5 Musts-Haves for The Homeschool Mom

Disclosure: This post is written in partnership with CapitolOne Shopping. The opinions are my own.

 

We are now a few years in to our homeschooling journey.  In the beginning I did a lot of planning and research, deciding what kind of classroom space I’d like to have for my child and what kind of things we would need to have on hand to make our days and our school year run smoothly.  For today’s post I’m sharing a few items I LOVE and consider to be must-haves for our homeschool.

Tank Printer – I absolutely love searching the internet for school printables, but ink refills for traditional inkjet printers are outrageously expensive  I had to be VERY selective about what I printed.  I’d find some so many great resources, but I’d only print certain ones because the ink was so expensive! And then sometimes I’d be right in the middle of printing a great resource, and I’d run out of ink.

Finally I invested in a supertank printer.  These printer are a little more expensive than your average inkjet printer, but they will completely pay for themselves in just a couple of months (if you are someone who print out stuff a lot).  We had ours almost 3 years before we decided to refill the ink. (And even then, the printer wasn’t empty.)  And I’ve been able to print so much curriculum and learning games.  Best of all, I can print everything I find that might be useful.  I no longer have to worry about rationing the link and being afraid I’m going to run out! I don’t have to worry about the price of ink.  These tank printers are a life saver!  And if you homeschool, you should definitely invest in this.

Home Laminator – Another item that I think is a must-have for homeschooling is a laminator.  These are relatively inexpensive, and they are very easy to use.  It is so great to laminate all those printables I’m making with my tank printer.  I love using mine to laminate Bible verses we are learning.  It’s also great to laminate our printable learning games, flashcards, and manipulatives, so we don’t have to worry about them getting ripped or getting covered in peanut butter and jelly, or chocolate smudges.  And because the printables are nice and sturdy, they have a good shelf life. You can save them for years or pass them along to others who need them.

Book Binder Machine – I always use to 3-hole punch my papers and place them in binders or folders, but for certain projects and school items, I love being able to put stuff today into a book. For this reason, I bought a binding a machine a couple of year ago.  As I’m creating planners for the year, I can easily punch holes in all the papers and put them in a spiral binding.  I’ve also been able to bind our memory verses together into little books, which makes it easy to keep them organized and accessible.  This is also a great tool, if you ever print out unit studies or journals for your kids, or if you purchase your curriculum in an unbound format.

Dry Erase Board – When I was a kid, I used to play school, and I wrote so many lessons on my chalk board and white board.  Then we started homeschooling, and I questioned whether I really needed a white board or not.  I didn’t want to just buy a board that would hang on the wall and never get written on, so right before the start of kindergarten, I considered how I’d use it and finally I decided that we would have a white board.

While some homeschool moms opt to not get a white board (and I understand that), I would say that it is definitely a must-have for us.  I often use it to write words and sentences for reading, which gives us a good break from reading off flashcards and paper.  It is also great for demonstrating how to write our letters.  And I find it very useful for when you need to review something or drive a point home. (And as you can see from my photo, it also gives kids a place to write and draw.)

The Right Organizational Tools – Finally, every home school mom must have an organized space!  This, of course, looks different for everyone, and depends on your own personal style and what kind of stuff you have in your homeschool room.  I have a cube organizer in our class room space.  (It houses a lot of learning manipulatives and games, but also contains puzzles and some toys.)  I also have an 8-drawer cart. This is where I put the majority of our curriculum and workbooks.  I also have a separate library cart for some our reading curriculum and supplies. and of course, we have bookshelves for books and supplies!

 

So these are MY must-haves!  If you are a homeschool mom, and there is something you would add to this list, please tell me in the comments!

Using Outdoor Time to Teach Children About Nature

Spending time outdoors provides many benefits for children. If you can tempt your children away from their screens, here are some of the benefits of spending time outdoors in nature. 

Exploring Nature Up Close 

One of the best ways to teach children about nature if you are fostering in Birmingham is to let them explore it up close. Take children out in the garden or to a park and encourage them to use all their senses to make discoveries. Have them look under rocks and logs to see what creatures live there. Let them dig in the dirt, touch the bark on trees, smell different plants and flowers, and listen to birds singing. Equip them with magnifying glasses so they can observe insects and other small organisms. Providing hands-on exploration promotes curiosity and an appreciation for the natural world. 

