[Podcast #301] A Gentle Rollout to Your Homeschool Year

Brave Writer Podcast

One of the best parts of homeschooling is the freedom to start the year in a way that works for your family. Instead of overwhelming everyone with a full schedule on day one, you can begin with connection and fun—like a “Not Back to School” outing, a day of games, or a creative project.

Personal notes to each child, wish lists of activities, and a few well-chosen dates on the calendar can keep momentum going all year. By adding subjects gradually, stocking up on creative supplies, and valuing the experience of learning, you set the tone for a joyful, sustainable year.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we share practical tips, creative ideas, and mindset shifts to help you roll out your homeschool year gently while building:

  • curiosity,
  • creativity,
  • and connection.

Listen in for ways to make your start feel exciting and doable—for both you and your kids.

Show Notes

Personal notes to spark connection

Write a short, personalized note to each child, sharing what you’re looking forward to learning together this year. Mention both academic goals and personal interests—maybe learning fractions, teaching you a favorite card game, or visiting the zoo. These little notes communicate that you see and value your child as a whole person.

Invite your kids to share their own “wish list” for the year. By scheduling a few of these special activities on the calendar—like an apple-picking trip or skipping math for a day—you give them something to look forward to and break up routine fatigue.

Feather in academics

Instead of starting with a full schedule, introduce one subject at a time over several days. Begin with a beloved read-aloud, then add math the next day, history the day after, and so on. This approach prevents burnout and allows everyone to ease into new materials and routines.

For subjects like math, spark interest by letting kids flip through the year’s book and choose a page they find intriguing. Use that as a goal to work toward, identifying the skills needed to get there. This gives learning a sense of purpose and progression.

Stock up on supplies for creativity

A well-stocked supply cabinet is the secret weapon of a smooth homeschool start. Overfill it with markers, scissors, glue sticks, manipulatives, art paper, modeling clay, dress-up clothes, and other open-ended materials. Having resources on hand means you can follow inspiration without a midday store run.

For younger children, prioritize large paper for big movements; for older ones, consider giving them more control over their tools—perhaps a favorite mug, notebook, or even a backpack if they want one. And remember: quality paper can make even the cheapest watercolors look beautiful.

Value the experience of learning

A gentle rollout isn’t just about pacing—it’s about atmosphere. Do fairy wings make math more fun? Does a glue gun help bring a story to life? These touches make learning feel good, which keeps kids engaged.

There’s no need to stand up your whole homeschool in the first week—or even the first month. Start small, layer in new elements, and focus on building an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and connection. Over time, the routines will form naturally, and your homeschool year will be off to a joyful, sustainable start.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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Take Teens Seriously

Brave Writer

Teens intimidate us.

  • What if all they want to do is play video games or watch TV?
  • What if they’re interests seem more like entertainment and less like actual schooling or learning?
  • How can we ensure that our kids will grow up to be responsible adults when they seem so irresponsible between the ages of 12 and 18 ?

Even when their interests seem dumb or uninteresting to us, following a teen’s passions or interests or curiosity will lead to learning. Teens need to know that the stuff they love has value for the adult lives they will eventually get to lead!

Our job is to show them that the adulthood waiting for them is more interesting than merely paying bills and doing housework faithfully. Trust the process!

Take a teen interest that unnerves you and find the value in it.

Watch my Instagram reel to learn more.

Also my book RAISING CRITICAL THINKERS can help!

Raising Critical Thinkers

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Brave Learning: Partnering with Your Child

Brave Learning

Recently on Brave Learning…

Partnering with Your Child

Partnership Writing is the most overlooked stage of writing development.

I want to share with you a story from my own childhood, because I think it’s illustrative of the failure of the system that requires children to write without help.

My mother was a freelance author, wrote 75 books, and taught writing to professionals.

When I came up through the ranks as a child, my mother made sure I had opportunities to explore writing. She provided me with all kinds of tools—pretty pens, little journals. For my birthday one year, she gave me an All About Me book that includes my very first original story. She took me to the library every week. We read together. She took me to plays and movies. She encouraged me to make handmade cards and to play word games and to complete crossword puzzles. [Keep reading]

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 (first 6 are free)! 

