10 items we used most in our first year of home-education
It’s your first year of homeschooling, you’re wondering whether you need a printer, or the beautifully fancy Pinterest curriculum but more than that you’re wondering what on earth you’re doing and whether you’re about to single-handedly mess up your child s opportunities in life forever. The truth is you’re not and another piece of truth, it’s often far simpler than we make it out to be! Here are the items we used most in our first year of homeschooling!
1. Our Library Card
Does anyone else get emotional in libraries?! I am just so unbelievably thankful for this free system. If there’s only one thing you do in your first year of homeschooling, let it be reading! We LOVE books and I haven’t bought books in so long since I’ve begun to know more about the library system, requesting books and even asking the library to order in specific books new if they don’t have them. If I know I have a topic coming up..Ie. I know in a few weeks we will be looking at the topic of space, I will search the online caralogue and reserve a ton of books.
2. Yoto Player
We actually won a yoto player around the time of Heppy’s third birthday! What a treat! Either used for quiet time, sleep time, education or fun it’s got SO many uses. We have a range of cards. Some wins and some we’d choose not to buy again but overall we love having this tool on hand.
3. Salopettes
With lots of time outdoors salopeetes are a no brainer and are carried everywhere to forest school then to friends houses incase we end up on a suprise adventure. We particularly love Toastie.
4. Knife
In our first year of home-ed I made a decision not to make any wild changes but just to give Heppy more responsibility. This looked like including her in more of the day-to-day running of the house and especially the cooking and baking. She loves both of these things and so she used a knife alot. We tried with one of the wooden starter knives but she was too advanced for this so have always used a sharp kitchen knife from a young age and taught them how to use it well. Still getting there with Moses…
5. A good set of colouring pencils
You’l soon find that some colouring pencils just don’t cut the mustard. We have pens, pencils, paper and watercolours out all the time and I want these to be high quality, long lasting and to feel good in the kids hands. I love this brand.
6. Uno
Games, games, games. There are so many studies on how important play is for children’s mind and growth. Uno was one of the first family games we picked up and have gone on to build a great collection.
7. Bob books
I knew early on my approach to learning would be in no way prescribed but I wanted to have tools on hand to spark interest. She showed signs of wanting to read and from the range of books we have seen and been exposed to, BOB books are my favourite. The pictures are not distracting, they are simple and black and white. They start at a very approachable level and progress well as they grow.
8. Grapat mushrooms
I am a huge fan of grapat and I love the versatility and imaginary power of their toys. We have used the mushrooms for counting, for shapes and patterns, for playdough and beyond.
9. whizz pop bang magazines
We were first introduced to Whizz Pop Bang magazines as we were given a few by a friend. I loved seeing Heppy engage with them and love how they are set out for varying topics. We have specifically gone on to order more depending on what topics we are looking at. I find this is just an alterantive way to engage their minds. The format is well worth the money.
10. hammock
Although only used in the warmer months (i’d love an indoor one) hammocks have so many benefits from balance and co-ordination, relaxation and sleep and stimulation of senses. Heppy loves to go in there sometimes for time away from everyone else.
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