Identifying Plants, Animals, and Habitats 

Outdoor time is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the living things that inhabit the world around them. Point out the different types of trees, flowers, and other plants that grow in your area. Name the parts of plants, like stems, leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds. Show kids how to identify common birds by sight and sound. Help them recognise animal tracks to figure out which creatures have passed by. Explain what makes up different habitats, like forests, ponds, and meadows. Naming and classifying living things gives children language and concepts to understand the natural environment. 

Learning About Nature Cycles and Patterns 

Many natural processes happen on a cycle and exhibit recognisable patterns. Help children become aware of these by pointing them out on your outdoor adventures. Show them how the sun rises in the east and sets in the west each day. Track how the moon changes shape and position over the course of a month. Observe how the seasons progress through changes in weather, plants, and animal behaviours. Look for patterns in where certain birds nest, how ants march in lines, or how animal trails form through the grass. Tuning into cycles and patterns in nature builds observation skills and an understanding of science concepts. 

Encouraging Environmental Stewardship 

An important benefit of nature education is that it lays the foundation for environmental awareness and stewardship. Teach children to be gentle with living creatures and plants outdoors. Explain why we should put things back where we found them. Demonstrate how to respect nature by following Leave No Trace principles when outside. Discuss how people can help protect habitats and natural resources. Nurture an early appreciation for the outdoors so children are motivated to care for the natural world. 

Making Outdoor Learning Fun 

The key to getting kids interested in nature topics is making outdoor learning active and fun. Incorporate games like nature scavenger hunts or guessing the animal from its track. Have contests to see who can find the most varieties of leaves or clouds. Tell stories from nature while sitting under a tree. Set up a mud kitchen, fairy garden, or fort-building area outside. Make up songs about the weather, plants, or animals you encounter. Play follow the leader on a nature hike.  

Interacting playfully with the outdoors will spark children’s inherent curiosity and sense of wonder about the natural world around them. 

How To Make The Most Out Of Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a choice that many parents choose and if it’s allowed in your area, then it’s something that’s worth considering. With homeschooling, your child can benefit from more one on one time and an opportunity to absorb more of what is typically taught within the classroom.

As a parent, it can be a highly rewarding experience but of course, there’s a lot of pressure when it comes to taking your child’s education, into your own hands.

With that in mind, here’s how to make the most out of your and your children’s homeschooling experience.

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Create a workspace 

First and foremost, you want to make sure that the workspace you create is one that’s not going to be too close to feeling like home. You may want to take a spare room or create an outhouse space in the backyard that is specific to a learning environment.

Decorate it like a teacher would decorate their own classroom at the start of the school year. Think about what to put on the walls that will inspire learning and that can help with absorbing information more successfully. 

Eliminate any distractions

Distractions are going to be ever-present when it comes to homeschooling. That’s why it’s important to create a workspace that doesn’t feel like the rest of the home.

Consider what distractions you’ll need to remove from this space in order to keep their focus maintained throughout the day. For example, taking away mobile phones or any devices that might make them drift off and forget to concentrate on their work.

Anything that you need to do throughout the day, make sure to do it outside of the lesson hours.

Use the best online resources

There are some incredible online resources to take full advantage of while you’re in the city. If you need some inspiration, then using a platform like learn bright is a good place to start. In order to bolster your confidence and to know you’re delivering the best education to your kids, using a platform like this one is well worth using.

Mimic a school day schedule

In order to make homeschooling a success, it’s important to show structure in your child’s education. That means their day-to-day schedule should mimic the same structure that schools will typically offer.

For example, the school day may start at 8.30 am with a lunch break at 12.30 pm and then finish around 3.00 to 3.30 pm. 

With homeschooling, you have a bit more flexibility so you may want to increase or decrease the hours and add in extra breaks where appropriate. 

Find ways to maintain engagement

Finally, one of the challenges with both school and homeschooling is keeping your children engaged. There may be methods of teaching that you want to try out to discover the best way of maintaining the children’s attention. Some may work more effectively than others, so be sure to experiment, to begin with.

These tips will hopefully allow you to get the most out of your homeschooling this year and beyond.

What are the Benefits of Montessori Education for Your Child?

Introduction

The Montessori Method has been around for more than 100 years. It’s a hands-on approach to learning that encourages children to explore their environment and the world around them. The method is based on the principle that children are natural learners if given an appropriate environment in which to learn. There are many Montessori schools out there (Wonder Valley in Thailand as an example) that understand the importance of this method. This method teaches kids independence, independence, and self-sufficiency so that they can grow into well-rounded individuals who know how to work independently and with others.

Teaching through play–The Montessori Method encourages students to learn through play.

