We live in a time when there are SOO many fantastic options for educating our kids (and ourselves!) formally and informally. We have had many parents ask us about our take on how to enhance the process of learning in our families. There seems to be a lot of parent guilt about not doing enough to teach their young children structured academics, and some worry that they are making learning a drudgery by pushing it too much.

In this episode, we address these concerns and offer our own personal approach, which focuses on a combination of guided and self directed learning, with a heavy dose of wonder, a touch of positive challenge, and a relaxed attempt at moderation. We have experience with several kinds of schooling, including homeschooling, and we give our take on the benefits of the different options.

Books we mention:

The Well Trained Mind:  A Guide to Classical Education at home // Susan Wise Bauer // https://amzn.to/31RFmGq

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace // Sarah Mackenzie // https://amzn.to/32We2rU

Taralyn’s current favorite homeschool curriculum options:

Math: Primary Mathematics (aka Singapore Math) https://amzn.to/2NkVaMl

Language Arts, Handwriting, and Science: The Good and the Beautiful from Jennyphillips.com

History: A Well Trained Mind (they start with ancient and have all the eras). I started their Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: https://amzn.to/31TMT7i

Spanish: Rosetta Stone

Keyboarding: The Typing App from the Apple Store

Also, here is a great podcast about the concept of free range learning if you are interested:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/respectful-parenting-janet-lansbury-unruffled/id1030050704?i=1000415099608

Here is our favorite fall caramel recipe that Taralyn mentions in her high five:

Taralyn and Felica’s Favorite Dipping Caramel

Adapted from Jeanie Allen’s Caramel Corn recipe

findthemagic.co

This caramel is the best we have ever had for dipping fall apples in. The texture is so creamy:)

1 cube butter

1 cup light corn syrup

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1 box brown sugar (16 oz or 3 1⁄2 cups) (sometimes I just eyeball this - T)

1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (optional)

Combine all of these ingredients together and heat on medium low for a long time—at least a half hour, stirring often once it starts getting bubbly. The key is to do it slowly so it doesn’t burn, and it just barely boils. Do this until all the sugar is dissolved.

Then, remove from heat and stir in the secret ingredient:

1 Cup Sour Cream (I’ve added anywhere from a half cup to 1 pint, and it always turns out AMAZING - T).

Our Website (You can find all show notes here, along with book recommendations and links to all past books):

https://www.findthemagic.co

Find us on instagram:

Felica: https://www.instagram.com/felicaallen/

Taralyn: https://www.instagram.com/taralyngriffin/

p.s. Our secret to reading so many books is this little baby, a magical wireless earbud:) https://amzn.to/36d89Zj