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

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[Podcast #300] The 300th Episode (our best homeschool advice!)

Brave Writer Podcast

Homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to your family’s needs.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode (our 300th!), we revisit three core principles that have guided our approach through the years:

  1. honoring spontaneous self-expression by jotting down our children’s words,
  2. remembering there are no educational emergencies (kids learn at their own pace),
  3. and staying flexible by changing the topic or the context when resistance pops up.

When we let go of pressure and focus on our children’s interests, we create an environment where learning truly thrives.

Show Notes

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over years of supporting homeschooling families, it’s this: the secret to a thriving homeschool isn’t about having the perfect curriculum or checking every box. It’s about connection, curiosity, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of family life and learning. With each season, we return again and again to a set of core principles that make home education both joyful and sustainable.

Jot It Down: The Power of Capturing Spontaneous Self-Expression

One of the most transformative practices we’ve seen in home education is what we call “jot it down.” At its heart, this practice is about catching your child in the act of spontaneous self-expression—those magical moments when a child shares an observation, tells a story, or explains an idea bubbling up from their world.

Rather than treating these outbursts as distractions or fleeting moments, we honor them by writing them down, word for word, as close as we can recall. We might use a notebook, a slip of paper, or even a whiteboard on the fridge. When we capture our children’s words, we’re telling them, “Your ideas matter. Your words are worth remembering.” This simple act validates their voice and allows them to see themselves as writers, long before they master penmanship or spelling. Over time, these little jottings become cherished keepsakes and a powerful tool for building confidence and literacy.

There Are No Educational Emergencies

Homeschooling can feel urgent. The pressure to keep up with school standards, meet testing requirements, or compare our children’s progress with others can create anxiety. But we stand by the principle that there are no educational emergencies. Children learn at different rates in different subjects, and our job isn’t to keep pace with anyone else’s timeline. Instead, we meet our kids exactly where they are—whether they’re racing ahead in one area or taking their time in another.

If a child struggles, it’s not a crisis; it’s information. It’s an invitation to adapt, to slow down, or to seek extra help if needed. Testing and evaluations can be helpful for insight, but they’re not a referendum on your child or your abilities as a home educator. When we lower the pressure, we make room for genuine growth, mastery, and the joy of learning.

Change the Topic, Change the Context

When we hit resistance—a child refusing to write, dreading math worksheets, or tuning out during history—it’s time to change something. Sometimes the answer is to change the context: make math a game, act out grammar concepts, or take learning outside. Other times, we change the topic: instead of writing about a history lesson, maybe your child writes about dinosaurs or video games. The skill—whether it’s writing, reading, or critical thinking—matters more than the specific subject. By honoring our children’s interests and experimenting with new approaches, we keep learning alive and meaningful.

The Homeschool Journey Is Ours to Create

At the end of the day, homeschooling is about creating a life of learning together. When we listen, adapt, and celebrate our children’s unique paths, we set the stage for not just academic achievement, but family connection and lifelong curiosity. Let’s give ourselves permission to slow down, change course, and delight in the little victories. That’s where the magic happens.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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Having a Bad Day?

Brave Writer

Are you having a bad day? What do you like to hear the most when things are going poorly?

There’s an old saying: “What we resist persists.”

When you’re having a bad day, isn’t the last thing you want to hear is that you should be grateful for what a great life you have and that sometimes you have responsibilities and just need to do them?

I know I always feel so much better when someone simply starts by accepting my own self reporting. “I believe you” is a powerful three word phrase.

I Believe You

Try it today when your child tells you they don’t like the turkey sandwich that they’ve always loved. Try it when one of your children says they hate taking baths even though yesterday they loved taking baths. Try it when they tell you math is too hard or writing hurts their hand.

Say: “I believe you.”

Some might ask, but what does it mean to say “I believe you” to a kid you know is lying? Doesn’t that encourage your child to make up stories rather than tell the truth? Good question! Watch my follow up video response where I explain more what I mean by using the phrase “I believe you” as a tool to create connection and build trust.

So leave some space to see what comes next. You might be surprised where it leads.

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

Brave Learner Home

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