Grace in Homeschool

I dive into the crucial role of play in homeschooling. Join me as we explore the benefits of play-based learning, incorporating the Reggio Amelia philosophy, observing children's needs, the value of open-ended play, and the pitfalls of pushing academics too soon. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical tips to make play an integral part of your homeschooling journey.

• Children's play, well-being and involvement: how children play indoors and outdoors in Norwegian early childhood education and care institutions
• Working in the Reggio Way

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

In this episode, I want to share some encouraging insights and practical recommendations to help you on your homeschool journey. We talk about the need to prioritize intentional breaks, avoid excessive phone usage during homeschool hours, and find healthier alternatives to taking breaks, such as having conversations, reading, napping, going outside, or taking short walks. By being mindful of time management, parents can create a positive impact on their children's habits and overall well-being.

Let's jump right in and discover the importance of time management and how it influences not only our lives but also the lives of our children.

• A Core Habit for Better Time Management
• Make a Schedule - Jordan Peterson

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

In this episode of "Grace in Homeschool," host AmyElizSmith emphasizes the significance of maintaining a positive mindset in your home and homeschooling journey. She shares personal experiences and biblical insights to encourage listeners to shift their thinking towards gratitude, growth, and a renewed perspective. Amy emphasizes the impact of mindset on family culture and provides practical tips for cultivating a positive mindset.

• Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial in homeschooling and family life.
• Negative attitudes can harm family culture, while positivity uplifts it.
• Protect thoughts from negativity and focus on what is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
• Intentionally shift from negative to positive thoughts through prayer and conscious effort.
• Cultivate gratitude through a journal to change mindset and perspective.
• Embrace a growth mindset, taking responsibility, learning, and overcoming fear of failure.
• Mother culture: Continuously grow personally alongside your children.
• Surround yourself with edifying content and positive influences.
• Choose joy, gratitude, and a positive attitude in daily tasks and challenges.
• Transformation of the mind is possible through God's guidance and renewal (Romans 12:2).

• Start a gratitude journal to focus on daily blessings and cultivate a positive mindset.
• Evaluate personal roadblocks and negative thoughts hindering growth.
• Seek support from a counselor or mentor for additional assistance.
• Embrace mother culture: Engage in personal growth and learning alongside children.
• Surround yourself with edifying content and positive influences

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

I'm excited to dive into a topic that holds immense value in our homeschooling journey: the significance of daily habits. In this episode, we'll explore how turning to God and making conscious decisions can help us cultivate a home that honors Him and positively impacts our children's lives. Together, we'll uncover practical insights shared by author James Clear and educator Charlotte Mason, who emphasize the power of habits in shaping our identity and actions. From making small changes to developing intentional routines, we'll learn how these habits can transform our homeschooling experience.

• [00:01:17] Habits shape our identity and influence about 40 to 50% of our actions.
• [00:02:08] James Clear's book, "Atomic Habits," reveals the power of small habit adjustments.
• [00:03:34] The Two Minute Rule emphasizes the critical first moments in building a new habit.
• [00:08:59] Charlotte Mason emphasizes the importance of cultivating good habits in children and parents.
• [00:11:39] Repetition and consistency play a vital role in developing positive habits.
• [00:12:22] Aligning our habits with our vision for homeschooling and honoring God is crucial.
• [00:16:25] Intentional habits around conversation, rest, and media consumption greatly benefit homeschooling families.

• Hoopla App
• Libby App: Free ebooks & audiobooks from your library
• The Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Early
• Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

Let's talk about the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in homeschooling. Having the right mindset is crucial for the overall well-being of the family and the success of homeschooling. I encourage you to focus on positive thoughts, cultivate gratitude, and embrace a growth mindset. Here are practical tips and strategies for developing a positive mindset and the impact it can have on family life.

[00:00:00] Introduction and Importance of Positive Mindset

• Amy introduces herself as a homeschool mom and emphasizes the significance of mindset in homeschooling.
• She highlights the negative impact of a poor mindset on family culture.
• References Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2 to emphasize the importance of focusing on positive thoughts.
• Discusses the challenge of shifting from negative to positive thoughts throughout the day.

[00:03:32] The Power of Positivity and Gratitude

• Explains how negativity can loom large in our minds and affect our overall outlook.
• Uses toothpaste commercials as an example of framing products in a positive light.
• Discusses the significance of consciously choosing positive thoughts and focusing on the good.
• Shares the idea of keeping a gratitude journal to cultivate a positive mindset.
• Recommends writing down daily blessings and expressing gratitude to God.

[00:07:18] Personal Experience and Overcoming Challenges

• Shares a personal story of breaking her arm and finding gratitude in the midst of the difficult situation.
• Describes the importance of leaning on God and finding gratitude even in challenging times.
• Encourages listeners to seek support through counseling or mentorship if needed.

[00:09:40] Mindset and Growth Mindset

• Differentiates between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
• Discusses common negative self-talk and self-limiting beliefs.
• Encourages replacing fixed mindset with a growth mindset that embraces challenges and learning.
• Provides ten tips for building a growth mindset.

