Tag: homeschool blog

When Your Kids Are Driving You Crazy

Homeschooling is all fun and games until you realize that your kids are with you 24/7 and you’re the teacher. There’s really no break for the default homeschooling parent. So, how do you cope? How do you function on those days when your kids are driving you crazy? Let’s find out. 

First, you need to remember that kids will sometimes be annoying. Especially when they’re trying to figure things out or if they’re just genuinely bored. Did you just start homeschooling this year? This can be a big change, and can sometimes play a big part in their behaviour. As you and your child are both experiencing a major adjustment when they go from traditional education to homeschooling. In this situation, you can start by learning the reason’s behind your child’s behaviour by reading the ‘Why Your Kids Are Driving You Nuts’ blog. 

Additionally, there are two major categories that you should take a look at when your kids are driving you crazy. 

  1. How to keep your child entertained. 

  2. Ways to get a break as a homeschooling parent. 

Let’s start with category number one. 

How to Keep Your Child Entertained.

1. You Don’t Have to Keep Your Child Entertained. 

  Are you scratching your head now in complete confusion? The first step is how to keep your child entertained? But then step one in that category says you don’t have to keep your child entertained. How does that work? I promise I’m not trying to confuse you, or lead you down a rabbit hole. See, it’s good for your child to learn how to entertain themselves. When you are constantly planning events and play for your child, they won’t learn how to embrace their imagination. Notice how I said constantly. Because planning opportunities for your children is great, just not when you do it all the time.

The reason is because your child needs to have the opportunity to use their amazing imagination. Being the constant source of entertainment for your child will only deter their ability to entertain themselves. 

2. Encourage Imagination Play When Your Kids Are Driving You Crazy.

The beautiful gift of having an imagination. I’m sure that you have fond memories of using your imagination as a child. Perhaps climbing a dirt pile while wearing a beautiful white dress and pretending you were the queen in her castle. Some of my most favourite childhood memories are the ones where I was using my imagination as my main source of entertainment. 

How can you encourage imagination play for your child? 

  • Put the iPads/tablets/phones/video games away. 
    • Basically just anything that is electronic, take it away. Wait, you didn’t know you can do that? Surprise! You can! Because you’re the parent. So, take away the electronics and place boundaries around when they’re allowed to use their electronic devices.
  • Include free play in your daily schedule/routine. 
  • Show them how to use their imagination.
    • You might have to actually remind your child how to use their imagination, if they haven’t been in touch with it for a while.
  • Get them outside.

3. Have Your Child Help Around the House. 

Do my kids enjoy chores? Not always! But I have watched them embrace chores using the gift of their imagination. It’s actually so exciting to see. For example, my son will pretend he’s a recycling truck, when he’s taking the recycling bin to the garage. Chores provide an excellent opportunity for your child to use their imagination while building independence. Additionally, you can use chores as amazing learning opportunities also!

Turning chores into learning opportunities: 

  • Sorting laundry is an excellent way to learn and refresh the concepts of matching and colours. While also helping your child learn proper organizational skills. 
  • When your child empties a dishwasher or dish strainer, they have the opportunity to learn about ratios when stacking plates of different sizes together. 
  • Grocery shopping with a parent can help your child read out words on different products. 
  • Making their bed can help your child feel pride for doing something to their own satisfaction.

4. Help Your Child Get Creative. 

Creativity is such an amazing outlet for both children and adults. Which is why helping your child get creative can guide them to find their unique outlet. So be sure to pick up some creative items at the local craft store. Here’s a fun crafty opportunity for your child to get started: How to Make Stickers – Good to Know. 

5. Get Active. 

Are your kids feeling super tired and bored? Get active! Run around outside, play ‘Simon Says’, go for a bike ride, play some hockey or basketball, take a walk in nature, go for a hike. Getting active helps freshen up your child’s imagination. Which then helps them with their creativity. As you can see, getting active has so many benefits. 

6. Add Interest Learning to Your Homeschool. 

When you’re always focusing on Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts, your homeschool life can become very boring. Adding in some fun child led learning opportunities will help curb that boredom. And giving your child the opportunity to dive into their interests may result in hours of research and creativity. 

Not sure where to start? Check out our Special Interest Units for unique learning opportunities for your child.

7. Teach Your Child How to Sew/Knit or Crochet. 

There’s a special satisfaction that comes with creating your own designs. So, obviously teaching your child how to sew, knit or crochet will for sure pay off. As teaching your child these skills may result in your child spending hours creating. 

8. Encourage Your Child to Write a Story. 

They may need a little help with ideas on what to write. So, encourage your child to write a unique story, that they can share with friends or family when they’re finished. Remind them that it’s not always a quick event, writing sometimes takes time. 

9. Help Your Child Find Books They Love. 

Does your child not like reading? Maybe they just haven’t found the right material that interests them yet. First, ask your child what they want to read about. Second, get a library card. Third, pick up different reading materials to help them determine which style they like most. Fourth, set a time of the day for independent reading time. 

10. Listen to stories. 

There’re so many amazing kids stories out there. But chances are you’re feeling burnt out and not really in the mood to read books to your kids? You can use a story reading app like Audible. Or look up neat podcast series for kids. They will be using their imagination as they listen to the stories play over the speaker. Additionally, while they’re listening, you can encourage them to draw pictures, or write. 

11. Teach Your Child Mindfulness. 

Mindfulness is such an amazing practice for you and your child to learn. If you’re unsure where to start when teaching your child mindfulness, research mindfulness teachers for kids. Like the Goldminds program. Goldminds believes in the power of teaching mindfulness strategies to children from a young age, to equip them with the tools they need to regulate big emotions, build resilience and improve self-confidence. Goldminds offers live online classes. You can learn more about Goldminds here.

12. Play Board Games. 

Break out the Monopoly! But not just Monopoly, there are some really amazing board games available for kids. So, do some research to find the best games for your family. 

Step one of what to do when your kids are driving you crazy is now complete. Now we are going to jump into category two.

Ways to Get a Break as a Homeschooling Parent. 

Getting a break as a homeschooling parent seems like a myth. Can homeschooling parents actually get a break? You’re with your child all the time. But you’re feeling burnt out, frustrated, over-worked, over-touched, and ready to hide in the dark of your bedroom until your kids are older. Obviously you aren’t going to be able to jump on an airplane and head to a tropical island anytime soon. So, how can you get a break? 

1. Ask For Help. 

  This is number one in this category for a reason. Asking for help can often feel like a foreign concept for homeschooling parents, because we are used to doing it all. If you break down and ask someone to watch the kids for a couple or hours, it could potentially fuel their thoughts about how you can’t accomplish it all. This is false thinking on your part. You’re human, and every human needs a little extra help sometimes. Asking a friend or family member to watch the kids for just a couple hours once a week, can give you that oh so important time to yourself. 

You might feel afraid to ask for help, but you really don’t need to. Asking for help is healthy, and a part of everyday normal life. And, it’s not just for you. Getting a break will benefit your children also. Because their parent will be refreshed, and they’ll learn that it’s ok to ask for help for themselves, too. 

2. Schedule a Homeschool Break. 

During this homeschool break you can take the time you need to reset and refocus. Your child can utilize their creative skills that we talked about above. And you can spend time doing the things that you have neglected during the rigorous daily schedule that you’ve been trying to maintain. 

3. Have Mandatory Quiet Time. 

Scheduling in 20 minutes of quiet time everyday will help you have time to reset during each day. The noise and chaos of the day can become overwhelming sometimes. So being sure to have 20 minutes of quiet time will help you get back in the right mindset before taking on the next task of the day. Your kids can read, write, play in their rooms, or play outside during this time. 

4. Play Some Music. 

I don’t know about you, but music fuels my soul. When I’m feeling burnt out, frustrated, and in desperate need of a soul refresh. I turn on my music. Music has the ability to lighten up our whole house. If we’re all having a rough day, music gives us the chance to dance and laugh and find joy again. 

5. Wake Up Early. 

It might be tough at first, but waking up early is essential as a homeschooling parent. Spending time first thing in the morning without your kids in your face is hugely important to the mental peace that you will need for the day. When you wake up, be intentional about having gratitude for all the amazing aspects of your life. Along with the tough aspects that challenge you. 

6. Exercise Away From The House. 

Going for runs is my lifeline. Typically a run will be my go-to at 5am when my household is still asleep. Knowing that my husband is home with the kids, I can safely and peacefully challenge my body and refresh my mind with exercise. Run, walk, go to the gym, whatever works for you. Just be intentional, because being intentional about your exercise and alone time will benefit you in many, many ways. Including preparing you for when your kids are driving you crazy. 

7. Head to a Coffee Shop With Your Friend. 

Obviously, you are going to need someone to be with the kids. For example, I do this when my husband is home, or if they’re in a co-op/gymnastics class. I take the one hour window to chat with a friend, and just be me, the person that can get lost in the process of homeschooling, parenting, and working. 

Homeschooling is a challenge especially when your kids are driving you crazy.

You will have days in which everything goes so smoothly and you feel like you are on the right track. Alternatively, you will have days when your kids are driving you crazy and you desperately want to hop on a plane and get out. 

When you figure out how to keep your child entertained by teaching them to entertain themselves, and find ways to get a break as a homeschooling parent, you will be on the road to success. Just remember to be patient. Good things don’t come over night. They often take lots of time, and practice. With time, your family will find it’s groove and it will be smooth sailing. Keep aiming for it, and you will reach it. 

The 20 Do’s of Homeschooling

In the last blog we covered the major ‘don’ts’ of homeschooling. The things that you should try to avoid at all costs, if you want to be a successful homeschooling parent. If you haven’t already read it, you can find it here: 20 Don’ts of Homeschooling. Today we are covering The 20 Do’s of Homeschooling! Let’s jump right into the homeschool veteran approved, 20 Do’s of Homeschooling. With the goal to help you be a successful homeschool parent.

The 20 Do’s of Homeschooling 

1. Do Take Care of Yourself First. 

  This is the number 1 ‘Do’ of The 20 Do’s of Homeschooling because it’s imperative that you take care of yourself, first. I get it. You think that’s selfish. But I can assure you that it’s not. Taking care of yourself before you take care of everyone and everything else is essential to the well-being of your family. And also the success of your homeschooling journey. A homeschool mom that cares for herself, is a happy, healthy mama. What are some ways that you can take care of yourself today? 

Here are some quick and simple care tips for the busy mom: 

  •  Carve out a chunk of time to read your favourite book.
  • Enjoy a hot drink on the park bench as your kids play at the park. 
  •  Wake up early (before everyone) and sit outside with the rising sun. 
  •  Talk to someone that lifts you up. 
  • Take a walk. 

 

2. Do Find Your People. 

Have you found them yet? Your tribe? Your team of people that just get you, help you and guide you? Every mom needs an encouraging, supportive community. Finding those people that can be your cheerleaders, your encouragers, and even your advisors. Will benefit you and your family hugely. That doesn’t mean that you are seeking out the people that will constantly pour into you while you offer nothing in return. Rather you are looking for the people that will offer something special in your life, while you offer them your gifts in return. An equal friendship. 

