When you’re at home with your kids, day after day, trudging through one piece of curriculum after another, it can be easy to feel as though everything is falling into a monotonous, never-broken routine. You get up; you fix breakfast; you start on schoolwork. The kids are at their desks, or sitting at the kitchen table, or even stretched out on the couch with a book; you rotate between them, seeing to their needs and trying to keep the house clean and meals prepared all at the same time. There’s just one problem: everyone is bored, and no one feels motivated to do anything.
Break it up!
Take a “trip”—even if it’s from the comfort of your own home. Include the kids in every step of the project. Have them research the travel their desired destination (even if it’s Disney World—at least once). Have them calculate how much it would cost to get there—show them what airfare might cost, how much hotel rooms would be, and other travel expenses. Have them work up a budget. Then, “travel” there. Look up the destination. Discuss the clothing, the language, and the culture. Prepare a couple of recipes common to that culture. Do a craft or other activity that might be relevant. If you think it would be beneficial, have your child write a report about their chosen destination. If applicable, you can even watch a movie in the language spoken in your destination.
Have a campout, and do school in your “tent” for the day. Build a fort out of card tables, other pieces of furniture, and blankets—and have school in there. If you have more than one child, and they’re prone to bickering, you might have to either separate them or remain with them while they’re using the “tent.” Of course, if they’re excited enough about it, they might surprise you!
Change up your location. Do you usually have your school time in a specific room? Change it up! You might present your lessons in the kitchen, or in a child’s bedroom, or even in the playroom! Do something different—even it’s just sitting together in the floor.
Kids get just as tired of the same old routine every day as we do. Breaking it up gives them—and you—something to look forward to, and it might just get the creative juices flowing in other ways, too. Give it a try!
What are some creative ideas that have worked for you? Did you take a virtual trip? Do something completely unique? Share them in the comments!
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