EP238: This episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast was created to encourage you as a homeschooling parent to teach your child, not a grade.

For some homeschoolers, starting a new grade each fall is part of their yearly rhythm. For others, sometimes it's hard to even assign a grade to their child. 

Either way, your child's learning doesn't just happen magically in tidy grade-level packages. Rather, it happens along a path that sometimes spirals backwards or follows detours or even skips ahead.

When we teach the child in front of us rather than a grade level or curriculum package, we honor the child's learning journey. 

Children learn best when they can take confident steps on the path to learning while feeling a calm sense of connection.

The holistic, natural approach of Waldorf homeschooling truly shines in this way and supports each child's unique development.

Teaching your child, not a grade, is a subtle mindset shift that can make all the difference!

If you would like more guidance on bringing this kind of flexible, child-focused rhythm to your homeschool, come join me inside the Inspired at Home community where you'll find monthly masterclasses, coaching calls with me, and a warm community to remind you you're not alone on this journey and to help you customize whatever curriculum you have.

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode238/

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP237: Ever penciled “mental math" for next Tuesday and that morning, realized you had no idea what problems to use? This conversation digs into the quiet reason homeschool plans stall: we schedule the when and skip deciding the what. In this episode, Jean shares how a few concrete choices ~ specific words, page numbers, prompts, and simple activities ~ turn a hopeful calendar into lessons that actually happen.

You’ll hear why observation and preparation matter, how to be decisive without overplanning, and ways to lean on open‑and‑go resources or repurpose trusted favorites when energy is low. Most importantly, we show how small starts create momentum, momentum builds rhythm, and rhythm grows confidence for both you and your child.

Homeschool planning is a living and breathing process. For more support, our Inspired at Home community offers masterclasses, a searchable forum, and weekly coaching calls to help you build content that fits your child.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more homeschoolers find us. 

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode237/

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP236: Ease into your homeschool year with affirmations to calm your mind and ground your rhythm. 🌿 In this episode of the Art of Homeschooling Podcast, Jean shares uplifting affirmations for homeschooling parents that bring more confidence, peace, and connection to your days. Perfect for Waldorf inspired homeschoolers ~ or anyone wanting to start the back-to-homeschool season with more presence, simplicity, and joy. ✨ 

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode236/

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP235: As a new homeschool year begins, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the lessons, subjects, and plans we think we need to start right away. But what if “enough” looks much simpler than we imagine? In this episode, Jean shares why starting with self-care ~ and then layering in activities gradually ~ creates a calmer, steadier rhythm for both you and your children. Discover how to celebrate small wins, embrace simplicity, and begin your year with confidence and peace.🌿

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode235/

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP234: Art anchors learning at home and can serve as a powerful tool for teaching across all subject areas.

In this episode of the Art of Homeschooling Podcast, Jean is joined by guest Robyn Beaufoy, CEO of Waldorfish. The award-winning Weekly Art Foundations program created by Waldorfish offers a guided path for parents to bring art to their children at home.

Robyn and Jean explore how art makes learning more memorable while also building key skills like focus, perseverance, and problem-solving.

Join us in sharing your artistic creations on social media by tagging @Waldorfish and @Art.of.Homeschooling on Instagram or finding us over on Facebook! 

Check out Weekly Art Foundations from Waldorfish for step-by-step guidance on bringing more art into your homeschool.

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP233: You are enough, just as you are.

If you are a homeschooling parent endlessly wondering if you are measuring up, then these simple words can carry profound power.

In this episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast, Jean invites you to pause the endless striving and settle into a moment of genuine self-acceptance.

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode233/

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP232: What does Waldorf homeschooling look like in 2025? How has the homeschooling landscape and the Waldorf homeschooling movement changed? And what remains steady at the heart of Waldorf homeschooling?

Join Jean on the Art of Homeschooling podcast this week to explore the changing landscape of Waldorf homeschooling as families seek a more connected, creative, and holistic approach to educating their children at home.

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode232/

If this  episode resonates with you as a Waldorf-inspired homeschooler in 2025, please join Jean and her team at the 19th annual Taproot Teacher Training in northeastern Ohio from August 14th to 17th, 2025.

Taproot is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with kindred spirits, step away from the day-to-day, and immerse yourself in the arts, storytelling, music, and nature. Reconnect with your homeschooling purpose at Taproot 2025!

Join us at The Taproot Teacher Training www.artofhomeschooling.com/taproot

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP231: Jessica Bentson's journey into toymaking began with a heartfelt desire to provide her children with natural playthings she couldn't afford to buy. That spark of inspiration has grown into Toymaking Magic, her membership that helps parents create beautiful handmade toys regardless of their crafting experience. In this conversation, Jean and Jessica talk about the value of handmade toys and open-ended play. 

Jessica shares why simple projects like beanbags make the perfect starting point for beginners while offering tremendous play value for children from toddlerhood through the elementary years. "Making beanbags is so satisfying," she explains. "My kids loved them so much and played with them the most out of everything I've ever made." These open-ended toys inspire children to invent games, build structures, and incorporate them into imaginative play scenarios for years. 

For parents who feel intimidated by handwork, Jessica's step-by-step video tutorials show every detail of the process, making projects accessible even to complete beginners. Whether you're curious about needle felting, sewing, knitting, or woodwork, Toy Making Magic offers a treasure trove of Waldorf-inspired crafts that enhance both your homeschooling journey and your children's development. Discover the joys of making toys by hand and how this activity can transform your family's relationship with play and learning.

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode231/

Learn more about Toymaking Magic here www.artofhomeschooling.com/toymakingmagic 

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP230: Banish homeschool burnout with these nine simple tips aligned with Waldorf-inspired homeschooling so you can reignite your enthusiasm and bring joy back into your days with your kiddos.

The tips in this episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast get to the heart of the matter ~ connection.

We all experience burnout and fatigue at some point on our homeschooling journey. And it’s so important to be able to identify when you’re burning out, so you can reset and rest. And then get back to connecting with your kiddos on your homeschooling journey.

The Taproot Teacher Training, held every August in northeastern Ohio, might be just the experience you need to banish burnout, reset, and reconnect with your homeschool vision. At Taproot, you’ll experience hands-on lessons as though you were the student, right alongside other like-minded homeschoolers. Part continuing education for homeschool parents, part personal retreat, and part summer camp, Taproot is a transformational experience!

For ongoing support and community, join the Inspired at Home online membership.

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode230/

Come to the Taproot Teacher Training 2025
https://artofhomeschooling.com/taproot2025

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com

EP229: Ever felt like you're drowning in curriculum overwhelm? The secret to Waldorf-without-the-box is creating a custom curriculum for your homeschooling journey.

You are not alone!

Many homeschooling parents purchase one curriculum after another, desperately trying to follow someone else's plan only to feel perpetually behind and increasingly frustrated. 

Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, never wrote a standardized curriculum. Instead, he encouraged teachers to observe their students and craft lessons specifically for them. When we embrace this freedom rather than trying to follow someone else's plan, our homeschooling journey truly transforms. 

A "boxed" curriculum can be a wonderful and necessary resource, but only if you embrace the key principles of your homeschool approach, understand the natural rhythm and needs of your family, and lean into simplicity and flexibility. 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode229/

Join Plan It Out inside the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Send Jean a text message.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! 💜

▶️Let's Connect!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.of.homeschooling/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofhomeschoolingwithjean
Website https://artofhomeschooling.com