You made a decision to home-school. Now what?
Slow the pace and get to know your children again. When you are with your children, be with them rather than thinking ahead to what you need to do, or looking back at what you should have done. Talk to them, listen to them – not with the intent to give advice or make suggestions, just listen and watch and learn. I call this Observation.
Don’t start with “school” but start with discovery. Figure out what lies at the heart of your decision to school at home. Reach into the hearts of your children. What keeps the rhythm for each of them? What fuels their mind and their curiosity? What brings a thousand smiles and unquenchable enthusiasm?
Step into Observation with me – let’s do it together one step at a time.
FIRST STEP: An Observation Notebook
Observation begins with a pen and a notebook. Your Observation Notebook is very important and will be unique to you. It will be a place for your notes and insights. It is a place for you to write, draw and record each day of adventure.
So, go shopping! Find the notebook that was made just for you – one that makes you happy, one that you can’t wait to open up. Use the same notebook every time. Buy one that is a little more expensive than your other notebooks. We’ve all been guilty of buying a new notebook, to keep track of any number of things, only to find that a week later we can’t remember where we left it. Make this notebook different.
Your Observation Notebook needs to become almost an extension of your hand! It cannot be left on the coffee table where it might fall prey to the toddler with a handful of crayons. Don’t leave it in the van to be kicked under the seat. It should be protected and safeguarded. If done right you will find yourself growing very attached to your Observation Notebook and its valuable research. It will become like a dear friend to you. Take care of your friend!