One winter morning, we set out on a nature walk. Nothing fancy, just some fresh air and a chance to stretch our legs. That’s when it happened. The kids stopped, pointed, and announced with total fascination:
“POOP!”
There it was on the path. Just sitting there, waiting to be discovered. And instead of me steering them back to the “lesson plan,” they had one question that became our curriculum for the whole week:
“What animal did this come from?”
We started guessing. Deer? Rabbit? Maybe raccoon? The curiosity snowballed. Back at home, we started researching. We found pictures of animal scat (yes, that’s the proper word) and compared them. We talked about the diets of different animals and how that shows up in their droppings. The kids wanted to make their own scavenger hunt checklist of “poops to find,” so we did. Suddenly every walk was a full-on investigation, magnifying glasses in hand, kids crouched down like little detectives.
And then nature gave us another gift — snow. Once they had learned about scat, the curiosity expanded:
“If we can tell an animal by its poop, can we tell it by its footprints too?”
That week turned into tracking lessons. We studied paw shapes, stride lengths, and patterns. We matched tracks to the animals in our region. Every walk became a treasure hunt. They weren’t just “getting exercise.” They were observing, comparing, classifying, and recording. In other words, science.
And here’s the thing: none of it was on my lesson plan. There was no worksheet waiting on the table that morning titled “Animal Scat and Tracks.” But it was real learning. Engaged, memorable, full of wonder.
The kids didn’t just learn about animals. They learned how to follow a question, how to investigate, how to let curiosity guide them. That’s the kind of learning you don’t forget — even if it started with poop.
So yes, sometimes school looks like math books at the table. Other times, it looks like poop on a trail. Both count. Both matter. And both are homeschooling.
Why You Don’t Need to Be Afraid of the Things You Don’t Know in Homeschooling
One thing I hear often from parents worried about whether they are “capable” of homeschooling is this idea that you have to remember everything you were ever taught in school in order to teach it.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to remember everything to be able to teach your kids. To explain, let me take you back to when your child was a toddler and it was time for potty training.
When you taught your child to use the toilet, how did you know how to teach them? Did you think back to how you were potty trained? Did you remember exact instructions your parents gave you? Of course not. Most of us don’t even remember that age, let alone the details.
So how were you “qualified” to teach your child to use the toilet?
Because you knew how to figure out how — and you had tools.
First, you probably took some time to teach yourself how to teach it. Maybe you read a book. Maybe you hit up some parenting blogs, or watched YouTube videos. Maybe you asked a friend or family member who had done it before. In this day and age there is no limit to the information available to us- you can be taught and learn to teach absolutely any skill you choose.
Second, you probably accessed some tools to support you while you taught it. Maybe you purchased a kids book about using the potty to read to your child. Maybe you found a tv show for your child to watch that instructed them for you. Maybe you bought a kids’ potty to make it more accessible for them.
Most likely, you used a combination of resources!
And then you tried.
You experimented. You considered your family needs and lifestyle, and your child’s uniqueness and what would inspire and motivate them. You looked at what was working and what wasn’t, and you made adjustments. Maybe your first attempts didn’t work for your child. You learned more about how your child learns, or what motivates them, so then you tried something else. Eventually something clicked.
For some kids it happens quickly, for others it’s a long and messy process. Maybe you even thought you were failing at times. But at the end of the day, they figured it out — because you stayed with them through the process.
And when all our kids are grown, no one will care whether they were potty trained at 14 months or 3½ years. They all learned what they needed to know, in their own time.
Homeschooling is the same.
You don’t have to know algebra or remember the dates of every war. You just need to be willing to learn alongside your child, model teaching yourself things you need to know, find tools that work, and make adjustments as you go.
Most of all, you just need to be present with your child through the process.
Because just like with potty training, the most important thing your child carries forward isn’t just the skill itself — it’s how they felt while learning it with you. The connection, the encouragement, the bond. That’s what lasts.
Finding Your Tribe: Building a Supportive Homeschooling Community
Embarking on a homeschooling journey can be both exciting and challenging. One of the best ways to ensure success is by building a supportive homeschooling community. Engaging with local and online homeschooling groups offers numerous benefits, including socialization opportunities for children and resource sharing among parents. Here are some tips and strategies for finding and engaging with these communities, with a focus on online homeschooling in the USA.
The Benefits of a Homeschooling Community
For families involved in online homeschooling in the USA, having a supportive community is invaluable. Here are some key benefits:
Socialization for Children: Homeschooling doesn’t mean isolation. By joining a community, children can make friends, participate in group activities, and develop essential social skills.
Resource Sharing: Parents can exchange educational resources, lesson plans, and teaching strategies, making the homeschooling experience richer and more diverse.
Emotional Support: Homeschooling can sometimes feel overwhelming. Connecting with other homeschooling parents provides emotional support and encouragement.
Group Activities: Communities often organize field trips, sports events, and extracurricular activities, enhancing the learning experience beyond the home.
Finding Local Homeschooling Groups
Connecting with local homeschooling groups is a great way to build a supportive network. Here’s how to find them:
Local Libraries and Community Centers: Check bulletin boards and event calendars at local libraries and community centers. They often host homeschooling meetups and activities.
Homeschooling Co-ops: These are groups where parents collaborate to teach different subjects. Joining a co-op can provide a structured learning environment and a chance to meet other families.
School Districts: Some school districts have resources and information about local homeschooling groups and activities.
Word of Mouth: Ask other homeschooling families or educators in your area for recommendations.
Engaging with Online Homeschooling Communities
For those involved in online homeschooling in the USA, digital communities can be incredibly valuable. Here’s how to find and engage with them:
Social Media Groups: Platforms like Facebook have numerous homeschooling groups. Search for groups related to online homeschooling in the USA to find like-minded families.
Online Forums: Websites like Reddit and homeschooling-specific forums provide spaces for discussion, advice, and resource sharing.
