Amy writes over at The Nurture Diaries. She’s home educating her three girls here in the UK—a six year old (A), and 3-year old twins (L and Q), and she kindly took the time to share one of their recent days together. Thank you Amy!
Thank you for sharing this, Amy! I felt I was right there with you going about your day. I am going to use that idea of walking like different animals when I'm on a long walk with my children (ages 4, 6, and 7). Brilliant.
This was so nice to read! The part about the wiggling during read alouds made me smile as I have had to learn to ignore anything that is not directly interfering with my ability to read and their ability to hear. It's amazing what they absorb while fidgeting, being upside down or appearing to be entirely uninterested. Though I don't think it should surprise me as much as it does. I remember several high school classes in which I doodled to stay awake (and got in trouble for it! I was so annoyed with that teacher!), and/or actually slept through every single video and somehow still learned the material? 😂
Being upside down is definitely a popular position here! I remember when my eldest was younger, asking her questions at the end of reading and being amazed that she’d actually heard it all!
We enjoy a similar ‘motion walk’ when I call out the directions (walk like a robot, or with tiny steps, move like an eagle soaring etc). I love it when imagination redirects complaining.
What a very beautiful day. You seem to have a lovely way of combining flexibility with a routine and some mental plans as to what "school" you might do to fit the needs and whims and abilities that arise. Thank you for sharing this with us, Amy and Catherine!
Thank you for sharing this, Amy! I felt I was right there with you going about your day. I am going to use that idea of walking like different animals when I'm on a long walk with my children (ages 4, 6, and 7). Brilliant.
This was so nice to read! The part about the wiggling during read alouds made me smile as I have had to learn to ignore anything that is not directly interfering with my ability to read and their ability to hear. It's amazing what they absorb while fidgeting, being upside down or appearing to be entirely uninterested. Though I don't think it should surprise me as much as it does. I remember several high school classes in which I doodled to stay awake (and got in trouble for it! I was so annoyed with that teacher!), and/or actually slept through every single video and somehow still learned the material? 😂
Being upside down is definitely a popular position here! I remember when my eldest was younger, asking her questions at the end of reading and being amazed that she’d actually heard it all!
Yes! I appreciated that someone else powers through sometimes. My 4, 6 and 7 year olds fidget lots. We keep reading anyway.
We enjoy a similar ‘motion walk’ when I call out the directions (walk like a robot, or with tiny steps, move like an eagle soaring etc). I love it when imagination redirects complaining.
Yes! I feel like I could do with a few more games like that. We also do counting down to zero and a rocket blast off, which they really enjoy!
What a very beautiful day. You seem to have a lovely way of combining flexibility with a routine and some mental plans as to what "school" you might do to fit the needs and whims and abilities that arise. Thank you for sharing this with us, Amy and Catherine!
Thank you. I tend to use the phrase ‘organised chaos’ to describe our days! But I prefer the way you put it. :)