by: Carla Shows
Welcome to 2020, where those who said “I could never homeschool!” now find themselves educating their children at home. Whether you are schooling at home through the district or you are “all in” and fully embracing the traditional homeschool life, I am here to pass along a “Homeschool Starter Kit.”
- Actual clothes. Despite popular belief, most homeschoolers don’t stay in their pjs all day. Seriously, get everyone dressed. It’ll help your mind feel ready to teach/learn.
- A library card. Don’t know where your local library is? Don’t worry. You’ll soon be on a first name basis with the local Flagler County library staff. (They are AMAZING!) From fiction to nonfiction books as well as documentaries, there are so many resources to help education come alive.
- Books. Speaking of libraries, one of my favorite parts of our day is our read aloud time. You might think that your middle grader is too old to listen to their parent read aloud, but you’d be surprised to see your kids light up as you share the magic of a good book. Take your time and savor the language and engage in the story. (If you don’t have time to read aloud, try an audiobook — the library has an app for streaming audiobooks!)
- “Bad day do-over card.” My first year of homeschooling was harder to navigate than I expected. Bad mood days. Days that went sideways. And days when we all felt “meh” about mathematics. What I wish I had learned sooner is that sometimes you need to change it up! Use a game to learn. Watch a documentary or educational video. Maybe it’s a day to go outside and observe nature and draw in a journal. Homeschooling isn’t limited to schooling at your kitchen table. So much of learning happens in magical ways – lead your children in exploration and play.
- Emergency chocolate. This chocolate is hidden from all other residents of the house and not to be shared. Your stash will likely need to be replenished regularly. Eat with tears when necessary.
Certainly 2020 has had so many unexpected aspects. One amazing gift is time with our families. (Maybe too much time some days?) One of the best outcomes of homeschooling has been my relationship with my kids. Getting to see who they are growing to be and the big world questions they ask will remain my favorite thing about this time in our lives. I hope you get a taste of that.
