Yesterday our home school consisted of the following lessons:
Orienteering 101: Finding hidden dust bunnies.
Practical Cooking 101: Preparing roasted chicken and sweet potato mousse for our guests.
Cleaning 101: Laundry, bathroom cleaning, and mopping the floor without letting the twins get into the mop bucket.
I’m sure you get the idea. Last night, we had a house full of guests, a big dinner with all the trimmings, and a great time. But that’s not why I’m telling you this. So often I get asked what gets taught in home economics and practical arts. Some states don’t require it, but New York State requires everything besides underwater basket weaving and besides that, most parents think that Home Economics is probably a good elective.
I have met people who have bought a home economics curriculum and I always kind of scratch my head and wonder why. I certainly understand having to document credit for high school with an elective class but it seems to me that home economics is the art of keeping a home.
Having your children do their own laundry, or keep their rooms clean counts as home economics. Learning to cook basic meals counts as home economics. Learning to landscape (a virtual impossibility here in the city) is in fact another aspect of home economics. It might not be as ‘pretty looking’ as it would be in a completed curriculum package, but this is really one area that you can skip spending the money on a complete curriculum in my opinion. Everyone has some homemaking skills–spend time teaching your kids your skills.
Try having a guest over once or twice a month or involving your children in throwing a party. All of these skills help teach how to make a home and make others feel welcome in your home.