How to Start Your Homeschool Day Right
August 6, 2023 Adrienne Brown 0 Comments
How to start your homeschool day right is what this blog is all about!
You know it’s a brand new day to start your first homeschool adventure with your elementary-age children!
So starting off on the right foot is essential for a successful homeschooling experience.
Let’s start by talking about the kind of sleeper you are!
Are you an early bird looking for some me time or maybe you would like to exercise before starting school?
On the other hand, you may be a night owl who needs just a little more sleep before cracking the books.
Whichever one you identify with know that preparing ahead will make your homeschooling day run so much more smoothly.
So, the first thing you should do is lay out your schedule and lessons the night before, for each student. This way you can focus more on one on ones with each child during school time.
Establishing a Morning Routine
A consistent morning routine can set the tone for a productive homeschool day. Plus, assigning chores will teach your kids responsibility for someone other than themselves.
Every morning have your kids do the following:
Fix their beds, brush their teeth, get dressed, tidy their rooms, and head toward their chores. For instance, if you have animals, the kids should be taught to care for them.
Even little kids can feed the cats and dogs. They can also collect eggs if you guys have chickens.
Teaching your kids to do these things will help you to homeschool in a more relaxed environment.
Eliminating the feeling of being overwhelmed and burdened with having to do everything yourself.
Deciding on a breakfast routine is paramount to your homeschooling success as well. You may cook breakfast as the kids are doing their outside chores or you can have your teen prepare breakfast for everyone.
Remember homeschooling is all about intentional teaching all of the time. By requiring your teen to help you out with cooking for the family, models a spirit of serving others.
Think about it, they will someday have their own homes and will need cooking skills. And one day they will have a family of their own and will need cooking skills.
Start Your Homeschool Day Right With Good Work Areas
Creating work areas for doing school can be instrumental in fostering focus and productivity. This space should be well-lit, clutter-free, and equipped with the necessary learning tools and materials.
You can all sit at a kitchen table with your books close by for easy access.
On the other hand, you may want to designate a room for the older kids to work independently and for younger kids at the kitchen table.
Planning Your Homeschool Schedule
A well-thought-out schedule provides structure to your homeschool day. While it’s important to maintain flexibility, having a general outline of the day’s lessons and activities can aid in time management.
For instance, will you all do math and language together in the mornings or evenings? Will you do the same history with all kids broken down at their level or will each child have their own books?
We have found it so much easier to get math and language done first, and Bible for those who are religious.
Oh, and don’t forget regular short breaks, coupled with daily physical activities such as walks or working in the garden, can greatly enhance learning effectiveness.
Finally, make sure you have a good variety of other activities throughout the day.
Like writing, science experiments, and history lessons are great ways to keep the kids engaged and excited about learning.
You could even plan a field trip or scavenger hunt for the afternoon to incorporate some outdoor activity and variety into your homeschool day!
Making Room for Creativity and Spontaneity
While structure is important, it’s also essential to leave room for spontaneous learning opportunities and creative pursuits. This could include free time for painting, building, or exploring personal interests.
One year our family built shelving for our garage and another time we built a new chicken coop. As a family, you can create many projects to complete together.
Even better take your kids out to do volunteer work in your neighborhood. It is so very important to teach your kids to care for their neighbors, particularly elderly neighbors.
Incorporating socialization into your homeschool day
Despite the home-based nature of homeschooling, it’s essential to maintain connections with other people. For your children as well as for yourself.
This could be achieved through sports teams, extra-curricular classes, field trips, social gatherings, and meet-ups with other homeschooling families.
Reflecting on the Day’s Learning
At the end of the day, take time to reflect on what was learned, what worked well, and what could be improved. This reflection process not only reinforces learning but also fosters growth and improvement.
Lastly, end the day on a positive note with a small review of what was learned and some words of appreciation for your child’s efforts. With practice and patience, you’ll soon establish a homeschool routine that works best for you and your children.
If you need more guidance for homeschooling check out this book I put together for the new homeschooling parent.
