Homeschooling Through The Winter Months

Do the long days of winter seem longer than you like?  I personally look forward to the winters months because we are able to get more accomplished that we usually can't because the warm sunshine is beckoning us outdoors. Winter is a time for us to 'buckle down' from whirl of events from the holidays and to settle into a nice steady routine. I know that many moms can get cabin fever, whether you have big or little ones, so here are a few suggestions.


1. Make a list. Write out all the things you wanted to do with your school--projects, crafts, art, science experiments. Be creative. Dream and dream some more and then add it into the months of January-March. Watch the months go by faster because you have things to look forward to that break up the monotony of the week.

2. Have a party and celebrate life. Pull out the streamers and balloons or just keep it simple. whether it be Valentine's day or celebrating an accomplishment. You could bake cookies for them learning a new math concept or godly character or plan a tea party. You could plan a surprise party to bless dad and cook all his favorites when he gets home from a long day of work. Be sure to take plenty of video-- children love making home videos!

3. Plan family field trips. Many museums are offer free days during the winter months, check your local listings. Go bowling, ice skating, sledding, visit the library, or just go shopping together to get some fresh air and fun. Our older sons are in basketball this year and have 2-3 games a week and that keeps us on the go right now.

4. Plan some hospitality. Invite the grandparents and make some memories or that family you've been thinking about having over for months. Children love having company and you will be blessed by opening your home. Invite their friends over for lunch or a movie.


5. Don't take your school too seriously. There will be those days--you know what days I am talking about! Simply breath in and out, close your teachers key and do something the whole family enjoys. Break out the board games or those educational toys you have been wanting to get to...or even have them all go on a book time alone in their rooms. Your homeschool will not collapse because you took a break for a day or two. In our big family we truly appreciate times of solace because there are so many of us--silence can be a rare thing. You could also call a craft day or home economics day and have them bake or cook to their hearts content.

You could also include:

Music time: practicing instrument
Exercise time: working out to a video or playing outside in the snow or taking them to the gym or YMCA
Reading time: books you had planned for them to read for the year. Here is a great list for Christian Fiction Book Series for Kids and Christian Biographies for Kids
Personal devotional time: get your child their own Bible so they can read through it
Make a video: we like to make funny videos on our phones or reenact movies
Character Studies
Typing
Computer

The days go by fast when you have a  plan for the day. Whatever your plan is be sure to pray and ask the Lord what He might have you include. He might want you to 'hibernate' and focus on getting things under control at your home or maybe He is nudging on your heart to do something such as service projects as a family. Be sure to pray about it a make this winter a productive one for you and your family.

QUICK HELPFUL TIP BEFORE I GO:

My very favorite pencil in the world, these wonderful Ticonderoga pencils (I am telling you because they don't break, even with 5 boys!) are on sale for $9.96 for nearly 100! That is about 10 cents a pencil and a super great deal. It is only for a limited time so don't miss it. I know that us homeschool moms sometimes like to restock for the new year!