So you’ve joined all the Facebook groups, researched curriculum, read all the homeschooling books for parents, and talked to all of your homeschooling friends, but you’re still freaking out. If you find yourself stressing out about how to homeschool your kids I’m here to tell you that it’s really, truly, going to be ok. Before you begin your homeschool planning, deschooling is an important first step.
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Homeschool Planning is Not That Serious
-General Patton
One thing many of us struggle with is overthinking. We’ve become so consumed with the idea of something that we create a narrative around it and begin talking ourselves out of it before we’ve even taken any action steps toward it. This holds true for homeschooling and homeschool planning. Many of us get so hyper-focused on the pretty, organized planner, the colorful curriculum, and all of the supplies, that we lose sight of the most important aspect of homeschooling. Your child.
Your child is the one key constant that you should take into consideration when planning your homeschool. No matter what tools, resources, or supplies you have, if they don’t resonate with your child and their learning style, they’re going to be useless. This is why when first starting out with homeschooling, taking some time off to deschool, and really get to know your child’s preferred style of learning is important.
Not only that but also changing your idea of what education and learning look like is important. If you’re going into homeschool and planning with a preconceived notion that all learning needs to look like sitting at a desk (or the kitchen table) with a strict schedule in front of you, then you’re going to be in for a rude awakening.
Learning happens all the time; you’ve been teaching your child since they were an infant. Step back, reconnect and get to know one another in the capacity of learning and growing together and you can put those planners away for a few months and just enjoy the moments. For example, if your child loves blueberries, consider checking out books about blueberries from the library and create a little learning unit about your child’s favorite fruit. It’s really that simple.
If they like waterguns – learn about Lonnie Johnson.
Your child is a fan of windmills and STEAM projects? Teach them about William Kamkwamba.
Meet Your Child Where They Are
So take a cue from General Patton; have a general plan as to what you and your child want to learn about and jump right in, now, where you are. Meet your child where they are and relax. You can watch documentaries, get some library books, have deep conversations.
This is what’s known as deschooling; changing your mindset around learning. You don’t have to have all of the aspects perfect today. Have a goal in mind, take a step back from perfectionism, and just let learning happen. Begin your homeschool planning with deschooling.
Homeschool YouTube Channels – Deschooling Resources for a Homeschool Headstart
These inexpensive books will help you teach your kids at home in a non-schooley way. They also work well if you’re in a homeschool rut and need something a little different outside of the curriculum to jump-start things and put the fun back into your days! These videos show books and resources that will help you homeschool without a curriculum.
Learning without curriculum book list:
Language Arts: How to Write Your Own Story Book
STEAM: Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie Activity Kit
Mathematics: Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands
Chemistry: Science Experiments You Can Eat
Astronomy: The Everything Kids Astronomy Book (similar but not exact book)
Zoology: The Burgess Bird Book for Children
Entomology: Turn This Book Into a Beehive
American History: A Kids Guide to the American Revolution
World History: History Year By Year
Educational Kids Crafts and Activity Books for Your Homeschool
Hands-on projects are how my son learns best and I’ll bet that’s true for many kids out there. The following books are great resources for kids of a variety of ages that offer activities that allow you and your kids to get your hands dirty and learn new things. Including books like this when you’re working through homeschool planning, allow for deschooling and retraining your mind around learning.
King of Random 52 Weekend Projects
Fun and Easy Crafting with Recyclable Materials