Homeschooling is such a blessing, but it can definitely be tough. Between fitting it in between therapy sessions, and those days where you just accept defeat, it can be really difficult to keep spirits and energy high. The sun is coming out, and a lot of kids would rather be playing than practicing math facts. TV is much more interesting than phonics, and it feels like you’ve lost your homeschooling day before it’s even begin.
It doesn’t have to be like that! Pinky promise. There are ways to set up your homeschool for a successful day and actually have fun through your lessons instead of dreading them.
Top 5 Tips for a Successful Homeschooling Day
Schedule Your Homeschooling Naturally
Do not try to do school from 8-3 Monday through Friday because that’s what the public school down the road does. Schedule your homeschooling when it naturally fits in with your daily rhythm.
Maybe that means math and phonics happen during the baby’s nap. Maybe that means that you double up on lessons on certain days so that you can enjoy longer weekends. Maybe, like in our house, you have visitation schedules to deal with, so you have to be flexible.
Don’t try and force a night owl to wake up at 7 am and start lessons. It won’t work, and it will just give you a headache.
Take Breaks Often
Now, obviously every child is different. There are children who cannot return from a break and focus, and if that is your child, skip this tip! If not, take breaks between every lesson. Yes, it may be irritating to you because you just want to get it done, but kids were not built to focus for hours at a time. The type and length of breaks can depend.
Mr. C loves to take wiggle breaks in the middle of lessons, and after a subject or two we’ll take a longer break for him to play with A-Man and Baby M. This is especially important if your homeschooler has younger siblings that aren’t doing school! Let kids wiggle, you’ll get through lessons quicker and with less tears.
Schedule Fun Lessons or Breaks After Challenging Lessons
There are few things my kiddos love more than food, so if I have a lesson right before lunch, it’s usually the quickest one to get done. “Finish up this worksheet and we’ll have lunch” sets Mr. C into overdrive.
This also works if your child has a favorite subject or activity. Maybe once they finish their phonics sheet they get to listen to their history book. Or maybe after finishing their flashcards they get to jump on the trampoline. Find the natural motivators throughout your day and use them to your advantage.
Diffuse the Right Oils
As with everything, this one can really depend on your kid. We love to use essential oils, but each of our kids needs something a little different.
With Mr. C, he gets easily distracted [what 5 year old doesn’t get distracted?] and has troubles staying focused on one thing. Once he’s distracted, he’ll just say silly answers to questions because he really isn’t focused on what we’re saying at all. I’ve found with him, diffusing citrus oils [Citrus Fresh is his favorite!] he can stay a lot more focused on his work. Plus, my mood is lifted so I’m much more patient!
With A-Man, though, he typically needs to be calmed. He gets over-stimulated easily, and that can make for a long day. Diffusing lavender often helps him to stay calm which allows him to naturally focus better. Play around with diffusing different oils and see what works best for your kids.
Do Something Crazy
Have your lessons outside. Instead of the math worksheet, play a game of Uno and randomly throw in math facts. For history, try acting out the last story you learned about. Hold a contest with who can finish their independent work the fastest. Make it a sensory day.
Find everything that you can of a certain color or that starts with a certain letter. Go to the library and do your lessons there. Let your kids be the teacher for a subject or a whole day.
Do something you don’t do every day to shake things up. Some of our best homeschooling days have been when we take our books outside or have a dance party between each subject. Make some memories.
Taking these tips and making simple changes to your homeschool day, it will make for a lot less arguments, power struggles, and tears. Trust me. We all just need to shake things up once in a while!
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These are great suggestions! Following a daily rhythm while remaining flexible is so important. I want those oils!!
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Thanks. I so agree, flexibility is key!