[00:16:11] Choosing Positive Thoughts and Mindset

• Explores the impact of thoughts on our lives and achievements.
• Encourages self-reflection and accountability for one's thoughts.
• Advocates for embracing a positive attitude and gratitude as a form of worship.
• Cites Romans 12:2 and urges listeners to renew their minds daily.

[00:20:09] Mother Culture and Edifying Input

• Introduces the concept of mother culture and the importance of cultivating one's heart and soul.
• Emphasizes the significance of choosing edifying content and avoiding negative influences.
• Recommends incorporating positive practices like reading, listening to uplifting podcasts, and focusing on gratitude.
• Introduces Scola cards with quotes and Bible verses to encourage positive thinking.

[00:22:18] Creating a Positive Family Culture

• Highlights the impact of a positive mindset on the family and overall home environment.
• Encourages focusing on the joys and blessings of family life.
• Urges listeners to choose happiness and resist negative thoughts.
• Recognizes the daily work and effort required to maintain a positive mindset.

[00:23:22] Conclusion and Encouragement

• Concludes by expressing support and encouragement for listeners.
• Encourages feedback and shares excitement to hear about positive changes in listeners' lives.
• Offers words of affirmation and assures listeners they are not alone in their homeschooling journey.

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on...

In this episode, host Amy discusses the importance of motherhood as a full-time job, particularly in the context of homeschooling. She emphasizes the significance of embracing the role of a mother and going against cultural norms. Amy also highlights the need for cultivating a home filled with joy, developing personal habits that align with one's beliefs, and instilling positive habits in children. She shares book recommendations that support homeschooling and personal growth, and encourages mothers to prioritize their children's education and character development. Amy concludes by reminding listeners of the eternal worth of raising children and the value of their role as mothers.

• Motherhood is a calling and full-time job that should be embraced and valued.
• Overcoming cultural stereotypes and embracing traditional roles can bring fulfillment and joy.
• Evaluating what mothers read and consume is crucial for cultivating a home filled with God's principles and joy.
• Developing habits in mothers that children can emulate is essential for character development.
• Intentional reading and mother culture play a significant role in nurturing a mother's mind and attitude.
• Finding strength in faith and aligning with God's plan can sustain mothers through challenging times.
• Prioritizing children and their well-being has a lasting impact and leaves a meaningful legacy.

• 00:00:00 - Introduction and acknowledgment of challenges in motherhood.
• 00:04:39 - Importance of habits, family culture, and mission statements.
• 00:06:08 - Mother culture, intentional reading, and cultivating the mind.
• 00:07:13 - Finding strength in faith and trusting in God's plan.
• 00:08:00 - Impact of raising children at home on character development.
• 00:08:47 - Balancing motherhood and pursuing personal passions.
• 00:09:38 - Prioritizing children and leaving a lasting legacy.
• 00:10:39 - Recognizing the eternal worth of motherhood.

• Simple Start Guide to Start Homeschool

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

If you have the desire to begin homeschooling, don’t wait! You can start with reading books together and nature journaling outside! Let’s talk about my absolute best (and mostly FREE) recommendations for beginning your homeschooling journey TODAY!

• Free Online Safety Resources Doc
• Simple Start Guide to Start Homeschool

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

Remember that less is more. You can always add more later. The goal of homeschooling is connection and high-quality education. This can begin with a read-aloud and level-appropriate reading and math. 

The logistics of homeschooling can become based on many different philosophies of education but don’t dwell on this too much. You can START before you know exactly where you’re headed! And if you’re like me, you’ll mix it up and change it many times! 

We cover many of the educational philosophy options for homeschooling in this episode!

• Free Educational Philosophies eGuide
• Simple Start Guide to Start Homeschool

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

We send our children off because it is what is done in our society, most of us have not questioned this routine, but many families had their eyes opened with shutdowns. During the Covid lockdowns, many parents were forced to bring their children home because they saw not just the inadequacy of schools to teach virtually, but also how the teacher unions put their own needs above the educational needs of children.

What is the purpose of education?

Different camps would say different things. Classical scholars would say one thing and public school reformers would say an entirely different thing.

For the average parent, one may believe education is solely for the preparation of finding a job, or being qualified for a job one day.

For the homeschool parent, and I can only speak for myself, I believe education is to equip a child with the wealth of knowledge they need to make moral choices in life, to be able to appreciate goodness and beauty, and to choose to do what is right on behalf of their family and others in their future.

We should expect quality education: three Rs of yesterday Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.

We must tread with extreme care when we hand over to others the delicate task of providing for large chunks of the growing time of our children.” Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

• Simple Start Guide to Start Homeschool

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.

• Ask for help & find a community of women who can encourage you!
• Take care of yourself!
• Have fun with learning!
• Take days off!
• Compliment your children!
• You will learn from mistakes, expect imperfection!
• The question is not did you cover everything, but instead should be, does the child know or care!
• What your child needs to know is up to you! 
• Homeschool does not look like public or private school, so don’t feel that you have to make it look that way!

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

• Simple Start Guide to Start Homeschool

For more resources for your homeschool journey, visit us at graceinhomeschool.com. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts for more homeschool tips.