3. Do Eliminate Toxic Relationships. 

Do you have someone in your life that is constantly dragging you down? Perhaps your old friends group is completely against your homeschooling decisions? Now every time you have a conversation with them, you feel like you’re a failure and a mess. You don’t need that kind of negativity. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are eliminating them from your life completely. 

Perhaps these friendships were once abundant and life giving. In this situation, instead of eliminating the friendship, you can put a pause on the relationship until you and the other person are in a better place to revisit the friendship. Your focus cannot be on negative interactions at this time. Because right now you need to focus on cultivating a healthy, wholesome, and positive education for your children. 

4. Do Keep Things Simple. 

Sometimes as homeschooling parents we can be our own worst enemy. Are you constantly assuming that you aren’t doing enough as a homeschooling parent? Do you have that ever present urge to add more curriculum? More practice sheets? And more structure? Unfortunately, sometimes as homeschooling moms we can become addicted to adding more to our homeschool. Do you want the cold, hard truth? All these extra events, lessons, and workbooks are actually doing absolutely nothing for your homeschool. In fact, they’re doing the opposite. When you are constantly adding in more, you are inevitably overwhelming your homeschool and causing a high level of unproductively. 

5. Do Cut the Extras. 

Number 5 of the 20 Do’s of Homeschooling goes along with number 4. Because maybe you’ve already added a bunch more to your homeschool? Maybe it’s way more than you actually need? Now you’re feeling the heavy weight of overwhelm? So, go ahead and cut out all the extras. Seriously, do it! Shave down your curriculum to the very basics, as least just for a time. Do less, but do it best. The truth is, less is more.

6. Do Read Aloud. 

Reading to your children has many benefits. Some of them being that it improves concentration and vocabulary. While also building their self esteem. Reading to your child can also help them develop their own reading skills. But one of the best benefits of reading to your children? The fact that this simple act helps to build relationships. You can learn more about this here: 12 Reasons Why It’s Important to Read to Your Children – Caribu.

7. Do Snuggle and Hug Often. 

Homeschooling grants the opportunity to connect with your children even more. Even just rubbing their back while they work through their math problems is such a gift. So, be sure to take advantage of all the extra hugs and special moments you can share.  

8. Do Include Fun In Your Homeschool. 

There’s nothing wrong with adding fun and games to your homeschool. Unfortunately there’s this misconception around education. And that is this idea that if your child is having fun, they clearly aren’t learning. While as of late, this twisted idea is phasing out. It’s important to take action and sprinkle fun into your homeschool. Take a break from books, and add in some fun games! Pinterest is flourishing with fun homeschool games that your kids will love. So go find some that your family loves and utilize them. 

9. Do Be the Boss of Your Schedule. 

Are you trapped in the mindset that your schedule must look like the public school’s calendar? Or that your schedule must appear like that of your super organized homeschool friends calendar? Snap out of it! Aim to have a daily routine that suits your family, not someone else’s. Check out these simple ways to establish a good homeschool routine: Establish a Good Homeschool Routine. 

10. Do Take a Break From Homeschooling.

Homeschooling takes a huge mental effort. Due to that effort, it can lead to burn out quickly. So, aim to take scheduled breaks throughout the year. If you find yourself in between homeschool breaks, and you are tired and burnt out. Take a day or two off to reset. They’re called mental health days, and they’re always vital. Especially when you’re feeling like a train wreck. So, take a break and reset. 

During this time your kids can play educational games, or watch educational shows. Actually the other day I saw a post in a homeschool group about a mom laying on the couch as she was so sick. And she said she had moved her homeschool to the living room. Her post gave the idea that she was still teaching, even though she was very ill. And while I have to admire her determination. I also want to point out that you as a homeschooling parent, are entitled to a day off. Especially if you’re sick. So, please do take a break from homeschooling should you need it. 

11. Do Look At the World Through Your Child’s Eyes. 

It’s so important to value what your child values. When you pay close and careful attention to what matters to your child, they will begin to also pay close attention to what you share with them. It’s so important to remember that what is valuable to your child matters. Everything about your child is important. Their ideas, and creations, their work, their interests, their stories. They’re valuable. So, listen. 

12. Do Celebrate All Accomplishments. 

You should always focus on what your child is doing right. So much more than what they are doing wrong. When you focus on all the good that they do, they will continually aim to do greater. If your child writes a sight word, but spells it incorrectly. Don’t immediately correct their mistakes. Instead, comment on what an amazing job they did writing the letter ‘b’. Include the phrase “You did such a great job!” frequently. Doing so builds their self-esteem and helps them have enthusiasm to continually improve. 

13. Do Remind Yourself That You Are Not Behind! 

Homeschooling should run at your families own pace! It’s also important to remember that when you are working at your child’s own unique pace, it’s impossible to fall behind.  Read that again. It can be so hard to stay out of the comparison trap and assume that your child is behind. But they aren’t. They are working at the pace that they need to. And you are doing an amazing job helping them with that. 

14. Do Place Importance On Personal Growth.

Do your children see you constantly aiming to be a better version of yourself? Spending time in the morning reading, investing in personal development, or listening to positive affirmations? All of these are going to help you keep your head above water and own the person that you are meant to be.

Personal development is extremely important for you. And also just as important for your children. Including important lessons about mental health, and ways to take care of their mental health is so important in the younger years. Encourage your child to constantly work at taking care of their mental health just like they take care of their physical health.

Use The Emotional Health Management unit to help teach your children about their mental health, and ways to cope when things get tough.

15. Do Listen to Podcasts and Read Books. 

Podcasts are just such an amazing part of our digital world, that so many people don’t even use! So many of my friends don’t even know how to listen to podcasts, but it’s so simple. Your phone should have a podcasting app on it. Like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. All you have to do is open the app, then in the search box, look for podcasts that speak to you. Like ‘Parenting Podcasts’, ‘Homeschooling Podcasts’, ‘Genuine Mom Podcasts’, or ‘Personal Development Podcasts’. Listen to some episodes and then subscribe to the ones that you like the most. Then that amazing content will be added to your phone whenever they release a new podcast. And, it’s FREE! 

Additionally, finding books to help you in every area of your life is essential. I really prefer podcasts because it’s so much easier for me to listen then it is for me to sit down and read. However, there are some amazing apps like Audible, available. Where you can purchase and download a book that will be read to you. You can make a list of books that you’d like to read, then one by one check them off the list when you’ve completed each one.

Pro tip: Subscribe to helpful blogs like The Schoolio Blog, to read amazing blogs like “The 20 Do’s of Homeschooling”.

16. Do Expect to Make Mistakes. 

No one is immune to mistakes. Because perfection doesn’t exist. If you’ve chosen the wrong curriculum for your family, or you’ve neglected a certain area of study. Just know that we all make mistakes, and that’s OK. Don’t get stuck there.

17. Do Give Yourself Credit. 

You are homeschooling your kids. What? Do you ever just think about that. Was this in your original life plan? No? But look! You’re doing it. You aren’t perfect, but you’re trying. And you’re doing such a great job. We often don’t give ourselves enough credit which is why it’s essential for you to give yourself credit for all that you’re doing right. Instead of always focusing on all that you’re doing wrong. 

18. Do Make Goofy Memories. 

I don’t want my kids to remember their time homeschooling as a time where their mom was constantly forcing them to answer math problems. Instead I want my kids to remember this time with fond memories. Are bad days going to happen? Absolutely. But my hope is that the good days are the ones implanted in their memories forever. The days when we painted the playhouse outside, or had a food fight at dinner. You’ve assumed the role of their educational teacher, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave fun mom on the curb. Bring fun mom with you, even when you’re doing Language Arts. 

19. Do Understand That You Will Have Some Haters. 

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone, just like traditional education isn’t for everyone. Will you have people constantly asking why your children aren’t in school? Yep. Will you have that one family member that is always telling you that your kids should be in school? You bet! Is someone going to constantly be asking your kids math questions to measure how behind they are? Probably. Despite the fact that homeschooling has become so much more mainstream in the last 5 years. It still is looked down on by so many. Because people often don’t like that which they cannot understand. 

It’s not your job to make them love homeschooling. And it’s not your job to prove yourself to them. It is your job to love your kids, to educate your kids, and to give your kids a safe environment to learn and grow. Forget the haters. 

20. Do Know That One Day You Will Be Thankful For This Sacrifice. 

Homeschooling is a sacrifice. It’s a sacrifice of your time, your own freedom, and often your mental sanity. Not many people can do what you’re doing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself or verbally stated to my husband that I should just put the kids in school. It seems so easy, watching the kids leave on the bus, and knowing that someone else is covering their academic lessons. Sometimes I think about how freeing it would be to just have whole days to myself to work and maybe clean the house. But then I remember that I’m doing this for them. I remember that my children need this extra one-on-one time with me. My children wouldn’t excel in a class with 30 other children crammed in desks and herded outside for recess. I have to remind myself that my children are receiving a wholesome education, that is tailored to their needs. 

And while the sacrifice is great, the reward will be incredible. Not just for them, but for me also. Because I get to keep these memories forever. 

 

We hope that you enjoyed the 20 Do’s of Homeschooling. Don’t forget to check out the 20 Don’ts of Homeschooling (linked above). What was your favourite ‘Do’ of the 20 Do’s of Homeschooling?

20 Don’ts of Homeschooling

Is there some magical way to become a better homeschooling parent? Well, learning the right way to do something and the wrong way are both important. We’ve compiled a list of things you don’t want to do as a homeschooling parent.  So, let’s jump to the 20 Don’ts of homeschooling. Created and approved by veteran homeschool parents that know what they’re talking about. 

The 20 Don’ts of Homeschooling

1. Don’t Overwork and Overwhelm Your Kids. 

Keep your lessons short, sweet, and simple. Many homeschoolers think that they need to cram in an abundance of ‘work’ during school time. In order to keep up with traditional education. Don’t do this. When you overwork your kids with workbooks and lessons. It can actually overstimulate them and cause them to become overly frustrated with their education. When you choose to overwhelm and overwork your kids, you are undeniably choosing stress for them. And that stress is a quick step to a learning block. So, don’t do that. 

2. Don’t Over Schedule. 

Homeschooling in itself takes up a huge part of your day. Additionally, the default homeschool parent is often the one that is also responsible for housework, and for some, working from home too. Therefore you should always aim to keep your family’s schedule light. Society has this way of making us believe that if our kids aren’t in ballet, ice skating, gymnastics, basketball, hockey or some other extracurricular activity. That they won’t be on the same level as their peers. That’s false. While it can be nice to have those extra activities, it’s vital to protect the schedule.  Perhaps your child is extremely talented in one area and you want to cultivate that – that’s totally fine. I’m not saying you should give up on all extra activities. But, over scheduling with activities that they probably don’t even enjoy? What’s the point? Stop over scheduling. Aim for a simple schedule instead. 

3. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself. 

Number 3 of the 20 Are you the type of parent that is quick to cut up your 9 year olds waffle for him? Stop. Let your child learn how to be independent. Doing so by allowing them the opportunity to actually accomplish tasks on their own. When it comes to class work, are you sharpening the pencils? Are you sitting at the table for hours while your child finishes each question of their lessons? Don’t do that! There’s a reason this is number three on the 20 don’ts of homeschooling. Because it’s important.

If your child is old enough, implement checklists for homework. This can look like ‘Today you need to complete pages 90 – 93 of your Language Arts.” If you know that it’s just practice work, and you don’t necessarily need to teach them directly. Then allowing them to use a checklist to complete these tasks is an amazing habit to get them, and yourself into. Teaching your kids to be independent is one of your greatest goals as a parent, so aim to reach it!

20 dDon’ts of Homeschooling pro tip for teaching multiple grades: Click Here

4. Don’t Compare Yourself. 

Please, please, don’t compare yourself to other parents. Don’t compare yourself to other homeschool parents. Above all, don’t ever compare your child to another child. Doing so will just create a complex in their mind and put them on the comparison path for the rest of their life. Rather you should remind yourself that your kids are unique, you are unique, and your homeschool is a reflection of that. Everyone is going to be a little different. And, every homeschool is going to look a little different. 

5. Don’t Tear Other Homeschoolers Down. 

This is just as important as being sure not to compare yourself to other homeschooling parents. You should never, ever criticize someone else’s homeschooling style. Why? Because you really never know when their style will become your own. Homeschooling changes, constantly.

As your children grow, your homeschool changes. You’ll find different ways that work best for your children. Often (most) times one way of learning will be great for one of your kids and absolutely not for your other kid. It’s easy when you first start homeschooling to assume that you are going to continue to homeschool in that specific way forever. But, you won’t. Your homeschool will change and evolve. A homeschooling style that seemed to be totally foreign and off the rails for you, just might become the style that you end up gravitating towards one day. 

It’s also just really important that we should never criticize another individual whether behind their back or to their face. It’s not kind. This is especially true for homeschooling families. Rather than criticizing, we should be supporting them while also learning from them. Homeschool families need to stick together, whether your styles mesh or not. 

6. Don’t be Afraid to Experiment. 

This is why it’s also so important not to criticize other homeschooling styles. Because it’s paramount for you to find your own style, schedule and even curriculum that works best for your family. Changing things up is a great option when things are getting messy and no one seems to be enjoying the homeschooling journey. Please don’t be afraid to change things up! 

7. Don’t Imitate a Public School Classroom. 

It’s totally fine to have a schedule, we aren’t saying that everyone should just jump to unschooling. But listen, if that’s your jam than obviously – do it! The point is, you don’t want to get tied up by an unrealistic schedule. It can be hard to wrap your mind around what an alternative educational model can look like when you’re accustomed to the public school model alone. 

8. Don’t Feel That You Need to Cover It All. 

You don’t need to jump into every subject the first day, week, or even month. Homeschooling is often a really big adjustment for the whole family. So instead, you should give your family and yourself time to get familiar with your learning content and routine. Focus on one or two core subjects, and sprinkle in something that your child really loves! This could be art, music, physical education, or even a nature study. As time goes on, you can start to sprinkle in the other subjects. 

9. Don’t Cram It All Into One Day. 

I feel like I’ve said this before. But that’s fine. I’ll say it again, especially for the 20 don’ts of homeschooling. Because it’s an important point that needs to be recognized. You do not need to do Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, French, Arts and Music all in one day. Schools don’t even do that! When you choose to homeschool in this way, your child can’t properly grasp all the concepts that they should be grasping.

It’s so much better if you choose one or maybe 2 subjects per day. Take time to really dive into them. Look up neat videos to go along with your lessons. Check out library books, do research together. Find different ways to teach a certain concept. And then reiterate the lesson using different styles (on different days). You can do this until you’ve figured out the unique way that your child learns at this time. Notice I said “at this time”, because their learning style will change. 

10. Don’t Belittle Your Children. 

This really is just a general tip for parenting. But we can cross it into homeschooling as well. If your child is trying to dig deeper into a topic, or is struggling with something and trying to tell you that they are. Don’t ignore that. Never assume that it’s just ‘them’. And belittle them into getting the work done. Never belittle your children, period. Adding onto that, just please never belittle your children in the name of getting them to accomplish their school work. It’s not worth it, and can and will have lasting negative effects on their lives. 

11. Don’t Be a Taskmaster. 

I get it. You want to get all the work done so you can enjoy an amazing winter break with no school work, just holiday music playing and cookies baking in the oven. Regardless of that goal, you should never turn yourself into a taskmaster on behalf of trying to have your children reach their goals on the timeline that you have created. You don’t want to get to the point where your children think of school as yet another chore they must accomplish. And, you don’t want your child to look at you and think ‘Now what does she want me to do?’. I know you want to aim to get it all done, and quickly. But that kind of crammed learning isn’t learning. It’s chaos. So don’t do it. 

12. Don’t Force a School Day. 

Did your kids wake up with runny noses and they’re complaining of sore throats? Are your children just really tired from a busy weekend? Maybe you’re feeling exhausted and needing a break? Then take one. You don’t need to force a school day just because you saw the school bus go by the window outside. Because your child will not fall behind because you took a breather. Forcing school on a day that you know no one will want to participate will really cause more frustration than good. 

13. Don’t Teach When You’re Frustrated. 

DON’T TEACH WHEN YOU’RE FRUSTRATED. This ‘don’t‘ of the 20 don’ts of homeschooling is really, really important so I had to write it twice. Never teach when you’re frustrated. As a homeschooling parent you will still have life to deal with on top of homeschool. Sometimes you can be teaching a simple lesson of math, the day seems to be going great. Then all of a sudden your youngest comes in with a suspicious grin.

You hear a weird sound and notice water running down the hallway. Suddenly, you come to the horrific realization that while you were happily teaching math to your older child. Your younger child tried to dump their crayons in the toilet. Now there’s a flood down the hallway and you probably need to call a plumber. Ok, Math is done for the day. The frustration you’re feeling in that moment will only come out in your teaching style.

Even if you think you can suffocate the feelings, you can’t. It’ll come out in your body language. If you know you are frustrated, avoid teaching until you’ve gotten yourself into a better headspace. That doesn’t mean you should give up on the lesson for the day. It means you refocus, regroup, and come back to it when you’re more relaxed and able. 

14. Don’t Add More Curriculum. 

It’s tempting, when you’re walking by the piles of curriculum books at Costco to think ‘Oh this would be great practice work!’. You don’t need to do that. As homeschoolers we are constantly feeling like we need to do ‘more’. Or like our kids aren’t learning or doing enough. So, this feeling of ‘adding more’ just continually pops up. Your child did their Science lesson quickly and didn’t fuss? Does that mean you should add more practice? Make it harder for them? Absolutely not! Learning doesn’t need to be crammed in there, and difficult. It should be simple, fun, relaxing and engaging. Finding that balance will make a world of difference. 

15. Don’t Fall For Homeschool Parental Guilt. 

You are doing enough. And your kids are learning enough. Also, your home is clean enough. And your kids are eating healthy enough. We love to torture ourselves with these ideas that we just aren’t enough. Or like someone else is doing it better, so why can’t I? Stop! Turn the switch off when it comes to homeschool parental guilt. It literally ally gets you nowhere. Your kids really are learning enough, and you are truly doing such a good job. There’s no room for parental guilt, because you are totally filled up with positive affirmations on how awesome you are. 

16. Don’t Assume That Your Kids Are Behind. 

They aren’t. Your kids are right where they’re supposed to be. Let go of this idea that your child needs to be in the standard for their age group. Your child is unique and their learning style reflects that. Maybe your child is 9 years old but is reading at a grade 2 level. That’s ok. Your child isn’t behind, they don’t need to catch up. Just move along at the pace that works for your child and yourself. Then all the pieces will fall into place when they’re supposed to. 

17. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help. 

It’s so good to ask for help and support when you need it. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t strong enough to be a homeschooling parent. 

18. Don’t Worry About Messing Up as a Homeschool Parent.

Life is messy! Literally everyone messes up sometimes. Some people just clean it up faster or hide it better. If you’ve messed up as a homeschool parent, learn from that mistake and move forward. 

19. Don’t Get Stuck in the Oops! 

If you did mess up, or loose your temper, or taught your kid the wrong concept. Don’t get stuck in the mistake. Look at it as a learning opportunity for you too! When you’ve mad a mistake, own it. Take ownership of your mistake, apologize, and strategize how to move forward in a positive way. 

20. Don’t Underestimate Yourself. 

You are more than capable of teaching your children. Be proud of the choice that you’ve made. Embrace the unknowns, and work diligently towards the future. Because you are capable of accomplishing some really, really amazing things. I’m so proud of you, and I hope that you are too! The very fact that you are searching out ways to be an amazing homeschooling parent, like reading the 20 don’ts of homeschooling, speaks volumes. Don’t cut yourself short, ok?

 

Did you enjoy the 20 Don’ts of Homeschooling? Stay tuned for the 20 Do’s of Homeschooling, coming soon!

Do you have any ‘don’ts’ to add to the 20 Don’ts of Homeschooling? Let us know!

 

Should You Quit Homeschooling?

Have you ever felt the untameable feeling that you should just give up on homeschooling your kids? Maybe it’s the frustration from always trying to get your kids to do their math? Mixed with exhaustion, and guilt about how you should be doing more for them? All these feelings have mixed together to make a cocktail of negative feelings about giving up on your homeschool. So, should you quit homeschooling? Or should you investigate further to see what the deeper issue is? And how to help it? Let’s find out. 

Remember, homeschooling can be a challenge. 

Let’s not sugar coat it. While it’s true that anyone can homeschool, the fact is that it still can be an exhausting venture. One that will drain you, while simultaneously filling you up. There’s really nothing like it. Sometimes homeschool parents will look at all they have to accomplish in a day and think ‘Why? Why am I torturing myself with all this extra work?’ So, why are you doing it? Should you quit homeschooling? Let’s investigate further.

Should you quit homeschooling? 5 questions to identify. 

It’s important to ask yourself a series of questions when contemplating whether or not to give up on homeschooling.

Question 1: Is this still benefiting my family? 

Despite the tough days, is this still the best education plan for your family? 

Question 2: Are you just facing some bad days?

Our minds like to focus on the negative. Are you dwelling on the tough times more than the good? Dwelling on the negative can lead you to believe that things are worse than they actually are. Are they just experiencing some bad homeschool days? Or is your whole homeschooling system actually not working for your family? 

Question 3: Are your kids still benefiting from homeschool? 

Think about your kids, are they thriving off of their home learning plan? Or are they struggling with it? Don’t just think about the bad days and how your children did on those days. You need to also remember the good days, and how your children thrive during those times. Let me ask you again, are your kids still benefiting from homeschool? 