Webinars and Online Workshops: Many online homeschooling programs offer webinars and workshops. These events are great for learning and connecting with other parents.
Virtual Co-ops: Some co-ops operate entirely online, providing classes and activities through video conferencing.
Tips for Building a Strong Homeschooling Network
Building a supportive community takes effort and active participation. Here are some tips:
Be Active: Regularly participate in group activities and discussions. Your engagement will help you build stronger connections.
Offer Help: Share your resources and expertise with others. Being a helpful member of the community encourages reciprocity.
Organize Events: If you can’t find activities that suit your needs, consider organizing your own. Host a virtual meetup, a study group, or a field trip.
Stay Positive: Encourage and support other members. A positive attitude fosters a welcoming and supportive community environment.
Integrating Life Skills into Your Homeschool Curriculum
In addition to academic subjects, integrating practical life skills into your homeschooling curriculum is crucial. Here are some ways to weave these skills into your daily teaching:
Financial Literacy: Teach your child the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing. Schoolio’s homeschool resources include interactive simulations and real-world case studies to make financial literacy engaging and relevant.
Practical Life Skills: Skills like cooking, gardening, basic home maintenance, and first aid can be seamlessly integrated into your homeschool curriculum. Schoolio offers step-by-step guides, instructional videos, and hands-on projects to help teach these essential skills.
Personal Interests and Passions: Encourage your child to explore their hobbies and passions. Whether it’s coding, music, or creative writing, Schoolio’s diverse range of materials supports your child’s exploration and helps integrate these interests into their educational journey.
Affordable and Flexible Solutions
Understanding that homeschooling can be a significant financial commitment, Schoolio offers affordable pricing options. Our Family Plan membership provides extensive resources for just $29.99 per month where each student gains access to core subjects and hundreds of electives & 30% off on sibling discount. This plan also includes free Student Success Plans, making it easier for you to access high-quality educational materials without breaking the bank.
Our platform is designed for flexibility, allowing you to adapt and evolve your curriculum as your child’s needs and interests change. Whether you need to incorporate new subjects, adjust the pace, or introduce new resources, Schoolio supports your journey every step of the way.
Building an Online Homeschooling Network
In addition to local communities, the internet has opened up a world of online homeschooling connections. Online forums, social media groups, and virtual co-ops provide a space for homeschoolers from across the USA to share resources, ideas, and support.
At Schoolio, we’ve made it easy for you to connect with other online homeschooling families through our community platform. You can join subject-specific groups, participate in virtual field trips, or even find online co-op classes taught by experienced homeschooling parents or experts.
Getting Involved and Giving Back
As you become more comfortable in your homeschooling journey, consider getting more involved in your local or online community. Volunteer to organize events, share your expertise by leading a workshop or class, or simply lend a listening ear to a new homeschooling family in need of support.
Building a strong homeschooling community is a two-way street – the more you give, the more you’ll receive in terms of support, resources, and lasting friendships.
At Schoolio, we’re committed to supporting your homeschooling journey by providing a platform for you to connect with other families, share experiences, and build a supportive network. Whether you’re looking for local or online homeschooling communities in the USA, we’ve got the resources to help you find your tribe.
So, don’t go it alone. Embrace the power of community and let Schoolio be your guide to building a supportive network of homeschoolers who understand your challenges, celebrate your successes, and make your homeschooling journey an enriching and rewarding experience.
Ready to enhance your online homeschooling journey? Visit Schoolio today to discover the easiest and most effective homeschooling program tailored to your family’s needs!
TL;DR – Quick Answer: Turn screen time from mindless consumption into active learning. While most online programs use videos as a passive babysitter, over 10,000 Schoolio families use interactive media like Mark Rober and SciShow Kids as strategic learning tools. Schoolio weaves these high-quality resources directly into our micro-burst lessons to keep ADHD and neurodivergent learners engaged through multisensory input.
Are you looking for productive ways to entertain and occupy your children? YouTube can be a fantastic tool to fix those issues. There are so many YouTube Channels to check out; some content can wow you, while other channels may leave you questioning what it is you just allowed your child to watch. To simplify, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Science YouTube Channels for Kids that you should check out! If your child loves science and enjoys watching other children do experiments, this might excite them!
10 Science YouTube Channels for Kids
SciShow Kids
SciShow Kids – Can You Guess the Weather?
Scishow Kids is a fun science channel that uses unique animated videos to foster a love for science. Your child can join Jessi, Mister Brown, Squeaks the Robot Lab Rat, and their fun friends at their fort, where they will learn, research, answer questions, and conduct cool experiments. SciShow Kids was created in July 2014 with 793K subscribers, with 213,165,824 views! No wonder we had to add this to the list of 10 Science YouTube Channels for Kids!
The Ryan’s World YouTube channel was created in March 2015 as a toy review hub. However, the channel has evolved over the past seven years to include individual lessons, educational videos, and experiments. Although Ryan is the star of the show, adults are the ones who perform the experiments. Ryan’s World is trendy, with 50,996,862,935 views and 32.1million subscribers.
Mystery Doug – How do Scientists Learn About Wild Animals?
Homeschoolers all around the world love Mystery Doug! And why? Because of the great content, he releases for the world for free! This YouTube Channel had to be included in the list of 10 science YouTube Channels for kids because of its great content! Each video provides an excellent Science lesson that your child will enjoy. The Mystery Doug YouTube channel was created in April 2017 and had 514,000 subscribers and 133,947,850 views! Curious why that is. Check it out for yourself!
Are you looking for videos about outer space? How about experiments your kids can try? Then you should check out Lab360! Created in 2013, Lab360 has 491,000 subscribers and 104,970,063 views, with authentic science demonstrations that your kids will love. This channel is a gem with science experiments and learning for people of all ages.
