3 Things You Can Do to Prepare Your Kids for the Financial World

Your kids will, one day, be thrust into adulthood and subsequently the financial world. As there’s just no way of stopping this, it’s best to just accept it. You need not be passive in your child’s journey from care-free child to bill-paying adult, though. You can prepare them for the pitfalls and dangers that they will face when they grow older and are forced to handle their own money. In fact, you should prepare your kids for the financial world because, if you don’t, someone else will, and that’s just not a risk worth taking!

To find three things you can do to prepare your kids for the financial world that they will face in their futures, make sure to read on.

Use a clear jar for saving

When your kids are young, you should establish a saving routine using a clear jar. This will help them to see with their very eyes how saving takes place, and it will also give them a visual image of all the benefits that are to be gotten from saving. Simply, they’ll see the money growing, and this image could very well stick with them for years to come.

Show ‘opportunity cost’

As your children grow older and they start forming their own likes and dislikes, they will want you to buy all manner of things for them. New shoes, new video games, new toys — whenever you go out shopping with them, they’re going to want it all. You shouldn’t give in to their requests for you to buy them everything that they want, though, no matter how many times they cry or moan. You should, instead, show ‘opportunity cost’. This means making them aware that if you buy a video game for them, for instance, then they won’t be able to have that new pair of shoes that they crave or vice versa. By making them aware that not everything can be bought, and tough choices have to be made when it comes to spending, they’ll grow up to value their money far more.

Be a good role model

Another good way to teach your kids about money, especially when they are a bit older and they are able to understand and weigh decisions for themselves, is to simply be a good financial role model. If your teen sees you wasting cash unnecessarily, for instance, then, chances are, they will follow suit when they reach adulthood themselves. You should, then, act as a role model by being safe with your own cash — this could mean taking out term life insurance, for instance, in order to see your family remain protected in a financial sense no matter what happens to you.

In order to make sure that your kids are aware of the good work that you do to protect them financially, if it comes to it, simply talk to them about it. The more teenagers know about how tough the financial world is, the better prepared they will be to face it.

To prepare your kids for the financial world of tomorrow, you have to put the above advice into practice today.

Helping Your Children Through Difficult Times

Being a parent is a tough job, and there aren’t always easy answers to some of the difficult problems you may have to face. The upside is that you can be there for your children and try to guide them to experiencing better days ahead.

The following advice will help you to get your children through difficult times they’re experiencing and allow you to connect with them on a deeper level. While it may be challenging at the time, they’re going to remember later on in life how you stood by them and were there for them when they needed you the most.

Take the Time to Actively Listen

You can help your children through difficult times by taking the time to truly listen to them. Just because they’re young or inexperienced doesn’t mean you should assume they don’t have any important information to share. Instead of making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, you should treat them maturely and hear them out. There may be new and pertinent details about a matter that they’re willing to share with you to help you better understand where they’re coming from. Give them your undivided attention when they require it instead of trying to discuss serious matters on the fly.

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

You can also help your children through difficult times by putting yourself in their shoes. For instance, you may desire to have full custody if you’re going through a divorce when trying to determine a workable plan. However, maybe they want to spend time with your spouse as well, so you need to consider their feelings and what’s best for them. Help yourself by sitting down with a lawyer from Bristol solicitors so you can work together to come up with the best solution for both you and your children and future ex-spouse.

What you want and desire may not be what your children need or want in their life at the time. Be considerate of their opinions and try to understand why they might be feeling a certain way instead of pushing your viewpoints on them.

Lend Advice Given Your Experience

Although they may not be asking for it at the time, it’s okay to lend your advice and state your viewpoint on a matter given your experience. You’re the adult and have been through a lot more than they have in your life, so it’s likely you have some useful tips they might want to hear and consider. Sit down with your children when they come to you with questions or are feeling confused and help them sort through what’s on their mind in a healthy manner. It’s possible you’ll be able to relate to what they’re dealing with and they’ll see you as someone who’s trustworthy and dependable to open up to.

Conclusion

Difficult times are going to pop up in your lifetime with your children whether you like it or not. Instead of running away from what’s happening, face it head-on using this advice. The upside is that you and your kids will likely develop a lot closer of a relationship in the process as well.

Forming a Strong Connection: 5 Activities You and Your Partner Can Engage in While Preparing for the Baby

When you’re expecting, your brain tends to go into the baby-only mode. Not only can you neglect to do things for yourself, but you may forget to do fun things with your partner. When you notice this happening, be sure to schedule some activities so you enjoy each other’s company and bond even more before the baby comes. You may want to do some of the things you did before you became pregnant but if you’re looking for other ideas, here are five.

