Sit down with a cup of tea, are you ready?

Let’s talk about READING for your K – 3rd Grade peeps! Woot!

I’ve written about my simple, hassle-free method of teaching reading to my kids; so if you’re working on that in your home, check out my article here!

(Want good suggestions on where to start for titles of great books to consider for your kids?  Click the link in the sidebar to get a lovely, printable list of 21 of my favorite books for reading aloud with your kids!)

There are 4 things that come with the love of reading:

1. A lifelong love of learning

2. Self-teaching in a wide variety of subjects

3. Creating a heart after things that are noble, true, and godly

4. You make a lasting, meaningful impact on your child’s life

1. LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING:

I passionately believe that helping your child learn to love reading, is helping your child learn to love learning.

Once a child discovers how magical the printed word can be, creating new worlds in their imagination, or leading them into truths and ideas that blow their minds with wonder and awe; they will develop a lasting sense of the pleasure and adventure in reading.

A child that loves learning only needs to be gently nudged in the direction of their studies.

They will eagerly move forward on their own motivated energy; rather than be dragged along by parents, miserably resisting all the way.

Did you catch that?

It means: Your job of “teaching” your child just became a lot easier, because you become more like a “learning coach”, while your child is the one who charges forward, excited to pursue knowledge. It means your child becomes their own teacher.  Which is an incredible life skill.

2. SELF-TEACHING IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS

If your child loves reading, they will effectively absorb a large amount of information ACROSS MULTIPLE SUBJECTS (such as history, geography, language, philosophy, science, social studies, language arts, civics, and classic literature). They do this without you needing to do more than direct what they read by choosing good books, and provide help in processing and understanding it through conversation/discussion! 

It is so rewarding: getting to discuss varying aspects of the Pacific Theater during WWII, comparing and contrasting the size of the Persian Empire with Alexander the Great’s conquered territory, hearing my younger child correctly describe whether a specific muscle movement is voluntary or involuntary, being told the average speed of lahars (when I didn’t know what a lahar was before)…

It sure makes for a stimulating and fun homeschool day!

3. CREATING A HEART AFTER THINGS THAT ARE NOBLE, TRUE, AND GODLY

Books provide ideas and information on any subject imaginable. Good, wholesome books help form moral values of courage, heroism, truth, honesty, persistence, self-control, careful thought, and many other virtues.

It takes intention and thought to stimulate your child’s inner appetite for these nobler things – it will not usually happen by chance. You as a parent are deeply crucial in this aspect by what you encourage and allow your child to absorb during these developmental years – whether through books, social media/online, television and film, or through peers.

To create in your child an understanding of the beauty of things that are true, beautiful, and godly is to help them see the beauty of God. 

It helps create a desire in them to encourage and add to this beauty – His beauty – in the world.

The parent who achieves this, has done good work in preparing fertile soil for the seeds God will plant in their child’s life.

4. YOU MAKE A LASTING, MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON YOUR CHILD’S LIFE

The hours may seem to drag some days, but ask any older parent: Time is precious and it flies.

These days spent at home with your littles are valuable opportunities to pour into their hearts and lives. Your children love you and cherish time with you above anyone else.

You, as a parent, are the most impactful person in their lives during these formative years. Don’t waste your impact. Don’t later wish you had lived differently during this season of life. Know that your daily input is foundational and critical for your child.  Spending time reading with your child is an enormous gift with incredible benefit for the rest of their lives.

Reading out loud (even just ten minutes each day!) from great, inspiring stories or fascinating historical or scientific books is only going to increase your connection with your child, stimulate their curiosity about the world, and deepen their intellect.

Commit to Reading

What book will you start reading with your kids?  When do you plan to set that 10-minute commitment to read with them that works best for you? Don’t forget to click the link in the sidebar to get a lovely free printable list of 21 of my favorite read-aloud books!

I am excited for you to see your children’s eyes and imagination light up as you pursue this reading adventure !

– Maria

The post READING for your K – 3rd Graders appeared first on Home Plain and Simple.

So here’s the thing.

I have a lot of kids. And not a lot of space.  

There are currently six children in varying grades homeschooling here, not counting the two toddlers who are doing their own thing. (Mostly flooding the bathroom or dumping out beads or decorating the window sills with markers they unlawfully swiped, or teasing each other till they both scream. But I digress.)

So we do most of our homeschool on the kitchen table, all clumped together, because it’s the best place with a flat surface that’s moderately clean. The toddlers often join us, with coloring books and crayons.

Although, as I write this, it occurs to me that actually the majority of my true teaching time is spent next to a child on the floor… hmm.

Anyway.

Because of these two things (lots of kids, not lots of space), the most streamlined and efficient way for me to teach is to try to get the most kids I can learning from the same textbook AT THE SAME TIME, and adjust the lesson as needed for varying ages/grades/abilities. 

