It's been a few years since my kids were small and just starting their homeschool journey. I remember being scared but extremely excited about our new homeschooling adventure. I know lots of homeschooling parents jump in and buy a fancy homeschool curriculum. Many of our friends did. I just felt like it was a big waste of money. I believed I could do it without all the books, colorful manipulatives, and endless workbooks. I knew learning could be hands on and fun!
So what did we do? We read, played, and just had fun.
Books! Books! Books!
We used the library. We checked out tons and tons of books. We had anywhere from 30-60 books checked out at a time. We frequented local thrift stores and bought books to fill our own books shelves. You can fin great deals on new and gently used books.
Even if the little ones are not officially reading, they can look through the books and create their own stories from the pictures. Therese loved making up her own stories.
Fun Games
We all know the classics like Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Uncle Wiggly, etc. They are a great way to learn and have fun at the same time. My kids loved playing games like I Spy, Hi Ho Cherry-O, Memory Matching Games, Cooties, Don't Break the Ice, and Don't Spill the Beans. Games like Mother May I and Red Light, Green Light are a lot of fun too!
Pretend Play
I still believe playing is the best way to learn. We'd play house, restaurant, store, vet, pirates, explorers, knights, etc. A child's imagination is truly an amazing thing. If you let them lead, they will take you to a whole new world.
I still remember one day when Therese was 2 years old. She was playing with her dollhouse, while Michael and I were practicing his reading. When Michael and I finished up, I stopped by to see what Therese was up to. She had filled the bathtub in her dollhouse up with water. She was having the mommy wash the dog. It was so cute to see her playing. She had taken a real thing from her ow life and imitated it.
Head Outdoors
I think the most important aspect of learning for kids it to head outside and experience nature. Talk a walk, play in a creek, look at flowers and trees, investigate and find bugs. We've been able to owls, lizards, deer, crayfish, turtles, frogs, and so much more. If kids can get out an experience life they will remember it.
My kids are now preteens, but they still remember the time mommy stopped the car and we all got out to see a very large snapping turtle up close (not too close though). By it's size, he was over 60 years old.
Other members of the Review Crew are joining in the 5 Days of Tips for Homeschooling Parents blog hop. Be sure to visit them and see what great advice they have to offer homeschooling parents.
Annette @
A Net In Time
Brandy @
Kingdom Academy Homeschool
Brenda @
Counting Pinecones
Carol @
Home Sweet Life
Cassandra @
A Glimpse of Normal
Chareen @
Every Bed of Roses
Cristi @
Through the Calm and Through the Storm
Crystal @
Crystal Starr
DaLynn @
Biblical Womanhood
Danielle @
Sensible Whimsy
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