With the holidays approaching, it can be hard to keep the focus on academics. Instead of fighting it, use this time to make memories and bond with your children. Remember that not all learning comes from a book or a worksheet, and often the best kind doesn’t. Check out these tips for surviving the holidays as a homeschool family without feeling like you’re putting a pause on the academics.
Family Game Night
Ditch the books for a Family Game Day/Night! Games like Scrabble, Bananagrams, and Boggle will help teach spelling and vocabulary. Ticket to Ride will teach strategy and geography. Being the banker in Monopoly will help with Math facts. Wildcraft is a great way to learn about foraging herbs their uses. Gameschooling is one of my favorite ways to sneak a little learning in without your children noticing.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
If a long car ride is in your plans, you’re going to need audiobooks and podcasts.Brains On! is a fun podcast that discusses science topics. Real Cool History for Kids tells stories from history in an engaging way. Spotify isn’t just for podcasts, either. You can find lots of audiobooks, even free ones on there. Librivox recordings are free! These audiobooks are all part of the public domain. Check out book lists from websites like Simply Charlotte Mason and Ambleside Online for suggestions of books that really challenge your child and inspire their imagination.
Cooking
You’re going to be cooking anyway, so why not get the children involved? Shopping presents the opportunity to learn budgeting and finding the best prices. Not to mention the life skills and math involved. Measuring ingredients for your recipe is the perfect way to learn fractions. Take this opportunity to talk to your children about choosing healthier ingredients and how it’s ok to indulge for special occasions. Tell them about the recipes that have been handed down in your family and the memories you have of cooking with your own parents and grandparents.
Themed Unit Studies
If you’re looking for themed studies, we have pre-recorded video courses on the history of Thanksgiving and the Iroquois People for all members of Classical Learner. You might also checkout companies like Brighter Day Press, Campfire Curriculum, and Gather Round for more family- style learning. Combining subjects like Science and History will save your sanity during your school year, but especially during the holidays. Besides, it promotes family togetherness, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
Brett Pike is the Author of the Cubs to Bears book series.
He is also the creator of Classical Learner’s Homeschools Connected community & curriculum – bringing together thousands of like minded people and providing them the resources to give their kids an education worthy of freedom. You can learn more about Homeschools Connected here.