MinuteEarth – Why Water Dissolves (almost) Everything
We love MinuteEarth because it provides unique Science lessons and fun stories about our incredible planet. The MinuteEarth YouTube Channel was created in October 2011 and had 2.68 million subscribers. With neat videos like ‘An Egg is Just One Cell,’ ‘Why Do Humans Vomit So Much?’ and ‘Why The Ocean Needs Salt,’ it’s easy to see why this is a favourite for learning.
Operation Ouch – Tricks to Play on Your Friends #April Fools Special
These unique creators have various episodes packed with incredible facts about the human body. Hosted by identical twins Dr. Chris and Dr. Xand VanTulleken, it’s a must-see as they experiment and explore their way through the fascinating world of medicine and biology. Their goal is to de-mystify hospitals for children while teaching them important lessons. Operation Ouch was created in November 2016 and had 299,000 subscribers and many amazing videos to choose from.
NASA has a mission to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research, and they share it on their YouTube Channel. Look at the diverse work that NASA does, like proving flight technologies, creating capabilities for sustainable human and robotic exploration, earth, the solar system and more.
Mark Rober – World’s Tallest Elephant Toothpaste Volcano
Mark Rober isn’t just an extraordinary YouTube Artist; he’s also a former NASA and Apple Engineer and friend of science. He has highly crazy science experiments that kids love to watch. Additionally, this channel takes complex ideas and breaks them down into crazy hands-on lessons that your child will remember. The Mark Rober YouTube Channel was created in October 2011 and had 21.4 million subscribers.
The Backyard Scientist – 200 Watt Car Mounted Laser
This channel is loaded with tons of fun science videos for kids. You’ll find crazy videos that teach various science topics ‘Can a Motor run on beans?’ ‘Can Spiderman Climb the Sticky Wall?’ and more. Created in 2013, The Backyard Scientist now has 5.25 million subscribers and hundreds of fun videos.
Minute Physics – Is Anything on the Internet Real?
Like its sister channel, Minute Earth, Minute Physics has much to offer. The Minute Physics channel focuses on Space and Gravity with many unique videos and 5.44 million subscribers. You’ll quickly learn to love this channel with all its great content like ‘The Rocket & String Paradox,’ ‘Windmills Are NOT Like Dams,’ and ‘Why LESS Sensitive Tests Might Be Better.
Which of the 10 Science Youtube Channels for Kids was your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
Learn, plan and personalize all in one place with 4000+ interactive lessons for math, language, science and social studies. Only on the Schoolio Digital Platform!
Parental stress can damage your well-being and your child’s development. And as a homeschooling parent, you might feel overwhelmed and stressed when you think about everything you need to accomplish in a day. So, what are some ways to cope with and overcome the stress you may feel? How can you take the stress out of your homeschool?
The negative impact stress has on your child.
Your child feeds off of how you’re feeling. When you’re feeling stress, nine times out of ten, they will also feel some stress. Homeschooling has provided many children with the break they desperately need from a stressful school environment. However, when we place more emphasis on them at home, we reverse the positive impacts homeschooling can have on your child.
Unhealthy and ongoing stress can weaken the architecture of your child’s developing brain, leading to lifelong problems in learning. Homeschooling is a huge commitment, and it can be stressful, but unfortunately, too many homeschooling parents make it even more stressful than it should be. When we are always bringing the stress to the homeschool, our children will begin to associate this negativity and stress with learning and, in extreme cases you.
Three ways you might be bringing unintentional stress to your homeschool.
Expecting perfection. When expecting perfection from your child or yourself, you place unnecessary and unhealthy stress on your child and yourself. If you’re transitioning your child from public school to homeschooling or just starting Kindergarten with your child, remember that this transition takes time for you and your child.
Comparing yourself to others or comparing your children to other children. Comparing your homeschool to another parent’s homeschool can be extremely easy. Or worse, comparing your child to another child. But the issue with comparison is that we will always compare our very worst to someone’s very best.
Trying to finish every book. Do you become obsessed with finishing different subject books before the end of the year? Are you constantly attempting to have your child complete every assignment daily without any room for breaks? It’s okay if you don’t finish the entire book, primarily if the subject reflects previously-learned concepts like math. There’s a huge chance that when your child begins the next level, the beginning lessons will review what they should’ve learned in the previous level.
Please don’t feel guilty; we all seem to bring unintentional stress to our homeschool from time to time.
Nora has three children and decided to start homeschooling the two older ones during the beginning of the pandemic, but she quickly found that stress was taking over. “I wanted to keep my grade one and Kindergartener safe at home; I thought it would be a piece of cake. But I started struggling right from the get-go. I wanted to be this amazing homeschooling teacher and balance it all. But I found I was short with my kids when they weren’t doing their homework. Then the baby would start fussing. And the situation turned bad quickly.”
What did Nora do to ease the stress in her homeschool?
“I decided to take it day by day. I stopped trying to get it all done, so when my son, who was in grade one, started to lose focus, we would stop for the day or move to an activity to shift his focus onto something else. I initially put a lot of pressure on myself because I didn’t want to mess up my kid’s education. But I found that I was quickly pulling us all down in my efforts to make our homeschool-like school.”
What can you do to take the stress out of your homeschool?
Find great resources.
There are so many options available to homeschooling families now, so it’s up to you to find the best resources for your family. Most, if not all, homeschooling curriculum providers have free samples available either on their website or upon request. This means you don’t need to purchase a curriculum and hope for the best blindly. Instead, you can use these samples to see which works best with your family’s homeschool vibe.
Don’t be afraid to switch resources when something isn’t working anymore.
Additionally, don’t forget that switching your learning materials up is ok. You don’t have to commit to one homeschool curriculum from grades 1 to 8. One curriculum that might have been an excellent match for your family one year might not be the best option for your family the next. Using other resources is okay; you don’t have to stick to the same one forever.
Allow your homeschool to evolve.