Question 4: Do you want to make this work? 

You can’t mess with a determined parent. Are you still determined to educate your kids at home? Then those feelings of wanting to quit homeschooling are temporary. And aren’t aligned with what you really do think is best for your family. 

Question 5: Are your kids learning? 

Chances are that’s a yes. Homeschooled children learn in such unique ways. Because they have the opportunity to learn the way that they need to. While not being rushed to master concepts in a timeline that isn’t their own. Are your kids learning? 

If you answered yes to most or all of the questions, (or even just one of these questions) then I’d say that you’re on the right track. We all struggle sometimes with homeschooling and just parenting in general. Occasionally, we may feel the intense feelings of wanting to give up. 

Despite the overwhelm, are you determined to make homeschooling work? Yes? Then let’s take a look at some things you need to do to get back in the right mind-set for homeschooling. 

You need to: Remember your reason why.

Why are you homeschooling? What’s the reason behind the decision to take on such a  huge challenge? Is it perhaps the desire to provide your child with a better education? Or maybe your child needs a little more one on one education time? Are you keeping your child home due to the pandemic? Or maybe school anxiety has become too overwhelming for them? Whatever your why is, it’s valid and it matters. Year ago, when I first started homeschooling my kids,  I remember someone telling me that I was doing it because I was being selfish. Selfish? How? I took time to investigate those claims. And the more I thought about it, the more bitter I became about their response. They believed that I wanted more time with my kids, therefore I was being selfish by keeping them home with me. I remember those accusations leaving me utterly overwhelmed. Could I be selfish for making this choice? I let their idea of what my ‘why’ was, interfere with my actual reason why.

I look back on those claims now and shake my head. Homeschooling because you’re selfish with your child’s time? Come on! That’s not even slightly realistic. Homeschooling parents are far from selfish. On the contrary, homeschooling parents are the ones that are giving up their free time, and so much more. Homeschooling parent have to learn how to balance their children’s education, parenting, home life, relationships, social lives, and work. That’s not selfish. That’s strength. Dwelling on the words of someone with a negative opinion will only bring you down and cause you to doubt your decisions. Finding your why is important, but equally important is not allowing other people to distract you with their unrealistic ideas of why they think you are homeschooling.

Let’s recap this point: Find your why, and don’t allow others to tell you what they think your why is. 

You need to: Note your surroundings and circumstances.

Generally, the feelings of overwhelm and frustration when it comes to homeschooling stems from frustrations regarding your current circumstances and environment. Did you read the November Homeschooling Slump blog? If you didn’t, check it out here. There are certain times of the year when homeschool parents report feeling like they’re in a slump. A combination of the shorter days, prepping for the holidays, and the excitement of the new school year being gone, has led you to a slump. Occasionally, when you’re caught in a homeschooling slump you may feel like giving up on homeschool. Should you quit homeschooling? When you start to question if you should quit homeschooling, it’s really important to note your surroundings and circumstances.

Are you in a slump? Is your family experiencing a little bit of cabin fever from the shorter days and less activities? These can all lead to moments of questioning what you’re doing. It’s important to take a look at your surroundings and circumstances and remember that these things will pass, before deciding if you should quit homeschooling. 

You need to: Identify why you’re feeling this way. 

Once you’ve taken the time to properly observe your surroundings and circumstances, you can properly assess why you’re feeling this way. Do you genuinely not like homeschooling? Or are these feelings a result of that slump you’re in? Identifying why you’re experiencing these big feelings can be crucial in navigating your way through it. 

You need to: Remember why you started in the first place. 

Now that you know why you started homeschooling in the first place, dig deeper into it. Write it down. Grab a notebook. Then pencil in all the reasons you chose to homeschool your children. We can become so caught up between workbooks, grading, our children’s attitudes, and outside activities. That we lose sight of our initial joy for home-learning. That lack of joy leads us to thoughts like: ‘Should you quit homeschooling?’ 

You need to: Maybe get a new why?

Sometimes our lives change, our family situation changes, and our circumstances and surroundings change. Often times the greatest changes will be from our children. They’re constantly growing and changing into the people that they will become. Perhaps your reason for homeschooling is no longer valid. So adopt a new reason why. You will more than likely think of a new reason why in no time.

You need to: Set your biggest struggle subject aside for a week. 

Yep, you read that right! Is your child struggling with Language Arts? Put it away for one week. In its place, add in something interest based for them instead. Watch how this simple reset can help your child refocus. 

You need to: Chat with experienced homeschooling parents who have been where you are. 

There will always be people that have gone before you. And there will always be someone who has gone through roughly the same experiences as you. Chatting with these experienced (veteran) homeschoolers can help when you’re feeling frustration and despair regarding your homeschool. Even if they don’t offer a huge mountain of advice. It can often help lift your spirits just by chatting with someone. So, don’t be afraid to reach out and talk with some veteran homeschoolers. Their wisdom may just be what you need to keep going. 

You need to: Drop those comparisons. 

Comparing yourself to another homeschool family will only cause a mountain of grief and frustration for yourself and your kids. Alternatively, comparing yourself to a family whose child is in traditional learning is just a bad idea. The point is: Don’t compare yourself or your family to any other family. Whether homeschooling or not. It’s a recipe for disaster. When you spend time focusing on how your homeschool should look like someone else’s. Or how your child needs to be learning the same concepts and at the same pace as another person’s child. You’re missing the whole point of homeschool. See, you and your family are unique. And, your homeschool reflects that. So, please don’t get caught up in the comparison game. 

You need to: Change Your Homeschool Path. 

Has your homeschool always been traditional? But now one of your learners seems to be benefiting from an unschooled learning method? It’s OK to change things up. Sometimes we get stuck in this idea that we must continue homeschooling the way we began. But it’s really important to remember that things change. If you feel that you need to change up your homeschool a little to better suit your learners, schedule or yourself. That is OK. Changing the plan doesn’t equal failing. Changing the plan can actually be good for your kids and yourself. If you’re finding that your child just isn’t thriving off of your current homeschooling methods, then experiment with other methods of learning and see what happens. 

You need to: Stop Homeschooling. 

Wait! Hold on! I don’t mean forever. I mean stop and take a break. No one likes the idea of falling behind when it comes to homeschool. We are all aiming for the spring weather when we can put the books on the shelves and run outside in the fresh spring flowers. Even so, you won’t fall drastically behind if you just take a week or two to reset. Often times when the homeschool mama is feeling like quitting, it’s because the homeschool mama is tired, drained and overworked. Taking a week off to take care of yourself will be beneficial for everyone. Let your kids play legos, or draw pictures while you spend some time reading a book. Taking these little breaks from the routine homeschool life can really help to regain your focus, and get you and your family back on learning track. 

You need to: Connect with your children. 

Do your children dread the moment you say “Time for Math!”?  Have you put your responsibilities as a homeschool teacher above your natural parental tendencies? It’s really important to reconnect with your children especially if you’ve found that you have been forcing the homeschool teacher role more than your natural born parenting role. Take some time to just hang out with your kids, without the pressure of workbooks or TV’s/iPads distracting them or you. It’s important to take time to just be the family that you were before you became a homeschool family. 

You need to: Ditch the schedule. 

I have to say, one of the main reasons that homeschool parents begin to feel that they want to quit is because they’re holding themselves up to these crazy expectations and schedules. While routine is obviously beneficial for both your kids and yourself. Sometimes we can become too consumed by the schedule and plans. Homeschooling is supposed to be different from traditional education. That’s why it’s called home schooling. Your education can now evolve around your home life. And you don’t need to snap everyone into an intense schedule to be able to help your children learn. Check out this blog about scheduling your homeschool for some excellent ideas on how to have a great homeschool routine. 

You need to: Find Joy in Learning again. 

Do you remember that moment when your child learned something new? And you actually saw it click in their mind? You saw light fill their eyes, and you knew in that moment that this is why you wanted to homeschool your children. Because you wanted to help your children have those moments of pure learning bliss. Perhaps you used to take long walks in the rain when their school work was much less in the younger years. During those walks, you would chat about the water cycle. But now you are just too busy trying to make sure all the workbooks are completed. Just remember, workbooks aren’t the only form of education. Aim to find joy in learning with your children again. 

Educating your kids is an enormous task. But such an important undertaking. Sometimes when something is a big deal and really important to us, we sometimes feel like we are failing. And therefore assume that we must quit what we are doing. The reality is, things that are important to us are often hard. If this were easy, everyone would do it. So, don’t assume that just because you’ve had some tough days you should automatically just give up. This task is large, but it’s worth it. So, should you quit homeschooling?  

Don’t give up. Keep going. 

 

Check out this amazing article by a veteran homeschool mama, Jennifer.

What to Do When You Feel Like Quitting Homeschooling – The Deliberate Mom 

Tips For Homeschooling Kids With Unique Learning Needs

Tips for Homeschooling Kids with Unique Learning Needs by Lindsey Casselman

Parents that are homeschooling their children with unique learning needs, make up a huge demographic of home learners. Why is that? It comes down to the amazing fact that all homeschoolers have discovered. That fact being that a tailored and individualized program, delivered in a low ratio and loving environment, is the ideal way for a child to learn. This fact applies even more so to our unique learners. Learners who are either struggling, bored, or just unable to be adequately served by the public school system.

Many Schoolio families with neurodiverse children are giving us feedback that our program is working wonderfully for their unique learners. Below are some general tips for homeschooling kids with unique learning needs. Regardless of the program you choose to use. Also included is a little more information on how the Schoolio program strives to meet these unique needs.

  1. Have a flexible learning environment.

Sometimes learning happens at a desk, or at the kitchen table. Other times learning happens while jumping on the trampoline, swimming in the bathtub, laying upside down on the couch in your underpants, or on a blanket at the park. Many neurodiverse learners need change and visual and tactile stimulation consistently. So it’s important to be flexible about where you perceive that learning should take place, and then don’t hesitate to change it up!

Schoolio is a digital PDF downloadable program, which gives you flexibility to take it on-the-go. Whether that’s room to room or to the park, or even to grandma’s house. If you choose additional printing services, you can have books that require little more than a pencil and you’re fully mobile. 

  1. Figure out the ideal learning and working conditions for your child’s unique mind.

Some kids need complete silence to focus on their work. While other kids don’t like silence and prefer music to be playing during learning time. Some kids can’t learn from you when you speak orally. Rather they get a lot out of you drawing a diagram on a piece of paper while you talk. Whether you need noise-cancelling headphones or rock and roll music blasting from the stereo. It’s important to figure out what conditions work best for your child. And remember, it may be different depending on whether they are learning from you or doing independent work. The next tip in our 11 tips for homeschooling kids with unique learning needs.

  1. Have predictable schedules and routines when homeschooling kids with unique learning needs.

All children thrive on routine, this has long been a known parenting hack. Many of our neurodiverse learners depend on routine for regulation. It’s ok to have routine changes at times. As all kids need to learn to deal with routine change to some degree. However, striving to keep a fair amount of predictability in the week will go a very long way.

