What We’ve Learned, 2 Months into Homeschooling
We’re nearly two months in to this new adventure. As new homeschooling parents, we’ve learned a lot. But honestly, it’s been fantastic so far. We’re spending time with our kids, figuring out what makes them tick. Their relationship is strengthening. Less commuting, less rush, more calm.
The Learning Curve is Steep
At the beginning I must admit it’s pretty overwhelming. Routine, structure and methods are a bit all over the place. The beauty of this is that you can learn as you go, days are flexible and it gets better day by day. Create a plan, goals and milestones and a rough idea on how to get there.
Find Your Flow
Structure is always key for our sanity and for the kids to know what to expect every day. For us, play - breakfast - dog walk - lesson time, is how we start our mornings. It helps get some of the energy out first thing before we get them to do some focus work. After letting them play together which is what they are MOST excited to do when they wake up.
Build your day around Reading, Writing and Math
With one kiddo in grade 2 and another in pre-K we dedicate max an hour a day of these cores in total.
We’ve found a few resources that we like so far:
Math:
It has comic book-like lessons - which resonates with our kiddo. He loves comics. We got the physical workbooks as we want to limit the kids interactions with screens.
Reading/Writing :
This is a system written in the 1870’s. It focuses on reading, speaking and writing concurrently. It also has an emphasis on learning cursive writing which my husband and I think is an important skill despite lots of curriculums removing it.
Our pre-K kiddo has come leaps and bounds. And both of our kids penmanship has improved immensely.
This is the book that we got before homeschooling. We taught our oldest how to read before kindergarten. He loved this book. We’re using this with our youngest now.
Pre-K Activity book:
We got this fun little work book for our 4 year old. When his brother is doing his math workbook, he can do his as well. Matching, colours, numbers, letters.
Unstructured Play
Right now our kids are super into drawing and building. They can do it for hours. It’s amazing how much they can get lost in their own worlds when they have time for trial and error.
Lego, Magna-tiles and Wooden Blocks have been the go-to’s. Plus each kid has a whiteboard and whiteboard markers to capture their creations. The sandbox outside has also been great in the summertime.
Unexpected Perks
- Their relationship has blossomed. They love being with one another.
- Outings during weekdays are way less stressful. No crowds. No waits.
- My husband and I are learning so much ourselves. We get to learn things we wish we had when we were younger.
- We get to do way more fun stuff as a family since we have more time together after I’ve shifted my working hours. Getting home and going bowling or golfing has been such a lovely experience.
- Every day turns into a lesson. Watching birds. Picking up leaves. Bugs. Construction sites. Watching planes go by. Flowers. Cooking. Nutrition.
-HHH
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