Search Results for: blog do not instill a love of learning in your children

Before Five in a Row

Product: Before Five in a Row Age Level: 2-4 years old Format: Softcover book Price: $35.00 What is Before Five in a Row? Not to leave out the eager younger children, this volume provides mini Five in a Row- style lessons for youngsters. This book; however, is divided into two parts, the first being similar to the other curriculum guides. Just as in the original series, each unit is built around a simple, classic children’s storybook. This book differs from the older volumes in that it is not structured around a week. The purpose is simply to provide an array … Continue reading →

Help For Picky Eaters

One thing I have strived to do as a Mom is instill good eating habits in Hailey. When I was married, this was difficult, my ex husband was a picky eater and Hailey picked up his habits, to this day she will not eat marinara sauce! Being single has given me the opportunity, and many times the need, to figure out how to serve healthy foods that my daughter will eat without having to worry about someone else’s influence on her choices. Like most children Hailey will choose what’s fast food or junk food over what I wish she would … Continue reading →

Free Range Learning

Free Range Learning is born from the idea that a child learns best naturally. If one is able to harness a child’s natural bent toward learning then one can instill not only a love for learning but a curiosity about the world. Children and teenagers blossom academically when the restrictions are lifted and they are free to learn. This book also emphasizes how homeschooling takes center stage in allowing this type of academic freedom. While the author does an excellent job explaining her position she is backed up by an array of experts from neurologists, historians, child development experts and … Continue reading →

Exploring Homeschool Methods

Finding a homeschool method that fits your family will focus your homeschool and improve the educational experience. I spent a few years exploring methods before deciding on the one that suited my family the best. Since that moment, my children and I have benefited in numerous ways. I encourage you to research the methods for yourself. A lack of vision and focus, as with any endeavor will result in failure and frustration. However, choosing a method should not be frustrating; it should be a natural fit into your family’s lifestyle. The method is simply framework for how your homeschool is … Continue reading →

Interesting Copywork

Copywork is a necessary component to the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. It may not always be a hit with the students, but it teaches more than penmanship. Although penmanship is sometimes improved by copywork, a student will develop skills to enhance narration, composition and writing. So, can we squeeze any more learning out of copywork? I have managed to use copywork time for bible memorization, math rules, language rules, and language lessons. I find the beautiful thing about using a Charlotte Mason approach is that you can tailor it to fit your family. Charlotte Mason is an applied method … Continue reading →

Cooler Than the Jonas Brothers?

Last Friday at four o‘clock in the morning, my husband and I dragged all five of our children out of bed and went down to Bryant park in New York City to see the one. . .the only. . .the incredible. . . JONAS BROTHERS!!!!! Yes, even my three year old twins can sing a very unique version of S.O.S. and my son thinks they are the greatest thing since sliced bread because after all, they are home schooled. My five year old knows all the words to Camp Rock and well–what can I say? My spouse and I know … Continue reading →

Valorie’s Read Aloud Picks for May

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Welcome to a new feature of the baby blog and one that’s dear to my heart. Reading out loud to your baby is one of the best activities you can engage in. Sometimes parents ask me how early should you start reading and my answer is as soon as you possibly can! The sing-song pattern of simple rhyming books help babies learn language patterns. Board books that have textures engage their senses, and even the simple act of handling a book and learning which way is right side up, believe it or not, is an important reading skill. Read while … Continue reading →

6 Ways To Help

Yesterday I finished revising an article for Harcourt Education, about people from different countries who immigrate and become part of Australia. In this piece of writing, I had two boys talking about the differences between the countries they came from and Australia. They talked of how children in other countries don’t always get the opportunity to go to school. But in Australia children can not only go to school but also go on to University. This morning I picked up the Bible Society newsletter and read that In Cambodia ‘out of 100,000 children who enter the school system, only 316 … Continue reading →

Homeschool Glossary (Books Parents Should Read) B-C

As I mentioned in the introduction, new homeschooling parents should learn as much about homeschooling as possible by reading many different sources. Here continues my Homeschool Glossary of books parents should read. Books to Build On: A Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers (Core Knowledge Series) by E. D. Hirsch Jr. and John Holdren (Paperback – Oct 1, 1996) The book list for new and prospective homeschool parents should include more than just books specifically for homeschoolers, you should also read books teachers should read. This book is a great resource to have and keep in your homeschooling library. … Continue reading →

Speed Homeschooling

At the end of every school year as graduation announcements are made, there are more and more reports of homeschoolers finishing high school and even college in record time. As homeschoolers are used to learning at their own, and often accelerated speeds, speed homeschooling (especially in high school) is becoming the norm. I first heard about this kind of warp speed homeschooling when we first began our homeschooling journey. I have to admit the prospects of my children finishing their studies in just a few years excited me. It was not long before I realized that I was placing unrealistic … Continue reading →