Sort of like a one-room schoolhouse approach.  Or “Clump and Conquer”, as I like to think. (It’s the large-family better half of divide and conquer!)

Here’s how it works for writing in my house:

I take this wonderful writing workbook by Susan Wise Bauer, and I use it as a source text for several different kids at the same time, because it’s so easily adaptable!

Each week is broken up into only four different work days, alternating copy work and narration. This is great if you need a break day, or if you need a day to catch up.

For copy work days, I first copy out the two sentences given in the workbook on a small whiteboard. We briefly go over the point of the lesson for that day – for example, capitalizing proper nouns – and then I have the kids tell me where examples of those are in the sentences.

Once it’s clear that each child grasps the concept taught that day, they copy one or both of the sentences in a notebook (I use the composition-type notebooks). I check for letter form and spelling, encouraging or correcting as needed, and then they’re done for the day. 

Narration days include reading a short selection in the workbook, usually from a classic children’s book, and then I ask a series of questions (also in the workbook), to train the children to listen carefully and thoughtfully.  They must answer in complete sentences (there are example answers given in the workbook), and then at the end, they each answer the question, “What is something you remember from the passage?” and then I write down the complete sentence from each child on the white board.  Each child can copy their own sentence (or everyone’s, if they want!). 

It’s amazing how much more fun and interesting writing can be if you’re writing down your own created sentence! My kids surprise me often by how interesting, long, and varied their sentences are. Then they cheerily write them down in their notebooks.

Quick side note: My older children write in cursive, my younger in print. I provide handwriting/penmanship workbooks to each of my children to supplement their schooling. I think training them in cursive is a great discipline for hand-eye coordination as well as helping increase patience, control, dexterity, and memory/increased retention in learning. For more info, check out this and similar articles: https://www.success.com/the-benefits-of-handwriting/

The lessons are simple, short, and completely achievable, usually less than 15 minutes. The reading selections are usually quite interesting and have stimulated my children’s curiosity and interest in many other books (requiring more trips to the library, or great birthday/Christmas gift ideas!). 

I love that they are getting a dose of Language Arts, grammar, penmanship, spelling, reading comprehension, and exposure to great classic literature all at the same time, across varying grade levels, while all together at the table.

This model is so simple that after using the workbook (it is designed for use by one child, with blank lined spaces for the writing corresponding to each lesson in the back, but I obviously put my own spin on it based on my family’s needs), you could easily design your own simple daily “writing class” using material taken from your family’s favorite stories and classic books. 

Efficient, comprehensive, painless – just how I wish all the rest of homeschooling was more often!

Did you enjoy writing as a child? What about now?

You’re doing an amazing work in teaching your children, and you should be proud of yourself!

Cheering you on,

– Maria

If this post was helpful or encouraging to you, please share it on your social media, and let me know – I’ll be delighted and pleased! (Thank you!)

The post How to Make Writing for K-3rd Grade Painless & Efficient! appeared first on Home Plain and Simple.

1. Plan for reading time – and protect it.

One of the best ways I have found to stir up interest and excitement in reading in my home is to take 10-15 minutes a day and read a great story out loud to my kids. If the chapters are long, I simply watch for a good stopping point somewhere in my time frame. 

I pick an interesting story that will catch their interest, and then guard my reading time with them as I would an important appointment. 

2. Be creative with when and how!

One time we often read is at lunch or breakfast while my kids are eating. (I eat quickly beforehand.)  Or we read at the beginning of our school day, after our initial prayer-and-morning-huddle time. This reading is the fun, adventurous chapter-book kind of story.

I also read a short devotional book most nights – I think it’s important to help my children have something that will help turn their thoughts toward God before sleep (a family favorite is “Stories to Share“, by Patricia St. John – full of interesting short stories that create opportunity for thoughtful, deep, and precious conversations!).

Another way to keep reading time is to turn on an audio book during coloring or art time – we have listened through several of the Chronicles of Narnia books in this way when I was dealing with a bad cold and my voice was too hoarse for reading aloud.

One of my dear friends used to read to her older children while she was nursing the baby. She was sitting down and unable to move for that amount of time anyway, and her children loved getting some of mama’s love and attention during those days when the baby took a lot of energy!

3. Intentionally create space for books and comfy places to read.

Clear out toys that are lesser-used or outgrown, and place a sturdy yet pretty basket or bin for books from the library.  Designate a corner as “the Reading Corner” and collect floor cushions, a small bean bag, a cozy blanket, and a short bookshelf or two!  (Make sure there’s enough light!)

One of my husband’s fondest memories as a child was his 2nd Grade teacher’s classroom: It had a large bathtub filled with pillows, and was dubbed “The Reading Tub”. Students who earned enough points won the privilege of “Time in the Tub” – and it was a greatly coveted activity!  (What a brilliant teacher, right?)

