All of us (whether children or adults) will learn more when we are motivated.

We learn what is of relevance to us. We pursue what we enjoy.

Does your child ENJOY learning? Or, is learning something that is seen as a requirement, confined to the four walls of a school?

During this time of isolation - when so many families are suddenly responsible for the education of their children - you might find your child isn’t exactly enthused about completing that math lesson or reading aloud to you for 20 minutes. The line between being a parent and teacher is blurred.

I certainly don’t buy into the theory that everything for our children needs to be “fun” - but I am a firm believer that learning can be fun and when we educate our children at home we have a unique opportunity to show them what a joy learning can be.

Meet Your Children Where They Are

Doesn’t this go against the way we (the parents) were educated?

I don’t know about you, but I was educated in a public school classroom with 20-25 other children. We were given an assignment and expected to complete it. All children were brought to the same level and educated from there.

Guess what? Your child may be above grade level or below grade level (But who even defines “at grade level”? Don’t get me started.) Let children start where they are comfortable. Let them backtrack a little and do a few things with great success.

Examples:

Assign easier math problems - let your child play on a math app below their level to gain confidence. They are still practicing skills.
Ask your children what interests them - pay attention to this! Does your child love to play with LEGOS? You can learn a lot from LEGO bricks. Does your child want to learn to cook? Do a lot of cooking. You can take interests and cultivate them. That is LEARNING, and that is FUN!
Allow your children to read below their normal level - can they read to younger siblings? To you? Let them read for enjoyment and don’t require a book report or comprehension questions.

When you eliminate traditional constraints children begin to enjoy learning. Be patient and consistent. The rest works itself out.

Think Outside the Box (here’s an example:)

I love watching creative parents!

A friend of mine posted this picture of her 4 young children. She is teaching them at home now because the schools are closed.

As I talked with her she told me everything she did with her children and this chalk drawing - it is a PERFECT example of how to make learning fun.

This mom taped off the heart on the driveway - but it went so much further than that and I know her children learned a lot in the process:

color recognition for the youngest children
shape recognition for the older children
word problems: For example: “If you add the pink shapes and the blue shapes how many shapes are there in all?”
patience and encouragement: waiting for your sibling to finish their part - encouraging them that they are doing a good job

You could even extend the learning the next day:

find Bible verses about love - copy simple ones in the driveway
Have the children come up with their own word problems
Write an acrostic LOVE poem
Print this picture and include it in a letter to nursing home residents or relatives
Read aloud “The Velveteen Rabbit” or “Charlotte’s Web” - both perfect for this time of year, and both sweet stories about love

Do you see how many activities can come out of one chalk heart?

Be willing to think outside of the box. Again, learning doesn’t have to happen inside the 4 walls of a classroom.

Consider Your Child’s Learning Style

Do you know your child’s learning style?

Use this downloadable checklist to determine your child’s learning style.

This is extremely helpful - and not just if you are “homeschooling” your children. It is valuable information to have because it explains so much about your child.

I also recommend two wonderful books to help you discover more about your child - these changed the way I relate to my own children:

Use Games

The easiest way to make learning fun is to play games.

I first really saw the power of games when my children were little and we began exploring different math games. Then, we began to play geography games - and then the obsession began.

By simply making games a part of your family’s life children can learn so much - and have fun while doing so!

There are many resources here on the blog that can help you find games:

It’s All About Approach

Finally, if we want our children to become lifelong learners - adults who enjoy the acquisition of knowledge - we must give serious thought to the educational approach we use.

Is education something that is REQUIRED, confined to certain hours of the day, and something that normally involves cajoling, bribery, and tears?

Or, is education a lifestyle? Do we, as parents, constantly learn? Are we learning with our children?

Are we reading aloud, playing games, creating art, playing an instrument, and learning new things?

The DEFINITION of a thing matters - and I would suggest that we define learning in this way:

the acquisition of knowledge or skills through activities that engage, excite and delight a child

One last piece of advice: your child’s heart is more important than the knowledge you impart to them.

If a learning situation becomes stressful or emotional, just stop. Take a break. Send everyone to their corners and regroup for a bit.

Forget the requirements of traditional education and remember YOU are the parent. That is the most important job in the world.

I’d love to hear from you - are you suddenly educating your children at home? Looking for fun ideas?

Or, are you a veteran homeschooler who still (like me) struggles with falling into the traditional “school at home” rut?

Leave me a comment below!

“I just want to be their mom, not their teacher!”

I can’t tell you the number of times I have made this statement (often through tears) to my husband or a friend. Oftentimes it is just plain HARD having the responsibility of being your child’s educational authority and also their parent.

