Homeschooling Through the Alphabet: H is for Heart
I find that to be a successful homeschooling mom I have to teach with my heart and not my head or by listening to what other people think my kids should be doing.
It's not always easy but when I put my kids and their needs first our homeschooling days go much more smoothly!
To me, teaching with heart means that I am always thinking of my boys:
I focus a lot on making family memories, finding new and neat places for us to visit and exposing us to new experiences.
I encourage their passions, look for ways to encourage them and try not to worry about how different our curriculum looks from that of our local public schools.
When they're having a bad day or a hard time I look for ways to make their day or their work a little bit easier. We'll stop a subject that's causing tears and play a game, turn to a different subject that they enjoy or just take a break from school altogether.
I try to be caring and compassionate and hope that I'm teaching them to be the same.
By focusing just a bit more on our relationship, their mood and development, and meeting them where they are (school- level wise) I hope that they'll learn that they are enough. Their best is always good enough. They are important and unique and have their own individual strengths.
Homeschooling Through the Alphabet:
A is for Awe
B is for Boisterous
C is for Creativity
D is for Determination
E is for Expectations
F is for Fun
G is for Games
Linking Up With: Friday at the Fire Station,
It's not always easy but when I put my kids and their needs first our homeschooling days go much more smoothly!
To me, teaching with heart means that I am always thinking of my boys:
- what they'd enjoy learning about
- what skills they need to work on
- how to make their work fun, engaging, and interesting
- how to make our days as fun as we possibly can
- how to continually strengthen our family bond
- how to encourage their growth and independence
I focus a lot on making family memories, finding new and neat places for us to visit and exposing us to new experiences.
I encourage their passions, look for ways to encourage them and try not to worry about how different our curriculum looks from that of our local public schools.
When they're having a bad day or a hard time I look for ways to make their day or their work a little bit easier. We'll stop a subject that's causing tears and play a game, turn to a different subject that they enjoy or just take a break from school altogether.
I try to be caring and compassionate and hope that I'm teaching them to be the same.
By focusing just a bit more on our relationship, their mood and development, and meeting them where they are (school- level wise) I hope that they'll learn that they are enough. Their best is always good enough. They are important and unique and have their own individual strengths.
Homeschooling Through the Alphabet:
A is for Awe
B is for Boisterous
C is for Creativity
D is for Determination
E is for Expectations
F is for Fun
G is for Games
Linking Up With: Friday at the Fire Station,
So true! And so often, in the busy-ness of hommeschooling, it is a dedicated and devoted heart that keeps us in the game!
ReplyDeleteRight you are!
DeleteI love this! Homeschooling must be done from the heart, and you're boys will surely benefit from you loving leadership. (The homeschool group I led was called, Homeschooling with Heart) :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! And thanks for all the shares! :)
DeleteThis was just what I needed today. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it helped!
DeleteHomeschooling with the heart sure does make a big difference. Thanks for the reminder. Today was a tough day in our homeschool.
ReplyDeleteAw, sorry to hear that; we do all have those tough days. Hope tomorrow is better!
DeleteAmen to that! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThis is so true! But it is also hard to resist being swayed by people who have to throw their two cents in about how you should be teaching your children. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteIt really is!
DeleteReading this post about once a week towards the end of the week would help me keep my focus. Fabulous advice. I want every day of homeschool to really be a joy.
ReplyDeleteThat is my goal too; to find joy in the everyday. Glad you found this so inspiring!
DeleteGreat post! That's some things that I like about kids that are homeschooled - you can focus more on their interests than a "typical" school, and it's easier to switch between things sometimes.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
That is true. We have lots of extra time to really explore what interests them.
DeleteWhat a blessing it is to homeschool.... and what a variety of homeschooling styles! Our homeschooling has changed various times and how wonderful to be able to tailor it to our family and the needs at the time. We spent a few years traveling often to take one son for surgery several states away... homeschool went on the road at that time... and we learned to really treasure our time together. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that it just keeps changing and we modify as we go along. Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.
DeleteI was sucked right into this post because daisies are my favorite flower - your title image just made me smile and feel all warm and loved inside. And then I read your words and am encouraged to remember the focus and and goals of our homeschooling journey - to teach to the heart. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! That is so sweet to hear and you are more than welcome.
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