What can you do in your home and life to make reading fun, exciting, and easily accomplished? You don’t have to put a tub in your living room (unless you really want to!), but any cozy place that feels quiet and safe, designated for reading and books, will be appreciated and used.

4. Have your children make a list

My kids create “wish lists” of topics they are interested in, then I search online at our library for books on those topics.  When the books come in, all the kids are so excited to go with me to pick them up at the curbside delivery at our local library!  It’s like receiving a happy package in the mail!

Be observant. Listen and watch your kids as you read other books, as you watch films, as you listen to conversations.  What interests them? What creates questions that they ask? That is likely a great place to start with book ideas.  A section on Japan in my son’s history book created an interest in ninjas. Another chapter triggered much research on Charlemagne – all additional reading which was not part of his assigned school work.  But because he was interested – it was fun!

5. Encourage reading through example!

Excitement about learning is more often caught than taught. Your young child will naturally imitate what they see most modeled by you. So if you want them to love books and reading and learning… guess what you need to show them is important to you?

Children will hear what you say but will more likely copy what you do. To create space for reading in your home, you as a parent need to first create space for reading in your own life.

Set a timer and read for 10 minutes a day for yourself.  Or start with just 5! You will be amazed at how many books you can get through in a year.  And you will be feeding your own heart and mind with new ideas, interesting information, and great thoughts.

And a quick little bonus point:

LIMIT SCREEN TIME.

The more that your children are in front of a screen with moving pictures, the less reading they will actually do. And the screen will also limit how much they feel like reading. (This is true for you too, my friend.)

So I set a limited time for screens in our home – because there is an incredibly interesting connection that happens between increase of screentime and increase of bad attitudes, whining, bickering, boredom, and disobedience.  But maybe that’s just my punks.

Which of the ideas above are you going to choose to start putting into practice in your home and family?  I’d love to hear which one struck you most!

And if this post was helpful or encouraging to you, would you please share it on your social media pages?  Thank you so much!

– Maria

The post How to: Make space for reading with your kids appeared first on Home Plain and Simple.

Surprise! How to Look at Teaching Anything in Life

(Published on East Willow Place October 6, 2020)

Have you ever noticed how sometimes you think you know something, but then you have to explain it or teach it to someone else, and as you do, that’s when you realize that it is suddenly clear to you for truly the first time?

For me, it’s like a shot of excitement and even adrenaline as I experience the joy of learning. My kids sometimes just stare at me as I get enthusiastic and start waving my arms around, coming up with all kinds of (sometimes kooky) metaphors and analogies to get them as excited as I am. 
(I guess I’m making it clear that I am a total nerd. Often.)

The act of teaching it to someone else helped me learn! I’ve read that this is a common experience.

I think this is why God often allows our life to hold other people who need to learn something from us.  Whether it’s our children, our younger siblings, our colleagues, or our clients, He’s graciously giving us the opportunity to learn something well by needing to teach it to others.

In my life, I am constantly humbled by how little I know – but because I am constantly parenting my kids, I am (usually) thrilled to find I have the opportunity to learn things alongside my kids each day!

For me I find these learning moments often come during our family devotional or Scripture-reading times, or when I’m expounding on some theological truth to my children – and I’m overcome with tears because an aspect of God’s goodness or beauty suddenly became clarified to me.

These are moments of God’s grace. This experience is like a little love-note from my Father, who never gives up on me and who knows exactly what I need, every single day.

I’ve decided, in fact, that pretty much every time my family has a devotional or reads the Bible together, it seems that God is more interested in changing my heart and helping me learn something from His Word than about me making sure my children understand each theological nuance.

And maybe that’s what’s important. 
Teaching may really be about learning.

I’m going to be in a better place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually if I’m staying humble and listening to MY Father. I appear to teach better – no matter what sphere of influence – when I’m also an eager and listening student.

So what are the places in your life where you have been given the role of a teacher? And have you found, too, that often those are the areas where you can be startled by discovering your own learning growth, even as you teach? 

I challenge you to ask God for a humble, learning heart. Give Him the permission to surprise you with a fresh discovery and brilliant illumination in a place in life or a topic you already thought you knew with your eyes closed.

The revelations come like a sting of joy. And it’s worth every ounce of the humble courage it takes to receive them with open hands and gratitude.

I’m so excited for us both as we continue to grow and learn and delight in fresh discoveries!

What’s something you learned recently that was surprising and unexpected in a good way? 

Send me your response and let me know!  

– Cheering you on in this!

The post Learning from Teaching appeared first on Home Plain and Simple.

In my last article (found here), I wrote about keeping the focus big and bright on only four basics:  

Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Character Development.

Let’s talk Math!

At this early age, Math is pretty straightforward. (Even if Math scares you a little, like it does for me.) I try to keep it as one of the first subjects we do each day so that their minds are fresh and ready to tackle it well!

Depending on your child’s learning style, there are many options that could work.