Take in some non-baby-related content

You probably have scores of baby books on your shelf and a dozen pregnancy apps and podcasts downloaded on your phone. Since the app and sensor from Bloomlife can accurately time contractions, you’re probably tracking those on your phone as well. Take a break from all this and enjoy something else with your loved one. Read or listen to a murder mystery series, take in some comedy, watch the TV series you missed during your first trimester. Don’t let your pregnancy and baby planning take over everything.

Take a day trip

Just one day away from home can do wonders for your mood and relationship. Hop in the car and go to a town or two over. Enjoy an ongoing event, try a new restaurant or even visit that museum you’ve always wanted to. If you want to keep things ultra low-cost, pack a picnic basket with your favorites and head to a scenic spot to enjoy the day.

Make it a night out on the town

When was the last time you got dressed up? If it’s been a while, re-create one of the first date nights you had with your honey. Get your hair and nails done, wear something fabulous and remember what it was like when you first met. You may not go to the club but a nice dinner and some live music can be very romantic and enjoyable.

Go on a babymoon

If you and your partner have more time and money to spare, take a long time off and indulge in a relaxing vacation. Many couples continue to travel after they have children but if you think you’ll be staying put for a while, get some rest in a different city or county now. Book a hotel with a spa and well-appointed rooms so you can really indulge.

Host a dinner party

Do you see your friends with children less now than you did before? Soon you’ll also have less time for social activities as you get used to life with a baby. Get everyone together now and cook up a storm. You’ll get to enjoy some time with your friends and take a little time off from the baby planning.

A baby is a wonderful addition to your life. You and your partner will share in lots of new experiences and grow together with your little one. But before the baby comes, take some time to focus on your relationship as a couple. Use these ideas to help you plan your activities.

Reasons why your children should learn a second language

As parents, we only want what is best for our children. We want them to be happy, healthy, and have an education that gives them the best foundation for life. Which is why it is so important to consider teaching your child a second language. But there are more benefits to learning additional languages than just acquiring that skill itself. Here are some practical reasons why you should think about a second language for your kids.

Communication

It's a huge world out there, only made bigger by the internet. Time zones permitting, we can speak to someone on the other side of the world in an instant, finding out how different their routines are from what we do every day. Communication in a second language obviously makes that easier, but the process of learning another language also makes us better communicators all round. We have to speak in another tongue and find our voices when we might normally be shy. Learning a second language can be a great way of breaking your kids out of their shells.

A little understanding

We live in a society that can be fearful of what is different. What better way to celebrate other cultures in the world than by teaching languages to our kids — and in doing so teaching them that different doesn't have to mean bad at all? When we learn a language, we also learn a little about how the people who speak it as a native language live. By learning to understand one different way of life to our own we can appreciate that there are many differences the world over. Empathy and understanding is a gift of language learning that is priceless.

Academia

Here's the sensible part. Having a second language on your resume will fling open doors to job opportunities as well as broaden the scope of work you can apply for. According to an article written on www.languagetrainers.com in 2017, the demand for bilingual workers has more than doubled in 5 years. Your kids might not be ready to be thinking about the working world just yet though, but if they grow up speaking more than one language, they are already at an advantage over their peers who do not. Children that learn a second language also boost their cognitive skills, are better organized, and generally cope with studying better for learning all the skills that you pick up naturally when studying a language. Time management, memory recall, problem-solving, listening skills; the additional benefits your child will receive from learning a second language are plentiful!

The world is your oyster

It's true. Almost everywhere you can travel to in this world has someone who can speak English. But how much wider is the scope for travel and exploration if you can speak another language besides? Twenty countries speak Spanish, and twenty-nine speak French, and these are just two of the languages you'll regularly find in any popularity list. You can change your travel experience from a good one to an amazing one filled with cherished memories by speaking to the locals of where you're travelling to in their own tongue. What better gift is there to give your child than that?

How To Navigate and Overcome the Common Challenges of Blended Families

According to Star Tribune, approximately 41 percent of first marriages end in divorce. The divorce rates jump to 60 percent for second marriages, unless there are step children involved. Then that number jumps again, to 70 percent. According to Parents.com, 75 percent of the 1 million plus Americans who divorce each year marry again at some point in the future. Most of those 1.2 million individuals have at least one child. These numbers indicate two things: 1) that blended families are common and 2) that blended families generally do not succeed.