As a parent, you know that play is important to your child’s development. When they’re playing and having fun, they’re learning new skills and making connections between different concepts. At home, you can help your child develop their social skills by encouraging them to play with other kids.

In addition to developing social skills, play helps children learn about their environment through sensory exploration and experimentation–this is where the Montessori Method comes in! In the classroom, students are encouraged to engage in hands-on activities throughout the day so that they can explore concepts using multiple senses at once. For example, A student might be given a set of blocks or Legos and asked how many shapes he or she could make using those pieces. The student would have fun creating something with his own hands while developing spatial reasoning skills at the same time!

The Montessori Method encourages children to be independent and self-sufficient.

The Montessori Method encourages children to be independent and self-sufficient. These are skills that will serve them well as they grow up, from managing their time in school to caring for their own belongings at home. Children learn to clean up after themselves, take care of their belongings, take responsibility for their actions, and follow instructions given by adults or

teachers. They also learn to take initiative – another valuable skill that will help them succeed throughout life.

It teaches kids to grow their social skills with their peers.

The Montessori method teaches children to work together with peers. This is a great life skill that can be applied later in their education and beyond, as they learn to communicate and collaborate with others.

Montessori schools provide plenty of opportunities for kids to participate in group projects, which teach them how to take turns, share responsibility for the outcome of an activity, and listen to others’ ideas. Children are also encouraged to help each other when needed—for example by assisting younger students on the playground or assisting a classmate who may need extra help with an assignment.

The Montessori Method encourages children to learn about their environment and the world around them.

As a parent, you probably want your child to learn about the world around them. You want them to have an opportunity for independent learning and growth that’s not influenced by outside factors. The Montessori Method encourages children to discover their environment and the world around them through direct exploration.

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It is a multi-sensory experience in the classroom.

Montessori education involves a multi-sensory experience in the classroom and other learning environments. The child is encouraged to use all their senses to learn, including touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste. They are able to explore different objects by touching them or smelling them. They can also become familiar with sounds by listening carefully for specific sounds such as clapping hands together or even tapping two blocks together that make music when they meet each other. Children are also encouraged to write stories based on what they observe in their environment and how it affects them emotionally or intellectually. These activities help children develop fine motor skills through playtime activities such as building with blocks or stacking lids together on top of one another until they reach the top level of the stacker toy so that you can put more lids on top (which may take a while depending on how many lids you have!) This helps improve cognitive development because these small motor movements require concentration and coordination which teaches kids problem-solving skills while also giving them an opportunity for self-expression as well!

Children can go at their own pace based on their skill level.

Montessori schools encourage students to work at their own pace. The Montessori approach of “curiosity-led learning” is based on the belief that children will learn more effectively when they can explore the world around them in an environment where they have control over what they are learning.

Teachers at Montessori schools do not pressure children to do things they are not ready for, but rather allow them time to progress at their own speed and take risks.

In fact, teachers often encourage mistakes because these can lead to a greater understanding of concepts and ideas later on. For example, a child may be encouraged by an instructor who sees that he or she is struggling with math problem-solving skills (for example). Rather than simply telling this student what steps need to be taken next in order for him or her to understand the concept being learned currently (which could prevent further exploration), he or she might instead say something like “you’re doing great! It looks like you’ve figured out how many numbers need to go into each column before adding them up—but now let’s try another way of looking at this problem.”

Teachers serve as guides rather than lecturers.

At Montessori schools, teachers serve as guides rather than lecturers. They are not expected to be experts in every subject and are there to help your child learn how to learn. As your child grows, their teacher will shift from simply guiding them through the day-to-day tasks of schoolwork and socialization to helping them discern which areas of study should interest them most. The idea of encouraging independent learning begins very early on in Montessori education, with children given free rein over their playtime at school.

With the Montessori Method, you will find your child learning at his or her own pace

You will find your child learning at his or her own pace. The Montessori Method emphasizes that the teacher serves as a guide, not a lecturer. In this way, children are encouraged to work independently and on their own schedule. With this freedom comes responsibility: children are encouraged to be self-sufficient from an early age. They learn how to do things for themselves like dress themselves, brush their teeth and put away toys without being told what to do by an adult.

Another benefit of this method is that it encourages children’s curiosity about the world around them. By interacting with different materials in various ways (like playing), they begin learning about abstract concepts such as time and space while also developing skills like creativity and problem-solving along the way!

Children aren’t just taught through formal instruction either; they’re also given opportunities during playtime where they can explore new ideas interactively with other students or individually using constructive materials such as blocks or puzzles!

