10 Ways to Put the Home in Schooling

Academics are a vital aspect of homeschooling. However, we homeschooling parents need to avoid the trap of becoming overly focused on them and on trying to recreate a traditional classroom setting. Doing so can cause us to lose sight of what a gift it is to have the freedom to homeschool our children.

Home educating doesn’t mean that we bring school home. Instead, it means that we incorporate learning into our everyday lives until it becomes an extension of our family life.

Try these simple tips to put the home in your schooling.

1. Snuggle up together to read – even if you’re all reading different books.

It doesn’t matter if you’re reading books for school or books for fun, if you’re reading aloud or everyone has their own book – snuggle up to read together! A bed or couch is a perfect, year-round snuggle spot. A blanket in the back yard makes a stress-relieving warm weather book nook. Move the blanket near the fireplace or heater for a cozy cold weather spot.

2. Bake together.

Baking together provides opportunities for younger kids to practice real-life math applications (such as adding and subtracting fractions), following directions, and basic kitchen chemistry. It allows older students to learn home-making skills in a real-world context. Baking together creates discussion time for kids of all ages. It also helps your entire family to bond and create memories together.

3. Learn alongside each other.

You don’t have to fumble your way through algebra or chemistry. Take the course with your students and learn together. This shows your kids shows them that learning never stops.

4. Discover family hobbies.

Discovering activities that you all enjoy doing together builds family relationships .It also provides additional learning opportunities. For older kids, family hobbies may even translate to elective credits for high school.

5. Take family field trips.

It’s fun to go on field trips with your homeschool group, but don’t forget about family-only field trips. The kids often learn more because they’re not distracted by friends. Family field trips also provide the non-teaching parent a chance to get involved with what the kids are learning.

6. Involve the non- teaching parent in real, practical ways.

Let Dad (or Mom) do something besides ask, “What did you learn in school today?”

Let the parent who isn't the primary teacher do science experiments or art class on the weekends or in the evenings. Let him read aloud to the kids in the evenings. Ask him to teach them to change the oil in the car, cook a favorite meal, or set up an Excel spreadsheet.

Be aware of practical opportunities for homeschool dads (or moms) to be involved based on their talents and your family’s needs.

7. Allow character training to take place over academics.

There comes a time in every homeschooling family’s life when character training needs your focus. It’s a time when you need to put the books aside and give your attention to the issue at hand. The books will still be there tomorrow or next week or next month.

8. Involve your children in your everyday life.

Don’t overlook the educational value of everyday activities such as grocery shopping, running errands, or voting. Take your children with you. Don’t feel that school has to be a completely separate part of your day.

9. Don’t consider life events a disruption to school.

At some point, most families will face life events such as a death, a birth, moving, or an illness. These are not disruptions to learning. They are opportunities to learn and grow together as a family.

10. Be involved in your community.

Look for ways to get involved in your community as a family. Serve in the local soup kitchen. Volunteer at the library. Work in local politics. 

Homeschooling families need to understand that learning happens all the time. We need to embrace these moments, instead of seeing them as a disruption to school. 

Don't miss the opportunities that are all around you to put the home in your schooling.