I tend to keep it pretty simple and use A Beka workbooks. They are repetitive but very thorough, so I know my child will be solidly grounded in the math facts by the end of the grade. They usually cost around $22-25, and are widely available.

I also don’t get the answer keys since the math is so basic I figure I don’t need them at this level.  (Don’t tell A Beka.) 

I have a small bin of plastic “counting bears” as a visual aid for addition and subtraction for my earliest learners, and to explain lower-level multiplication/division. Anything small will work – buttons, beans, toy cars, crayons, Cheerios… (just don’t be surprised if the Cheerios start disappearing mysteriously).

Other moms I know have kids who do better with other math curriculum, like Math-U-See or Singapore Math. It really comes down to how your child learns best.  

Try not to get too bogged down in research before you just start. It can become so overwhelming that decision-paralysis sets in. 

If your child is genuinely struggling, pray about it first. The God who created your child’s mind and heart will help bring you the wisdom and resources you need.  It’s remarkable how suddenly the connections and information you’re looking for will gently become clear in the upcoming days.  It’s another way God shows His loving care and concern for every aspect of our lives.

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalm 37:23, NLT

Sometimes He’ll bring along another mom with a kid who learns remarkably similarly to yours, and you can get help and advice along with friendly support!

You know your child.

Trust your gut and trust that you are the best person to figure out how to help them learn in the way that most fits them.

If your child is a slow and deliberate math student (I have at least one of these), it might be a good idea to set a timer, and take a break from whatever else you are doing to sit with them and patiently explain and help. Kind voice, no judgement, just pretend you’re a tutor with nothing else to do but patiently help this child have a pleasant interaction with math for a brief time.

Start with 15 mins (or less), if they’re struggling. Then slowly work up to 30 mins.  When the timer rings, math is done for the day.  Even if they’ve only got through half a page. Or less.  At the start it should be more about teaching consistency and familiarity with concepts. And avoiding tears. (For them and you!) 

Then, as they get a bit older and more confident, another helpful idea is to plan something fun or different that they enjoy immediately following math (if math is more of a challenge for them). Have a coloring or LEGO-time for 20 mins afterwards, or a fun snack, or let them run outside and blow bubbles or build a fort in the living room, or have a read-aloud time with an enjoyable book, cuddling together.

If your child is more like a streak of light able to rush and get through math quickly (I’ve got a few of these), require a minimum amount per day – for me it’s one lesson (2 pages), and I check in often to make sure they understand what they’re doing. 

But for the most part, these lightning-learners only need my help with explaining a new concept – and then they’re off again.  Sometimes I have to slow them down and encourage them to breathe – my young daughter flew through seven lessons without stopping the other morning, and I wanted to make sure she was grasping the new material.

Home school is wonderful in that if your child wants to fly and feels confident shooting through the material in a subject, they can!

They are not being held back by the lowest common denominator, but can move quickly on to something that actually challenges them more, even if it is beyond their peer-group grade level.

Home school is phenomenal in that if your child needs extra time and nurturing in a subject so that they achieve mastery before moving on, they have that opportunity!

They are able to receive the attention and tailored approach they need to thrive and learn. This relieves the stress, fear, and the feelings of inadequacy and insecurity that can easily develop in a forced group-learning style when something is more of a challenge for them. 

One day I sat at the table and helped one child with two things: how to write a number eight (my child was stumped) and what the ten’s place value was. For thirty minutes we did nothing else except practice swooping 8’s, and discussing and practicing place value.

Guess what? While we did not get through even a fraction of the workbook that day, by the end there was an encouraged smile in place of tears, a new pride in the smoothly-written 8’s on the page, and a secure grasp of place value for two-digit numbers.

This was serious math success because of the way my child had experienced math in a positive, confident way. This is when home schooling seriously rocks!

What a precious gift this kind of learning can be – for their heart and yours.

So take a deep breath, mama. You got this! I’m cheering you on.

– Maria

The post Let’s talk Math! appeared first on Home Plain and Simple.

With my crew of eight littles ages 11 through 2 years, each day is always very interesting. 

Time doesn’t seem to flow around here – it moves in blurbs and dashes, sometimes with a big splotch for emphasis, like Morse Code mixed with a Jackson Pollack. 

Which leaves me often desperate for some kind of analyst to tell me what’s really going on here, to interpret the big picture, because I can easily lose focus and forget what the main point is.

What am I talking about again?  Oh, right.  Home schooling.

I believe that home school can be satisfying, fulfilling, and (gasp) even enjoyable – for you and your kids.

For me right now, here’s the (short) list:

1. Mathematics
2. Reading
3. Writing
4. Character Development (the most important, hence the last one)

There we have it, folks.  Otherwise known as “The Three ‘R’s” (apparently people couldn’t spell well back in the day, probably because they didn’t have Google or spell check) combined with intentional, godly parenting.

I feel like sighing with relief every time I remember this list. 

It makes me glad I home school.

