{photo by Carol Dichmann}
As we have said before, in many ways the heart of what happens at SLO Classical happens at home. So our Prepare tip for today is to spend a little time thinking about how to Captivate your Kids, which will help you create a warm, inviting, engaging atmosphere for home learning. There is so much to be said on this subject, and Down Home will post articles and tips throughout the year about it. For now, here are three ideas to get you started:
1. Pay attention to what your child likes. Do you have a super active child? An avid reader? A kid who loves to draw, act, or put things to music? Do they like to follow specific directions or prefer to be a little creative? Do they have a vivid imagination? Do they listen better if they have something to keep their hands busy? Do they like to build or take things apart?
This is similar to knowing their learning styles, but maybe not as formal. Knowing a few key interests for each child can help you work with them at home in a way that is well suited for each one. For example, if one child comes alive when they can make a puppet show out of a narration, go for it! And if you have one who struggles in a particular area, you can use what they love to help them practice the skills they need to work on.
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If you’d like to know more about learning styles – here’s a basic overview. and here’s another site with additional learning styles. Or you can pick up one of many books on the subject, such as The Way They Learn.
It also helps to understand how your own learning style differs from your child’s. We can’t expect them to learn things in the same way we do!
2. Be aware of your child’s daily rhythms. Is he/she a morning person or do they need to ease into subjects that require more brain power? For instance, maybe math first thing in the morning isn’t ideal for every child. I (Jenny) have one child who needs to start the day with easier subjects, and does best with math right after lunch. Or perhaps morning is their most alert time, and afternoons are more suited for snuggling and reading together.
Think about practical needs throughout the day: does your child need a protein-packed snack right before tackling a challenging assignment? Do they need activity or outside time to refresh the brain? Would your student work best in a quiet room or do they need background noise?
{photo by Jenny Bischoff}
Thinking through some of these options ahead of time may help you get a better start on your home days.
3. Have fun with your kids! Go on dates with each of them, get silly with them, laugh at your mistakes together, and enjoy the unique person each child is. Fostering a close relationship with your children will enhance your home education experience as you learn and grow together (and vice versa!).
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Oh, and another way to help Prepare for our school year together is to join us this Saturday, August 17th, from 9-2 for our All School Work Day. There is a lot to be done and we really need your help!!! Please come and help get our facility ready for the new year. It’s a wonderful time to meet new families and connect with old friends as well. We hope to see you there!
Do you have any other tips about knowing and captivating your kids? Please share a comment and encourage other parents as we begin the school year!