Cordell and Cordell, a law firm for dads, helps dads with children prepare for and navigate the complexities of single life. The law firm also helps remarried fathers and their spouses overcome the very real challenges couples are apt to face when trying to make their blended families work. If you and your spouse are struggling to get on the same page where your children are concerned, or if either of your ex-spouses is driving a wedge between your child and your spouse or even you and your spouse, it may be time to seek outside help. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do at home to keep your blended family a happy family.

Establish Ground Rules in the Beginning

One of the best things you can do for your marriage and your family, according to Parents.com, is to establish ground rules for the children as early as possible. If you are not currently married but are engaged, do this before you tie the knot. If you are already married and experiencing problems because of a lack of rules, set aside a night to discuss your issues in earnest and create effective ways for dealing with them.

It's important to note that establishing rules doesn't merely mean saying "no TV past 7:00," or "kids sleep in their own beds." You need to discuss discipline problems and strategies that are both effective and honor all parties' beliefs. For instance, one parent may feel that timeout is sufficient while the other may think it's a cop-out. One party may feel strongly about positive reinforcement while the other may think it's a wimpy way to deal with an ongoing issue.

Once you establish rules and forms of discipline, it is imperative that you follow through with them, otherwise the children will walk all over you and your spouse. Also, do not make the stepparent be the disciplinarian—at least, not at first. Doing so will only paint your spouse as the evil stepparent in your children's eyes, which will in no way help your relationship.

Establish New Traditions

Carving out rules and forms of discipline is child's play compared to the task of turning your blended family into one whole, loving unit. According to Cordell Cordell, the latter is particularly difficult when you factor in all the back and forth the children must do. Fortunately, you don't need significant amounts of time to bond as a family unit. Merely reading a story together each night, or having a pancake breakfast before school in the morning, can go a long way toward helping your littles and your spouse connect.

In addition to nurturing the relationship between your spouse and your children, it's also important to nurture your own relationship with your partner. When your children view you two as a united front, they're more likely to respect your spouse and his or her role in yours and their life.

Keep the Ex Out of It

It may be difficult to do, especially if you and your ex ended on bad terms, but remaining cordial with and about your child's other parent is essential to your current relationship's success. Children take their emotional cues from their parents, so the more negative feelings one parent creates about the other, the harder the split will be for your little ones.

Blended families are hard work, but if successful, they're well worth the effort. If you want your new marriage to succeed and your family to be happy, take the above advice to heart. 

4 Thrilling Things to Do When Bored for 10 Year Olds

If you've got a little thrill-seeker to take care of and don't know what to do with them, check out these things to do when bored for 10 year olds.

Are your kids driving you crazy? Are they repeating that dreaded phrase over and over again: "I'm bored. There's nothing to do." If so, we just might have the answer.

Before you strangle your children, read the article below. There are plenty of things to do when bored for 10-year-olds, 11-year-olds, and 12-year-olds. You just have to step back and think like a middle schooler.

When you're ready to wow your children and become the best parent ever, read on.

Things to do When Bored (For 10-year-olds and Other Middle Schoolers)

The first thing you have to do is forget all about your parental woes. Kids don't care about them. If you want to get in their mindset, you've got to forget about mortgage payments and career goals.

Focus instead on corndogs and endless summers. Don't worry, we've got 4 examples to get you started.

Stargazing

Humans have been looking up at the night sky since the dawn of mankind. There's something about staring out at our infinite universe that is both intimidating and inspiring. We're on this tiny, unimportant rock in the middle of nowhere.

And yet…

We're here. We live and grow on our little rock in the middle of nowhere. We can even examine where our little rock sits in relation to everything else in our galaxy.

There's even an app for it! More than one, actually. These are our favorites:

• SkyView app (Apple)
• Sky Map app (Andriod)

One of the coolest things about stargazing is that it happens at night, the time kids are most likely to veg-out in front of your TV. Instead, get them up and out, and teach them about our constellations.

Hot Air Ballooning

Yes, ballooning sounds like a ton of work, but it isn't. If you haven't gone yourself, it's the perfect way to unplug and flip your paradigm. The best part? It only takes a few hours.

Companies like Aerogelic Ballooning operate year around. In fact, their winter flights tend to last longer than summer flights.

The best times to go are at sunrise or a couple of hours before sunset. That's when the light brings out the most beauty from the landscape. The views are spectacular.

Glamping

If you're feeling #Momrage or #Dadrage, you may just need alternative activities for your 10-year-olds. Glamping is the perfect solution. Never heard of it before? Well, let us be the first to introduce you.