Just like you might find that your family grows out of a specific curriculum, your family may also evolve through different homeschooling styles. And that’s ok! If you started homeschooling with the school-at-home style but have found that unschooling is more your vibe. It’s ok to evolve, again and again, to meet your family’s learning needs. As our children grow, they’re constantly changing. Finding the best way of learning for them throughout these changes is essential.
Figure out your family’s learning routine.
You don’t have to stick to a specific routine like a traditional school. Your children and family are unique; why should your homeschooling routine not be? A good way will help keep your homeschool less stressful.
Remember that homeschooling doesn’t take as long as a traditional school.
This is important to remember when taking the stress out of your homeschool. Children in traditional schools spend around six hours each day in school. That doesn’t mean you have to mirror that time commitment because homeschooling is entirely different from conventional school and doesn’t take as long. Children in traditional schools have assemblies, circle time, recess, lunch, and breaks and must wait while the teacher attempts to teach a class of 20+ children. Homeschooling is one-on-one, which takes away a considerable chunk of time.
Teach critical social-emotional skills with your core subjects.
Emotional skills are often left out of education; how can a holistic education be without these skills being taught? Our children experience big feelings, and they might not be able to communicate them very well, so it comes out as bad behaviour. If your child is melting down over things that seem small to you, they might be flooded with emotions. First, respond with empathy towards your child, and help them get to a calm place. Then be sure to make learning social-emotional skills a priority.
We all know that homeschooling isn’t always sunshine and roses, some days, your child might feel stressed from a particular concept they are learning if you sense that your child feels that stress, don’t pressure them to complete it. Take a break and revisit it another day. While being sure to implement fun activities and give them breaks to process.
Start with what they’re interested in.
Do you usually start your homeschool day with the least favourite subject in an attempt to get it out of the way? Don’t do that! Begin the homeschool day with what your child is highly interested in. This will help take the stress out of your homeschool by setting up a healthy love for learning.
Outsource when needed.
If you’re struggling to teach a particular subject to your child, consider outsourcing the teaching of this subject through an online class or tutoring platform like Schoolio After-School.
Take care of yourself.
You are doing all the things. Homeschooling, cleaning, cooking and probably working a job also. Doing all these things can place you at a higher risk of burnout, so prioritize self-care. Schedule it, take time just for yourself, and do something you love. And be patient with yourself because just like your child is learning – so are you.
Additional resources for parental stress: Click here.
Not sure how to get started with your homeschool? Or need some help organizing it?
Book a Concierge Call.
If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free! Click here to book a Concierge Call.
An excellent source of education and entertainment is YouTube, which makes it a fantastic tool for boredom. It can feel like an overwhelming task to try to find the best content for your child to watch as you try to sift through thousands of channels. And unfortunately, if you’re not using the Youtube Kids app, your child could find something that isn’t suitable for them to watch. So we have made a list of 10 of the best YouTube channels for kids to subscribe to.
10 Of The Best Youtube Channels for Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQSECrMIygg
Homeschool Pop – The Sun for Kids
Homeschool Pop
When it comes to 10 of the best YouTube channels for kids, Homeschool Pop is one of the greatest. Homeschool Pop has many amazing educational clips for your child to choose from. They cover many topics from History to Geography to Math to Biology and even Social Studies. This channel has taken great care to explore many different areas of education. Homeschool Pop can provide an excellent boost of information for your child with videos like Oceans of the World, Antonyms, Helen Keller for Kids, Rosa Parks for Kids, The Sun, Rocks, Analog Clocks and more. HomeschoolPop is a fantastic channel created in 2015 with over 856,000 subscribers and 116 million views.
The excellent Crash Course Kids channel was created in 2014, with over 73 million views and 680,000+ subscribers. It’s easy to understand why it is a preferred choice of parents as it boasts of being one of the best kid-friendly YouTube Channels. They offer bi-weekly shows all about grade school science. These unique videos take a deeper look at Earth, Space, Engineering, Habitats, Chemical Reactions and more. With fun host, Sabrina Cruz. There are new uploads every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s no wonder Crash Course Kids describes itself as “Science with a side of awesome.” This channel is perfect for helping your child gain more interest in how the world works.
Nat Geo Kids is a child-friendly version of The National Geographic Network. Furthermore, each video is kept short and simple while being packed with information for your child. In addition, Nat Geo Kids aims to make exploring the world fun through weird, wild and wacky videos. These fun videos vary from cool science to funny pets to unique animals and more. Nat Geo Kids was created in 2014 and now has over 120 million views and 612,000 subscribers.
Designed to help your child learn words, this channel is specific to younger children. Obviously, this channel is a fantastic find for parents with young learners. Additionally, this channel offers weekly episodes that last 30 minutes each. Furthermore, each episode has a different star of the show, the star being the words. Therefore Word world is an excellent channel for encouraging reading, writing and spelling. Created in 2012, this channel has over 10 million views and 82,400 subscribers.
Storyline Online – The King of Kindergarten Read by Terry Crews
Storyline Online
This YouTube channel is a total gem! Storyline Online by the SAG-AFTRA Foundations award-winning and Daytime Emmy-nominated children’s literacy website. Storyline streams unique videos that encourage your child to use their imagination. Additionally, stories are read by actors like Allison Janney, Justin Theroux, Viola Davis, the late Betty White, and more. As a result, Storyline Online is one of the best kid-friendly YouTube channels; founded in 2011, Storyline Online has over 304 million views and 535,000 subscribers.
TVOkids – My World Kitchen – Pippa’s Zimbabwean Nyama
TVOkids
Some of the best kid-friendly YouTube channels are the ones that feature other children. And TVOkids offers a variety of fantastic video series for your child to choose from that features other children. Like My World Kitchen, All-Round Champion, Family Fun Time, Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures, Abby Hatcher, Odd Square Mobile Unit, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, and more. Consequently, TVOkids aims to help children prepare for school, life and the world through the power of learning. Created in 2015, TVOkids has over 81 million views and 210,000 subscribers.
