Grace in Homeschool

20 : Homeschool Basics: The Importance of Play I dive into the crucial role of play in homeschooling. Join me as we explore the benefits of play-based learning, incorporating the Reggio Amelia philosophy, observing children's needs, the value of open-ended play, and the pitfalls of pushing academics too soon. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical tips to make play an integral part of your homeschooling journey.ResourcesChildren's play, well-being and involvement: how children play indoors and outdoors in Norwegian early childhood education and care institutionsWorking in the Reggio WayFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

19 : Importance of Managing Our Time in Homeschool In this episode, I want to share some encouraging insights and practical recommendations to help you on your homeschool journey. We talk about the need to prioritize intentional breaks, avoid excessive phone usage during homeschool hours, and find healthier alternatives to taking breaks, such as having conversations, reading, napping, going outside, or taking short walks. By being mindful of time management, parents can create a positive impact on their children's habits and overall well-being.Let's jump right in and discover the importance of time management and how it influences not only our lives but also the lives of our children. ResourcesA Core Habit for Better Time ManagementMake a Schedule - Jordan PetersonFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

18 : Importance of Daily Habits in Homeschool I'm excited to dive into a topic that holds immense value in our homeschooling journey: the significance of daily habits. In this episode, we'll explore how turning to God and making conscious decisions can help us cultivate a home that honors Him and positively impacts our children's lives. Together, we'll uncover practical insights shared by author James Clear and educator Charlotte Mason, who emphasize the power of habits in shaping our identity and actions. From making small changes to developing intentional routines, we'll learn how these habits can transform our homeschooling experience. Key Takeaways[00:01:17] Habits shape our identity and influence about 40 to 50% of our actions.[00:02:08] James Clear's book, "Atomic Habits," reveals the power of small habit adjustments.[00:03:34] The Two Minute Rule emphasizes the critical first moments in building a new habit.[00:08:59] Charlotte Mason emphasizes the importance of cultivating good habits in children and parents.[00:11:39] Repetition and consistency play a vital role in developing positive habits.[00:12:22] Aligning our habits with our vision for homeschooling and honoring God is crucial.[00:16:25] Intentional habits around conversation, rest, and media consumption greatly benefit homeschooling families.ResourcesHoopla AppLibby App: Free ebooks & audiobooks from your libraryThe Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel EarlyAtomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James ClearFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

17 : Importance of a Positive Mindset in Homeschool Let's talk about the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in homeschooling. Having the right mindset is crucial for the overall well-being of the family and the success of homeschooling. I encourage you to focus on positive thoughts, cultivate gratitude, and embrace a growth mindset. Here are practical tips and strategies for developing a positive mindset and the impact it can have on family life.Key Points[00:00:00] Introduction and Importance of Positive MindsetAmy introduces herself as a homeschool mom and emphasizes the significance of mindset in homeschooling.She highlights the negative impact of a poor mindset on family culture.References Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2 to emphasize the importance of focusing on positive thoughts.Discusses the challenge of shifting from negative to positive thoughts throughout the day.[00:03:32] The Power of Positivity and GratitudeExplains how negativity can loom large in our minds and affect our overall outlook.Uses toothpaste commercials as an example of framing products in a positive light.Discusses the significance of consciously choosing positive thoughts and focusing on the good.Shares the idea of keeping a gratitude journal to cultivate a positive mindset.Recommends writing down daily blessings and expressing gratitude to God.[00:07:18] Personal Experience and Overcoming ChallengesShares a personal story of breaking her arm and finding gratitude in the midst of the difficult situation.Describes the importance of leaning on God and finding gratitude even in challenging times.Encourages listeners to seek support through counseling or mentorship if needed.[00:09:40] Mindset and Growth MindsetDifferentiates between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.Discusses common negative self-talk and self-limiting beliefs.Encourages replacing fixed mindset with a growth mindset that embraces challenges and learning.Provides ten tips for building a growth mindset.[00:16:11] Choosing Positive Thoughts and MindsetExplores the impact of thoughts on our lives and achievements.Encourages self-reflection and accountability for one's thoughts.Advocates for embracing a positive attitude and gratitude as a form of worship.Cites Romans 12:2 and urges listeners to renew their minds daily.[00:20:09] Mother Culture and Edifying InputIntroduces the concept of mother culture and the importance of cultivating one's heart and soul.Emphasizes the significance of choosing edifying content and avoiding negative influences.Recommends incorporating positive practices like reading, listening to uplifting podcasts, and focusing on gratitude.Introduces Scola cards with quotes and Bible verses to encourage positive thinking.[00:22:18] Creating a Positive Family CultureHighlights the impact of a positive mindset on the family and overall home environment.Encourages focusing on the joys and blessings of family life.Urges listeners to choose happiness and resist negative thoughts.Recognizes the daily work and effort required to maintain a positive mindset.[00:23:22] Conclusion and EncouragementConcludes by expressing support and encouragement for listeners.Encourages feedback and shares excitement to hear about positive changes in listeners' lives.Offers words of affirmation and assures listeners they are not alone in their homeschooling journey.Resources For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on...