Glamping is similar to camping but with more luxuries. Where camping requires a sleeping pad, glamping necessitates an air mattress. Camping equates to a campfire plus hot dogs on a stick. Glamping corresponds to a gas grill with marinated steaks and your favorite cabernet.

Kids satisfied? Check. Parents satisfied? Check. Well, what are you waiting for?

Play Capture the Flag

If you're looking for something to do in the next 20 minutes, consider an old-school game. "Capture the flag" is one of the most fun things to do with 10-year-olds. If that doesn't work, try "kick the can" or maybe a scavenger hunt.

Sure, they take a little more effort, especially if you plan to play with them. But, these games will get your kids exercising outside. All they need is a little guidance, and they'll be off and running.

What's Next?

Well, did we get your gears turning? Creating things to do when bored for 10-year-olds, isn't a daunting task. You just have to stop thinking like an adult.

Was this advice helpful? Then please head over to our library to view our other immensely useful parenting articles.

So long, and good luck parenting!

How To Protect Your Kids From The Sun On Holiday

When you are on holiday with your kids or if you live in a very hot place, you need to make sure that you are protecting them as much as you can. UV rays can be very dangerous and can burn them as well as cause more issues later in life. Here, we are going to give you some tips on how you can protect your kids from the sun on holiday. Keep reading to find out more.

Sunscreen

The most important thing that you should be doing if you have your kids out in the sun is to be regularly applying sunscreen to them. You’ll find that there are plenty of products that are made specifically for kids and can come with the recommended SPF. Make sure that you choose a sunscreen that is going to protect your kids and don’t let them go long periods of time without reapplying it.

Find Shade

If you are visiting the beach or are sitting around a pool all day in the sun, then you’ll find that there are plenty of ways to find shade. Look out for umbrellas that you can place over your kids when they are sitting in direct sunlight or take them inside for lunch or for a drink to get them out of the sun for a while. Finding shade is really important so if you don’t have an umbrella that you can look for a suitable alternative like a tree.

Swimwear

It is always a good idea to have your kids cover up when they are out in the sun all day but if they keen on getting in and out of the pool then you might need to rethink this. The great way to work around this is to invest in some UV protective swimwear that will protect them from the sun and let them jump in the pool at the same time. Take a look online and see all of the beautiful designs that you can choose from.

Sunglasses

UV rays are not just harmful to your kids’ skin but also to their eyes. This is why you should think about investing in some sunglasses for them. If you find that your kids are prone to taking these off, then you should think about investing in a pair that will wrap around their head. If they are in the pool, then consider getting some goggles so that they are protected and can see when they want to go underwater.

Hats

The final way that you can cover your kids up from the sun to protect them from the UV rays is to get some hats. It is so easy for their scalp to burn through their hair and this can become extremely painful so make sure to prevent this as much as you can. Let them choose their new hat and they might be more likely to wear it when they are out in the sun. Make sure that the hat covers their face and the back of their neck if possible.

Final Verdict If you are going on holiday soon with your kids, then you should make sure that you take the necessary precautions to keep them safe from the sun. Think about buying some UV protective swimwear, a hat, and some sunglasses. You should also make sure that you don’t forget about applying some strong sunscreen each time they jump in and out of the pool. This way, you’ll be able to protect them more effectively.  

4 Invaluable Life Lesson Kids Can Learn From Their Pets

Your kids are lobbying for a family pet and you’re ready to say yes. The great news is that beyond just putting smiles on their little faces, pet ownership can teach your children valuable life lessons. But let’s be honest, despite the extra work a pet creates for you, those grins are almost reason enough. Here are four lessons a family pet can teach your kids.

1. Responsibility

As you learned the minute you first held your baby in your arms, caring for another living creature is a huge responsibility. Having a pet who needs to be fed, exercised, groomed, cleaned and played with daily will give your children plenty of chances to take on responsibility. Before you commit to pet ownership, sit down with your kids and talk about all of the chores involved in pet care and what supplies you will need to budget for and buy. Help them think through what pieces they are willing to take on. If you get a cat, perhaps one kid will agree to clean the cat litter box, while the other will be responsible for morning feedings. Whatever the arrangement, allow them to be a part of the decision making, ensure their responsibilities are age appropriate and make sense with their schedules.​

2. Healthy Habits

Involving your kids in the feeding, grooming and exercising of pets can teach them about the importance of those things for themselves. Talk with your kids about the animal’s diet and how that correlates to their own dietary needs. Show your kids why their pet needs brushing and a bath to stay healthy just like they do. Involve your kids in the pet’s exercise to not only get them moving themselves, but teach them that movement is necessary and fun.

