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Heart of Dakota Blog

What is one easy way to put “home” in your homeschool?

  • Carrie Austin, M.Ed.
  • / Teaching Tips
  • / February 29, 2024
Heart of Dakota - Teaching Tip - What is one easy way to put "home" in your homeschool?

What is one easy way to put “home” in your homeschool?

Do you want school time at home to seem less “schoolish” and more homey?  One simple way to do this is to read the history, science, and “Storytime” books on the couch.  Cuddling up with your child on the couch with a good book sets a different tone for your “school.”  It reminds your child that he/she is at home and that you are a parent first and teacher second.

What does this look like at our house?

At our house, we intersperse our reading times throughout each child’s school day.  This means that we’re settled on the couch with each child multiple times throughout our day. We also do Bible this way if possible. Then, we return to the table to do any written work.

Why does the location of where you read make a difference?

Prior to homeschooling my own four boys these last 20 years, I spent 11 years teaching in the public school classroom.  During my years in the classroom, we did everything we could to make the classroom more “homey.”  We added blankets, pillows, beach chairs, colorful plastic tablecloths, fake flowers in vases, quiet background music, lamps, etc. The kids loved these touches of home and couldn’t wait to take turns cuddling up with a good book.  So, once I came home to teach my own boys, I knew I wanted to capitalize on the advantages of home!

Capitalize on the advantages of home!

Instead of recreating school at home, capitalize on the advantages of home.  Read on the couch or snuggled up in an easy chair.  Cuddle up in blankets or stretch out on the floor with a pillow.  If the weather is nice, read outside in the backyard. Have a snack time and allow your kiddos to sip beverages during school (with spill-proof cups of course)!  Allow them to work alongside a favorite stuffed animal or listen to quiet music while they work.  Utilize the fireplace! Schedule a little break outside mid-morning. The possibilities are endless!

Think of how you can capitalize on the advantages of home. 

Look for ways to bring your home into your school.  Try this easy tip and see whether the “tone” of your school day changes!

Blessings,
Carrie

PS: If you enjoyed this blog post, you might also be interested in this post by Julie with more practical tips on how to enjoy your homeschool life!

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Erin July 8, 2021 Reply

    We have loved curling up the couch to read! We call it “couch time”. The kids know when it’s couch time they get to snuggle up with pillows and blankets right next my side or sprawled out on the end of the couch or floor. They love it so much and so do I. We even do our Rod and Staff work there often using paper on clipboards or using a lap sized whiteboard for the written portion. Sometimes my kids will even spread out on the coffee table to do their written work and bring stuffies or toys to hang out with them while they work. Especially if they have a stuffy or toys that go along with what they are learning.

  2. Steff June 2, 2022 Reply

    On rainy days we build a tent and bring in the pillows, blankets and stuffed animals. And, of course, our kitties have to join in the fun!

  3. Amy June 3, 2022 Reply

    I love the tent idea! We love reading on the couch together with a pile of blankets. And if we have a cat curled up next to us, it’s perfect! When the weather is nice, we work outside on the patio table.

  4. Julie Grosz, M.Ed. June 7, 2022 Reply

    Erin – what a great way to put ‘home’ into homeschooling! I love the clipboard idea too!

  5. Julie Grosz, M.Ed. June 7, 2022 Reply

    Oh my, Steff! I bet they love ‘tent’ time! Another awesome way to put ‘home’ in homeschooling!

  6. Julie Grosz, M.Ed. June 7, 2022 Reply

    Amy – a cozy pile of blankets, a purring cat, a comfy couch, and a sunny patio table – all a fantastic recipe for putting the ‘home’ in homeschooling!

  7. Charity June 9, 2022 Reply

    Reading lessons for my 4.5yo happen on her bed before nap.

  8. Julie Grosz, M.Ed. June 13, 2022 Reply

    Charity – how fun! I am sure your little one looks forward to this special time with you before her nap!

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