Homeschool Hints Podcast

Adelaide Olguin from TalkBox.Mom discusses foreign language success as a homeschool family, how it's never too early to educate. She also outlines common pitfalls that can stop you from learning languages easily.

-Defining success in a foreign language: when everyone in your family is using it throughout the day to get things done [2:00]

-The problem of starting with numbers, letters, and colors [4:40]

-Natural language progression and how babies learn a language [7:05]

-Tips on how to acquire language the way Charlotte Mason described as "living speech" [10:40]

-How fluency is a path, a way of life, as opposed to a destination [12:00]

-Pitfall #1: Expecting perfection [15:00]

-Pitfall #2: Vocabulary lists [16:30]

-Pitfall #3: Emphasizing mistakes [17:10]

-Pitfall #4: Stressful deadlines [18:20]

-Pitfall $5: Building the language, not extracting it [19:30]

-Further details about the April 4-5 conference [20:40]

-Live Q&A from the audience: Can students learn more than one language at the same time? [21:20]

Resource #1 - Upcoming MPE homeschool conference & curriculum fair: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/

Resource #2 - TalkBox.Mom: https://talkbox.mom/

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Amanda Medford, a second-generation homeschooler, explains how events like Women's Encouragement Day can help homeschoolers build community. Amanda has homeschooled five children in three states and knows the importance of fellowship and connection along your educational journey!

-Why Amanda decided to join the Encouragement Day committee [2:00]

-The differences between her homeschool journey vs. her children's [3:10]

-Tips Amanda learned along the way to help with homeschooling [5:20]

-What if you're beginning homeschool in the middle of the school year? [8:30]

-Some of the changes planned to Women's Encouragement Day this year, compared to previous years [11:00]

Resource #1 - Women's Encouragement Day, Feb. 1: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/womens-encouragement-day/

Resource #2 - Upcoming MPE homeschool conference & curriculum fair: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Upcoming events in January and beyond include:

Our homeschool webinar on co-ops, enrichment, and athletics programs will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Explore all the options, including “on-site” vs. “drop-off,” pricing, enrollment, curriculum, and more.

A Facebook Live with conference vendor TalkBox.Mom is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13. Leave a comment during the Live session, and you'll enter to win a 1 of 5 Bilingual in Nature Experience with 10 different languages to use on your next nature walk in a softcover book plus mobile app access (a $37 value)!

Preparations are underway for the Feb. 6 Homeschool Capitol Day, and we encourage Kansas homeschoolers to start setting up appointments to meet their legislators in January for the event. Please let us know to expect you by completing this short form.

Our Dad’s Night Out Chili Cook-off is scheduled for Jan. 31 atChurch of Christ in Olathe. Dads will enjoy fellowship, a friendly chili competition dinner, a devotion, and dessert. All homeschool dads (or those considering homeschooling) are welcome!

Our next Women’s Encouragement Day will be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at Journey Bible Church in Olathe. Draw inspiration from the stories of families homeschooling for two or more generations, seeing the Lord’s faithfulness in their homeschool journey.

Finally, earlybird registration for MPEKIDS (our conference childcare program) opens Jan. 3!

How can we help raise children who live honorable lives and reach their full potential? Monica Irvine from The Etiquette Factory explains how we can show our children the "payoff" in helping those around us feel valued and comfortable (Monica's definition of etiquette)!

-Skill #1: How to prioritize our lives (and teaching our children by modeling it ourselves as parents) [3:00]

-The power of a praying family [5:10]

-Skill #2: How to teach our children to love one another through etiquette [17:10]

-Practical ways we can help our children practice manners in everyday life [21:30]

-Skill #3: How and when to teach our children skills in kindness [23:10]

-Skill #4: How to teach our children to give a sincere apology [29:00]

-Skill #5: How to show our children that discipline is an act of love [35:40]

-Programs and resources to help your children study etiquette as part of their homeschool day [40:50]

Resource #1 - Upcoming MPE homeschool conference & curriculum fair: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/events/homeschool-conference/

Resource #2 - The Etiquette Factory: https://theetiquettefactory.com/

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

How do you explain homeschooling during the holidays when visiting skeptical family and friends? Good news: we can do it winsomely, knowing the data is already on our side!

Christy Faith, author of "Homeschool Rising," discusses quick tips and disarming one-line replies to help address the hearts of our listeners - especially those who may become our biggest supporters if shown the tangible benefits of a homeschool lifestyle.

-Christy's journey from educational consultant for the very wealthy to homeschooler, TikTok influencer [0:30]

-How to anticipate pushback from society, given the current zeitgeist of distrust regarding homeschooling and parents [6:30]

-Tips on being winsome in a "high-stakes environment" of close-knit relationships [10:40]

-How to formulate and memorize a specific "why" statement that is disarming while opening the door to further discussion [11:20]

-Helping prepare your children in ways that are age-appropriate and specific for potential questioning [15:00]

-Two camps of people with homeschool resistance [16:10]

-Why we need to stay connected with people outside our circle of homeschool friends [19:20]

-History of the compulsory school system [26:10]

-How to discuss homeschooling in real-life interactions vs. social media entertainment [30:20]

Resource #1 - Christy Hitt's "Homeschool Rising" book

Resource #2 - MPE's upcoming homeschool conference and curriculum fair

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Upcoming events in November and beyond include:

Our next First Aid and CPR class for ages 12 and up will be Nov. 9 at Journey Bible Church in Olathe.