FreeSchool – All About Stars for Kids: Astronomy and Space for Children
FreeSchool
Providing age-appropriate videos on subjects like Language Arts, Science and History FreeSchool is a preferred YouTube Channel by parents. Particularly, FreeSchool offers a safe and friendly learning space that teaches children about famous art, literature, natural science and classical music. As a result, many parents describe FreeSchool as educational, entertaining and enriching. FreeSchool was created in 2014 and had 513,000 subscribers and over 165 million views.
Kids Academy – Community Helpers for Kids, Joys & Occupations
Kids Academy
This fantastic Youtube Channel, Kids Academy, was created in 2016 and now has 545,000+ subscribers and 160 million views. Additionally, kids Academy has a large selection of educational videos. Moreover, these videos help kids learn important lessons that can be very useful in school as well as, their videos are short, informative and interactive, keeping kids engaged and learning.
Simple History – The Great Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall (1964)
Simple History
This unique channel helps visualize the past by bringing history to life through neat animations. It should be noted thatSimple History is geared towards older children. And will help your child learn about how people lived throughout history. While also including lessons on their culture, epic battles and events and developments in technology. Additionally, they’ll know what it would’ve been like to be in the trenches of the First World War? Or to be a pirate in the Caribbean or a factory worker in the Industrial Revolution? This channel was created in 2014 and now has more than 955 million views and 3.75million subscribers.
Why do parents love TedEd for their older children? Because it’s phenomenal and filled with incredible lessons. Without a doubt, one of the heated channels with videos like ‘Building the Impossible: Golden Gate Bridge,’ ‘The Dark History of the Overthrow of Hawaii,’ ‘Spaceship vs. Space Elevator.’ Furthermore, TedEd was created in 2011 and has 16.4 million subscribers and over 3 billion views. Apart from its popularity, this channel is committed to creating carefully curated educational videos for your older learners.
Things to remember when searching for educational content for kids.
We hope you enjoyed learning about 10 of the best YouTube channels for kids. It should be noted that while the media listed here are loved by parents and children worldwide, it’s important to remember that all kids respond differently to content. Furthermore, your child might be more advanced for some younger learner videos. In comparison, for some of the older children’s videos, your child might be overwhelmed by some of the content.
Unquestionably, you should always watch videos before your child does and gauge whether or not the video would be something that your child should watch. Indeed these channels come highly recommended; however, only you can determine whether or not your child should watch a channel.
Imagine what the world would be like if everyone prioritized being kind to others. Our society praises students for being innovative, getting good grades, and succeeding. But kindness goes widely unappreciated. Could you imagine if parents and educators emphasized the importance of being kind to others? Imagine how cool it would be if kindness were as valued as intelligence. You can start teaching your child about the benefits of being kind today! With 21 random acts of kindness ideas, plus you can download the ‘My Kindness Goal’ for your child!
5 benefits of being kind to others:
Being kind is beneficial for both the giver and the receiver. When you give kindness to someone, you usually receive kindness back. There are many excellent benefits of being kind to others; you should utilize them while teaching your children. Some seem somewhat predictable, while others are a little shocking! Nonetheless, Science continues to find more ways that our mental and physical health are impacted by each other. So, teaching your child about random acts of kindness and the benefits of bringing others joy is essential.
1. Kindness can boost your immune system.
Our brain’s feel-good hormone, Oxytocin, reduces inflammation. You are probably familiar with the fact that inflammation is linked to many diseases in the body. These are diabetes, chronic pain, obesity, cancer, and migraines. Being kind can boost your body’s oxytocin levels, which then helps to decrease inflammation. You don’t have to wait for someone else to promote your oxytocin; you can do it today! By spreading kindness like confetti!
2. Kindness creates a sense of belonging.
Being kind and helping others is considered a way to help people create, maintain and strengthen social connections. Face-to-face activities like volunteering to help someone can reduce isolation and loneliness.
3. Kindness helps you feel in control.
It’s easy to resent someone always trying to push our buttons. When this happens, we often feel like we don’t have control or stability around those people. You know that no one should be able to control your mood, yet you find it extremely difficult to stay calm when they push your buttons. When you choose to instead act with kindness, you will gain the self-respect of not letting other people push your buttons.
Remember, if someone never seems to change and is always aiming to make you upset, it’s best to avoid these people.
4. Kindness helps you find your people.
People are genuinely attracted to kind people. If you’re at the grocery store and someone kindly holds the door open for you, you will feel more attracted to that person—Vs. The person that slammed the door in your face. We were born with kindness in our hearts, so we tend to gravitate toward the people that demonstrate empathy. A kind mom at a playgroup or homeschool co-op is much easier to be around than someone constantly making you second-guess yourself.
5. Kindness can give you a mental break.
Stress doesn’t give your brain a break. Because when you’re feeling chronically stressed, all you can do is focus on the things you’re concerned about. When you focus on the joy you are bringing to someone else through the random acts of kindness you do, you also give your brain a much-needed break from figuring out all your problems.
The mental break is similar to the brain break you get from a cardio session, healthy sleep, or meditation. You are giving the analytical, thinking part of your brain a rest and, simultaneously, awakening the creative and feeling side of your brain! When you focus on someone else’s happiness, you forget your problems for a little while. That in itself is enough to give you a boost.
You should teach your kids about the power of random acts of kindness.
We all want our children to live their very best life. As you read through the five benefits of being kind, I’m sure you would also want each one of those benefits for your child. Being kind isn’t something you have to wait until your child is older to learn. You can start teaching your children about bringing others joy by spreading love with random acts of kindness. And, of course, the ultimate way to teach your children is to model it.
21 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas that your children can be involved in:
Compliment others.
Pick up litter at the park.
