another way to add fun to your homeschool and help ease the tension and stress is to include Special Interest Units like those available on the Schoolio Shop. Adding a fun unit on Trees and Forests or Pirates could be what your homeschool needs. Does your child struggle to learn from you? Don’t worry; there are things you can do to help.