Additionally, you can display schedules in written or pictographic form so kids can see the plan for each day for themselves. You also can discuss the plan for each day the evening before. Try to give your child as much notice as possible, and frequent reminders leading up to, any out of the ordinary routine changes that you think may upset them.

Along with this goes transition warnings. As children are often served well by getting a few warnings before changing from one activity to the next. Try something like a 10-, 5-, and 2-minute warning before stopping the current activity and beginning a new one. Click to read about establishing a good homeschooling routine.

Schoolio provides sample weekly schedules for customers in our exclusive, customer-only community. There are many versions in printable formats for you to download and display as needed.

  1. Hands-on and tactile learning.

Who doesn’t love hands-on learning? Neurodiverse kiddos often learn much better through tactile experiences and real-life relation of facts. Art, crafts, science experts, and games are all amazing ways to learn hands-on. One of the wonderful parts of homeschooling is that if you do a science experiment, your child isn’t one of 30 watching from a desk, or hoping to be that one special kid asked to be the helper. Your homeschool child is always the helper and always right there, in thick of the experiment, learning as they do.

Schoolio programming has lots of hands-on and tactile learning. From science experiments to art projects to card games, board games, or cut-and-paste activities, we all love to get beyond the bookwork for learning opportunities at Schoolio! 

  1. Clear instructions broken down into manageable steps.

This is a big one for our unique learners. They often need us to be very clear in our instructions, and sometimes even break the instructions down into simpler steps. Executive functioning can be challenging for many people, not just the neurodiverse! Be sure to explain things in kid-friendly terms. And don’t be afraid to ask your child if they feel like they fully understand. With homeschooling, there’s no one for them to be embarrassed in front of if they do ask for a little extra help understanding or remembering what’s needed of them!

  1. Work at whatever level they are at in each subject area.

This is one of the greatest accommodations you can make for a unique learner by homeschooling. Age means nothing in homeschool. Are you working at an 8th grade level in math? Great. Are you working at a 3rd grade level in Language Arts? No problem. You don’t push them ahead when they aren’t ready, or hold them back when they need more, simple based on the year they were born.

Schoolio’s unique unit-model for purchasing programming is one-of-a-kind. You don’t need to purchase all your material in the same grade level. You don’t even need to purchase all parts of a subject area at the same grade level! Is your child a rockstar in Algebra but struggling with Geometry? You can purchase each unit at a different grade level and specifically tailor their entire learning program around their unique learning needs. ! 

  1. Incorporate their interests into learning.

Kids learn so much more when the content is relevant to their lives and relatable for them. Often, our neurodiverse learners benefit from these even more as they tend to have an amazing ability to focus on the things that interest them! 

The Schoolio program is designed for maximum flexibility. Our units cover the essential points needed to cover each topic. While also allowing lots of room for you to tailor that information into any format you choose. For example, our Physical Regions of Canada unit asks students to research a region each day and write about it in a booklet. By the end of the unit they have a complete booklet they wrote on all the regions. One customer recently shared with us that her unique learner was obsessed with dragons, and so after they discussed and researched each region, her learner invented a type of dragon that would live in the region. Along with details about what it ate, where it lived, and how it looked, all aligning with the details she’d learned about the region. What a creative twist to make the learning content even more engaging! 

  1. Don’t be afraid to “skip or stick”.

In a classroom, they determine the average amount of time needed for an average child to learn a concept. That may be 3 days of studying and then they move on. But your child isn’t an average! What happens if your child understands it after one day? Or if they need 5 days? Or 15? In a classroom, kids who understand quickly sit around bored, and those who haven’t mastered it when the class moves on, get left behind. So, don’t be afraid to skip ahead if your child is easily understanding a concept and needs to be challenged. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to stick with a concept as long as is needed to achieve full understanding. Remember, it’s not a race to June like in public school. There’s no finish line, just a constant life full of learning! 

Schoolio’s program is designed to make skipping or sticking easy for you as the teacher. Each concept is introduced and practiced 1-2 times. Meaning you can assess for yourself when your child is ready to move on. You aren’t paying the price of a program that gives you that “average” amount of three practice days. Instead, you see what concepts should be covered and dive as deeply or as shallowly into them as you’d like.

For example:

The Schoolio unit Ancient Civilizations covers 5 ancient societies in 20 lessons. This is obviously a fairly brief coverage (5 lessons) of each group. This allows you to add and subtract where you, or your learner, need and want. Is your child completely uninterested in Ancient Egypt? Do the 5 lessons in 5 days, knowing you’ve covered the most important parts and skip on ahead. Is your child fascinated by Ancient Rome? Stick here and learn more! Watch documentaries, create art, cook some recipes of traditional foods. You can turn 5 lessons into 5 weeks of learning if it suits you!

  1. Incorporate alternative media into your learning.

We know all brains work and learn differently, so why do we keep insisting all kids learn by reading print materials? Anyone who says an audiobook isn’t “real reading” hasn’t seen the imagination come alive of their dyslexic child upon discovering the world of reading through an audio option! Photos, illustrations, diagrams, audiobooks, podcasts, and video are all valid ways to learn. So don’t hesitate to use these additional tools! Some people learn best from a how-to book, but others learn best from a YouTube video, and there’s not one way that’s “better” or “smarter”.

Schoolio lessons include visual components to enhance programming as often as possible. Units are filled with full colour photos and diagrams to help explain concepts. As well as illustrations and graphics to add fun and engagement to practice worksheets. Media recommendations such as curated YouTube content or episode guides for popular television shows like Magic School Bus or Wild Kratts are listed within lessons for you to use or ignore as you see fit for your learning.

  1. Allow alternative ways to demonstrate understanding.

Can we talk about how outdated and unfair standardized testing is for our unique and neurodiverse learners? There are so many other ways to demonstrate understanding of a concept or topic! 

At Schoolio, we really don’t like standardized testing. That’s why you’ll find very little of it within our programming. Instead, we ask students to write about things, talk to people, and present their ideas to show comprehension. And because you’re not hindered by a strictly formatted program, you were able to “stick” on any concept you needed to. So you know without a test that your child understood each concept you went through!

Don’t hesitate to allow your student alternative means of showing that they understand. Public speaking might be hard for them, but they might shock you with their understanding if you let them write a story about the topic. Writing might be a struggle for your learner, but you might be amazed at how much they can teach their younger sibling about the topic. Some kids have a difficult time verbalizing or summarizing their thoughts in writing, but they may be able to highlight all the evidence you’ve asked for within a piece a content.

Some ideas of ways to demonstrate understanding when following the tips for homeschooling kids with unique learning needs:

  • Oral vs Written
  • Highlighting vs. Summarizing
  • Teaching vs Presenting
  • Art or Experiment

  1. Incorporate lots of opportunities for small successes in your day and in your learning.

Try to incorporate lots of opportunities for success, by setting attainable goals that they can achieve regularly. Be sure to praise not the accomplishment itself (ie, “That presentation was great!”). But rather the effort and growth of your child (ie. “You really learned a lot to create that presentation! I can see you worked very hard at it!”) 

One of the greatest gifts we can give our unique learners by removing them from the school system, is self-confidence. No one is teasing them, pressuring them, or making them feel stupid or like a nerd. There is no “ahead” or “behind”, there is just exactly where they are meant to be. And remember, when you homeschool with Schoolio, you aren’t going at it alone. We’re here to support you and provide community for you and your learner all along the way!

I hope these tips for homeschooling kids with unique learning needs has been helpful for you.

Staying in the Moment as a Homeschool Mom

Staying in the Moment as a Homeschool Mom – Guest blog by Tawny Stowe

The idea of being in the moment has been on my mind a lot lately as I contemplate and experience the concepts of time. As a young adult I thought I had all the time in the world. I was certain I could reinvent myself a million times and I never felt committed to one aspect of who I was becoming because I viewed that there would always be more time. Now I find myself seeking out ways for staying in the moment as a homeschool mom.

My younger days.

I travelled the world as a backpacker carrying only what I could on my back. I lived in each moment knowing almost always it was my very first and last in any given spot.  Sometimes the thoughts of what tomorrow would bring and where I would be next would creep into my mind. Especially in the beginning of my travelling adventures, the beautiful gift of being somewhere new often found me thinking about where I would be tomorrow. Then what was coming next, This then led me to missing the gift of being present in the moment and appreciating that part of the journey.

And then something happened.

I stopped travelling and I grew up.  Soon I became serious and I started to fear never having enough time to become myself. Here I find myself still figuring out what I have become and what I am becoming. However there was a definite sense of urgency at that time in my life. As I hit 30 years old, I started to panic. Thoughts about getting married, owning things like a house or a car, and raising a family became my priority. I found myself panicking about my education, my career and becoming of value in our society. Soon these thoughts took me over. Suddenly each day was only about getting further ahead in the future, not about being in the moment.

I didn’t realize how much this affected me.

Truly I hadn’t thought much about how this was affecting me. That is not until I became a parent and switched to homeschooling. First, I was so consumed by what I was preparing my child for in the future. Second, I was obsessed with Making sure I understood the expectations of a child’s growth and learning development. Third, I was in a state of worrying. Additionally, making my child the most prepared for each new developmental stage took centre stage. I wanted him to be the best he could be for tomorrow.

Through all of this, I noticed something; he was starting to play less in each moment and rather ask about what was coming next.

He was hiking the trail asking what we were doing after and the reality check of what I was projecting on him suddenly hit me. Was I teaching my child to focus ahead instead of just being ok right where we are? Being highly empathic his words got my attention. However it was what I could feel that really hit me. In my son I could feel emotional anxiousness about the day, the objectives, the expectations. This truth hurt my heart. See, as a parent of a child with diagnosed separation anxiety, I chose to homeschool to help him build confidence not to take it away. This is when the deep reflection began within in.

If when I traveled I became free by living in the moment what was it that enabled me to do so? It was owning less, needing less, and trusting that where I was was exactly where I was meant to be.

I felt free, calm, alive, and in flow.

I really want those things for my son too. So, how can I help him discover these things that brought me so much joy? The answer is: I need to return myself to joy, and then I need to model it!

As the world seems to have gained speed and appear to be moving faster than I can keep up. Now more than ever I am coming back to the acceptance that nothing in life is permanent. Each day as I work towards healing my Metis roots I strive to connect deeper to the seasons. While walking gently upon the Earth as one of Her kin. If I am willing to accept impermanence in society and I surrender to the constant that is change in nature. Then surely I can open my heart to model being present in both of these aspects for my son.

This is my work.

As a parent I am always growing, as you are too. My son reflects back to me where I am out of alignment and where I can grow. He gifts me the constant opportunity to be better and rise to be the best version of myself possible. As the fall leaves come crashing down around me, I too have much to shed and I will. I will shed the illusion of becoming. Then I will work at simply being right here, right now. For my son I will let go of who he must become and be with him as he is right now. Together, we will live this season and grow as beings walking hand in hand on a journey designed for us.

