Sometimes it helps to work through a systematic approach to math or phonics. And sometimes, that’s the exact right approach for this season of homeschool.

However…

I want to remind you that the genius of homeschooling is that the WORLD is your classroom. The conversations you have along the way, the activities you pursue out in the world matter and count!

Your kids are going to forget so much that you teach them. They won’t remember all of the activities you painstakingly created.

What they will remember is that the entire world is available to them. They’ll learn that if something interests them, they can go find out what it is and what it means.

They will see the world as wonderful to know. They won’t see learning as something you only do in a building.

Need some ideas?

If it feels scary to let go of “kitchen table” type learning, here are a few hacks:

• Take that workbook outside and sit on a blanket.
• Go to a coffee shop or library to finish the math book.
• Drill the times tables on a hike.
• Practice spelling words while jumping on a trampoline.
• Skip count while tossing a frisbee.

You might also download our FREE 7-Day Writing Blitz! It has a week of ideas to help you and your kids see writing in a whole new way.

You got this!

This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.

Sometimes we blame our kids for not being interested in the lessons. Ask yourself: “When was the last time I was actually interested in what I’m teaching them?”

For example, you unleash curiosity in your children when you become curious about:

• phonics,
• the origin of the symbols called numbers,
• or how a book was printed and bound.

Curiosity drives learning.

Anytime the routine becomes too predictable and stale, kids check out. You might notice that you check out, too. You can check back in by asking provocative questions, and even doing research yourself. Have more to express, be more interested.

It’s the oldest education hack in the book. Curiosity drives learning. Live your questions in front of your kids before you expect curiosity to bloom in them.

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebogartwriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

One of the reasons that people struggle with writing is that it doesn’t feel easy.

But what if it could be?

What if your child experienced self-expression as something they enjoy, as something they deserve to have in their toolbox of being human?

I noticed when I interviewed adults that the scars of criticism from writing instruction linger into adulthood. A lot of times those scars make them adopt the same methods that harmed them when they teach their own kids to write. That’s not surprising because we’ve also been taught that learning that is effective should be difficult and a struggle.

It’s almost like we can’t value learning that feels good.

But when we write freely and from the heart, it does feel good. In fact, it is therapeutic and deeply satisfying.

Every person has the craving to self express and be read and heard. This is our birthright. I wrote my newest book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing, to help you reclaim that birthright on behalf of yourself and your kids.

One of the key concepts that I teach in writing is that kids are authors, not just students trying to write.

Children ought to have authorial control over their own writing. They get to decide what they keep and discard, and they decide which editing concepts to apply to their work.

A Truth

When we put our children in the driver’s seat of being authors rather than student writers, they actually care more about the end result.

Initially, they may prove they’re in charge by not taking any of your advice on this one paper. But if you continue to celebrate their right to determine what goes in their work, they may apply the advice from this paper that they discarded to the next one that they write

Be respectful, and share joy in their self expression. Nature journaling can be a great place to start.

P.S. For a collection of my reflections on my own kids’ writing, watch this!

It’s incredible to realize that we have front row seats to the unique intelligence of our children. We alone know when they are clever and maximizing their particular brand of smarts. Be the parent who notices and brags about those skills.

If you can, express that admiration in front of that child. Goes a long way toward building a child into a human being who trusts their capacity to:

• problem solve,
• troubleshoot,
• aspire,
• and learn!

Watch the Video

Need more support?

Listen to the Brave Writer podcast. Literally, I talk about this stuff there every single week!

You might also read my book, The Brave Learner.

I’m here for you!