Our next Class of 2025 homeschool high school graduation meeting will be 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at College Church of the Nazarene. This is the last day to sign up for our May 9 graduation ceremony!

Our Dad’s Night Out Chili Cook-off is scheduled for Jan. 31 atChurch of Christ in Olathe. Dads will enjoy fellowship, a friendly chili competition dinner, a devotion, and dessert. All homeschool dads (or those considering homeschooling) are welcome!

Our next Women’s Encouragement Day will be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at Journey Bible Church in Olathe. Draw inspiration from the stories of families homeschooling for two or more generations, seeing the Lord’s faithfulness in their homeschool journey.

The next Great Wolf Lodge Homeschool Weeks are scheduled for Feb. 2-7 and 23-28.

Crisis times can derail even the most veteran homeschooling plans. However, they also give us opportunities to grow and set firm foundations so our children can enjoy a lifetime of resilience.

Join homeschool mama and podcaster Terri Hitt as she shares her story of trusting God through multiple crises - loss of a child and parents, job losses, international adoptions, and more.

-Explaining common emotions and experiences for someone during a crisis [2:30]

-One strategy Terri has found most helpful for those seasons: 'putting on blinders' [4:00]

-The difference between facing a crisis before vs. after homeschooling [5:25]

-How to look for the blessings [8:50]

-Finding ways to 'plan for the unplanned' [10:00]

-Dealing with the pressure to make it perfect or compare our homeschools to others [12:25]

-Advice for others going through similar crises and life situations [15:30]

-Building resilience in our children and encouraging them to "fail" in order to succeed [16:20]

-Using the multiple blessings of homeschooling's availability and flexibility [18:30]

-Balancing the need for routine as well as the time to process complex emotions, e.g. grief, in front of our children [22:00]

-Further free resources available for families [25:40]

Resource #1 - Follow Terri Hitt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/terrihitt/

Resource #2 - Receive your FREE eBook, "Discover How Your Identity is Sabotaging Your Children": www.terrihitt.com/resources/discover-how-your-identity-is-sabotaging-your-children

Resource #3 - Visit Terri Hitt's website: terrihitt.com

Resource #4 - Learn about Terri Hitt's program, The Set-Apart Collective: www.terrihitt.com/setapart

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Upcoming events in October and beyond include:

The next Moms’ Morning Out will be 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at Denny’s along Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam. Everyone is welcome — from those just thinking about homeschooling as well as those who have been homeschool veterans for decades.

Our next Class of 2025 homeschool high school graduation meeting will be 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at College Church of the Nazarene. This is the last day to sign up for our high school graduation ceremony without incurring a late fee. Seniors will also be forming their own graduation committees!

Also starting October 14-18 is the God-Centered Homeschool Summit 2.0. Enjoy personable, interview-style videos while also exploring quality resources (with discount sales!) in the online exhibit hall. The entire summit is FREE if you sign up by Oct. 14!

Our next First Aid and CPR class for ages 12 and up will be Nov. 9 at Journey Bible Church in Olathe. Registration opens Oct. 5.

The next Great Wolf Lodge Homeschool Weeks are scheduled for Feb. 2-7 and 23-28. Online coupon codes have been shared with our MPE members and will be released to the public, starting Oct. 4.

Suzanne Wandling, elementary education and special needs expert, discusses homeschool kindergarten readiness and what to expect.

-Overview of homeschool kindergarten using play-based and simple learning activities [0:30]

-Common misconceptions or myths about elementary education [2:20]

-Knowing the general attention span for a typical kindergarten student and introducing breaks [4:40]

-Other developmental milestones to remember, kindergarten readiness checklists [6:30]

-Possible red flags that may indicate special needs [8:30]

-Describing a typical homeschool kindergarten day: routines, organization, etc. [10:20]

-Free and low-cost homeschool resources to consider [13:10]

-How COVID-19 and technology have prompted delays in fine-motor skills and language development [15:50]

Resource #1 - Homeschool Kindergarten Ideas: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/kindergarten-homeschool-ideas-2/

Resource #2 - Slow & Steady, Get Me Ready https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Steady-Get-Me-Ready/dp/0962232211

Resource #3 - Before Five In A Row: https://fiveinarow.com/shop/before-five-in-a-row/

Resource #4 - UFLI: https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/

Resource #5: All About Reading: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-reading/

Continue the conversation!

Website: https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestparenteducators/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpeinkc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpeinkc

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mpeinkc/

Upcoming events in September and beyond include:

Another webinar on “homeschool socialization” in our series will take place 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. It will explore how to ensure your child’s social success with peer-based events, meetups, volunteering opportunities, and more! 

Our preparations for the Class of 2025 homeschool high school graduation will kick off with an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at College Church of the Nazarene. There will be a pizza party and dessert with lemonade and water - graduates can also bring their favorite drinks!

Registration is open for our Oct. 16 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test opportunity at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. High school juniors who take the PSAT are eligible for the National Merit scholarship program, which can mean a full-ride college scholarship to the university of their choice. Sophomores are also welcome to take the test as practice as space allows.

Registration has been extended for our Sept. 15-27 Great Wolf Lodge Homeschool Weeks.

Our next First Aid and CPR class for ages 12 and up will be Nov. 9 at Journey Bible Church in Olathe. This is a great, affordable way to keep your First Aid & CPR training up to date and learn lifesaving skills by practicing in a group of fellow homeschoolers. Registration opens Oct. 5.