Because educating your kids at home shouldn’t be a heavy, oppressive burden. It’s just easy to make it that way. We have a choice to make it better – for ourselves and our kids.

Also, think about the things that might be on your “required” list for homeschooling which may not be a true requirement.

Guilt or comparison or tradition are terrible reasons for any scholastic pursuit, even if it seems fun or “educational” or “encourages creativity” or is guaranteed to assure your child a spot in an swanky university in ten years.

Be honest. If something is starting to feel like you’re including it in your school day without a good reason, I’d suggest taking a hard look at why it’s there. 

If it’s draining you or your child and creating a time-vacuum that wreaks havoc on the rest of your day, or if your other children and responsibilities are suffering, drop that sucker like a hot potato.

(Which reminds me, what’s for dinner? Potatoes?)

For me, a lot of extra subjects, big projects, and in-depth studies for my kids at their young age is only going stress me and them out, create a lot of mess in my home very full of little humans, and stress me out.  (I get stressed twice when the occasion calls for it.) 

Home school should really be about a healthy way of incorporating education into the home life you have, not enforcing a rigid school-at-home.

In upcoming posts I will elaborate on each of these “Basics” and what I actually do to include them in my (home school) day. In the meantime, take heart:

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. -(2 Peter 1:3)

This includes raising and teaching your kids.  So take a moment to thank Him for this incredible gift!

You got this. I’m here cheering you on!

– Maria

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your wisdom!

Go read more and be encouraged and inspired to make your best days even better!

The post This is Homeschooling, Kindergarten-3rd: Keep it Simple and Fun! appeared first on Home Plain and Simple.

The idea of homeschooling may be scary to some, certainly overwhelming to those who are unfamiliar with it. So the thought of being able to actually enjoy the homeschool life may seem foreign.

I’m writing today to tell you that homeschooling isn’t just do-able, it can be enjoyable!  It truly is about having a mindset of enjoying your children and getting to love learning. 

Embrace homeschooling and check your mindset

Creating an environment that embraces homeschooling is a large part of learning to enjoy the homeschool life.  When we work past the idea of surviving, or living for the light at the end of the tunnel, and when we decide to make the most of each day; that’s when we start taking delight in the homeschool life.  

To help you make the most of each day and get to a place where you can enjoy homeschooling, I’ve put together a list of 7 ways to enjoy the homeschool life. 

Make your home child-friendly

Rethink your home and rethink how you use the rooms in your home.  It’s not a showcase for your material possessions, it’s a place to live.  Make it live-able, function over appearance.

Childproof your home so you aren’t spending your days following the children to keep them safe or from getting into things. 

Rethink the toys in your home.  Do they encourage the imagination?  Remove the noisy toys and the toys that don’t get played with.

Make learning centers

Create a spot for science projects and nature collections.  Designate a table or room for Lego building.  Assign a table or room for writing and school book-work.  Set aside a corner or room for books and reading.  An area for arts and crafts, and a wall to create your own personal “art museum” with your children’s art.

Make a workplace in your garage, your basement, or a shed where you and your children can create larger messes.  

Living = Doing

Living involves doing, and doing makes messes.  Your family won’t be happy if they can’t do anything because they live in fear of making a mess. 

If you have trouble tolerating the mess that happens with children, then create a place in your home that is just for you.  A place where you can rest your eyes and just be without seeing the mess that comes with children’s activities.

Involve your children in your life

What is your work, community involvement, hobbies, interests?  Include your children in that work. 

Talk about your work with your children and include them in doing your work when it’s applicable.  No matter how big or small your work is, involve your children.

Take them along with you for whatever you’re doing as much as possible. A saying we’ve used at our house is: “Watching is learning.”

Involve them when they’re young to create helpers as they grow

When doing your home management work; include the children, even your youngest ones.  As they get older, give them assigned chores and teach them how-to skills.

Talk about life as you work.  Explore the ideas for what,  where, when, why, and how – with everything you do for your work.  This teaches critical thinking and might give you a few different and possibly helpful perspectives on your work.

Go outside and explore

 Learn about animals and put out bird feeders, bird baths, and bat houses. Plant flowers, trees, and bushes for wildlife.  Get books and learn about the wildlife in your area.  Take your children to classes at your local parks.

Go places and do things

Explore your local parks and nature preserves and take trips to see natural wonders.  Visit your state parks and national parks. 

Leading up to bigger trips, learn about what you’ll see before you go. Do preparatory reading, watch documentaries, and do related activities to enrich the experience.  Many times, the parks have educational materials for this purpose on their websites.

Learn by doing

These types of experiences are so much more rewarding than learning from a textbook. If you’re going to enjoy the homeschool life, learning in fun ways is key!

There is so much to learn simply from going outside and having real world experiences.  The children can run, stretch, jump, climb, and explore which is great for the body and mind.

