Reading Aloud Changes Everything

Brave Writer

Did you miss our “Reading Aloud Changes Everything” webinar? It was raw. I found myself sharing personal stories of Morocco and the role of reading in my life as a child. Sometimes the scope and length of life catch me by surprise, and I realize how sacred books have been in making me into the person I am today.

But even more, I’m aware of how books have shaped informed the people my children have become as adults. They have values and sensitivity and facility with language because we spent so much time immersed in literature.

Living Books

In this moment of AI and digital decay, LIVING books are the answer written by human beings who crack open their hearts to let you see their interiors.

It is such a privilege to read a writer who takes that risk. We give that gift to our children every day when we read to them. Wow.

Watch the replay.

About Brave Writer

Brave Writer products are written by real people who love literature and understand how to engage children so that the leasons of literature stick with them.

We are different than other programs for a reason. And it’s effective as well as delightful as a result.

Throw off the school ideas—that’s why you decided to homeschool!

Join us. We walk with you the whole way.

Brave Writer

Posted in Homeschool Advice, Reading | Comments Off on Reading Aloud Changes Everything

[Podcast #317] Hygge Homeschool for the Holidays

Brave Writer Podcast

As the leaves turn and the days shorten, there’s a distinct shift in the air – it’s the cozy season, a time for warmth, reflection, and connection. This season, we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations about embracing the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”) in our homeschooling journey. Hygge is all about creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. It’s the warmth of morning light streaming through the window, the comfort of a hot cup of cocoa, the joy of a shared story.

In this replayed Brave Writer podcast episode, we delve into how hygge can transform the homeschooling experience. As the season changes, so does the rhythm of our homes and our approach to education. It’s a time to slow down, to savor, and to connect more deeply with our children through learning and play.

Go here for the complete Show Notes.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #317] Hygge Homeschool for the Holidays

Critical Thinking and Fundamentalism

Brave Writer

In his book, Strong Religion, Gabriel Almond (plus authors) makes a case for the idea that when a society is going through seismic shifts that feel unnerving, the tendency is to double down on the past and black-and-white thinking. Many times we adopt a fundamentalist spirit, whether or not, we are religious.

Hallmarks of Fundamentalism

The hallmarks of that fundamentalism are a rejection of the threatening new ideas or technologies, and a desire to return to familiar ones that make a person feel safe and secure.

Black-and-white thinking leads to suspicion which creates in and out groups. Problem-solving to account for a variety of needs goes out the window.

In the homeschool space, sometimes we fall prey to fundamentalist thinking about education—who qualifies as a true homeschooler or we eye other educational spaces or philosophies with suspicion.

Critical thinking starts with curiosity and a willingness to dissent. It also expands to include uncomfortable perspectives in an attempt to learn from them. It means not having the comfort of certainty but the relief of having your own thoughts—even ones that don’t fit neatly into your group.

I know I’m in my black-and-white mind when I’m smug, flippant, and stop being curious about what makes someone else tick. I know I’m thinking better when I pause to wonder—why, how, what was it like for _____, what don’t I know about this?

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

Raising Critical Thinkers

Posted in Raising Critical Thinkers | Comments Off on Critical Thinking and Fundamentalism

Monday Morning Meetings: Fall 2025

Brave Learning

Our five-minute weekly podcast for your kids is going strong on Substack!

There are new episodes available and they are FREE (they aren’t always).

The goal is to give your kids actionable steps to take control of their learning experience, to make it more meaningful and delightful to them.

So play a podcast for your kids then give them time to have fun with it.

Monday Morning Meetings

Check out all of the episodes HERE.

Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting! 

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

Posted in Homeschool Advice | Comments Off on Monday Morning Meetings: Fall 2025

[Podcast #316] When Your Middlers Lack Interest

Brave Writer Podcast

What do we do when our tweens and teens don’t seem “into” anything?

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how to revive interest, curiosity, and motivation in the middle school years—without forcing artificial enthusiasm.

We talk about:

  • why middlers may seem disengaged,
  • how risk and adventure replace the “magic” of early childhood learning,
  • and how deep dives, conversation, boredom, and flexibility can open doors to authentic passion.

We also share practical scripts, examples from our own families, and tools for nurturing critical thinking and connection.

Show Notes

Middle school can feel like unfamiliar territory for many homeschoolers. The cozy magic that carried us through the elementary years suddenly seems mismatched to our tweens, who often appear restless, bored, or unsure about what interests them. As academic expectations rise, we may feel pressure to keep everything moving forward, even when our kids seem to stall. But the middle years are ripe with possibility if we’re willing to rethink how learning works.

Risk and Adventure Replace Early-Education Magic

One thing we’ve noticed is that the enchantment of the early years often comes from surprise and mystery: the twinkle lights, the themed read-alouds, the cozy writing moments. But tweens and teens are wired for something different. They’re ready for risk and adventure. Not necessarily cliff jumping or grand excursions—though sometimes that too—but the intellectual and emotional risks that come with forming opinions, exploring new worlds, and stepping outside familiar perspectives.

Rather than expecting them to declare a clear passion, we make space for them to discover one. For many kids, interest begins quietly. It emerges through consumption—books, films, fandoms, video games, music—long before it shows up as creative output. We sometimes forget that mastering a subject begins with taking in mountains of input. College students and graduate-level scholars spend years consuming before producing original work. When our middlers are devouring books or revisiting a favorite hobby, they are building vocabulary, context, and insight that later become the foundation of mature thinking.

Conversation as a Catalyst for Understanding

We also find that conversation fuels understanding. When we listen, truly listen, to our kids talk about what they love, they refine their ideas in real time. Some families build this into group activities like movie nights or book clubs; others find it easier to talk through a WhatsApp thread or emails with grandparents. However it happens, the back-and-forth deepens thinking and strengthens connection.

But sometimes, before interest emerges, there’s boredom. In a world full of instant entertainment, boredom can feel like a problem. But it’s actually the fertile soil of creativity. When we carve out device-free space and keep enticing materials accessible—binoculars, art supplies, maps, kitchen tools—we give our kids the freedom to wander mentally and physically. That meandering often leads to unexpected discoveries. The child who seems apathetic one week may suddenly be whittling wood, researching constellations, or organizing a geocaching route the next.

Inviting Kids Into the Process

The secret is transparency. Instead of changing course quietly, we invite our kids into the process: “I’ve noticed we’re all feeling a little stuck. I’d love to experiment with giving ourselves some free space every day to explore ideas or interests. It might feel boring at first, but I think something good could come out of it.” When we model curiosity and honesty, our kids feel respected and more willing to take their own risks.

The Power of the Middle School Transition

Middle school isn’t a dead zone of interest. It’s a transition zone. A place where kids shed childhood patterns and begin shaping who they are. When we provide spaciousness, conversation, and gentle encouragement, we help them step into the adventurous, risk-taking thinkers they’re becoming. And along the way, we rediscover a little of our own curiosity, too.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #316] When Your Middlers Lack Interest