Homeschool

Disclosure: Affiliate link included. Extra-curricular activity choices for homeschool kids are increasing all the time.  When I began homeschooling, living in a small town, there were very few group activities to join.  Now, you don’t have to live in a big city to be overwhelmed with choices for your kids. Since sports for homeschoolers are well-known and promoted, I’m going to focus on non-athletic activities.  I’m certainly not against playing sports, and my children played most of them.  But, I would like to point out some other fun and educational opportunities. 1. Music     Music includes: Singing, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Private Lessons, Group Lessons     Music training/education is proven to benefit children in many ways, including intelligence.  I’m      partial to music, because my first degree is in music.  At various times, my children enjoyed every     one of these categories. 2. Drama     Drama can include: Co-Op Drama groups, Community theater classes and productions, and more      advanced training/acting.  My child enjoyed acting in a local Co-Op play.  It turned out to be a very     positive experience and she made many new friends. 3. Art     Art can include: Art classes, Arts and Crafts groups/classes, Community Art classes, and private     study.  You might find classes in your Park & Rec. department, Fine Arts organizations, Summer      Camps, Art Gallery classes/exhibits, and Private Pottery stores. 4. Cook     Cooking is a wonderful skill that is important for children to learn.  Many times, Co-Ops will have     a cooking class or group.  Cooking clubs or classes can be found at your local Park and Rec. and      online.  You could even start one for your homeschool group. 5. Sew     Sewing can include: Basic-Advanced sewing, knitting, and other creative pursuits.       Sewing is a skill that isn’t used as much as it was in the past.  Fabric stores, quilting stores, and      private teachers offer sewing lessons.   6. Photography Photography is a fun and creative activity.  Photography classes can sometimes be found at your local Park and Rec. Dept. Private photography classes can be found through Art foundations or with private instructors. 7. Dance     Dance can include any style of dance instruction.  Many children study: ballet, tap, jazz, modern,     Irish Step, country, ballroom, and others.  My child took dance lessons for many years.  Her      favorites were ballet and Irish Step.  This is a very physical activity and provides many physical     benefits.  It also helps with creativity, good behavior, and self-esteem.  8. Clubs     Clubs can include: Book clubs, Debate, Chess, 4H, Scouts, Nature, Religious, Academic teams,     and Service clubs.  My children participated in: book, debate, chess, and religious clubs.  Religious     clubs, such as Awana, offered wonderful chances to memorize Scripture.  Chess clubs made      playing chess fun and competitive.  Book clubs offered great social experiences as well as      improvement in their reading comprehension abilities.  Debate club provided a huge boost in     academic preparation for college, working in groups, competition and social fun.  The focus     on research and presentations really helped the child be ready for college classes. I love all of these ideas and you may have some awesome ones that worked great in your homeschool family.  What were your favorites?  If you live in an area that doesn’t offer an activity that your child is interested in, create it yourself.  Many homeschool parents create a group, because it will be helpful to their child.  It’s easy to do that, too.  Advertise it through your local groups and have a blast! Here are some of our family’s favorite Homeschool Resources! @2018, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Disclosure: Affiliate link included. Do you remember this commercial? Passiton.com When this commercial came out a few years ago, I was touched by it’s message.  The young child is pushed by his mom to explore activities to enjoy.  He tries quite a few sports, but even with all the right gear and lots of encouragement; he fails. But, mom never gives up.  She wants him to succeed and wants him to have fulfillment and fun.  She doesn’t know what will inspire him or be the “right fit” for him, so she tries everything she can think of.  Does it harm him to fail? Failing isn’t harmful.  It could be, if we give up.  But, this mom encourages him to continue his search and his exploration.  And, he finally succeeds at what he discovers! This speaks to me so much as a homeschool mom.  With my children, they were each encouraged to try many things.  We provided all the necessary equipment and training.  We wanted them to try and explore many activities and see what they were fit to do.  It was always surprising to see what they loved doing and were good at. Homeschool moms do this with our children’s extracurricular activities as well as their curriculum and learning opportunities.  We take them to sports, chess clubs, dance lessons, debate clubs, and much more.  Children will find what they love and are good at doing. Sometimes, children love to do a certain thing, but they’re not especially good at it.  That’s fine.  In fact, I believe that it’s good for them to participate in something in which they may fail or not be the best.  Just participating in an activity will teach your children so many things.  Their character will grow stronger as they learn to deal with competition.  No one wins every time. I always felt like children shouldn’t be allowed to quit, just because they weren’t “no 1”.  As they win or lose, the parents have a great opportunity to teach them through these times.  This is when they really grow.  Don’t prevent them from being in these types of growing experiences. @2018, copyright Lisa Ehrman