Nurturing a Love for Reading: My Homeschooling Journey
As a homeschooling parent, I’ve discovered the unique opportunity to instill a love for reading in my children. With the added benefit of breaking my slight cell phone addiction, I’ve been purchasing more books and dedicating time to reading with my kids, creating meaningful learning experiences for all of us.
My Homeschooling Journey…
1. Leading by Example
I’ve realized that my children often mimic my behavior, so I make a point to demonstrate my own love for reading by stepping away from my phone and immersing myself in books. Setting aside time for my own reading and talking to my children about the books I’m enjoying has shown them the value of this activity.
2. Creating a Reading Oasis
I’ve dedicated a cozy corner in our home as a reading nook where my children and I can retreat with books. Stocking it with a variety of reading materials and ensuring it’s well-lit and inviting has made it a place we all love to spend time in.
3. Reading Aloud
Choosing a book that my children are interested in and reading it aloud to them has been a great bonding experience. Not only does this help with their listening skills, but it also exposes them to new vocabulary and different storytelling techniques while giving me a chance to step away from any digital distractions.
4. Making Reading Interactive
Engaging my children in discussions about what they’re reading has been invaluable. I love asking them about their favorite characters, the plot, and their predictions about what will happen next. We have also incorporated activities related to the books, such as creating art or cooking a dish mentioned in the story, all free from the distractions of digital devices.
5. Parental Guidance in Book Selection
I use my parental wisdom to guide my children to learn about important topics through their reading. Our latest book purchases are about chicken care, wilderness survival, goats, and foraging for mushrooms, allowing them to gain knowledge on practical and important subjects.
6. Incorporating Quiet Reading Time during homeschooling
We have designated quiet or school time where we read, which I consider my parenting secret weapon. I often use this card when sibling tensions are amping up or when I can sense a kiddo is overextending their energy and could use some slower play. It’s a valuable way to diffuse tension and encourage a peaceful atmosphere in our home.
7. Child-Led Shared Reading
One homeschool hack I use is having Claire read aloud to Peter, so she practices reading aloud while they both gain from the story. This “two kids, one book” homeschool momma hack not only enhances Claire’s reading skills but also fosters a stronger bond between the siblings while maximizing the educational value of the reading material.
8. Setting Reading Goals when homeschooling
Setting achievable reading goals for my children, such as finishing a certain number of books in a month or exploring a new genre, has been motivating. We celebrate their accomplishments to keep them eager to read more while also allowing me to detach from my cell phone.
9. Embracing Technology during homeschooling
Embracing audiobooks has significantly enhanced our reading experience, particularly through their Yoto player. My children also participate in online classes on platforms like Outschool, among other curricula, so we consciously try to balance our reading methods by not primarily focusing on online reading.
10. Being Patient and Supportive
Every child’s reading journey is unique. I’ve learned to be patient and supportive, celebrating every step forward, no matter how small, and taking the time to appreciate the value of reading over mindless scrolling on a phone.
By recognizing reading as a curriculum in and of itself, I’ve found that I could enrich my children’s homeschooling experience and set us all on a lifelong path of learning and discovery through the written word, while also addressing my screen time habits.