I’m a mom who happens to find home learning essential. My children are not homeschooled. Three of my daughters are enrolled in public school. Education should not stop when the dismissal bell rings. I discovered a few ways that I could introduce home learning as an activity instead of a consequence.
I bought a 100-plus Science Experiments Kit from Amazon and it provided the girls and I endless opportunities to get a quick science lesson in. The kit comes fully equipped with science instruments, solutions and a booklet with easy-to-follow instructions to walk you through each experiment. Don’t want to buy the kit?
The internet is a wonderful place. You can type “easy at home science experiments for kids” into your search engine and find plenty of free resources to explore.
Creating your own flashcards is another budget-friendly investment into your child’s home learning experience. I can tell you this because mama’s working on a budget herself and has used this method to make “Emotions” flashcards. I do own a lightweight laminating machine, which makes it easier to maintain the cards after I’ve printed them.
If you don’t have access to a printer, here’s a link to construction paper I’ve used to get the job done otherwise. With a standard black marker – the thinner point you use, the less it will bleed through your paper – you’re on your way to the simple “Emotions” flashcards that have helped my daughters learn what they are genuinely feeling.
With mothers who are looking for a ready-made path for their child’s journey to better understanding, there are a few apps that we’ve tried in our home that have paid dividends in our daughter’s in-school educational experience. Our top two are:
- Epic! Books – I was first introduced to the platform during 2020, when schools were transitioning to online learning to combat the pandemic’s rising infection rate. Our girl’s have access to thousands of titles, which includes a “Read-to-me” selection that allows your child to follow along as the books are read aloud. It’s a $9.99 monthly fee well spent for us.
- IXL – The IXL app provides an opportunity for a more independent learning approach for your little one. It is an avenue for your child to practice what they’re teaching at school in a fun and interactive way. There are thousands of questions on different subjects like math, language arts and science and you receive instant feedback and analytics to track your child’s progress. The single-subject package starts at $9.95 monthly and you are able to customize the plan to suit your child’s needs.
There’s a saying that carried weight in my childhood: “You catch more flies with sugar, than s***.” You’re not going to dangle the metaphorical carrot in front of your child to influence them every time.
Why can’t home learning be a moment of connection and evolution?