7 Tips to Improve your Homeschool (& Life!)
7 Tips to Improve Your Homeschool
Some things I have picked up along the way...this is our 15th year of homeschooling and I am still happy that God has brought us down this homeschooling path. Hard days will come, but if you are armed and ready, you can enjoy more great school days together!
1. The gift of listening- Really take time to listen to your children (students). Don't interrupt them, don't let your mind wander as they speak to you, no planning ahead to what you will be saying as a response. Simply listen. Not only will you learn patience, but you will see its fruit.
2. The gift of physical touch- Lots of hugs, kisses, lap time, hand holding, pats on the back. All of these say I love you and good job in such effective ways. How often we get too busy to stop and enjoy our children. Don't look back and wish you had been more affectionate, begin today!
3. The gift of a giggle or two- Be willing to laugh. Be willing to be silly. Be willing to stop for a few moments to just enjoy God's gift of good humour! Laughter has a way of bonding that sometimes plain words can't. Plus, laughter adds years to your life-where stress just steals away your time and joy.
4. The gift of love notes- Kind words change heart attitudes, they change lives and they impact well into our futures. Plant kind words of love in places that will bless your children...and hey, don't forget the Principal, he needs love notes too! We all need encouragement.
5. The gift of gentle words- A compliment has a way of entering in and changing attitudes for the good. A sincere compliment can break off bad habits and change a child's self image. When trouble is rising up, try a few well spoken words to the child's heart, you will be amazed at how a compliment or two will overcome the worst of attitudes.
6. The gift of a favor- Daily try to do something nice for your children. One small act can make such a difference in a day and make such a difference in the mood or emotions of a day. BE NICE and your children will follow your lead.
7. The gift of a smile- A cheerful heart reflects on the face...as mums we can set the tone of our homeschool, of our children's attitudes and how basically our days flow. It is so much easier to be nice, if someone is being nice to you first. Set your eyes on the gift that your child/children are to you and thank God for being able to be the one who leads and guides them this year.
Romans 15:5-6
in accord with Christ Jesus,
6That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
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10 comments:
I think some of that could apply when talking to adults too.
Great tips not just for home schooling but for everyday home living too!
Thank you! I am planning my first year of homeschooling currently and I came across this quote, "Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction." - Annie Sullivan
It has challenged me to be a different teacher than I most likely would have become... your reminders just added to what I know needs to be the "flavor" of our homeschool. :-) Hugs!
I needed these reminders right now. Our life has been really stressed lately, and I have noticed that I got into bad habits of my own that I don’t like!
Thanks for writing this.
These are sooo great and I am going to print them out so I can remember them! Too often we get caught up in just doing the work! I'm planning special extras to add to the "schooling" and this list is included!
blessings
Thanks for this wisdom - it's so true - I've found when I'm having a bad day - the kids always end up having one as well. Listening is so important & I love the note idea. My Mum used to write them to us almost everyday & sadly it's something I've never done for my kids - I'd better remedy that now.
Hope you are going well - thinking of you
Renata:)
Hey Kimmie, I've been thinking about you lately and am catching up on your blogs. I hope you're doing well. Love ya.
These are such great things to receive while learning educational lessons. Lots of what children don't and can't get in public schools, and more sadly a lot of children don't recieve even at home.
Wonderful reminders Kimmie. I'm taking notes :D
I am starting my 17th year, and instead of feeling accomplished and seasoned, I am feeling a bit worn out. Thanks for the wonderful reminders. It is amazing that none of them are about reading or writing or math. That stuff will always happen during school, the good stuff you mentioned might not. Thank you, Miss Kimmie!
Great tips! I really have been working on listening to my kids more. It's so easy to just mumble, "uh huh" when they're talking and you're focused on something else. Then I read about you requiring eye contact with your kids to talk with them and started trying to do that myself . . . except I'm the one who really needs to be doing it!
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