Whether you have a homeschool room, or you homeschool from your couch, dining room, or bedroom, here is how I like to create a space for learning.
Keep it simple
"Creating a rich environment for learning doesn't mean you need to have every curriculum, book, poster, or resource available."
Wherever you choose to teach your children, remember to keep the environment uncluttered and nature inspired.
We have a homeschool room that does serve as a place for us to sit and do school the days we want to be inside, but it also serves as a place for me to store our supplies. If you don't have a spare room that can be used for your homeschool supplies, perhaps you can dedicate a closet or a bookshelf in your home for supplies & books. I like to plan our lessons out in advance, so I have our papers, books and supplies neatly stored out of sight in a containers for future use. I've made the mistake of keeping extra craft supplies and books for future reading our at arm's length, and that leads to the kids getting distracted and pulling everything out at once causing disorganization. I prefer to keep a few simple craft supplies out at all times so the room is an inviting place for the kids to create. I switch out paper with cardboard, pom poms and glue with stickers and playdoh and crayons with do a dot markers weekly to keep it interesting. I want to foster my children's creativity and imagination by keeping things visually appealing and simple. In keeping our materials very basic, my children may use their imaginations. The supplies I do keep out, are seasonal or match our weekly lesson.
I also keep our floor decluttered so we have plenty of room to move. Kids need the freedom to move in order to learn. We have a squishy play mat on the ground as our rug and low to the ground chairs in our room but we change positions often and take plenty of time to get up and dance, jump, and play! I always keep playdoh on hand for fidgeting hands to play with while I'm teaching or reading. Children pay better attention when they are given the freedom to move. We are also never afraid to walk away from a lesson when frustration takes over. We take a snack break, cuddle up on the couch and read a story, go outside and run around, drink some tea or do an art project anytime my kids are struggling to focus or stay engaged.
Bring the Classroom Outside
Not all classrooms have four walls.
So much can be said about getting outside for free play where children are free to run, explore and use their imagination. This environment cannot be replicated in the home. Even if your children thrive doing book work, pack it up and sit in the grass on a picnic blanket! For a more laid back approach to learning in nature, practice your child's math problems and spelling by having them write with a stick in the dirt. Count pinecones or acorns. Practice spelling works like sun, rock, wind, stick. Let your children get dirty and experience the textures of nature. Children thrive when they spend time in nature!
"Nature unlocks the imagination and inspires creativity in ways that a schoolroom never could." Ainsley Arment
Conclusion
Wherever you choose to teach your children, remember to keep the environment free of distracting clutter and too many decorations. Inspire creativity by keeping a few art supplies readily available. Get outside and let nature be your classroom. Snap a photo of your schoolroom and tag us, we would love to see!