Do you find yourself at home with your child and in need of educational resources? I’m here to help with some at-home learning resources.
This week, I’ll be sharing general tips and resources for reading, spelling, writing, and math in this series with links to free printables you can download and use right away! Woohoo!
Want to find printable activities right away? You can find all our free printables HERE!
At-Home Learning Resources & Tips
Let’s start today with nine at-home learning tips! More are coming in this series…
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Tip #1: Don’t stress out about this. Think SIMPLE.
Yes, it may seem daunting that school is out. Don’t get stressed out. Use this time to bond with your kiddos. Learning doesn’t have to be printable worksheets. {Gasp!} It can be organic.
Bake cookies or a cake from scratch. Yes, from scratch. Cooking from scratch requires math {especially fractions} reading, and comprehension. Plus the results are so yummy!
Play board games or card games together.
Write notes or texts back and forth with your child.
Watch an educational YouTube channel together.
Just keep it simple.
Tip #2: Bring back FUN!
With the pressures on kids these days in school, fun is often taken out. Bring back the fun!
I have 50+ learning games to make learning fun {with lots of printables} for many subject areas. Check them out!
Tip #3: Keep it SHORT.
Yes, you have my permission to avoid hours of schoolwork. When you’re working with a small number of kids, you don’t need to replicate 7 hours of schoolwork. Just 20 minutes of math or 20 minutes of writing is sufficient. If your child wants to do more, go for it!
Tip #4: Create a quiet spot.
Set up a tent. Create a fort together. Create a cozy spot where your child can work free of distractions. If your child helps you set this up, he/she might be more willing to work in it, too.
Tip #5: Take advantage of FREE online printables.
Can’t go out? Take advantage of all the freebies you’ll find right here at This Reading Mama! I have SO many for nearly any subject area from preschool through elementary-age kids! I’ll be highlighting some of my favorites for core subjects in this series and adding a few new ones, too such as:
- Printable Game Boards for ANY Subject
- NO PREP Spelling Pages for ANY Spelling Words
- Writing Folders & Freebies
Tip #6: Create a routine.
Notice I didn’t say “schedule.” You don’t need to plan every single minute of the day. But a routine helps make the day more predictable. It also sets up expectations for your child. This can also help you with Tip #7.
For example, require that your child do certain things before they are allowed to get on the screen. Or say, “Screens may come on after lunch only.” Think simple.
You can print off my FREE Visual Summer Schedule Cards or Visual School Schedule Cards to give your child visual reminders. I would encourage you to use them as you see fit for your child.
Tip #7: Avoid getting emotionally involved.
Oh my. I just stepped on a few toes {including my own}. When a child gets frustrated, it doesn’t always come out in a pretty way. Avoid jumping into the chaos with them. Step away if you have to. By having a routine set up {see Tip #6}, they know what the expectations are. If they want to do x, y, and z {like play on screen}, you’ve already told them what needs to happen. Let the consequences speak for you.
I’ve had plenty of experience with ten years of homeschooling. If you have a challenging child, you might want to read my post Tips for Homeschooling a Challenging Child. Even if you don’t homeschool, I think you’ll find that it applies to you, too.
Tip #8: Reach out for support.
If you’re not used to teaching your own child, it may feel daunting and intimidating. Reach out to those around you that DO homeschool. Bounce ideas off of them. Message or text them. They may not have a solution, but I’m sure they can relate!
Tip #9: Order a good book and start reading it aloud.
Read alouds show kids how to just enjoy a book. Read alouds also happen to be a great way to teach vocabulary, model reading with fluency, and teach comprehension.
Our ABSOLUTE favorite series to read aloud has been The Green Ember series. You can read what we think about it HERE. The last book in the series was just released and is SO good. Woohoo!
Need more at-home learning resources? Reach out by email or ask in the comments below.
Enjoy at-home learning!
~Becky
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