3. Self-Esteem and Social Skills

A study from the Institute of Infection and Global Health found that children with pets have greater self-esteem. Pets are non-judging companions for kids and often become a child’s confidante. The unconditional love from a pet, coupled with the pride that comes from caring for another, can help build your children’s self-worth. The same study found that kids with pets have greater social skills. The study showed that children who have pets have an increased social competence, a stronger social network, better social interaction and social play behavior. Basically, owning a pet will both give your children the skills to play better with others and a common talking point with other kids (e.g., “Hey, that’s a cool dog, can I pet him?”).

4. Bereavement

Although not a happy thought, learning about loss and grieving through the death of a pet can be a valuable lesson for kids. The reality is that most pets have a relatively short lifespan, and so death is a possibility. Helping your children cope with their grief productively will provide them with skills to deal with loss and pain in the future.

Yes, having a pet will add a bit more chaos to your already busy life, but a family pet will also teach your kids some truly invaluable life lessons like responsibility, healthy habits, increased self-esteem and social skills and how to deal with loss. Those lessons, plus those sweet smiles, make getting a family pet totally worth it.

What Is Montessori Education and Why Should I Consider It for My Child?

Early childhood is one of the most important parts of your child’s formative years. When done right, early childhood education can reap a lifetime of benefits. While many preschools and childcare centers will have a cookie approach when it comes to education, no one child is different and each will have a different learning style that will benefit them the most.

Montessori education offers a more personal alternative to traditional learning that can not only help you to raise a more well-rounded child, but one that will have a completely different view of learning as well. But what is Montessori education exactly, and why should you consider it for your child?

An Introduction to Montessori Education

Montessori education is not a fad; it is an educational program with a century of proven results behind it. The educational philosophy behind Montessori schools was developed by Maria Montessori. The Montessori Method seeks to guide children as they learn their individual skills, explore their interests and learn about the world through their natural curiosity. Each child has an individualized program that teaches independence and confidence. Teachers act as guides and consultants to the children as they learn as much as possible on their own in an environment designed to foster this. Now that we know what Montessori education is, let’s look at the benefits of this form of education when it comes to children.

It Truly Fosters Independence

The environment is designed to foster independence in young children. For example, it’s not unusual to see children sweeping the floor or washing dishes with right-sized tools in a Montessori school. They may learn how to cook and clean in addition to playing games with other children. They learn life skills while feeling pride in participation. Montessori schools are built to cultivate these skills and contain toys, equipment and educational play that empowers children.

Active, hands-on lessons also teach them that they can learn things for themselves. As a result, the child gains self-made self-esteem, arising from an internal sense of pride in their accomplishments. This is valid self-esteem, not something that comes from external judgment and validation they may not get in a traditional classroom.

They Gain Deeper Understanding of Key Concepts

The Montessori Method of teaching helps children grasp the ‘why’ behind the rules, methods and problem-solving strategies. In math, children may forget the steps of a particular operation but not the how or why. This fosters deeper understanding than memorizing mnemonics or acronyms. This leads to learning the actual formal method faster as well as applying it in new situations.

The fact that learning is fun makes it engaging, improving retention. Because they learn from experiences, learning is real and relevant, not something they memorize long enough to recite back to a teacher. They learn far more than they would from teacher lectures in a traditional classroom.

It Suits All Children at Every Level

Because the Montessori Method is individualized, the lessons and the teachers meet the child where they are in life. This way, the child isn’t as likely to experience frustration or lack stimulation. Teachers teach at an individual level to each student.

Grade levels are flexible and determined by the child’s developmental range, not their numeric age. The curricula can be expanded in response to the student’s needs, whereas a teacher working with a large class has to teach a standard lesson to everyone regardless of their abilities and interests.

Traditionally, the pace and order of lessons have to be given at a set pace, in a planned order. In a Montessori school, the methods can change based on the child, the environment, their interests and so forth. The curricula can expand in response to the child’s needs and interests, while traditional curricula are laid out without regard for individual students.

Children work on lessons as long as needed to learn the concept, and interruptions are kept to a minimum. However, you only find this at good Montessori schools. You can learn more about Mosaic Montessori Academy, an CCMA accredited Montessori school, to understand how these schools work with your child. CCMA accredited schools are the only ones qualified to teach using the Montessori method and have all the learning materials needed.

