Homeschooling in Rest

  I thought I’d talk about this topic, INDEPENDENT LEARNING, after chatting to a few moms recently about their frustrations of homeschooling tweens. Although I mostly focused on the Foundation Phase,  for many of us, our "little babies" are heading into a different phase and with that comes a new territory of homeschooling PLUS parenting! So without going into too much detail, it boils down to this: a child naturally gravitates to independence. (Fast track and watch a video about HOMESCHOOLING TWEENS  HERE. ) When they feel confident they “let go” and start “walking by themselves”. Now, just like it was in the early stages of development, each child starts to walk in their own time. It has continued this way as they’ve learned new skills and gained confidence. Yes, it comes with much praise and encouragement from us as parents but it does happen. Academic skills are no different. They are working towards doing things independently but if they haven’t “let go” yet, it mean...

Understanding the Foundation Phase Would you not agree with me that the pressure young children (and parents) are under in schools is at an all time high? A time when children should be out playing in the afternoons has now become a routine of extra lessons and copious amount of homework! Why?! If you have a young child, here's something to consider regarding the foundation phase of schooling (Grade R-3): So what are foundations? If you think about the building process: foundations are well mapped out, the ground tested to determine what building strategies/methods are required, deep trenches are dug out and then filled with strong concrete that will have to support the rest of the building. From the experts: “Building a good foundation requires a lot more than digging a hole and pouring some concrete into forms. It must be tailored to its site like a custom suit, taking into account soil conditions, water tables, even the quality of the backfill.” Extract from This Sold House by...

  Tools for Different Learning Styles Some children just learn better when they are actively involved with the learning material. There is such value to teaching a child according to how best they learn and what will make sense to them i.e. their dominant learning style. With homeschooling, we can do this. We can adjust how we teach according to our  children's learning styles .   If you have a child who needs "hands-on" learning, visual demonstration or extra practice then these learning tools will be very beneficial. Some children as quite sensitive to making mistakes and would rather not do anything than get something wrong. Seeing it corrected permanently on paper can be very demoralizing for them but with manipulative tools like these, mistakes aren't the focus. They can practice  a new skill in a fun way. Mistakes are forgotten in a moment as they can't be " recorded" and learning is not dependent on child's writing/letter formation ability. Th...

  RECORD KEEPING FOR ECLECTIC HOMESCHOOLING The Homeschool Tracker is a digital tool used to record all your child's learning moments that can't be recorded in books! Much of eclectic homeschooling happens from "living life" and all the wonder learning opportunities that it presents. Use this Digital HOMESCHOOL TRACKER to keep your weeks & months organised. Upload photos to keep record of all the learning experiences that can't be captured on paper. The Homeschool Tracker is completely customizable - you can add to it or delete as you need. There is also a Featured Video section for each month. Added BONUS: VISION CASTING and guided GOAL SETTING as well as general academic milestones for Grades R-4. The Homeschool Tracker can used use any time of year -  you add in the dates when you use it. So much learning does take place over time and we often forget it! This way, you can both keep track of and record all the wonderful "non-book" learning opportu...

 Graded Readers for FREE with ABCmouse Programme! Read all about these amazing online reading and learning programmes here . Now you can get more by taking up these offers -  available for a limited time only. Click on link below: ABCmouse.com - Labor Day Sale! Get 1 year for $45 + 1 year to ReadingIQ FREE! (then $45 per year until canceled) READING IQ  is a digital library for kids ages 2-12 years This is to the value of $39.99 that you're getting for FREE!! Does your child enjoy gaming? Have a look at Adventure Academy for ages 8-13 years. Click on link below: AdventureAcademy.com - Labor Day Sale! Get 1 year for $45 + 1 year to ReadingIQ FREE! (then $45 per year until canceled)   Would you like to know more about homeschooling? Get my BEST homeschooling updates & special deals delivered to your inbox. Subscribe  here . Disclaimer: this page includes affiliate links - I do get a small commission when you subscribe but at no extra cost to you. Thank yo...

  I am excited to tell you about a new video series that I have been working on lately.  It is different to my homeschooling guide: STARTING HOMESCHOOLING IN SOUTH AFRICA. (If you have not read this guide, you can download it for FREE from my  Resource Page.  It covers all the aspects about staring homeschooling and hopefully answers many questions that a parent may have who is new to homeschooling.) VIDEO SERIES This video series,  HOMESCHOOLING FOR BEGINNERS , covers aspects about  LEARNING  that aren't always talked about but are very much part of homeschooling. Sometimes, we are so focused on the 3 R's (Reading, Writing & Arithmetic) that the other subtle yet crucial aspects of learning get lost, even though still relevant for teaching the 3 R's. Topics included are how to create an environment for learning, what learning looks like in the foundation phase, how to allow for different aspects of learning and how to curate a learning route for yo...