A sweet gal named Kelly wrote in and said this:
We have loved watching your adventures with homeschooling, and how open minded you guys have been with it all. We’re interested in doing the same thing because of a similar situation we’re in, and we love your homeschool space. We were wondering if you have any recommendations for creating an area for your kids? Anything that you feel like you have learned from it all? We would love it if you have any advice for us as we dive in with this process! Wish us luck! đ
The process of homeschooling has been a bittersweet one for us, and not something we ever saw ourselves doing. But isn’t that life? Do you really ever “see” yourself doing things before they happen? I mean, we all have our plans but then life throws you a curve ball and you do your best to adapt. So here we are. It’s been a process, and we’re really grateful for it. Here’s a few things we’ve learned with it all, in creating a space for our kids.
A space for homeschool : What it taught us
1. Find what works for you.
We probably harp on this too much when it comes to all things. It’s a little bit different for everyone, but really. What works for us may not work for others and vice versa. Everyone’s family dynamics and needs and lesson plans are different. No two homes, floorpans, curriculums, or families are alike. I talked a little bit about this in last week’s post, but break the rules and use the space, and switch it up, no matter what that looks like for you.
The most liberating thing, for us, was just pushing the button and giving ourselves permission to do this. On more levels than just the literal sense. So in the process of that, we decided to ditch the dining room because a. we never used it, and b. I knew myself well enough to say, hey… if we have a room dedicated to this where I can actually stay on top of it and be organized, to store all their things, that helps me. So really, the space was for me just as much as it was them. Inspiration and motivation is key here, for us.
Look at it in ways that may help and work for you the best in terms of a successful school. What do you hope to achieve from it, and what will help you as their educator, get there with those goals? Maybe its an area in your kitchen where you can install a bookshelf to keep all their things to assist in your sanity. Maybe it’s a place in their playroom that you can use, that helps you with organization and staying consistent. Find what that thing is, and make sure you’re doing it just as much for you, as it is for them.
2. Kids crave routine.
I’m not a childhood expert, and I in no way claim to have all the answers. But I do have some masters work in education, so I took some classes… I’m a mom {ya don’t say?!} And I like to think that common sense goes a long way. I do know the one resounding fact that came from all of our classes and all the parenting books and all the things I’ve ever heard or felt or observed in my own experience … and this is true for us personally: kids crave structure and routine. If you have clear expectations from the beginning, and a solid ground to build from for all of you, this helps them.
Allowing them to have their own space, was part of that for us. As a homeschooling parent, you’re switching hats. You’re going from the mom hat to the teacher hat. And the biggest struggle in that is going to be knowing when to wear what. A major part of that includes providing a safe, organized environment for them to work. And even letting them struggle. {The irony is not lost on me that this is where I struggle}. So for us, rationally, having a space for that helped. A place where they knew that once we were in ‘the zone,’ certain expectations are put into place. This has worked for us.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to have its own room. If you have space for that, that is a luxury. We know. Just an area. A space. Find what works for you.
Bonus round because let’s get real: It helps keep them out from under your feet constantly. People aren’t kidding when they say homeschooling is hard. Mama needs a break and that’s totally normal and okay. Especially for the sake of my sanity. Again, everyone’s family dynamic is different, but if doing a homeschool space has taught me one thing, it’s been that we really needed our own area dedicated to it.
Even if they go back next year to a public school, and we’ve relocated to a two bedroom apartment {where most likely, someone will die} we will still have a quiet area for them to work. It’s just important to us. And we think when we are able to give that in a dedicated space, no matter what that space looks like, it truly helps them.
We find them in here after-hours, creating, in this space, and nothing makes us happier. They help us decorate it for every season. They truly love their space, and we think that inspires them to be organized and keep it that way… as realistically as a kindergartner, second grader and fourth grader can be. Working independently and taking the initiative to work hard… is really what we’re striving for here. Setting life long habits start with clear routines and simple expectations in moving forward with learning. A space has truly helped us with that.
3. Look at the space as wasted real estate.
Once you figure out where it’s going to be… How do you plan to use it for school? Do you want them to be able to rotate around? How can your room function better for you?
We move to the floor. We sit on the sofa. We expanded the literal area out into our entryway of our home with the map and bench and we even work there. And we certainly don’t stay put the entire time. Switching it up actually helps them, too.
We look at every little increment of space in each individual room and think of how it can work harder for our family. Curriculum is no joke. It amazes me how much real estate we’re wasting when it comes to storage opportunities in spaces. Shelves alone have been a game changer for us throughout our home, and it’s been a great place for us to spread out their things so they actually know a. what they have and b. where it is.
Sometimes, we’re still working on those because life’s not perfect. But again, it helps.
In a way, every space in our home contributes in some way to the success of the education of our children. It has to. Homeschooling is a lifestyle choice, and our house has worked hard to provide that.
Techinically, with five of us now, we rotate throughout the house. We all start out in the morning in the homeschool room with our morning work. We even say the pledge and work on whatever assignment it is that we’re starting with for the day. We don’t mess around with the routine stuff.
Then Aiden starts with Jamin in the kitchen with his math while I work with the younger two on their spelling. Then we switch it up, and the kids move around with the parents for reading, and history. Alternating in between with work in the living room. We eventually end up with Emerson in the back reading with Jamin and Malone on the sofa with me while Aiden retreats to his room for his reading – we leave the house for activities and science class. My point? Don’t be afraid to be flexible and just go with what works for your kids. That’s key.
We have truly loved expanding this space in our home, and the process to homeschool… from the super rewarding moments and even on the oh-my-gosh-what-were-we-thinking-not-so-fantastic days. Most of the time, it’s the first option. ;}
We hope you guys have a wonderful start, whenever you plan on diving in. It can be super rewarding, and we have really loved figuring out how to make our home work with it all! It’s fun to view it all as a challenge and once you fall into your routine and the process, it’s a little easier from there!
We hope that helps, Kelly! What are some of your favorite tips for homeschooling with the spaces you have? We’d love to hear!
Melinda says
We have always used the kitchen table because we’ve never lived in a house with extra space đ we remodeled our current home (while living in a 900 Sq ft rental. We have 3 kids- 13 yo twins and a 9 yr old) and we added specific cabinets in the kitchen near the table to store the homeschool stuff. When we lived in the rental, each of my kids had a designated 31 bag for their current curriculum and all the extra stuff was packed away in boxes. While I would love a designated room, if you are organized and creative, you can make any situation work for homeschooling đ
ashley @ the handmade home says
Absolutely Melinda! I couldn’t agree more. We’re probably about to find that out ourselves! ;} At least we can hope.
Sue says
I remember when your schoolroom was a dining room. That gorgeous blue egg painting grabbed me and hasn’t let me go. That was a show stopper but the
Kiddos are more important than a useless room.
Sarah says
What a beautiful, cozy space. I love looking at spaces for inspiration. We have an arts and crafts room that I use for homeschooling my preschoolers, but I’d love to do more with it.
Keri says
We moved to our home a year and a half ago and I was drawn to one of the rooms already a school room but as our family grows I love the fact that I can take that dinning room that I adore so much but really just look at and turn it into a school space and one day when my kids are grow it will be a dinning room again. I loved your comment about not wasting your real estate bc it’s true that it’s our homes we should make them function best for us not what a room is labled as! I’m looking forward to the transformation now!!
Ashley says
Is there somewhere I can shop this space? I love the desks and metal chairs!!!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! Sorry it took us a hot second. I don’t know why I hadn’t rounded all these up before. They’re available here!