Let someone take your spot in line.
Insert money into someone’s parking meter.
Buy flowers to hand to people on the street.
Write and leave letters of encouragement on people’s cars.
Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru.
Use allowance to donate to a charity of your child’s choice.
Hold open the door for someone.
Write letters to the elderly.
Shovel snow from a neighbour’s driveway.
Do someone a favour without expecting anything in return.
Bake cookies for the neighbours.
Encourage your child to show the ‘new kid’ around their school.
In the summer, hand out water to people at a park.
Send a letter to a loved one instead of a text.
Tip your waitress generously.
Make breakfast in bed for a family member.
Write a kind letter to a parent.
Leave kind comments on people’s social media posts.
Be kind to yourself.
Random acts of kindness are what the world needs.
Every single person that you meet needs kindness. Your child needs kindness; your spouse needs kindness; your family members need kindness; the clerk at the bank needs kindness; the debt collector needs kindness, the customer service rep from the company you purchased a product from needs kindness. Every single person that you come in contact with needs kindness. Including the person that is looking back at you in the mirror.
All of us need extended grace for our shortcomings and thoughtfulness when needed. You have the power and ability to give kindness to others while also teaching your children how important it is to spread kindness to the world around us.
Download the Free My Kindness Goal Sheet
Download the ‘My Kindness Goal’ sheet for your child to complete. You can choose from either the colouring sheet or the written word sheet.
Homeschooling has often been classified as a ‘weird’ form of education. Because many people don’t understand it. Also, homeschooled children enjoy lengthy discussions about their interests and passion projects. Because homeschooled children have the time, support and growth environment to dive deeper into learning opportunities that interest them. Most people used to traditional education don’t understand the passion and drive that homeschooled children often have. So, it might come as a surprise to you that there are celebrities who opt to homeschool their children.
Homeschooling has become popular among North Americans, including the Hollywood elite. Many famous parents, reality stars and A-listers have chosen to homeschool their children rather than put them in traditional public or private schools.
Why are celebrities opting to homeschool their children?
Any veteran homeschooling parent will tell you that homeschooling has many surprising advantages. Celebrities who homeschool know that! Whether it’s the desire to give your child more one-on-one educational time. Or the need to work their child’s education into their busy schedule. And maybe even the ability to teach them alternative subjects that aren’t commonly taught in traditional schools.
There are many different reasons to choose to homeschool your child. And this also might shock you, but homeschooling doesn’t always mean that the parent is the one teaching their child. On the contrary, many homeschooling families (especially celebrity parents) opt for certified teachers or tutors to educate.
Celebrities who homeschool:
The following is a pretty impressive list of celebrities who homeschool or homeschool their children. Some of the biggest names in show biz might surprise you!
Farrah Abraham and daughter Sophia.
Farrah Abraham homeschools her daughter Sophia.
Among the list of celebrities who homeschool is Farrah Abraham. You might remember Farrah as an OG Teen Mom Star. Farrah decided to homeschool her daughter Sophia so that she could attend more press events and focus on her modelling career.
Jenelle Evans and Family
Jenelle Evans homeschooled her stepdaughter.
Another MTV Teen Mom star, Jenelle Evans, revealed that she and David Eason’s younger children are enrolled in traditional school. However, she homeschooled her 11-year-old stepdaughter Maryssa for some time.
Mayim Bialik and family.
Big Bang Theories, Mayim Bialik homeschools her kids!
You may know her as Amy from the Big Bang Theory. But her real name is Mayim Bialik. Mayim and her husband chose to homeschool their two sons. She posted a video passionately defending her choice to homeschool her children. And stated that her children are just as socialized and smart as children in traditional school settings. Does defending your right to homeschool sound familiar to you? We are so proud of Mayim for being an incredible advocate for homeschooling.
Kylie and Kendall Jenner were homeschooled!
Kris Jenner and former partner, Caitlyn Jenner.
Kris Jenner and her former partner Caitlyn Jenner were among the Hollywood Elites who chose to homeschool their children. In 2013 they decided to let their youngest daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, finish their education by homeschooling. As their careers were getting very busy, this would prove to be a good option for them.
Katie Holmes and daughter Suri.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
On the list of celebrities who homeschool are Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. At the same time, the couple disagreed on basically everything else. Education and schooling was one thing they did agree on. When the couple was still together, they hired a teacher to homeschool their daughter, Suri. They did so because of their busy shooting schedules and wanted her to get one-on-one attention while learning.
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise homeschooled their children, too!
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman homeschooled their children, too!
Before Tom Cruise chose to homeschool Suri with former partner Katie, he homeschooled his children Conner and Isabella with Nicole Kidman, another former partner. Tom Cruise enjoys homeschooling.
Angelina Jolie and children.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
That’s right, the Brangelina brood homeschools! In 2017, Angelina revealed that she and her then-partner, Brad Pitt, opted to teach their six kids at home. She said, “they are from around the world,” and she didn’t want them to have the “same education she had.”
Gwyneth Paltrow with children, Apple and Moses.
Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow homeschooled their children, Apple and Moses.
In 2011 the (then) couple rocked headlines after they released an ad searching for a tutor. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin reportedly were looking to hire someone who would be able to teach Moses and Apple Greek, Latin and French. Along with other unique subjects, for $100,000!
Jennifer Lopez with twins Max and Emme.
Another celebrity who homeschools is Jennifer Lopez.
In 2016, Jennifer Lopez shared that she sometimes homeschools her twins, Max and Emme. They homeschool when needed. Jennifer Lopez said: “We don’t have a normal life; I don’t have normal kids.” She continued, “… They are super happy, well-adjusted, loving, caring kids, and that’s the most important thing. We’ll get them educated — homeschooling is great for them when we have to do it. The most important thing is that they’re with their mom and don’t feel abandoned by a parent.”
There’re many more celebrities who homeschool or homeschool their children.
