Quite some time ago I wrote a post on my personal blog called Sometimes. I received comments and emails about how it encapsulated what most homeschoolers feel about education. Briefly, I took pictures of a school day I spent with my children at our local botanical garden. The pictures reminded me of the joy of opening up the world for my children. There are many different types and methods of homeschooling but most share the common thread of cracking open the world and giving our children a glimpse inside. This is one of many joys of homeschooling.
I have been asked many questions about homeschooling from socialization to how a home can replace a school setting. While I have many days spent at home with the kids learning we have just as many days where our teachers take the form of an art museum, a willow tree, or the road before us as we head to our destination. With creativity and an ability to connect the physical with the textbook every experience can become a teaching experience. From picking apples to picking up a prescription there are opportunities to teach valuable lessons. This type of learning needs no textbook or lesson plan. This is natural learning and should be enjoyed and savored. I am not opposed to traditional school and in fact I loved school. However, I think the world is a fine replacement. My children have more opportunities to grow and learn from real experiences being “home.”
I would like to encourage you to explore the world as a classroom. You do not need to travel to far off lands, go hiking in the Andes, or even visit a museum daily to open up the world to your student. With imagination and creativity you backyard is fit for nature study, a trip the dentist is a lesson in science, a trip to the grocery store can be a lesson in economics and nutrition. Do not take for granted the tasks you do daily as boring. Include your children in getting ready for a garage sale to balancing the checkbook and watch them grow. Just like toddlers learn from playing and role playing, older children learn from being at your side.
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