 

Schoolio Guest Blog

 

Have you read ‘Stay Curious With Your Homeschool’? Another guest blog by Tawny Stowe.

“Every child is different! Isn’t this exactly why I wanted to homeschool? To give time and space to my child so he can learn in his own way? Well, intellectually yes. But then I found myself setting up my home exactly like a school. Trying to do all the ‘school like’ things. My heart was hearing Rudolph Steiner loud and clear. Saying “Why did you bother to read my philosophies if you are going to be so mechanical?” Even so, I just couldn’t let go of this idea of how I thought education should be. Because that is all I have ever known. I wasn’t sure how to stay curious with our homeschool.

What changed…

Luckily for my son and I, I am a Saggitarius who gets bored with routine with ease. So, we were released from the ‘educational’ prison I had created. Just as soon as the weather turned nice enough to spend the majority of our time outside.

Over the spring and summer months I turned my trust to homestead moms. I leaned into Wildschooling ideas, placing a great importance on learning in our natural environment. At first it was sheer necessity, as a single mom I couldn’t manage our spring gardens with a full day of sit down learning. Very quickly this way of learning opened my eyes to a beautiful truth for my son and I.

Learning about Charlotte Mason and Rudolph Steiner spoke to my soul.

Truly the ideologies of Charlotte Mason and Rudolph Steiner speak to my soul. I find that the more I learn about them the better able I am to embody them and to model them. This has resulted in an epic growth for me and a much deeper connection to my environment. A true healing of my Metis roots, and a stronger richer bond with my son.

When exploring homeschooling for the first time, or really at any time. It can be so overwhelming to know what to study, and how to study. To be honest, some days it can be overwhelming to know where to even start. Some people have a natural teacher flow to their life and it comes like second nature. While others, like me, have to nurture their teacher flow a bit more until we can really find it. The true key to success in homeschool, is to stay curious and stay in alignment with your values.

What are the best questions to ask yourself to stay curious?

Some of the best questions to ask yourself usually start with why you want to homeschool? The answers to these questions will guide you towards what philosophies or even curriculums support your desired outcomes. As I deepen my relationship with my son, I find I have to evaluate my reasons constantly against his growth. Constantly checking in with whether I am doing things for him, or for me. Because the answer to that can drastically shift our educational direction. I am continually learning that I must stay as curious as him. Curious about what excites him, what lights him up, what fuels him, what challenges him, what improves his confidence, nourishes his mind, his body and his soul. I use the seasons to prompt my reflection time. This way I can check in where we are both at, four times a year.

Continue Reading…

 

 

Schoolio Guest Blog

Read: “Everything has a Season — Even Education” Guest Blog by Tawny Stowe

“Everything has a season” … It’s a cliche, but for me it’s also a permission slip! As a homestead mom and an entrepreneur, certain seasons find me a little over my head! This was my first-year homeschooling. And when I began, I had these grand ideals of how to make school happen in my home the way it does in a classroom.

I failed. Miserably.

First I started off with alarms set, I had specific curriculum planned out every day and books set up on the table. I even had specific days for different topics.  At first, my four-year-old was excited and just as quickly he wasn’t. As soon as it turned into a power struggle for our family, I knew something had to change. But being so new to the homeschooling way of life, I didn’t know what!

And then… It happened.

As they say when the student is ready the teacher appears. So as I sat in on a webinar for my business that happened to be led by a homeschooling and homestead mamma of three. In her teaching she fully admitted that as gardening season approaches, her and the kids are done with formal learning for the remainder of the school year. When the demands of the garden increased, all learning revolved around growing food!

 

This was inspiring!

Suddenly, I felt as if the Spring Season was an open permission slip to let the rigidity and routine of learning go. We could slide into a more “unschooled approach” to education.

Then what took place blew my mind!

The power struggles that my family was facing, vanished. It seems getting a five-year-old to put on rain boots and splash in puddles requires zero effort! We went hunting for bugs, exploring wetlands for migrating birds, and spent time talking about the fertility of the Earth as it unravelled before our very eyes. Then we talked about seeds, and land stewardship (okay he’s five we called it tending to our food and forests). We collected garbage, we kayaked and we explored medicines and wild foods as they presented themselves. As I was walking around from morning to night working in the gardens, wheelbarrowing dirt, starting seeds and transplanting seedlings, and raising baby chicks, my son was with me every step of the way

Another change in our Homeschooling Journey.

So here we are, now watching this season that started as Spring. Moved into summer and is quickly bringing us to fall.  I am pausing to reflect on what I am harvesting from the seeds I planted and tended all summer. Both in my garden and in my son’s learning environment.

My son has outgrown his shyness. He thrived in the natural world talking to plants, trees, rocks, and animals. We spent a summer taking our winter learning of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe Language) and applying it to our outdoor classroom. We read books, we studied field guides. We had countless campfires helping us heal our Metis roots. Doing so by keeping us feeling connected to the Natural Landscape and all of her beings.

A new cycle is here.

Continue reading this guest blog by Tawny Stowe.

Click here 

 

 

Important Lessons Learned From Helping Around the House

Guest Blog: Important Lessons Learned From Helping Around the House by Rebecca Miller

Learning is happening all around us, all the time. Even when we are not following a curriculum, or sitting at a desk with a workbook, educational opportunities arise every day. One of the most common areas that children learn through experience is in the area of housework. There are many important lessons learned from helping around the house. When children are allowed and encouraged to help out around the house (ie. Cooking, laundry, sweeping floors) they learn many skills that they will take into adulthood.

Life Skills

The most obvious thing children learn from helping keep a home tidy and clean is “life skills.” Life Skills are those skills that they will use to be successful adults. Learning to wash dishes, mop floors and make meals earlier in life is vitally important. Young adults who are not required to participate in household chores as children, often find it difficult to transition into adulthood. They are not equipped to take on the responsibility of their own household, because it was something they were just never taught. In order to give our kids an advantage when going out into the world, we need to allow them to build those essential skills as they grow up.

Responsibility and Accountability

Children who regularly do chores or housework, learn early on what it means to be responsible. They learn that it is their responsibility to pick up after themselves. They also learn that being part of a family means you each have a role to play and support each other to have a comfortable living space. If your children complain about having to wash dishes, consider having a discussion with them about how being a family unit means everyone is responsible for pitching in. 

Teamwork

There will be many times in our children’s lives when they will find themselves having to work in a team. Whether they join a sports team or get a job where they have co-workers. Teamwork is a skill they will need in the future. Sharing in the responsibility of housework as they grow up, helps kids learn to work as a team. 

Fine and Gross Motor Skills

There are several tasks around the house that can help children build and strengthen both fine and gross motor skills. We do these actions so regularly that we often don’t stop to think of them as motor skill activities. Hanging laundry on a clothesline with clothespins is a great fine motor activity. Sweeping the floor promotes bilateral (using both sides of the body) co-ordination. Setting the table and matching socks are both activities that can improve sequencing, memory and problem solving skills.

Organization

Following a recipe, sorting recycling, and putting away groceries are just a few of the household tasks that can help teach our kids organizational skills. As adults, we use our ability to organize every day: at work, at home and out in the world. Many parents don’t realize that encouraging our children to take part in the upkeep of the family home can help them become more organized adults. 

Sometimes we can tend to overlook learning opportunities that don’t look like “school.” But, everyday tasks such as sorting recycling and taking out the trash have so many skills hidden within them that it’s important not to overlook them. Even when it feels like it would be easier and faster to just do the housework ourselves. It can be extremely beneficial for our kids to encourage them to take responsibility for our household as well. And the bonus is, it can lighten the load for parents as well.

Schoolio Guest Blog

 

Read another guest blog by Rebecca Miller – Click Here – 

Defend Your Choice to Homeschool

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year. The time of the year that includes family gatherings, delicious meals, holiday music, and gifts. Easily the best part of the holiday season is the opportunity for you to defend your choice to homeschool. Now you get to practice this skill with every family member that decides to question your choice. How exciting! So, are you prepared to defend your choice to homeschool this holiday season? If not, let us help you with that. 

Homeschooling has become so much more mainstream in the last 10 years. Nevertheless, there are still so many people that have strong negative opinions about home-learning. Often times their opinions can be extremely overwhelming. Which sometimes can lead to frustration and at times social exhaustion.

Additionally, feeling like you have to constantly defend your choice to homeschool can leave you feeling very burnt out.

So, why do people judge homeschooling so harshly and also so often? Undoubtedly it has to do with traditional comforts for starters. Because the average person wants things to look and work a certain way. Therefore when things look different, or they have a hard time understanding something ‘new’, it can cause them to have a mountain of doubts in your homeschooling abilities. 

Is it fair that you must defend your choice to homeschool? Absolutely not. Unquestionably there are some people that just enjoy questioning you to get a rise. Clearly, in those situations walking away is honestly your best choice. On the other hand, if this relationship is important to you and the person asking the questions is clearly just asking out of curiosity. Then these eight reasons will come in as a handy reference for you. Especially when preparing to defend your homeschooling choice this holiday season. 

8 Reasons Why Homeschooling Rocks: 

1. Freedom to Choose.

Many parents find that in-home learning allows them the freedom to choose their educational approach. Additionally, homeschooling can be personalized around your schedule, values, and living. This can look like: Some parents choosing to unschool for greater benefits of freedom and even creativity. On the other hand, structured learning can produce amazing benefits. Those benefits include but are not limited to: Accelerated academic performance. As well as, homeschooling gives the parent, and the student, the freedom to choose what style of education is best suited for their learning needs.

2. Putting your child’s needs first, now!

Homeschooling gives you the freedom to prioritize your child’s emotional, mental, physical and behavioural health now. Rather than worrying about your child in a large class setting. You have the opportunity to help them with their current needs.

3. Which brings us to our next important reason: Valuable Learning time.

Chances are you already know this to be true. Large class sizes have aided in learning loss. Additionally,  children’s learning challenges often go undetected. The reason is that it’s nearly impossible for a teacher to care for a class of 20+ children and help each child learn in a way that is unique to them. When homeschooling, your child will greatly benefit from the one-on-one time that they will receive. 

4. Opportunity to focus on important life skills.

Preparing for adult life is a really great perk of homeschooling. Obviously, homeschooled children have more opportunities to learn to cook, budget, do laundry and more. These life lessons are just as valuable as a child’s math assignment.

5. Encouraging Independence.

While one-on-one learning is readily available when homeschooling. There’re also amazing opportunities for your child to learn independent skills. This is another huge perk of homeschooling. Things like independent play, reading time, life skills, and more.  Are all utilized when homeschooling.

6. Stepping out of a bad situation.

Occasionally mental health issues are directly connected to unfortunate school situations. For example: Providing your child safety from a situation that they’re being bullied in. This is another huge beneficial component to homeschooling.