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you some insights into what it means to have a child in a Montessori school. It’s important to know that there are other schools out there that follow different teaching methods. If you have any questions about the Montessori Method or would like more information on how it might work for your child, please contact us today!

9 Important Ways You Can Support Your Child’s Learning From Home

Are you a parent of a child in kindergarten, primary school, high school or somewhere in between? If so, you know that there’s no getting around the importance of education. In this post, we will be exploring some ways that you can support your child’s learning from home. 

 Why Is Learning So Important For Our Children?

You might already know that learning is important, but do you know why? The first and foremost reason is that knowledge is power. Education makes kids more intelligent, more creative, and is a great way to use their brain and mental energy. It also helps with building confidence and making friends.

Kids who are really engaged in learning are often more enthusiastic about reading and having a higher vocabulary. This means they can understand more about the world around them, lowering their risk of bullying and feeling left out. Learning also builds a child’s confidence in school, preparing them for the future. 

Having kids isn’t easy. And parenthood is actually very challenging. You have to think about almost every action that you take as a parent because it will directly impact your kid for the rest of their life. Read on to learn more about how you can support your child’s learning from home with these genius tips.

  1. Help Your Kid Find Their Interest And Spark Their Curiosity

Learning and education are two very different things. However, you can help your child find their interest and spark their curiosity by encouraging them to explore a topic they’re interested in. And one of the best ways to support your child’s learning from home is to help them find something they are genuinely interested in. Whether it’s a sport, a hobby, or a specific type of music, helping your child find something they’re passionate about is one of the best things a parent can do. Ask them about what they like and make an effort to understand what interests them.

2. Encourage Collaboration In Learning

Another excellent way to support your child’s learning is to encourage collaboration in the classroom. One of the best ways to do this is by signing up as a homeschool parent. Homeschooling can be a fantastic opportunity to help your child succeed. This will give them a chance to learn and grow with other people interested in the same thing they are. Not only will this give your child a chance to make friends, but it will also help them develop essential skills.

3. Support Vocabulary Development And Reading Comprehension

One of the first steps in supporting your child’s learning from home is to work on their vocabulary. If a child doesn’t understand a word, it’s difficult to comprehend what they’re reading. There are plenty of ways to support your child’s vocabulary development and reading comprehension. Still, many of them can be done right at home. For example, you can play board games that require your child to use a dictionary. You can also play online word games, like Scrabble, that can help your child improve their vocabulary. Another excellent idea is to take advantage of books with interactive questions and activities. 

4. Organize Your Child’s Learning Materials

Another thing you can do to support your child’s learning from home is to ensure that all of their books, pens, and supplies are organized and easy to find. There’s nothing worse than a messy desk or chaotic bookshelf. This will help them to be more efficient and productive, which is one of the best things that a parent can do for their child. In addition, it can be helpful to ensure that all of their books are organized by subject too. You can also consider getting a bookcase appropriate for your child’s age.

5. Go On Field Trips Together

Support your child’s learning by going on field trips together with them. This can be an excellent opportunity for you to take your child to visit a museum, park, or even a local library. Not only will this help your child learn about the world around them, but will also allow you to bond with them. If you can go on field trips with your child, it will help to improve their grades and help them to enjoy learning even more. One of the best things about going on field trips with your child is that it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. 

6. Provide Opportunities To Practice Math

As a parent, you can provide opportunities for your child to practice math at home. This can help them become more confident in their abilities and give them an extra edge when it comes to standardized testing later in their education. Topics like ordinal vs. cardinal numbers can be challenging to learn. So giving kids extra tutoring will help them get their heads around the big problems.

7. Help Your Child Find Age-Appropriate Resources

Make an extra effort to help your child find age-appropriate study resources. This will help to minimize frustration and keep them motivated. The foundations that your child lays in their early years in school can often guide them for the rest of their education. Therefore, it’s essential to help your child find age-appropriate resources to ensure they’re learning on a level that is right for them. It may be helpful to ask your child’s teacher (or ask your child) what resources they recommend.

8. Talk To You Children About School

School is an essential part of your child’s life. You should be talking to your child about their experiences at school and the teachers that they have. By talking to your child about school, you show them that you care about their education. You are also helping them to process their experiences and understand what happened to them at school. You can also talk to your child about the subjects they study at school. 

For example, suppose your child is studying history. In that case, you can ask them questions about the time period they are currently learning about. This will help you to understand your child’s learning better. And you can even offer to help with their school projects or assignments if you want.