Cynthia Bailey, John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Erykah Badu, Michael Jackson, Kimberly and James Van Der Beek, Richard Williams, and Jack Osbourne are some of the household names of celebrities who homeschool or homeschool their children. You will notice that most of these celebrities opted to homeschool because they wanted education to fit their lifestyle. And it paid off!
Homeschooling may not be for everyone, and not everyone will understand it. However, homeschooling suits your lifestyle and can give your family the necessary flexibility. Then go for it! And utilize Schoolio Curriculum for a simple open-and-go, all-in-one, inclusive curriculum.
Do you remember the day you brought your baby home? In those precious moments, you likely had a significant mix of emotions: joy and a hint of fear. This nagging worry that you were going to do something wrong, which would inevitably ruin your child. Despite all the baby books and pre-natal classes you took, you still felt unprepared. As your child got older, you felt comfortable, like you were getting the hang of this parenting gig. Only for the pandemic to hit, those worries and fears you first thought about in the beginning days have come to light again. All the things you thought you knew about parenting are now being questioned. You’re now asking yourself: ‘Should I homeschool?‘ ‘Should I keep sending my kid to school with all the educational uncertainties?‘ Will homeschooling ruin your child?
This wasn’t in the plan.
You likely never even considered homeschooling. But now, with the pandemic, health concerns, education cut-backs, and school closures, you aren’t sure where you stand. There’s this nagging worry that if you homeschool your child, they won’t ever be able to get back into ‘real’ school. Or that you’ll somehow ruin your relationship with your child. Additionally, you might fear that you will mess up their education and social skills.
Will homeschooling ruin your child?
You already know the answer to this question. And the answer is no. Homeschooling your child won’t ruin them. Of course, you want to do the right thing for them and their education. And I can’t tell you whether or not homeschooling is the right option for your family; only you know that, however, if you can homeschool and have the desire to help your child thrive on their educational journey. Then homeschooling might be a good choice for you and your family. Homeschooling doesn’t ruin children, in-fact many homeschooled children lead successful lives, both socially and academically, with most going on to University and leading successful lives.
8 things to consider about homeschooling:
1. Your schedule.
Unfortunately, in our current economy, both parents usually have to work. Gone are the days of one parent staying home and minding the house and kids while the other went out and earned money. Breadwinner is a term that often applies to both parents now. If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you work from home or have the opportunity to work evenings while your partner is home. Then you have a much more accommodating schedule for homeschooling.
If you work during the day, you’ll have to walk through the obstacles of finding childcare during the day and doing school in the evenings. Which many parents know is not ideal as kids are usually wound up or exhausted.
2. Your motivations.
There are many different reasons to homeschool your child. Some factors that can sway your decision are Your child’s health, the quality of their education, religious views, special needs, having a flexible schedule, and stability for your child’s education. Every homeschooling parent and family have reasons and motivations for homeschooling their child. Figuring out your motivations is essential.
3. Your child’s learning style and learning needs.
Even before the pandemic, children were falling behind in traditional learning venues. It is basic math, with one or two teachers responsible for a class of 20-25 children. Someone will fall behind. Perhaps your child needs more individual attention to thrive. Some children might succeed in the traditional learning setting because they enjoy collaborating with other children and want a competitive learning environment.
Additionally, some children with unique learning needs may need to be in school because they require specialized instruction from teachers and staff trained to work with them. However, some children with special learning needs may need more one-on-one time in a quiet setting with a curriculum customized to help them thrive.
4. Your ability to be a parent-teacher.
Believe it or not, you don’t need a teaching degree to teach your child. Teaching degrees do help people become great teachers. However, being a good teacher boils down to the characteristics that you already have. Excellent teaching characteristics include Patience, the ability to learn a concept to teach quickly, and your ability to go with the flow. Another fantastic characteristic is the ability to inspire your child. Do you have that ability (only answer if you’ve put your self-doubt away)?
5. The cost.
Homeschooling does come with a cost, as homeschooling parents have to spend hundreds of dollars on curriculum and supplies. However, there are many affordable options available. It’s essential to set a budget and then do adequate research to find the best curriculum for your price range.
Schoolio’s curriculum is loved by thousands of parents and students and comes at a very affordable price. Check it out for yourself.
6. Socialization.
One of the main concerns of parents that are contemplating homeschooling is socialization. Will homeschooling ruin your child because of the lack of socialization? Are homeschooled children behind on the socialization ladder? Let me clear this one up for you quickly. This idea that homeschooled children aren’t socialized is a complete myth. Despite this myth being extremely popular, it’s highly untrue. Most homeschooled children have a great social life. Curious how this could be true? Read Socialization and Homeschooling.
7. Your support system.
Homeschooling parents need a village. Because when you’re home with the kids all the time, you will need help with things like appointments. If you need to visit a doctor’s appointment during the day, do you have someone to watch your kids? Are you connected with other homeschooling parents that can help answer your questions and guide you down the best homeschooling path? Having a healthy homeschooling support system will make all the difference.
8. Local homeschooling rules.
What are the rules around homeschooling in your province/state? You will need to do some thorough research into this. If you have local friends already homeschooling, you can reach out to them with your questions and concerns.
Only you know what’s best for your family.
You and only you know if homeschooling is the best option for your family. If you see that it would cause more stress on your family than good, then obviously it’s not the best option. Alternatively, if you think you can do it and benefit your family, go for it.
Will there be tough days? Absolutely! And there will be days that you question your decision and wonder if you should give up. Everyone does. And as parents, it’s almost second nature to guess ourselves second. Don’t let your self-doubt determine your decision.
Boost your confidence.
If self-doubt is standing in your way of homeschooling. Then remind yourself just how awesome you are, and give yourself some credit. You have been teaching your child since day 1. You taught them how to walk, talk, eat, and make healthy choices. You inspire them daily to be the best version of themselves. So, you can do this; you need to believe in yourself.