Right now EVERYONE is finding themselves with the responsibility of their children’s education on their shoulders. Notice I didn’t say everyone is HOMESCHOOLING - because I have told you before: Please Stop Homeschooling the Children!

When I began homeschooling many years ago it took a good amount of time for us to make the adjustment - my daughter had to adjust to me being her “teacher”, and I had to adjust to trying to play two roles: mom and teacher.

I understand. Whether you are a veteran homeschooler or find yourself suddenly responsible for your child’s education right now - we all need to give ourselves and our children an abundance of grace and love.

Parent or Teacher? Blurred Lines and How to Adjust

Change Your Terminology and Your Thinking

The way we label and think about something matters. Let me suggest to you that you don’t call yourself your child’s TEACHER.

Especially if your children have been in traditional school for an extended period of time, the word “teacher” has a very specific meaning:

According to the dictionary, a teacher is:

one that teaches especially : one whose occupation is to instruct

When our children are at home with us and we are responsible for their education, we cannot call ourselves their teacher. I believe that depersonalizes us and (especially for children who have been used to traditional school) causes our children to view us in a certain way.

I quickly learned when we began homeschooling that recreating school at home didn’t work. I was NOT my child’s teacher - she had a teacher at her school and with that definition came certain expectations.

Please don’t consider yourself your child’s TEACHER. You are still their parent, and you are guiding them through their learning… which leads me to the next point.

There is Power in Modeling

Be the “Learner in Charge”.

One of the most effective things I did early on with my daughter was to sit with her sometimes while she did math - and I would do the same assignment at the same time. I wanted her to see that I was learning, too, and that I was willing to put in the work with her.

You must show your children there is value and purpose in what they are doing. Why would you ask them to do something you would not be willing to sit down and do yourself?

Having your children at home for their schooling won’t work if you just slap worksheets in front of them and make them sit alone to complete them. (I wouldn’t want to do that.) Sit with them, encourage them, offer an incentive (our favorite was always a little muffin cup of chocolate chips!).

Again, this doesn’t happen overnight. As the parent you must learn to be inquisitive and thoughtful - education cannot be an us vs. them mentality (which it often is in traditional school).

We are educating our children at home because we believe there is value in learning together, and value in learning beautiful things.

Kids Need Love and Acceptance

Please remember this. Especially now.

There have been times when I have thrown “school” out the window to focus on my children’s specifc emotional needs. When a grandparent has passed away or when times in our world are uncertain children don’t need schoolwork. They need security and love.

The inclination when someone makes a school “assignment” or when the curriculum suggests something is that we should complete it at all costs.

Please don’t make SCHOOL an idol. Your child’s hearts are much more important.

You would be amazed at how beneficial a day of just reading good books, doing art together, taking a nature walk, or cuddling up to watch movies, can be.

And if you are thinking right now, “Well, the school (or curriculum) says this HAS to be done,” I would suggest to you that YOU are the authority for your child. How will your child ever accept you as that authority if you’re not willing to exercise it?

Don’t Tie Punishments to Schoolwork

I learned my lesson with this early on. Issuing punishments when schoolwork isn’t completed just doesn’t work.

“No TV time unless you finish your math.”

“No special snack until you copy all 10 of these sentences.”

Or, here’s the worst one (especially for boy):

“You cannot go outside until you have finished all of your work!”

I know the temptation is strong to bribe our children into completing their schoolwork, but again - I urge you to look at the HEART behind why your child might be dragging their feet. Maybe simply sitting down next to them and encourage them will help. Or, maybe breaking the assignment into smaller steps will solve the problem.

You will find that your creativity increases exponentially the longer you have your children home with you. You WILL discover ways to motivate them, but please don’t attach punishments to incomplete schoolwork!

(And remember — read alouds cure so many ills - this is one of our all-time favorites for pre-teens/teens. I also have a page dedicated to reading with kids which can be helpful to you.)

Your Kids Have Assigned You a Role - Changing That Takes Time

This is the biggie. If your children have been in traditional school for a long time they are not going to view you as their educational authority right away. It is impossible and unfair to ask them for 100% compliance right away.

As I said before, relax. Maybe give yourself one big goal each day when it comes to schoolwork. If your child completes a math assignment well, call that day a success! If they read out loud to you for 30 minutes, call that day a success.

Your children are most likely mourning the loss of a school environment and adjusting to home. You are mostly likely mourning the loss of “free” time or time to work quietly while your children have been at school.

Grace, grace, and more grace.

5 Ways to Make Learning Fun