Visit museums and historical sites

Study an era in history and then go to the location where a piece of it occurred. Explore, and walk the same steps as the people you learned about.  Explore all sides of the historical event and discuss ideas as you learn together. 

 Again, learning history this way makes it come alive in a way that isn’t possible through a textbook. 

Use books, documentaries, and historical documents to lead up to the trip.  Doing so will give background and context, then the site becomes more real as it’s explored. 

It’s so rewarding to watch imaginations light up with an experience that uses all the senses.

Ask questions

Ask questions and explore answers all the time.  Make your world bigger by thinking through ideas and having conversations.  

Each age of development has different ways of thinking and processing.  Take the time to learn about child development and communicate with each age appropriately, but don’t underestimate their ability to process and understand. 

 Your children won’t be able to converse on an adult level, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have conversations.  Don’t treat a child like they’re dumb or stupid (it can happen unintentionally, listen to yourself when you speak to them!), teach with kindness and explain gently. 

Making conversation part of your daily life with children is education.

Keep your curriculum simple

Reading, handwriting, language arts, arithmetic, history, science, art, and music.  Keep it simple and don’t be intimidated with an overwhelming or complicated curriculum for each subject area.  

• Phonics for the non-reader: 15 minutes to an hour every day.  Keep it child-dependent, paying attention to how much they can tolerate at a time. Beginning readers should read aloud for 15 minutes. [15 minutes]
• Readers: spend 30-60 minutes per day reading. Have the children narrate back what they’ve read. [30-60 minutes] 
• Handwriting workbook/copywork [15 minutes]
• Math: after 20+ years and 9 children, my favorites are Developmental Mathematics by L. George Saad, Elementary Algebra by Harold Jacobs (covers Algebra 1 and 2), Geometry by Harold Jacobs. [15-60 minutes]
• Language Arts: Abeka is very thorough but there are many good language arts workbooks that teach grammar basics. [30-60 minutes]
• History: Choose an era to study together as a family and read aloud for an hour every day. Use a globe and incorporate geography into it.  Assign a topic or issue to write about. [60-90 minutes]
• Science: Choose a topic (start with what interests you personally) and study it as a family. Read aloud and do experiments or explorations all together. You can do science on one day or spread it through the week. [30-60 minutes]
• Art: choose an artist every month to read about and copy their technique. Use online resources. Choose one or two days of the week for art. [30-60 minutes]
• Music: choose an era, genre, or artist to read about and listen to their music. Use online resources.  Read about it once a week or so at lunchtime and listen to the music during part of the day. [30-60 minutes]

With history, science, art, and music, start with what interests you personally. This will make it more interesting and easier to bring into your life. 

School doesn’t have to be all day

Little children can complete their schoolwork in less than 2-3 hours depending on the child. I’ve had elementary age children get up early and finish their schoolwork before breakfast!

  Older children who have more reading and writing assignments and longer math lessons will take a longer time.

Keep the children’s school books organized so each child has a shelf, basket, or tote for only the books they are currently using.

Game-school.

Game-schooling is keeping games in your home that teach.  Learning by playing! What better way could there be to enjoy the homeschool life than to incorporate learning into play?

Make a time of day for playing games and having fun.  Game-schooling is a relaxed way of learning and a great way to have fun with your children. 

Another fun way to game-school is to get together with other families to play games.  There are even game schooling groups on Facebook that can help you identify appropriate games for ages, subject areas, and sources for purchasing. 

Homeschooling Can Be Fun!

Homeschooling can be fun if you intentionally build it into your lifestyle.  It’s up to you to look at it that way- as a lifestyle. 

Start looking at life through the eyes of a child and seeing the world as a plethora of subjects to learn about.  For a bonus, you’ll build relationships with your children and create a more close-knit family.

Make Homeschooling fit your unique family

Each family is unique and will come up with their own home school lifestyle. Don’t get caught up by trying to model another family’s way of doing. 

Think about who you are, your goals for your family, and embrace a lifestyle of learning to suit your life and family. To truly enjoy the homeschool life, you must make it your own and tailor it to fit YOUR family.

For more great homeschooling tips and home management hacks, check out our Free Resource Library!

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with Example in the Resource Library

Is it time to make a new chore chart for your family?  It was for mine this week. We’ve had some changes in the household since Christmas, and it was time to settle into a better routine of chores.

Over the years, I’ve made all kinds of chore charts for our family.

Several Reasons I’ve found the need to change chores for our family include:

• As the children get older and are able to do more things.
• When someone needs to learn a new skill.
• If they are ready for a change.
• When we move to a different house with a different layout for “Room Chores”.
• If our schedule changes for any variety of reasons- and the people responsible for certain chores needs changed.
• When older children move out and leave a gap.
• If older children move back in and take on a responsibility again.
• When the children start to squabble about a chore and the system needs a shake-up.