7. Focus on their mental health.

Anxiety, depression, brain health, and social anxiety are all areas of your child’s mental health that can be helped by homeschooling. Because homeschooling gives you the chance to help your child by focusing on their mental and emotional well-being. Moreover, homeschool parents can prioritize time learning coping skills, medical care and therapy. Which will then benefit the child mentally, and in time academically too. 

8. Home learning offers the opportunity for a more thorough education.

It’s fact that traditional schools skip a lot of educational lessons. These range from different subjects like history and science to mental health. Of course these educational lessons have the opportunity to  examined further when homeschooling.

Regardless of how beneficial it can be, home learning won’t be for everyone.

Even if you listed all the most amazing benefits of homeschooling to the person questioning you. Some people still will not be able to see the benefits. Please don’t let their sour opinions drag you down. Even if you just remember these 8 reasons to benefit and back up your own personal beliefs about homeschooling. It will still be worth it. 

Your decision to put your child’s education first is a direct side affect of your desire to provide them with the best skills for a good life. You’re doing a great job. 

 

Click Here to prepare for the ‘What about Socialization Questions’! 

Additional Resources: 

Benefits of Homeschooling – The Homeschool Mom 

What Are Some Benefits of Homeschooling – OFTP

4 Reasons Your Kids Should be Homeschooled – Augusta Free Press 

Purchasing Digital Content.

Let’s Talk About: Purchasing Digital Content with Lindsey Casselman.

If you’re new to home-schooling, you may not have had much experience purchasing digital content before. This is something most veteran homeschoolers are very familiar with, so let’s talk about it!

What Is It Digital Content and How Is It Offered?

Digital content is when you make a purchase of materials that don’t have a physical product. This includes e-books, PDFs and a ton of other downloadable content. Because talented people and companies are located around the world, providing digital content is an easy way to bring their product to the world.

Digital content is available in many places, like Pinterest, TpT and many homeschool curriculum companies, including Schoolio. 

  • Some places offer both print and digital versions of their content. The Digital and Print product are offered at different price points (because printing is expensive). Also as two separate products on their website. Be sure to carefully look over your cart before completing a purchase. Doing so to ensure you’re getting the version you expected to get. 
  • Some places offer printing and shipping for you as an add-on cost. This means you’re buying the digital version of the content. In addition you’ll receive a printed version for an additional fee. These are usually print-on-demand (meaning they aren’t printed until the order is placed, so it may take 7-10 business days or more to reach your door). However, they are often one of the best printing rates you’ll find. That is because the company has negotiated a volume discount with the third-party printer. (If you’re unsure about the rate, look in the FAQs for a price-per-page rate, or look in the product description for page numbers of the product and do the math yourself to find a price-per-page cost. Then compare locally to printers in your area).
  • The majority of digital product companies do not offer printing at all. You will need to either print at home or find a printer that is local to you. The price difference between printing at home or paying a printer to print for you varies widely. Factors that change the cost are based on your printer, what you’re printing, and your location. A little research in this area is a good idea before you decide to buy any digital product. This way you don’t get shocked later by the additional cost to print your digital files.

Tips to Being a Digital Product Consumer

  1. Digital products are almost always non-refundable. Once you purchase a digital product, you’re able to download it to your hard drive and it is yours forever. There is no way to “return” a digital product. Even if a company takes away your access to the download, they have no way to ensure you haven’t saved it locally. Therefore, almost every digital company you come across will have a no refunds policy. 

It is your responsibility as the consumer to ensure the product is what you want. 

  • Read all the descriptions about the product, before purchasing digital content. If you’re buying any sort of bundle, read the descriptions of each piece of the bundle so you’re sure about what you’re getting.
  • Find and read the FAQs. These will answer a lot of the most common questions other people have asked. In addition to this you may learn an answer to a question you hadn’t even thought to ask!
  • Look at samples. There should be samples available for you to look at. Read them thoroughly and envision using the product in your own homeschool. 
  • Read reviews. You can read testimonials on the company page, ask other homeschoolers, or watch youtube reviews of a product. If you have a local friend already using the product- ask to borrow it!
  • Start small. If the program has mini units or some other small product, buy it for the cheaper price as a more detailed sample. This way you get to actually use something from the company before you commit to an entire year financially.

 I don’t know a single fellow homeschooler. That includes myself. Who hasn’t paid good money purchasing digital content   that ended up either not working out, or just never being used. It happens, so don’t beat yourself up if it does. But following the above steps and not rushing a purchase can help you avoid it as much as possible.

  1. Digital purchases won’t be available to you forever. Always download your purchases somewhere locally.

    Most companies allow limited storage of your purchased content. Even if they will store it for you indefinitely, it’s good digital consumerism to always save your purchases somewhere safe. Somewhere that you have control of them. Website maintenance, server or platform changes, expired links, etc. All of these issues can lead to frustration if you count on someone else to hold your purchases for you. Some companies will give you a set number of times you can access your materials. This avoids people sharing their links with friends. Alternatively, other companies will give you an expiry date on your available downloads.

       Places to save your digital product purchases:

  • Your computer’s hard drive. This way you have access to your purchases whenever you need. In addition if it’s saved on your hard drive, you don’t even need an internet connection to preview.
  • External hard drive. Thumb drives are available affordably and in massive size capacities these days. You can have one dedicated to your homeschool digital downloads. This is extremely helpful if you worry about problems with your computer and losing your materials.
  • Cloud storage. I personally can’t say enough good things about OneDrive through MS Office. If you already pay for MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.). Then you already have a OneDrive account. I love that I can save things to my OneDrive and then easily access them from my desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone, anywhere, anytime. Additionally, it also saves your content in the cloud. That way if disaster ever struck your device, you’d be fully covered.
  • Storage companies. Curriculum companies don’t want to be your digital closet. However, there are several companies out there that do! DropBox is a popular one, along with Google Drive. Both are there to safely store your digital purchases. The one downside is that you will need internet service to access your files.

We’ve all had the misfortune of losing an important download.

Some of us have dropped our thumb drives in our coffee cups…. I won’t say who. The best practice is to store it somewhere safe. While also being sure to keep it in two different locations. On your hard drive, plus a thumb, or a cloud server. If you do lose something important, contact the company and they may be able to help you. But if they can’t, don’t let that bring you down, because it happens. We’ve all been to the park and left our favourite sweater or the book we were reading behind. Sometimes things get lost!

  1. Understand licensing agreements with digital products.

    Depending on what you purchase, you will want to be familiar with the licensing agreement. Ebooks are usually yours to read, over and over again if desired. But a lot of homeschool materials will have a one-user only license or a personal-use only license. One-user only means the program is designed to be consumable (most likely a workbook with pages you write directly on) and to only be used once. If you intend to re-use the program for a subsequent child, the legal thing to do is to purchase two copies of the product.

Personal use only means the program is not to be used to make money. That means you can’t resell it to other people. But you also can’t use it to teach a group. Many digital curriculum companies offer co-op or group rates. This is where you get a discount for buying multiple copies of the program to use with your group. If you don’t see it offered somewhere on the site, or you’re unsure about user agreements. Always contact the company’s customer service and they will likely be happy to help you. 

Please remember that digital piracy is just as much stealing as going to a store and walking out with a sweater tucked in your bag. Stealing is stealing. Please model good citizenship to your children.

  1. Check formatting before printing.

    I once sent a PDF to my local printer. Due to one extra blank page being inserted, all the two-page spread sheets were misaligned and the whole book was a mess. It wasn’t the company’s or the printer’s fault. They inserted a blank page after the title page to be the “back” of the title page- makes sense! My printer however prints the title page separately on a heavier card-stock. So that blank page became my book’s page 1, and everything else was messed up from there.

Before you spend the money to have a digital product printed, or print it yourself, be sure to take a look at some formatting:

  • Open up the PDF and take a look at the layout. Are there cutouts involved? Will they be unusable if you print double sided? Are there extra blank pages anywhere to accommodate cut outs that you don’t need printed and inserted if you’re printing single size? 
  • Any other visible formatting problems when open in your program? Even when you have a PDF. The page layout size it was saved in and the default page layout size of your PDF reading program could misalign important pages or images. Always check and make sure everything is the way you want it before you print or send it to the printer. 
  • Talk to your printer about how they do title pages and back covers. 

Make sure you know what you’re getting ahead of time. This way you aren’t disappointed or paying for it to be printed again.

I hope these tips help you in your purchasing digital content journey! Digital products are an amazing way to access great content from anywhere in the world.  With a little know-how, you can really make the most of any digital purchase!

 

This blog was written by Lindsey Casselman, Co-Founder and Lead Curriculum Writer at Schoolio Learning.

 

Click Here to learn more about how to use digital curriculum.

Stay Curious With Your Homeschool.

Stay Curious With Your Homeschool – Guest Blog by Tawny Stowe

Every child is different! Isn’t this exactly why I wanted to homeschool? To give time and space to my child so he can learn in his own way? Well, intellectually yes. But then I found myself setting up my home exactly like a school. Trying to do all the ‘school like’ things. My heart was hearing Rudolph Steiner loud and clear. Saying “Why did you bother to read my philosophies if you are going to be so mechanical?” Even so, I just couldn’t let go of this idea of how I thought education should be. Because that is all I have ever known. I wasn’t sure how to stay curious with our homeschool. 

What changed…

Luckily for my son and I, I am a Saggitarius who gets bored with routine with ease. So, we were released from the ‘educational’ prison I had created. Just as soon as the weather turned nice enough to spend the majority of our time outside.

Over the spring and summer months I turned my trust to homestead moms. I leaned into Wildschooling ideas, placing a great importance on learning in our natural environment. At first it was sheer necessity, as a single mom I couldn’t manage our spring gardens with a full day of sit down learning. Very quickly this way of learning opened my eyes to a beautiful truth for my son and I. 

Learning about Charlotte Mason and Rudolph Steiner spoke to my soul.

Truly the ideologies of Charlotte Mason and Rudolph Steiner speak to my soul. I find that the more I learn about them the better able I am to embody them and to model them. This has resulted in an epic growth for me and a much deeper connection to my environment. A true healing of my Metis roots, and a stronger richer bond with my son. 

When exploring homeschooling for the first time, or really at any time. It can be so overwhelming to know what to study, and how to study. To be honest, some days it can be overwhelming to know where to even start. Some people have a natural teacher flow to their life and it comes like second nature. While others, like me, have to nurture their teacher flow a bit more until we can really find it. The true key to success in homeschool, is to stay curious and stay in alignment with your values. 

What are the best questions to ask yourself to stay curious?

Some of the best questions to ask yourself usually start with why you want to homeschool? The answers to these questions will guide you towards what philosophies or even curriculums support your desired outcomes. As I deepen my relationship with my son, I find I have to evaluate my reasons constantly against his growth. Constantly checking in with whether I am doing things for him, or for me. Because the answer to that can drastically shift our educational direction. I am continually learning that I must stay as curious as him. Curious about what excites him, what lights him up, what fuels him, what challenges him, what improves his confidence, nourishes his mind, his body and his soul. I use the seasons to prompt my reflection time. This way I can check in where we are both at, four times a year. 

