Are you gearing up to embark on your homeschooling journey this fall? As the summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to start preparing your child for a successful homeschooling experience. By implementing some key activities and routines during the summer, you can ensure a smooth transition into homeschooling. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential tips for summer homeschool prep, along with valuable insights into the process of deschooling.
If you’re at the very beginning of your journey check out HOW TO GET STARTED WITH HOMESCHOOLING and download my free beginners guide to homeschool.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may make commission off of purchases made through the product links.
Summer Homeschool Prep
Establish a routine
One of the crucial aspects of homeschooling is establishing a consistent routine. During the summer, it’s beneficial to start introducing a schedule that your child can follow. This routine might include waking up at a specific time, having breakfast, engaging in physical activities, and setting aside dedicated learning time. By doing so, you help your child adjust to a structured homeschooling schedule and establish a sense of stability.
Consider your lifestyle and the kind of routine schedule you will have in the fall. If you will be out and about a lot, get your child used to learning on the go by visiting parks, museums, splash pads, etc. Put together a learning bin that you can keep in the car and get your child familiar with working on the go.
If your goal for homeschooling is slowing down and having a more simple lifestyle, use this time to guide your kids into independent play and discovery. This is especially important if your child is used to being entertained or told what to do every moment of the day (aka been in school).
REading and writing
To maintain and enhance your child’s reading and writing skills, encourage them to engage in these activities during the summer. Setting a goal of reading a certain number of books or writing a specific number of pages per week can keep them motivated and prepared for the academic challenges ahead. Consider visiting your local library, exploring online reading resources, and providing writing prompts to inspire creativity and growth.
For a more gentle approach, consider doing a family read aloud. This could take place during quiet time (if you don’t have one, do it and thank me later) or the period of time you would be doing reading instruction with your kids. It’s especially helpful if you have young children who can’t read or will be homeschool multiple ages at a time. This summer I’m reading the Little House series to my kids during our read aloud time.
One of my favorite summer writing activities is keeping a summer journal. Have your kids write about their summer adventures or the highlight of each day. Not only will they practice their writing skills, but it’s a great keepsake for later on. If you have little kids, consider blank journals that they can draw their days in. From there, you can write their dictations or they can do copywork.
Math Practice
Mathematics is a fundamental subject in homeschooling. During the summer, devote some time to math practice to reinforce your child’s understanding of basic concepts and foster their problem-solving skills. Online resources, educational games, and workbooks tailored to specific grade levels can make math practice engaging and enjoyable. By incorporating math into daily activities, such as cooking or shopping, you can create practical learning opportunities.
Explore nature
Summer is the perfect season to explore the wonders of nature. Encourage your child to immerse themselves in the outdoors through activities like hiking, visiting parks, or spending time at the beach. These experiences spark curiosity, stimulate their senses, and provide ample opportunities for learning about the environment, wildlife, and natural phenomena. Nature exploration can compliment academic subjects like science, geography, and biology.
Make nature your classroom in the summertime. Get in the habit of getting outdoors and exploring the world around you. This is a big part of homeschooling. There is so much to see, do, and explore outside. Learning comes natural in the natural world. Embrace it!
Research curriculum options
As you prepare for homeschooling, take advantage of the summer months to research and select a curriculum that aligns with your child’s learning style and interests. Numerous options cater to various educational philosophies and approaches. Seek recommendations from homeschooling communities or online forums, read reviews, and explore sample materials.
Consider taking the HOMESCHOOL STYLES QUIZ to get an idea of your teaching style. Remember, it’s okay take bits and pieces of multiple homeschool styles to fit your family and lifestyle. You might not align fully to one methodology or philosophy.
Keep in mind that curriculum isn’t one size fits all. What works for one kid may not work for the next. Also, not every company is created equal. You may find one company who has an incredible math curriculum, but you don’t love their reading curriculum. There is a good chance that your yearly curriculum will be pieced together for a lot of different sources.
What is deschooling & why is it important?
Alongside summer homeschool prep, it’s essential to understand and embrace the concept of deschooling. Deschooling refers to the process of transitioning from traditional schooling to homeschooling by allowing time for your child to adjust and rediscover their love for learning outside of a traditional classroom setting. Here are a few tips for a successful deschooling experience:
- Unstructured Play: Encourage your child to engage in unstructured play, where they can explore their interests, pursue hobbies, and follow their curiosity. This helps them develop self-directed learning skills and reignite their intrinsic motivation.
- Field Trips and Experiences: Plan educational field trips, visit museums, attend workshops, or join local community events. These experiences provide real-world context to their learning and help them see education as a continuous and dynamic process.
- Foster Passion Projects: Encourage your child to pursue passion projects or delve deeper into topics they find fascinating. Allowing them to have autonomy and ownership over their learning builds confidence and a sense of agency.
As you prepare for homeschooling in the fall, investing time and effort into summer homeschool prep is crucial. By establishing routines, encouraging reading, writing, and math practice, exploring nature, and researching curriculum options, you set the stage for a successful homeschooling journey. Additionally, embracing deschooling helps your child transition from a traditional school mindset to a more flexible and personalized approach to education. So, make the most of the summer months to create a nurturing and enriching learning environment at home.
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