Learning at Home: More Than Computers & Workbooks

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     Hang tight, parents, we’re halfway there! The word halfway though is very subjective. Could be a good thing and you’re reaching an end point or a bad thing and you’ve left something behind, but either way, you can’t go back and yell, “do over!”

     It was in the summer with all this virus mess that I realized that homeschooling was going to be the best option for both my daughter and myself, though not without some stress. Mine, not hers. I tell myself that it’s only kindergarten but know that one always needs a strong foundation to build upon and so these early years do matter, so back to stressing. Then I read a blog from a homeschooling mom who said that if she had to do it all over again, she would relax more, read a ton of books and slow down, basically stopping to smell the roses as the saying goes. Slow down and see the value in the small things not missing opportunities that might pass by. And that’s just what I’ve done. I’ve slowed down and look for the everyday teachable moments that might be turned into extended learning opportunities and the end result has been a happier child filled with curiosity and imagination, excited to learn.

     I can’t redo the first half of her “school year,” but I’m not sure that I would want to because making the changes that I have has shown me just how unimaginative and limiting sitting in front of a computer screen and filling out worksheets can be and that learning doesn’t have to be just during the hours of 8:00 to 3:00. I haven’t given up all computer work and still offer worksheets and wipe clean boards but I’ve been reading books throughout the day and have found that learning can also take place when you least expect it. For example:

• Playing games – card and board games like Monopoly (my five-year-old daughter’s favorite if you can believe it), Uno, Rummy, Scrabble, etc. involve math and reading, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, as well as a bit of planning ahead and plotting. Hmm...should I worry about the plotting and planning part?
  

• Movies – can be a great history lesson. During the month of December, I drag out all the Christmas movies and one of my favorites is Meet Me in St. Louis. My daughter and I watched it together and it generated a whole plethora of questions and much discussion ensued. We talked about fashions of that period (she was particularly fascinated with the corset and declared her gratefulness that women no longer have to wear them), the crank wall telephone, ice delivery, doctor house calls, homemade ketchup and that crazy Halloween scene. Still don’t know what that one was about.
  

• Baking and/or cooking – our kitchen adventures always turn into a lesson, sometimes positive and sometimes uh, not-so-sure-about that taste, but they all still involve some math, a bit of science and a dash of creativity. Just recently we experimented with the Babycakes Cake Pop Maker my daughter received for Christmas. Boy, oh boy was that a true kitchen adventure! Almost a Lucy and Ethel moment, but fun and educational nonetheless. The activity confirmed that I will never be a Pinterest perfect mom, ha.
  

• Hiking – my daughter and I both love to be outdoors and so whenever we take a walk or hike, I’ve been bringing along nature identification books or she brings her camera and then we identify the various plants, insects or critters in the photos she took when we get home. This sparks lively discussions and more in depth research about animal homes, diets and habits, the best environments for certain types of plants (she is quite fascinated by fungus, particularly coral and puff ball mushrooms), birds and what their eggs look like (after finding shells at the end of summer) and much, much more.
  

• Internet – research tells us to limit screen time for children and that reading comprehension takes a dive when reading on a screen, but I’m one of those people that turns to Google when I wonder about something. When my daughter and I see something new or are just curious about a topic, I Google it for the information and for the photos to show her. Just last week we got into a discussion about fashion, specifically the differences between a shawl, stole, and Spencer jacket and what a bustle is, while doing an Usborne Activities Sticker Dolly Dressing book. A visual is always helpful to enhance understanding and make connections. I also like to look things up on YouTube, like recently watching how maple syrup is made. I know that she’s taking it in because she pointed out the maple trees in our area that are already tapped for sap.
  

• Books – of course my world always includes books and so I’ve started reading to my daughter at various times throughout the day, not just at bedtime. It has become a habit to pull out books that are related to different questions and discussions that crop up throughout the day. Sitting down to share a story doesn't take very long, but it reinforces my daughter's learning and helps us create a stronger bond through books. I’ve also subscribed to Vooks, 'a streaming service for kids where books come to life,' which has led us to discover new titles we may not have otherwise found.
  

     These are just a few of the things that I’ve been doing with my daughter that shows me how her curious mind fuels her thirst for knowledge and how excited she gets to find the answers, and as we say that we are lifelong learners, I too have been learning new things when we do our searches. Don’t ever be afraid to tell your children that you don’t know something. It shows them that learning is a life long process and that we all can learn something new, as well as how to go about finding an answer to their question. 

“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”

Happy learning!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 1) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.