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Welcome to homeschooling, America! I mean that in the most sincere way as, because of all of this Covid-19 going on, damn near every parent in America just became home school teachers. Trust me, I can relate to the emotions most of you had or still have. Shock, fear, thoughts of inadequacy, all of it. Those were my exact feelings when I decided to go full home school for all of my boys. If I remember correctly my words were, “what the hell am I getting myself into?”. Don’t worry, it gets easier! And I’m also sure that a lot of people out there aren’t full blown homeschooling, which is also perfect. Do you, boo. As this time looks so different to everyone, there are tons of things you can still teach your kid(s) to really take advantage of this time home together.

Get their creative juices flowing

As parents, by now we know that if they are having fun it is the easiest way to disguise ‘learning’. Creating art is one of the best ways to do that. I see more and more people painting rocks with their kids again. Beautiful chalk murals going on neighborhood sidewalks and many pictures to hang on the fridge. Color, paint, draw, and write your hearts out.

You can teach the more patient kids how make some thing. Bracelets and key chains are a favorite right now. These are great for their motor skills while also teaching them patience and hard work. Even better, an end result that they can keep!

Cooking

Get ’em in the kitchen! I don’t know about you but my boys, even the 3 year old, LOVES to help cook. This is something we like to let the boys do often. But think about bumping it up a notch and let them cook a whole lunch or dinner. With close supervision, of course, their hearts will really love this and they will learn a real-life skill! Win, win.

Outside Learning

Do you have a garden or plants you have been putting off getting in the ground? Get some gardening gloves on the kiddos (they always love the exciting details) and teach them how to plant a garden. Slipping in fun facts along the way and, if its food you’re planting, they’ll get a first hand experience of where food comes from, how its cared for, and when to pick! Plus, anything with dirt, most kids seem to think they’re in heaven. Maybe you have teenagers like me, throw them behind a lawn mower or weed eater and teach them how to take care of a yard. My boys eat that stuff up and in turn I know I am teaching them how to be a good man.

Home Store

Have some fun inside and put together a store. You can do this strictly for learning and use real money. Teach them how to make correct change. Or you can make a little store with treats that they can buy with earned money. A great way to incorporate math skills at any age, really, and also another real-world skill. Makes cents!

For my 3 oldest, they earn money doing their chores and get to use their own (parent controlled) debit/credit card to do online shopping. Really makes them feel independent.

Role Play

Right now in home school, we are learning more in depth about the Oregon Trail. So towards the end of our learnings we are going to dress up as they did and create their real life situations and circumstances to really immerse ourselves in what they went through. Lots of children are into dressing up. Pick a time, place, situation, historical event, etc., and hand out character descriptions to them. See what they come up with then play out that time. It guarantees there will be lots of giggles, they may even forget they’re learning!

There are PLENTY of ways to “home school” your children and you as their parent knows best. Whatever that looks like to you, there are multiple ways to add fun and exciting ways to continue learning while ensuring there will be tons of fun had during this precious time together. Happy homeschooling!

Raisin’ hell and gentlemen,
xoxo Teachin’ Mama