Assigned Chores

I like to have assigned chores for an extended period of time so that there is continuity in our daily life.  Assigning chores this way means that everybody learns to quickly know who does what, and expectations are met. The assigned person learns to do a chore well and to do it quickly.

Teaching chores to help your children succeed

Household chores are part of life, and I think that we help our children by teaching them how to do things and to do them regularly. A person’s education is something that can’t be taken from them, it’s always in their head—for better or worse. When you teach your children well, it helps them to succeed in the long run.  If you don’t feel like you learned how to care for a home and family as well as you could have, you can learn right along with your children. It’s never too late to learn new things!

Home Management: Plain and Simple

I write more about home management, getting your family on board with the work of a home, and how to teach new chores to your children in my book Home Management, Plain and Simple.  If you already have the book, open it to the chapters on chores for a quick review.  

I’m putting our latest chore chart in the Free Resource Library.  For perspective, this is for a house in a suburban neighborhood and the ages of the children doing these chores are 17, 15, 13, and 11.

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Little People: Babies

Babies are an adventure, an adorable bundle of joy, and often-times, a challenge to fit into the home life.

Create  Your Baby Routine

Babies, if you’ve had more than one you know that each one is unique.  Some babies fall right into a routine without any effort on your part and others require more effort. If you’ve read my book, you know I go into more detail about life with baby.

The bottom line is that a life of routine makes life with babies much more pleasant.  I found the best way to create a happy baby routine is the order of sleep, eat, play. Keeping a consistent schedule from one day to the next cements it in their circadian rhythm and makes their bodily functions run like a clock.  If you’re breastfeeding, it does the same for you.

Let me be clear about baby routines here

If your baby is hungry, feed your baby.  A routine is your tool, it serves you.  A routine or schedule is not your master.  Pay attention to your unique baby, watch for the cues that your baby gives you, be sensitive to your baby.  Your baby is the most vulnerable person in your home, be mindful of that priority.

Feeding Time, Reading Time

Baby feeding time is an opportune time for reading. Read books for yourself, read aloud to your children, or work on reading with a beginning reader.

Because babies need fed multiple times a day you can structure your day to do all of the above.  This is an example: 7 am read your Bible, 10 am work with your beginning reader, 1 pm read aloud to the children, 4 pm read a book for yourself. Personalize it to fit your baby’s feeding routine.

Baby Feeding Routines

With the sleep, eat, play routine give some thought to what you and your baby will do after eating.  Be consistent so that it becomes a habit.  Ideas: change laundry loads after each feeding, go to the kitchen and do some prep work for the next meal, go the bathroom and clean one thing in the bathroom.

If you are going to fold laundry then lie baby beside you on the floor for you and the children to play with while you fold.  Maybe you need to work in the kitchen, then put baby in a front carrier, in a swing, or a pack-n-play.  Think about your routine, make a plan and write it.

Plan your day for what you will do during your baby’s play time.  Some activities work fine, and others need to be reserved for your baby’s sleep time.  Be deliberate in how you plan your day in accordance with sleep time and play time.  Write it out.

Naptime Plans

Be very deliberate about naptime.  Many times, it is the only time of day when you feel “free” to do as you please.  Save it for those things that you absolutely cannot do when your baby is awake.  It seems obvious but give it deliberate thought and then plan. Write down your ideas to jog your memory when your tired brain can’t remember what you were going to do.

Baby Naptime

Some of my babies slept for 1 ½ hours at a time with no problem, others didn’t.  Some would stir at the 45-minute mark and then go back to sleep, others didn’t go back to sleep.  Be sensitive and respectful of your baby’s individuality.  Try to fit your baby to the schedule that you desire but be ready to fit your life to your baby’s unique needs.

No doubt, it can be frustrating.  Breathe, relax, have a cup of tea, put on some relaxing music, and make the best of the day.  A lot of times, a situation that you encountering this week is gone and replaced with a different challenge in a week’s time.  The most important thing is that your baby and children feel the love that you have for them.

Communicate with your baby

Each baby is different and you will discover the nuances of what each baby prefers.  Pay attention to their body language and be respectful.  Body language is how babies communicate with you.  It is a language that you need to learn with each baby.

I had one baby that was only happy in the swing during the late afternoon.  Another baby was not very cuddly and was very happy in the playpen.  Yet another one was happiest being in the front carrier for play time.  Your baby is special, unique.  Love your baby.

Little People: Toddlers

If you’ve had a routine with your babies and they are accustomed to a structured day then that lifestyle naturally progresses into the toddler years.  The sleep, eat, play routine gradually changes to fewer naps and a longer one in the afternoon.  Next there are two naps and then one.

The transitions can make for some rough days.  If you have a deliberate plan for your baby’s nap times and play times, yet are flexible with a Plan B, C, and D, then you’re golden.  If you’re not utilizing a home management book to plan your days, then use a paper and a to-do list.  You might not be a pencil and paper person but if you have little children… the brain can get mushy.  Been there, done that, #Isurvived.  Know what you are going to do during your toddler’s sleep and play time, make a plan.