9. Be A Good Role Model

This might be the most important tip on the list. Because your child is always watching and observing how you live your life. They’re learning by example, and they are likely to take on the things that they see you do. So try your best to demonstrate good study habits, like having a consistent study schedule, having a clean and well-lit study space, and managing your time well. And you can use this to teach your kids lessons they won’t be taught in school. Things like self-confidence, effective communication, and patience. Everything we do with our children informs their learning. 

Remember: Not All Life Lessons Can Be Taught In Class

Finally, remember that not all life lessons can be taught in class. You can help your child learn valuable life lessons such as dealing with disappointment, handling stress, and being more empathetic towards others. Help your child learn by giving them advice and being a positive role model for them. Kids learn a lot by watching their parents and observing what they do. They can learn how to be a good person by watching you and observing how you interact with others.

It can be easy to get wrapped up in trying to help your child succeed in school. But, you also want to help them develop as a person. To do that, you need to remember that not all life lessons can be taught in class.

Fun educational projects for children to try at home

Whether it’s completing your child’s homework or simply working to improve areas they struggle with in school, finding fun ways to educate your children at home can be tricky.

To provide you with a little inspiration, here are a few fun educational projects to try with your kids outside of the classroom. What are the benefits of furthering education at home?

While children undoubtedly get all the necessary support with their subjects during school time, that’s not to say there aren’t benefits of learning at home too. Maybe they have a teacher they don’t quite gel with or maybe they simply don’t feel confident enough to put their hand up and ask questions in class. Supporting their curriculum with home learning can help to reinforce the topics your child tackles at school. This can also provide your child with the one-on-one time they may need to feel completely comfortable asking as many questions as necessary until they understand. As a parent, you can utilise your trusted bond with your child to reassure them that they’re in a safe environment and that no question is too silly. This will help to build your child’s confidence over time.

What are some examples of children’s educational projects to try at home?

There are countless different ways you can make teaching your child at home fun. If you have access to a computer, BBC Bitesize is an award-winning platform that’s popular with children. It uses interactive games, videos, cartoons, and questionnaires to teach and test new skills.

If you’re looking for fun, educational projects that are a little more hands-on here are a few ideas to get you started:

· Learning about electricity – this covers Science and Physics and could include a lesson on ‘how to conduct electricity’ using a small at-home circuit board and crocodile clips for electrical circuit connections.

· Drawing and painting – this covers Art & Design skills and can incorporate colour wheels, creativity, or painting by numbers to add a numerical twist.

· English and literacy books – this covers both English and Drama skills and could include reading a few pages of their book with them and then re-enacting the scene in costume.

What are the advantages of educational home projects? There are endless benefits to trying out educational projects with your kids at home. These could include building something, making something, or learning something new while at home. The whole point of doing so is that it makes learning fun. Creating an engaging learning experience allows children to drop any negative associations with school work, making them much more interested and susceptible to learning.

Tinkering Labs Electric Motor Catalyst STEM Kit

We plan to homeschool our son, and although he’s just a toddler, I think it’s never too soon to research curriculum and other school materials. Recently I had the chance to review Tinkering Labs Electric Motor Catalyst STEM Kit.  My stepson had the chance to do robotics in school, and my husband is also very mechanically inclined, so this is definitely the kind of thing I’m interested in doing for our science labs.  Today I’m going to show you a quick unboxing and review of the kit.

The kit is designed to introduce your kids to engineering and robotics.  With the kid, you kids will about building doodling Robots, power electric model cars, add motors to Legos, and more!  And it is designed for elementary and junior high aged kids.

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Children’s Book Review: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The opinions are my own.

Children's Book Review

I’m very excited about this month’s book review. My son received Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney as a Christmas present.  I wasn’t familiar with the book, but I instantly loved it, and so did Thaxton!  A few days after receiving the book, my husband casually called out the title of the book, and Thaxton walked to his room.  I was amazed after a moment when he returned with the book.  (To top things off, he had to grab the book from underneath a stack of books on the ottoman in his room. It wasn’t exactly right in front of him.  Now I have fun every day challenging him to with a game of “find a book.”  I call out titles and most of the the time he grabs the right book.)

 

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Llama Llama Red Pajama is a fun and upbeat bedtime story.  It has a great rhyme scheme and rhythm your baby will love, and all moms should be able to relate to the fun story line.  Llama Llama Red Pajama is ready for bed, but when his mommy leaves the room, all is not well.  Baby Llama starts out with a small whimper for his mama and gradually gets louder and louder in his cries for his Mama. [Read more…]