mandymom.com Blog

A is for active learning.  Applying knowledge in a way that it sticks by living it!
B is for books. Take your children to the book store or library and let them pick out things they want to look at or read. (And take the time to read to them when they ask.)
C is for cooking. Let your children help you! That’s reading, math, and chemistry!
D is for discipleship.  Allow your children to follow you around, to copy you, to ask as many questions as they desire.  Keep them close to you and remember, pay attention to what you say and do… because you can bet they are!
E is for exploring.  We are all born with a natural curiosity!  Don’t squelch it in your children!
F is for field trips.  Museums, parks, and beaches.  Amusement parks and fairs.  Rodeos and farms!  Get out there!
G is for gardening. Kids love to get dirty, and they love to watch things grow!
H is for helping.  We all know you can fold the clothes better, clean the house quicker, and do everything in an efficient manner….. but allow your children to get involved!  The extra time is worth it!
I is for interests.  Let your children’s interests guide you!
J is for journal.  Write down what you’ve done at the end of the day.  It’s always encouraging to look back and make note of what your children have learned without force and pressure.
K is for kidding.  Take time to laugh, giggle, and joke with your children.  Humor is good for the soul!
L is for listening.  Do a lot of it.
M is for money.  Give your children an allowance, even if it’s small.  This teaches them how to tithe, save, and spend.
N is for natural.  Don’t forget that learning is natural.  It happens as we live!
O is for observation.  Children learn quite a bit from observing, whether its watching tv, watching you, or watching the world!
P is for passion.  Find out what your children are passionate about and help them pursue those things.  Music?  Karate? Art?  Dancing?  Rocket Science?  Whatever it is, help them reach their goals.
Q is for questions. Sometimes the endless questions are irritating, but it’s part of the growing process.  Again, children are naturally curious.  Don’t stomp that out by refusing to answer their questions or shrugging them off because you’re ”too busy”.
R is for repairing. Let your children look on (or even help, if possible) as you or your spouse repair things.  This can produce a useful trade for them in their future (or at least save money because they know how to do it themselves).
S is for storytelling.  Whether it’s fact or fiction, sit down with your munchkins and share a story.  I have many wonderful memories from my childhood, sitting on the couch with dad as he told us magical stories and sent us on awesome adventures.
T is for toys! Keep fun, educational toys and games around your home.  Play together as a family!
U is for understanding. Remember, we all make mistakes.  It’s part of learning.  Be understanding when they mess up, break something, or get hurt.
V is for volunteering. Go help your community.  Make sack lunches for the homeless.  Visit the elderly in nursing homes.  This helps your children become responsible citizens!
W is for why.  Turn things around.  Ask your children WHY! 
X is for Xerox.  Okay, so it’s hard to find something for X, but Xeroxing is so much fun!  Every child should get to do it! (Just.. not your rearend, okay?)
Y is for yes.  Figure out ways to say Yes more than you say No.
Z is for Zzzzzz.  Make bedtime enjoyable.  Read books.  Sing songs.  Say a prayer.  Give them many kisses and prepare to do it all over again tomorrow!

What are your favorite personal homeschooling ABCs?

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 at 4:32 pm and is filed under Articles, Funny, living & learning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.