Better Days with your Toddler

Create time periods in your day with your toddler.  This helps with routine and structure.  I have found with experience that happy little people occur when they have a sense of knowing their personal routine.

Your first toddlers will need to be taught how to do these things but later on your younger children will just do what the older kids are doing.  Teach the little children how to do these “Times” start with short time periods and use a timer.  If they wander take the child back to the area and tell them again that it is “Book Time”.  Be patient and gentle, it will take effort on your part at first.  If something you are trying isn’t working, stop and reevaluate.

Each child will take to these activities differently.  If the child dislikes an activity then keep it short and be very gradual about extending it. Or learn what makes it more enjoyable for the child.  Sometimes a child will love an activity and will make it longer or ask for it at an unplanned time of the day.

Take these ideas and make it fit your life.  What worked with my family may not with your unique situation, get creative and tweak these activities to suit you.

Of course, be sure that potty and drinks are done before starting one of these “Time” activities.

Toddler Time Activity Ideas

A planned activity in our day was Quiet Time, this was when their play was to be quiet with quiet activities.  Some of the children were very happy doing this in a playpen, even when they were too big for the need for a playpen.  Some years we had a designated corner of the house for Quiet Time activities for the little children.  Try putting on a classical music playlist for Quiet Time.

Exercise Time is the time to do stretching, jumping, and dancing to up-beat music and Simon Says activities to get out the energy.

Book Time was when I had the children of all ages sit in designated comfy spot and look at books.  They chose or were given a stack of ten books or so and then “read”.  Quiet, soft music is helpful to signify this time period.

Chore Time with toddlers is fun.  Hand the child a cleaning cloth and ask them to wipe.  If you make the cloth damp they will be able to see what they have wiped.  Pint-sized hand brooms to sweep with are fun for toddlers.

Homeschooling Preschoolers

There are endless ideas for preschoolers at home to keep busy with and increase their skills.  Ever since learning about the Montessori theory of education I have loved it for my younger children.  I took the ideas and made it fit my unique situation and the seasons of life that our family has gone through.

If the preschooler has older siblings, they will be interested in doing school like the big kids.  Look for activities that keep stretching their dexterity and development.  Make their “Preschool” special by only getting the “Preschool” activities at a certain time of day.  This helps give structure to the day.

Helpers for your Home Management

Preschoolers are great helpers and so willing!  They are so excited to do things with you so use that enthusiasm!  Let it make your days more joyful!  Let them do things with you, do not swish them away so that you can do it faster.  You will be so grateful that they are learning while watching and doing with you.  They will grow up to be amazing people that just do stuff because it’s in front of them.

Problem makers

Now, let’s be real for a little bit here too.  There will be messes.  You will be inconvenienced.

Preschoolers are not perfect people. They do not know what they do not know, remember that about your children. Do not expect them to be mini-adults, or to always know what they should or should not do.  They will do things that will inconvenience you or that you do not understand.  Their prefrontal cortex doesn’t stop maturing until they are 25!

Activities and locations and times

Much like the specific activity times for toddlers, continue to use those times in your days with preschoolers.  These activity times will help the child to grow their self-control and focusing.  They also help you to plan activities for yourself that would be more challenging with little children distracting your focus.

Room Time

Room Time is the same idea as Quiet Time but is a time for independent play in their specific rooms, even those that share rooms.  It brings the noise level and raucousness down (remember that I have a bunch of children and it can be loud and crazy even when they are having fun).  Sometimes they just needed split up for a half-hour to quiet themselves.

I have created a workbook for you to think through making better days with babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  It is available in the Free Resource Library.

Food for Little People

Meal Planning, a Home Management Tool

Planning your meals ahead, creating the grocery lists, and being deliberate about your shopping makes days with little children easier.  Having a plan gives you confidence and peace.  Having the lists made a route planned makes grocery shopping with little children easier.  Set yourself up for success.

Plan for health, for their ability to chew, texture aversion, and for gradually introducing new foods.  These are tricky things to consider and it is easy to default to cheese sticks and PBJs.  Have your default foods on hand but plan for healthy choices too.

Lunch menu

Think ahead to simple foods to keep on hand for snacks and lunches.  You are the person responsible for your children’s healthy eating, be mindful of your choices.

Think about school lunch menus and use that for a guide.  There are cute plates available to help plan a plate of healthy foods.  Get your little ones involved in choosing healthy foods at the grocery store.

Keep it simple, know your season, know yourself

Keep in mind that a child will often need to have multiple exposures to a food before they will accept it.  Avoid arguments about food and be gentle.  Be aware of your own food biases, preferences and habits.

If you’re in a busy time in life, acknowledge it.  Decide what you are willing to compromise on and be easy on yourself.

Take a look at the Free Resource Library, it’s full of workbooks to help you think through making your best days even better.

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