An unexpected path of motherhood.

This journey to homeschool has come with moments of ease and moments of challenge. But above all it has come with a deeper feeling of presence in motherhood. Along with a stronger bond of love between my son and I. Together we grow, one day at a time. I have found that more times than not, it is him teaching me. I am so grateful that life pushed me down this unexpected path of motherhood and homeschooling. As I find myself becoming a much braver, compassionate, resilient human because of this experience.

Staying open to the process and a having a curious mind are the only two real tools needed in my opinion. The rest is about tuning into one another and celebrating the joy within the journey. 

Schoolio Guest Blog

Click Here to read another blog by Tawny Stowe.

How Do You Homeschool With A Toddler?

How Do You Homeschool With A Toddler? – Guest Blog Written By Rebecca Miller

Are you wondering if it’s even possible to homeschool multiple children of different ages? How can you possibly teach your 10-year-old math while your preschooler is asking for snacks every five minutes? How on Earth can you practice reading with your 12-year-old while your toddler is climbing on your lap? How do you keep your toddler busy during homeschool? 

As a mom of four, ages 3 to 14. I understand that it can be a challenge! But, my friend, it is most definitely possible! 

Through trial and error, I have found some great ways to keep my preschooler busy while spending time with my older children on their projects.

Here are a few of my favourite ways to keep your toddler busy: 

Make sure your toddlers bucket is full.

Let’s face it – sometimes it can feel as if our youngest is constantly seeking our undivided attention. Sometimes the way they go about getting our attention is not the most discreet.

Recently I added something to our routine that has been a game-changer. When you front-load the day with some quality one-on-one time with your toddler (for example – reading, playing or cooking together). It can fill her bucket and lessen the need to seek connection while you are helping her siblings.

Enlist help from others.

Homeschooling is a family affair. If you have a spouse, talk to them about ways you can share the responsibilities and joys of educating your children. Maybe you can take turns teaching. Perhaps one of you is stronger in one subject and would enjoy taking that on. Maybe your partner can play with the youngest child while you work with the older ones – or vice versa.

If you have family or friends nearby, you may be able to have them care for your youngest for a few hours per week. During the school day. Homeschooling is all about family, you may be surprised how grandma may respond if you ask her to support your homeschooling journey in this way. Another option is to find another homeschooling Mom in your area who would be willing to swap childcare with you. 

Rotate toys for your toddler.

Sometimes toddlers and preschoolers can become overwhelmed when there are too many toys. If you find there are toys that your child doesn’t play with regularly, it can be really helpful to put them away in a closet for awhile. Then when you bring them back out, they can seem new and exciting again. Similarly, if there are toys that are only brought out at “school” time, your child will get excited at the novelty of those toys. Your toddler will begin to associate school time with their ‘special’ toys.

Try some fun ‘Make ahead activity trays/bags’.

Preparation is key, here. When you are preparing lessons for the older kids on Sunday night (or whenever you prepare). Take a few minutes to prepare something for the youngest learner as well. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. A simple baking pan with magnet letters, new Play-doh, stickers and paper or even a tub of rice can be a fun activity! While they are busily playing with their new activity tray, you will be able to help the other children with their book work. 

Utilize nap time.

  This one is pretty self-explanatory. If your toddler or preschooler is still napping, you can use that time to focus on book work with the older kids without distraction. If your child is not napping, you can still add “quiet time” to your routine. Bring out quiet toys or books that are reserved for this special time. And have your child get cozy and rest their body for an hour.

Take advantage of helpful older siblings.

Don’t be afraid to have your older kids take on “sibling duty.” I believe that one of the best parts of having all my children at home is that they can create a strong bond. I also believe children who learn responsibility in younger years, find it easier to become responsible adults. In our family, everyone knows (not that they always agree) that we all have parts to play and “jobs” to do within our family unit. My oldest two are 14 and 12. They take turns watching the busy 3-year-old when I am need one-on-one with one of the others. 

Play school with your toddler.

Younger siblings love to imitate older siblings. While the older kids are working on their worksheets, get out pens, markers and paper and have your little one “do school” along-side their siblings. Stickers, dry erase boards and colouring books are also great ‘school supplies.’

Seek out non-traditional learning opportunities.

Playing board games, going for nature walks and exploring a local farm are all great learning opportunities. These activities don’t involve sitting at a desk. These learning opportunities can supplement your book work and are perfect for all ages. While walking through the forest with your kids, you can point out different types of leaves and birds. Have your toddler point out different colours and shapes in nature. While playing a family board game, your preschooler will learn turn-taking along-side their siblings. Sometimes non-traditional learning activities can be overlooked, but they can really help solidify concepts learned through book work.

Educational Apps.

If you are open to using screens in your home, allowing your preschooler a limited amount of free time on an educational iPad app can be useful and fun. There are many free and low-cost programs that can be a great tool to keep your little one occupied. While still teaching some fun and important skills like shape recognition, colours, letters and numbers.

Including your toddler or preschooler in your homeschool whenever possible is the best way to build strong relationships and a strong foundation for learning. Sometimes, though, it is necessary to give your older children more individual attention. I hope these ideas give you hope that you absolutely can homeschool your children, even if you have a toddler underfoot.

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About Homeschooling in Alberta

All About Homeschooling in Alberta

How Many Children are Homeschooled in Alberta?

Can you believe that in the 2023/2024 academic school year over 24,000 students were homeschooling in Alberta? The number of families in Alberta choosing to learn at home, instead of opting for traditional schooling, is on the rise. The percent of Alberta children being homeschooled has jumped to 3%, raising an important question: Why has there been such a significant shift from learning at school to learning at home? Maybe it’s the opportunity for student-specific curriculum or the flexibility in location and schedule? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: Homeschooling is gaining traction across the province. Interested in joining the thousands of families homeschooling in Alberta? Click here to learn more about Schoolio.

 

Is Homeschooling Popular in Alberta?

Yes! There has been a surge in the popularity of homeschooling in Alberta in recent years. In the 2023/2024 academic school year over 24,000 students were homeschooling in Alberta. Click here to learn more about homeschooling’s popularity in Alberta.

Interested in joining the thousands of families homeschooling in Alberta? Click here to learn more about Schoolio: The Homeschool Program for Alberta Families.

Is Alberta a Good Place to Homeschool?

Alberta is an excellent place to homeschool for families who value flexibility in education and want to take an active role in their child’s learning. The province provides an adaptable framework for homeschooling, offering a variety of options that cater to different educational philosophies. Parents can homeschool independent of any school authority, granting them full control over their child’s curriculum and their teaching methods. This level of autonomy allows families to create a highly personalized educational experience, tailored specifically to their child’s academic needs and individual interests. Alternatively, Alberta also supports homeschooling through Supervised Programming, which offers resources and funding for those who seek it. 

Homeschooling empowers families to actively engage in their children’s educational journey, fostering strong parent-child relationships and providing a comprehensive education that prepares children for future endeavours. While homeschooling requires commitment and planning, its growing popularity and supportive infrastructure in Alberta make it a favourable choice for many families seeking an alternative approach to education.

Click here to start your journey in homeschooling with Schoolio. 

How Easy or Strict is Alberta for Homeschooling?

Homeschooling in Alberta is relatively easy, offering significant flexibility. Parents can choose Unsupervised Homeschooling, giving them full autonomy over curriculum and teaching methods. With this option the only requirement is for parents to notify their local school authority with a Home Education Notification Form. Alternatively, parents can choose Supervised Homeschooling, which provides support and funding for those who seek additional resources. This option has additional requirements, such as a submission of an educational plan and biannual assessments. Click here to learn how to legally start homeschooling.

Curriculum, Programs, and Other Learning Options

What Age Should You Start Homeschooling in Alberta?

Your child’s homeschooling journey can start at any age. Many parents begin homeschooling in Alberta from Kindergarten, while others transition to homeschooling in later years. Schoolio provides the support and resources you need to begin homeschooling in Alberta at any age! 

Click here to learn more about Schoolio.

How to Homeschool Without a Curriculum in Alberta?

To homeschool without a curriculum in Alberta, first submit a Home Education Notification Form to your supervising school authority. This form formally notifies your supervising school authority that you are selecting the unsupervised or notification only homeschooling option. Next, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and dive in! Click here to learn more about homeschooling without a curriculum, otherwise known as unschooling.

What is the Best Homeschooling Method in Alberta?

The best homeschooling method looks different for every family homeschooling in Alberta. The homeschooling method you choose should include academic materials that ignite curiosity and a love for learning in your child. Schoolio provides educational materials that are child-centred, interest-based, and levelled; encouraging the freedom of choice and celebrating neurodivergence. 

Click here to learn more about Schoolio.

Are There Free Homeschooling Options in Alberta?

Yes. There are many free options and resources available for families homeschooling in Alberta. Click here to learn more about free homeschooling options.

What is the Best Homeschooling Curriculum in Alberta?

 

Choosing the best homeschooling curriculum in Alberta for your family involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your educational goals and your child’s learning style. Start by assessing your child’s individual needs including their learning preferences, areas of need, and interests. Next, research different homeschooling curriculums available in Alberta, considering factors such as educational philosophies, format, and the scope of subjects covered. Evaluate the cost, including any additional materials or resources required, and consider your budget for homeschooling materials. Take advantage of free trials or sample lessons to assess how well the curriculum fits with your child’s learning style and your teaching approach. Click here to learn more about Schoolio’s 7-Day FREE trial.

There are numerous homeschooling curriculums to choose from, but there is only one Canadian homeschooling curriculum that offers an all-in-one program specifically designed for Alberta students. Click here to learn more about Schoolio.

 

What Are the Online Homeschooling Options in Alberta?

There are many online options for families homeschooling in Alberta, including Schoolio, Alberta Distance Learning Centre, and Time4learning to name a few. Can’t decide? Schoolio has made the choice simple, as the only Canadian homeschooling curriculum to offer Alberta-aligned courses and interest-based electives Schoolio is the curriculum for families homeschooling in Alberta. Click here to learn more about Schoolio.

What Are the Homeschooling Subject Requirements in Alberta?

 

There are no subject requirements for families who select Unsupervised Homeschooling in Alberta. This autonomy in subject selection allows for the exploration of topic areas not typically covered in traditional schools, such as financial literacy and emerging technologies. To explore Schoolio’s courses click here.

There are subject requirements for families who select Supervised Homeschooling in Alberta. Parents must submit a Home Education Program Plan to a supervising school authority. This Home Education Program Plan should include the following subjects: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health and Life Skills, and the Arts. To explore Schoolio’s courses click here.

Can You Switch to Homeschooling in the Middle of the Year in Alberta?

Yes. You can switch to homeschooling at any time during the academic school year. Note that you will not receive funding if the Home Education Program is accepted after September 29th.

Schoolio is here to make the transition from learning at school to learning at home seamless. Click here to learn more about Schoolio.