Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Learning Through the Holidays
So many have asked how we homeschool through the holidays. More want to know how to keep kids focused during this exciting and distracting time. The secret? Planning.
Yep, that wonderful word, but it's true. A little planning saves you so much stress. You need to cue in on your target audience, your kids. You know them better than anyone and better than any curriculum. Take a deep breath and enjoy this time. For those that can't break from what the lesson plans say, try to shorten their plans and add some of yours. It will work and you will grow with it.
When my kids were younger we would use the whole month of December to study how other countries and cultures celebrated Christmas. Yes, you can study it over and over because every year your child can build on what they have already learned. Field trips are almost a necessity this time of year. And you can come up with a lot. Find events at your local library. See if there is a certain community in your area, like Irish for example, and see what events they have planned and you can participate. Check out some recipes from a country you are studying or from your heritage. Prepare them together and share them with family, neighbors, friends, etc.
We are fortunate to live close to Walt Disney World and we go to Epcot every year for their Christmas Around the World. Each country has their unique storyteller in traditional dress sharing their country's way of celebrating the holidays. As my children have gotten older they are finding new things every time. Our traditional visit to Epcot every year has inspired us to look for similar experiences in our community and all around Florida. We are always up for a field trip! You can interact, be hands-on, face-to-face with all the sight, sounds and smells that really stick in your memory. And, most important, you're together as a family.
No matter the age of the child or the adult, curriculum or schedule, you can find ways to accomplish learning and enjoying this busy time of the year, and even start traditions.
Yep, that wonderful word, but it's true. A little planning saves you so much stress. You need to cue in on your target audience, your kids. You know them better than anyone and better than any curriculum. Take a deep breath and enjoy this time. For those that can't break from what the lesson plans say, try to shorten their plans and add some of yours. It will work and you will grow with it.
When my kids were younger we would use the whole month of December to study how other countries and cultures celebrated Christmas. Yes, you can study it over and over because every year your child can build on what they have already learned. Field trips are almost a necessity this time of year. And you can come up with a lot. Find events at your local library. See if there is a certain community in your area, like Irish for example, and see what events they have planned and you can participate. Check out some recipes from a country you are studying or from your heritage. Prepare them together and share them with family, neighbors, friends, etc.
We are fortunate to live close to Walt Disney World and we go to Epcot every year for their Christmas Around the World. Each country has their unique storyteller in traditional dress sharing their country's way of celebrating the holidays. As my children have gotten older they are finding new things every time. Our traditional visit to Epcot every year has inspired us to look for similar experiences in our community and all around Florida. We are always up for a field trip! You can interact, be hands-on, face-to-face with all the sight, sounds and smells that really stick in your memory. And, most important, you're together as a family.
No matter the age of the child or the adult, curriculum or schedule, you can find ways to accomplish learning and enjoying this busy time of the year, and even start traditions.
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December
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- Just a Few Words Please...
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