The Joy of Family Learning (Part One)

Once your children are grown up, what will be your fondest memory of homeschooling?

I know it won’t be the productivity of finishing the maths workbook.  Or working through the entire grammar program. 

It will be connection.  Family connection and learning together.

When you have multiple children working at different levels and stages it can be very difficult to have family connection.  You are feeling forever stretched between the demands of young children and the needs of older children.  Sometimes you feel like a ping pong ball jumping from one lesson and child to another. 

Can imagine if you were able to teach your children of many ages together in a way where all are learning deeply?

Can you imagine bringing your family together to learn about the world together?

Do you know that it is possible…and not only possible, but beautiful?

Of course, nothing is ever perfect. 

But, are you dreaming of sitting together around the kitchen table, strolling along a nature walk, or snuggled up on the couch and learning all together – the younger and the older?  Is this even possible?  Yes!  I believe it is!  It is called Family Learning. 

What is Family Learning?

Family learning is where the whole family can engage in learning on the same ‘topic’ or experience together, no matter the age, experience or level. 

Why use family learning?

Time - Family learning is a great use of time.  We are all time poor and need to find ways to make the best use of time.  By shared family learning, all children are engaged at once, freeing up time for other things. 

Connection - Creating these shared experiences builds a deep family connection.  We often reminisce on a wonderful story or funny or fun situations that we shared together during our family learning. 

Peer Learning - There is also great opportunity for children to learn from each other and help each other building deep friendship. Older children can assist younger children.

How to do family learning?

Many people ask me – how do you teach all children at once when they are at different levels.  It does sound like a challenge, but once you get your head around it, you can do it too!    This is possible for math, language arts including writing, science, geography, history, nature study. How is this possible? 

Well, let me show you.  Let’s start with some simple easy ways:

Reading – books of all kinds can be enjoyed together with children of all ages.  Try to find a variety of picture books, chapter books and information books on whatever topic  you are leaning at the time.  History, geography, science and language studies can all be wonderfully explored together through books.

Nature / Science Study – enjoy taking nature outings together as a family and observe and discuss the nature as you go.  Children of all ages (even you!) can keep a nature journal to record observations and draw sketches of what you discover. 

Writing – children of all ages can be engaged in the same writing task.  Whether you are exploring poetry, how-to writing or story writing, this can all be taught together.  First, read plenty of examples of the style of writing.  Next, make observations about what is needed for the writing piece (structure, format etc.).  Finally, children of ages (including you!) can be working on their own writing piece simultaneously.  Little ones can be drawing pictures to tell a story and you can assist them with writing captions. 

So, as you can see, here are just a few examples of how you can engage children of different levels into the same learning experience.  This will build a deeper family connection and bring you together.  You will look back on these moments fondly.  Stay tuned for part 2 where I share further examples of Family Learning. 

Why not choose one idea to try this week? 

Blessings,

Penny