16 : Importance of Motherhood in Homeschool In this episode, host Amy discusses the importance of motherhood as a full-time job, particularly in the context of homeschooling. She emphasizes the significance of embracing the role of a mother and going against cultural norms. Amy also highlights the need for cultivating a home filled with joy, developing personal habits that align with one's beliefs, and instilling positive habits in children. She shares book recommendations that support homeschooling and personal growth, and encourages mothers to prioritize their children's education and character development. Amy concludes by reminding listeners of the eternal worth of raising children and the value of their role as mothers.Key TakeawaysMotherhood is a calling and full-time job that should be embraced and valued.Overcoming cultural stereotypes and embracing traditional roles can bring fulfillment and joy.Evaluating what mothers read and consume is crucial for cultivating a home filled with God's principles and joy.Developing habits in mothers that children can emulate is essential for character development.Intentional reading and mother culture play a significant role in nurturing a mother's mind and attitude.Finding strength in faith and aligning with God's plan can sustain mothers through challenging times.Prioritizing children and their well-being has a lasting impact and leaves a meaningful legacy.Timestamps00:00:00 - Introduction and acknowledgment of challenges in motherhood.00:04:39 - Importance of habits, family culture, and mission statements.00:06:08 - Mother culture, intentional reading, and cultivating the mind.00:07:13 - Finding strength in faith and trusting in God's plan.00:08:00 - Impact of raising children at home on character development.00:08:47 - Balancing motherhood and pursuing personal passions.00:09:38 - Prioritizing children and leaving a lasting legacy.00:10:39 - Recognizing the eternal worth of motherhood.ResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

15 : Homeschool 101: What to Homeschool Your Children With If you have the desire to begin homeschooling, don't wait! You can start with reading books together and nature journaling outside! Let's talk about my absolute best (and mostly FREE) recommendations for beginning your homeschooling journey TODAY!ResourcesFree Online Safety Resources DocSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

14 : Homeschool 101: How to Homeschool Your Children Remember that less is more. You can always add more later. The goal of homeschooling is connection and high-quality education. This can begin with a read-aloud and level-appropriate reading and math. The logistics of homeschooling can become based on many different philosophies of education but don't dwell on this too much. You can START before you know exactly where you're headed! And if you're like me, you'll mix it up and change it many times! We cover many of the educational philosophy options for homeschooling in this episode!ResourcesFree Educational Philosophies eGuide Simple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

13 : Homeschool 101: Why Homeschool Your Children We send our children off because it is what is done in our society, most of us have not questioned this routine, but many families had their eyes opened with shutdowns. During the Covid lockdowns, many parents were forced to bring their children home because they saw not just the inadequacy of schools to teach virtually, but also how the teacher unions put their own needs above the educational needs of children.What is the purpose of education?Different camps would say different things. Classical scholars would say one thing and public school reformers would say an entirely different thing.For the average parent, one may believe education is solely for the preparation of finding a job, or being qualified for a job one day.For the homeschool parent, and I can only speak for myself, I believe education is to equip a child with the wealth of knowledge they need to make moral choices in life, to be able to appreciate goodness and beauty, and to choose to do what is right on behalf of their family and others in their future.We should expect quality education: three Rs of yesterday Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.We must tread with extreme care when we hand over to others the delicate task of providing for large chunks of the growing time of our children.” Susan Schaeffer MacaulayResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

12 : Quick Tips to Encourage You to Homeschool I want to encourage you to jump into your home education journey.Ask for help & find a community of women who can encourage you!Take care of yourself!Have fun with learning!Take days off!Compliment your children!You will learn from mistakes, expect imperfection!The question is not did you cover everything, but instead should be, does the child know or care!What your child needs to know is up to you! Homeschool does not look like public or private school, so don't feel that you have to make it look that way!“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) ResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

11 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - The Overview Let's recap our beginning series: The 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool: Beginning Series:I am brave.The public school system is not for my child.I am the influence in my child's life.I want to spend time with my children.I will not start instruction too soon.I want to share beautiful literature and art with my child.My children will avoid the comparison trapI will keep my child safe.I am qualified to teach my child.I love my child.ResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

10 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 10: To Show Love “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)Homeschool is a sacrifice. Our children need to be fed, bathed, clothed, warmed, and loved by you. There is no replacement for you. You show them you love them when you spend time with them, read to them, teach them, and discipline them. Homeschool is not for the faint of heart, but it is worth their eternity. And it will grow your character along the way!“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)ResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

