We've decided to homeschool our girls {and boys when the come...} and I'm really excited about it. I love the idea of choosing curriculum to best fit their learning styles and working with them on what they struggle with and what they're good at. Lately I've tried to get some daily outings going for my little home schoolers- here are some things I've come up with. {PS my girls are only 2 and 4 right now, which definitely makes a difference on types of outings!} I have been rotating a lot of these and keeping a lot of them on a weekly basis.
The best source I've found for a homeschooling parent. We like to go Tuesday mornings for story and craft time {which is a great setting for her to be under an authority figure besides mom}, then exchange our books every week. I love reading the girls new library books! {I don't know about you but I get kind of bored with the same-ol same-ol} And they love picking them out. After the first few weeks of going they have learned the ropes and will sit quietly and read while we choose the books.
KC lacks a good children's museum, but we do have a fantastic {free} art museum that I like taking the girls to on occasion. A really good learning opportunity for them. I also love places that allow them to be creative- kids art places, dress up places etc.
Weaved into our 'science' curriculum I'm doing nature walks, or excursions {even to the zoo} to look at what we've been studying. {I suppose technically it's a lab?} Anyway it's a fun way for them to get out!
Up the street at a local middle school we have a United Way resource center that I love taking the girls to. They have a huge play area and learning toys you can rent. Such a great way to supplement our school! I don't know if there are anything similar to these in other cities, but I'd encourage you to look. I found ours through our 'Parents as Teachers' program.
We're blessed to have the International House of Prayer only a few miles away, and it's so good for the girls to get in there and have quiet time with the Lord, dance, pray, read their Bibles, worship, whatever it is. Several cities have prayer rooms now {even if small}, and it's so great for the kids to get in there. They love it, and it's so good to establish them in prayer.
It goes without saying, homeschool kids need more opportunities to socialize than school kids. At least once a week {usually more} we schedule play dates to get the girls with friends for social interaction. There's a lot they can learn from being with friends, even as opposed to siblings.
I'd love to hear any other ideas from homeschooling moms on things you do out of the house- please share!