What’s the very best schedule for homeschool families to follow in order to be successful? And how can you help your family learn healthy habits, especially around homeschool? These are pretty huge topics, and I’m sure that you’re feeling rather overwhelmed by it all. Chances are if you’re reading this, that your homeschool schedule is always changing or perhaps failing. Now you’re wondering, ‘How do I establish a good homeschool routine?’
Truth First.
First of all, you should know that most homeschool families have had or are having struggles with their schedule. As frustrating as that is, it’s common! Why is this? The answer is truly simple. It truly is impractical for most homeschool families to follow a strict schedule. In most cases, time slots on a time chart are only going to cause more frustration than happiness. The reason being, life happens! It’s important for your homeschool to work around your life, not the other way around. Which is why it’s so important to establish a good homeschool routine.
Avoid the Burden of an Intense Schedule.
Instead of burdening yourself with an intense schedule of: 8:00am – Math. 8:45am – Reading. Finally, 9:10am – Spelling and so on. Change it up! Have you heard of time blocks? Time blocks are different blocks of your day designated for homeschool work, and life.
Aim for Time Blocks With Your Homeschool Routine.
Time blocks can look like: 8:30 – 11:30am Block A. Block A can change based on the day. For Monday, it could be Math and Science. Then for Tuesday it could be ‘Free Creativity Time’.Following Block A, you can begin your next block. Or, you can take a break with your kids if they’re feeling tired. You as the homeschool parent teacher will be able to determine how your child is doing with this routine each day.
Avoid Micro Scheduling Within Your Time Blocks.
It’s much easier to schedule in the blocks of your day rather than individual subjects. Plus it’s so customizable. As your homeschool day can have as many or as few blocks as your family needs. It’s recommended to have 2-4 blocks in your homeschool day. While also doing your best to avoid micro scheduling within your homeschool blocks. Additionally, it’s important to keep the blocks running daily at the same time. It’s really important to be careful not to change the times of the blocks, as it’s good for your family to learn the blocks and stick to them.
Life Happens! What Happens in the Blocks Changes. But the Blocks Stay the Same.
It’s obvious that life happens, and changes are inevitable. Which is why having these blocks in your homeschool plan can be so great. For example, if I schedule 3 blocks for each day of the week. And my blocks are scheduled like: Block A 8:30am – 11:30am, Block B 11:30am- 2:30pm andBlock C 2:30pm – 5:30pm. Our days can go like: Monday Block A – Math and Science. Block B – Art and chores. Block C – Free play, reading, practicing instruments. Then our Tuesday blocks can totally be switched up. Block A – Day prep, free play, chores. Block B – Language Arts and Social Studies. Block C – Music practice, physical education, reading.
Be Flexible with your time blocks.
It’s important to remember that while the items within the blocks may change on a daily basis, the time blocks remain the same. That’s because I’m not ‘creating a schedule’ to keep my family on track. I’m creating a routine using time blocks. Consequently, my whole family learns the routine because of these blocks. As a result, our family stays on track!
Don’t Do Every Subject, Every Day!
Another huge factor when it comes to keeping your homeschool schedule somewhat on track: Stop trying to do every subject, every day. Obviously you want to make sure that your child remains on track with their education. Because no one wants to fall behind. However, cramming all the subjects into one day will only cause a flurry of overwhelm for both you and your child. Sometimes, if I know that my child is struggling with Math, I will only schedule Math for a block. While being sure not to include any other subjects in that block of time, or other blocks throughout the day.
Figure Out How Your Family Operates.
Some families do better with morning learning, some families do better in the afternoon. First it’s important to find out your families learning rhythm. Then plan accordingly. Additionally, it’s really important to NOT worry so much about ‘book work’ being done daily. Maybe your child learns better with games? That’s fine! This doesn’t mean that you throw out the book work completely. Instead you can aim for book assignments for one day, learning games the next, and educational resources after that.
Don’t Compare Your Homeschool to Someone Else’s.
Everyone’s homeschool doesn’t look the same. For instance, if you see instagram posts of perfectly put together homeschool rooms with incredibly written captions of how the day went. It’s important to remember that most people post the highlight reels of their day. Rather than the chaos that actually occurred.
Switch It Up.
Maybe time blocks won’t work for your family. Perhaps you need a rigorous schedule instead. Alternatively you may feel better with a loose schedule. Irregardless, you should never feel that you must commit to one way of homeschooling for the whole duration of your homeschooling journey. Because things change, and that’s fine! For example, you may start homeschooling with a perfectly planned schedule, and end the year with time blocks. Because homeschooling is like an ocean, you have to learn to embrace the waves that come your way.
Be Confident.
You are doing such a great job teaching your kids! Therefore you should feel so proud of all that you are accomplishing. If your schedule has failed, please don’t be upset. Instead research alternative scheduling methods for your homeschool. Also, chatting with other homeschool parents on how their schedules or routines look can be extremely helpful. Just remember to chat with ‘real’ homeschool parents in homeschool groups. Rather than looking at someone else’s highlight reel, while wondering why your life can’t look that perfect. This is an important step in your journey to establish a good homeschool routine.
Don’t Get Stuck.
Sometimes as homeschool parents you will face tough days. Of course the schedule will change and things may fall out of whack. Sickness, work, life, unexpected situations. All of these scenarios can play a part in throwing your homeschool routine off track. If your homeschool routine/schedule has fallen apart, don’t get stuck. Just keep moving forward with the knowledge that you’re doing an excellent job. And remember, you have the ability to accomplish big things!
Check Out These Schoolio Blogs and Free Resources for Scheduling.
Click Here to read ‘When Your Homeschool Schedule Isn’t Going As Planned’
Click Here to view ‘Daily Homeschool Planning Tips and Free Resources’
Additional Helpful Resources to Establish a Good Homeschool Routine.
