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New Homeschooling Mom Questions
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So, I am going to be new to this homeschooling thing starting this fall. My oldest son is 6 and already in public school but we will be starting 2nd grade this fall. My middle son is 5 and I won’t be doing a lot of “formal” schooling with him but I will be including him in the family stuff and doing a few preschool/K things. I’m doing a great job planning my curriculum for them and finding the resources I need, so that’s not an issue for me, right now.
My husband and I are in the process of getting rid of or seriously limiting their use on the computer and video games but this has been such a habit over the past couple years, that I’m rusty as to what to do with them to keep them busy. I used to be so good about finding things to keep them busy but due to a new baby this past year, I got lazy and let them spend more and more time on electronics. Now it’s time for some change. What I’m wondering, is what do you all do with boys during the down time? Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!
Mandy
Outside time
Gardening
Basic tools, wood, nails
Legos
Art supplies
Science kits and supplies like a microscope, snap circuits, and rock collection.
Basketball hoop – we have an adjustable one in the house and another one outside, works for my five boys and 2 girls all under age 12.
Jump rope – My children got really inspired by the Disney movie Jump In and now they try to learn more challenging things with the rope.
Good luck!
I have recently lived this scenario, so let me tell you my experience. I started out by saying “If you are bored, I can find you something to do” (a.k.a. wipe down baseboards, pull weeds, etc…lol). DS who is 6 learned real quick not to say he was bored. Beyond that, I just tell him “Go be a boy, and play!”. At first he would just wonder around aimlessly as if he didn’t have a 100 toys to choose from in his toy box. Over time an amazing thing happened. His “Child Brain” started waking up and he began to play and make-believe. Low and Behold, I found out my child did have an actual imagination! I learned that electronics strips them of self-entertainment, but the good news is, given some time, they learn how to be kids again.
I have been reading so much lately about the damage we are doing to children (and ourselves) in this technological age and we are definitely going to making some changes. My question @Scoathy is was there a lot of opposition when you began this and how long did it take before the change became the norm? I’m getting frustrated because I am meeting opposition and fits and it is a bit annoying 😉
@Tristan. Thanks for all the ideas. We have limited space since we live in a 1000 square ft second floor apartment but we are trying to make it work 🙂
During one of my pregnancies, I was having a much harder time at the end. I started with just a few educational DVDs, but quickly, without me even realizing it, it turned into a lot more and all the time. I couldn’t believe how quickly the bad habits formed, when for years we never had any TV at all. Anyway, I was really struck when not too long after the baby was born, we were on a nice little relaxing vacation by the beach, with beautiful weather and lots to do, but I kept getting requests for TV instead! I couldn’t believe it! I decided to go cold turkey and completely cut off all TV. After only a couple of days, they forgot all about it. Those are great ideas from Tristan, but I had a similar experience as Scoathy, where they really just learned to play and use their imaginations! It’s been so wonderful not having the TV on! I look back and can scarcely recall what it was like during those few months with it on. It’s bizarre to think of it. To be honest, I’m not a fan of many electronics. I avoid the curriculums with DVD or computer components and don’t use a Kindle or other e-reader. When my guys are older, I’ll probably do a bit of a computer course or something, but it’s just not for our family I’ve learned.
Mandy,
I understand. We’ve got 9 of us in 1200 square feet. 🙂 Thankfully we do have a small yard. From our apartment years I learned that LESS is more. Go through the toys/stuff/clothing ruthlessly. So much of what is often bought lies unused. And if you look closely at the toys these days many are ‘one way to play’. A simple example with a girly toy: A Little Mermaid doll is always going to be played with as the little mermaid. But a generic doll will be used as so many different people. For boys, a basic, non-tv related lego set will have a wider use than a Ninja turtles lego set where they only play with that storyline in mind. Dress up clothing is similar, instead of a “Captain America” outfit offer generic pieces, capes, pirate patch, sword, cloak that can become ANY character and a child’s imagination will run with it.
As for opposition – it’s normal. You’re messing with their routine and what they’re used to filling their days with. Some choose to cut back slowly, others go cold turkey for a period of time to get it out of their system. Only you know what will work best for your family.
@Mandy…did I face opposition? Oh my, Yes!!! DS was not happy at all!!! There was whining, fits, complaining….you name it, I heard it (and a few spankings were mixed in as a result of the behavior). Once I was consistant with it, and DS saw I wasn’t going to give in to him, the bulk of the opposition was over within 1 month. Now I get to enjoy listening to him playing with his action figures. I love hearing the different “voices” of his toys while he is playing.
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