Homeschool Tips

Teaching kids can be a daunting task and I commend all those teachers out there! If you choose to homeschool your kids, or you are forced to homeschool because of school closures, here are some helpful homeschool tips.

Homeschooling is a hard and sort of anxiety ridden task, at least for myself. I have a background in child development and worked at a school for 7+ years and I still am anxious about it, so I don’t blame you mama for being a little lost on what to do, but hopefully these homeschool tips can bring you some sense of calm and ways to handle this huge undertaking.

*Disclaimer: links may be affiliate, meaning I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you*

Whether you have multiple kids you are trying to teach or just one, it is a lot of work. There is no way around it.

There is crafts and multiple subjects to teach and it can get overwhelming but my first tip is, take it one day at a time!

Set Up an Area to Learn

Whether that is a whole room setup, a garage setup, a spare desk setup, or just a space at the kitchen table.

But make sure it is a learning “zone”. Meaning once your kids get situated in that spot, they know it is learning time. Its not snack time or play time, its time to learn and grow.

I got a cute table and chair set from Amazon as our “learning zone”.

Get Some Supplies

While yes you will need the obvious crayons, pencils, paper, etc. you may also need some other supplies. There is even a subscription box if you need age appropriate books from CrateJoy.

Whether that is a weather chart if your kids are little, craft projects for the kids, or a space to store all the things, you need supplies.

And you mama as the teacher need some supplies too. Not just the kids.

While yes wine may be on this list of supplies (and probably much needed at the end of the day), make sure and get some “teacher” supplies like a little white board, paper trays, supply organization, learning books, how-to guides, etc.

Get things to help YOU teach them, not just supplies to help your child learn (while also important). Don’t forget about yourself and whatever you may need to make your life a bit easier.

Teach Outside the Book

This may be the coolest part of homeschooling your kid and one of the best homeschool tips I can give.

Learning doesn’t always happen in a “classroom” type setting.

Get outside (if you can), learn science by exploring the back yard. Teach your kid how to make a food item for a little hands on cooking experiment.

Or combine the two and make your own ice cream using cooking ingredients and a bit of science! The kids will love it! Plus a yummy treat too!

Teach you kids how to sew, or how to write a proper formal email, teach them to write a letter or balance their piggy bank.

Teach them LIFE SKILLS! Don’t rely on textbooks and teacher manuals to teach your kids about taxes, balancing their finances, or how to cook and clean.

These are life skills they will eventually need when they grow up. Teach them age appropriate skills for their level. Basically bring home-economics back into “school”.

Get Some Assistance

I’m not saying hire a tutor or spend a ridiculous amount of money on electronic learning apps (while some are helpful).

I’m saying to lessen the burden and anxiety of it all falling on you mama, get a subscription of some sort.

Whether thats a craft subscription like WeCraftBox which is an arts and crafts box. Or a science kit box like KiwiCo (Use code LEARN30 for 30% off your KiwiCo box)

There are also bundle deals like this Homeschooling 2020 bundle filled with tons of resources to help you teach from home!

There are a ton of different variety of subscription boxes that get delivered to your door to help with learning from home.

Don’t Forget the Field Trips

Just because your kids aren’t in “traditional school” doesn’t mean they need to miss out on field trips.

Whether you take them alone or with a small group of friends, go on a field tip.

It can be the local zoo, museum, children’s play center, library, etc. Take them somewhere different and new to learn and explore and open up their world a bit.

It will help tremendously with anxiety and an overwhelmed feeling just getting out of the house and exploring other places.

Make This a Normal Routine

Trying to stick to a “normal” routine and activities will also help. Especially those kids who know what “real school” is supposed to look like.

Make the themed arts and crafts for each holiday, have them dress up for the holiday, throw little special treats and activities like they would during traditional school and make it fun!

Learning can be fun if you make it, it may take a bit more planning and effort on your part but treating it like normal will help in the long run.

Take those first day of school photos, have them get dressed every day, set a routine and time schedule like school does. Yes you have a bit more flexibility if something comes up but that doesn’t mean you stop learning and making it fun!

Hopefully these homeschool tips have helped and given you a sense of direction or calm while you prepare for homeschooling or distance learning this school year!

Leave a comment below what you plan to do to make this easier on you this upcoming school year!