They Gain a Love of Learning

By cultivating children’s natural sense of curiosity and letting them learn by exploring the world, they never lose their love of learning. The learning plan appeals to the child’s innate hunger for knowledge. They don’t learn in order to earn a good grade or because they have to. Nor does fear or frustration cause them to hate learning or school and shun education all together.

The Montessori method has more to offer since it is truly focused on every individual child’s needs. The many benefits your child will gain through a Montessori education can last a lifetime.

Marvellous Methods to Make Your House Fit for Homeschooling

When you decided to start homeschooling your little one you knew it was the right choice for you and your family. There are so many advantages to educating your children at home, from the one to one learning methods to the more relaxed environment at home. You might have a personal reason for wanting to teach your little one at home and that is absolutely fine too. As a homeschooling mom, you always want the best for your kids and step-kids; you don’t ever want them to be missing out on anything that they might achieve from going to a mainstream school. In order to make sure you are giving your children the best possible start in life you might want to make some adjustments to your home. Perhaps you are new to the phenomenon of homeschooling this year and you want to ensure you have done all the right things to get started on the right foot. You can make some simple and small changes at home to make sure your children are getting the most out of their home-based education. Consider all of the following ideas and you will have a happy, healthy and productive homeschooling environment for your little treasures.

A Reading Corner

When you have a lovely little reading corner set up in your home it makes it so much easier for your child to willingly go over there and pick up a book. If you are looking for an appealing and enticing piece of furniture to complete your cosy corner then Comfysacks company is definitely the way to go compared to Lovesac if you are looking for large beanbags. You can choose from a range of styles and colours to suit your child’s preferences and home décor. There is something special about being able to lounge on a huge squishy bean bag and indulge in an afternoon of reading after you have finished your school work for the day. Getting little ones to read nowadays can be incredibly challenging so try to do everything you can to make it seem like a fun activity for them.

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Outdoor Fun

When a child attends a mainstream or private school they are offered many opportunities to play outside at lunchtime with their peers. You might want to tweak your outdoor space so that they have plenty of activities to keep them stimulated during their downtime. A better idea might be to talk a walk to the local park so they can socialise with others and get the much needed fresh air throughout the day. If you are lucky enough to have a large outdoor space then fill it with educational tools such as mathematical hopscotch so that your little one is always occupied and learning.

A Working Desk

You probably already have a solid workstation in place for your child, but you might want to consider the type of learning space they have at home. They need a fun and practical work station at home with a desk and chair, so that they can feel like they are really at a proper school. They will not only feel more productive, but they will be able to write more neatly and concentrate well if they enjoy the space they are sitting in. Allow them to come with you to the store to pick out their desk and chair so that they are involved in the process and excited about it.

Dining Time

Believe it or not meal times for your little one are just as important as their educational time. Make sure they have a regular place to sit when they have their breakfast and lunch during their working school day. You don’t want to encourage them to sit in front of the television and eat their food as they won’t be concentrating on their nutrition. Offer a variety of meal types each day and urge them to try new foods. Mimic a regular school menu if you like and it will give them a true sense of being at school. You have the advantage of knowing what your child likes to eat, so you can tailor the meals accordingly and even get them involved in the kitchen themselves!

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Digital Education

Never underestimate the power of education through digital methods. There are many useful exercises that can be carried out on the computer or app on a tablet. Just make sure that all of the tools you are using don’t cross the line into ‘playtime’ as this might hinder their learning and make them lose concentration.

Strictly Down Time Zones

Giving kids the downtime they need is essential, so make sure they aren’t working too hard. Don’t allow them to take work into their bedroom or living area in your home. These areas should be kept especially for home time and family time so that your little one can really enjoy their time off. Similarly, try not to allow their hobbies to overlap into their educational time. You shouldn’t allow them to watch television during the day or at lunchtime as it will take them out of the learning zone and into relaxation time. Encourage a physical or musical activity for their break times so that they can continue learning in a way that is fun to them.

You realise that home schooling isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but you are very passionate about doing the very best for your children. You believe that home schooling gives an additional dimension to learning, rather than in a mainstream classroom. If you can get your home prepared with all of these changes you will have created the ideal learning environment for your child or children. They won’t be missing out on anything they would normally get at school, because you will have everything in place for a super happy and practical homeschool atmosphere. Whether you need to invest in new comfortable furniture for a reading corner or you need to reassess the meal time set up, you can make some sensible and sensational changes in your home today.