9 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 9: Qualification You are most qualified to teach your child because you love them and know them the most. You want them to succeed the most, and God will equip you because you are called.ResourcesYou Can Homeschool PosterSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

8 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 8: Safety For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.II Timothy 1:7You can Homeschool for the safety of our children. Your children are physically safe: children deserve to grow up in a fearless environment. Your children will be safe from School violence and crisis plan trauma, and your children will be morally safe away from the corrupt government school system, and safe from severe bullying.ResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

7 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 7: Avoiding Comparison “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore RooseveltThere is a natural tendency for children to compare themselves to others. Adults compare themselves too. Let's set up for them an atmosphere where they can personally thrive and also serve others.Learning at their own paceSubjects do not have to all be aligned by grade levelChildren avoid knowing what level they are in as compared to their age-group peersThis is why homeschool can work the best – your child learns at their own pace and their own level.ResourcesThe Culture of Comparison | Bea Arthur | TEDxWakeForestUSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

6 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 6: Literature & Art Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Philippians 4:8Charlotte Mason's Principles, #20: We teach children that all truths are God's truths, and that secular subjects are just as divine as religious ones. Children don't go back and forth between two worlds when they focus on God and then their school subjects; there is unity among both because both are of God and, whatever children study or do, God is always with them.There is no faculty within the soul which can be spared in the great work of education; but then every faculty, or rather power, works to the one end if we make the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake the object of our educational efforts. We find children ready and eager for this labour and their accomplishment is surprising. - Charlotte MasonResourcesWhat is Classical Education? - PrintableSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

5 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 5: Play Just take a breath. Let your child have the sense of wonder that play can bring them. Take away that pressure. Amy Eliz SmithPlay is important for optimal child development. Play improves children's and young people's cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills they need for study, work, and relationships. Instead, their time should be used in the outdoors, in nature, reading rich stories full of noble stories and wondrous ideas, and of developing proper habits that will last a lifetime.Rudolph Steiner, of the Waldorf educational philosophy, expressed the importance of the changing of teeth and delaying formal lessons until a child's front baby teeth had been lost. He references a spiritual and physical change and discusses in lectures, "The time of the change of teeth was, in Greece, the age at which the child was given over to public education.”ResourcesPlaytime Quotes10 Reasons You Should Read to Your Children PrintableSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

4 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 4: More Time They say that man is mighty,He governs land and sea;He wields a mighty scepterO'er lesser powers than he;But a mighty power and stronger,Man from his throne hath hurled,For the hand that rocks the cradleIs the hand that rules the world.William Ross WallaceYou won't miss the momentsMore time spent with my childrenMore time together as a familyThere is wisdom in alone time, Charlotte Mason calls it Masterly Inactivity, letting the child to be alone, in their thoughts, their creations, even in the dangers that they will face. It is all learning, and we need to give them space to learn and grow without us.“The question is not, -- how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education -- but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?” ― Charlotte Mason, School Education: Developing A CurriculumResourcesCar ResourcesSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

3 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 3: History of Public Education I pray that if you desire to get your child out of the pragmatic government schools, you can do so. Digging deep into the history of our public school system, Amy explains how denying absolute truths has turned into the complete reversal of basic truths. The educational system can do this because the groundwork for establishing the religion of secular humanism, influencing children with moral relativism, and completely changing the foundation of a liberal arts education has been detrimental to our American society. ResourcesThe Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that Shaped Our World by R.C. SproulThe War Against Knowledge by Martin CothranThe Failure of American Public Education by John HoodThe Crisis of Western Education by Christopher DawsonThe Tragedy of American Education: The Role of John Dewey by Alberto M. PiedraFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

2 : 10 Reasons You Can Homeschool - Reason 2: Influence We are the influence in our children's lives morally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically! Government schools do not and should not have the authority to teach our children, and by federal mandate, they teach the opposite of a Biblical worldview. “We search the world for truth; we cullThe good, the pure, the beautiful,From graven stone and written scroll,From all old flower fields of the soul;And, weary seekers of the best,We come back laden from the quest,To find that all the sages saidIs in the Book our mothers read.– “The Book Our Mothers Read” by John Greenleaf WhittierResourcesFavorite NovelsFavorite Picture BooksSimple Start Guide to Start HomeschoolFor more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

If and when you feel in your gut that you should bring your children home, do it. You are brave. You can do this. You don't need a degree in teaching to intuitively know that you were the one meant to influence and direct your child's future and education! "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6.)

Are you ready to dive into homeschooling? Then Grace in Homeschool is precisely where you need to be. I'm AmyElizSmith, your host and former kindergarten teacher, Masters in elementary education, turned homeschool mom of three.This is the show where parents come from all levels of homeschooling to receive simple and actionable steps that they can use to start or continue the homeschool journey in a way that fits their family.Let's start this grace-filled journey together.