Village News & Blog
Teaching Math and History: A Flexible Homeschooling Approach
Did you know that you can teach everything a child needs to know in math in just four years? Or even less, depending on the child’s readiness? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend 12 years teaching math if you choose not to. This might sound surprising, but it’s a method that unschooled children use all the time.
Teaching Math in Less Time
Some parents find that if they don’t introduce formal math lessons until their child is around 10 years old, the child can actually pick up the subject very quickly. At an older age, they’re able to grasp the concepts faster, meaning they can master everything they need to know in just a few years.
If you’ve been thinking, “We need to do math every day starting in kindergarten,” this might be a relief! You can, of course, teach math daily if that works for you and your child, but it’s important to remember that you have the flexibility to approach it in a way that fits your child’s learning style.
This also means you can lighten up on some subjects if needed. Homeschooling is all about adaptability, and recognizing that learning doesn’t have to fit a traditional mold can be freeing for both you and your kids.
Teaching History: Focus on What They Can Understand
When it comes to history, I take a different approach, especially with younger children. I’ve found that kids under the age of 12 don’t always grasp world history concepts, and it can sometimes feel too abstract or even violent, which can lead to nightmares.
Instead, I like to focus on personal history when they’re young. This could include:
- How Mom and Dad met
- Their own birth stories
- Family history, including grandparents and other relatives
Starting with personal and local histories helps children understand the world around them. As they grow older and their brains develop further, they’ll start to ask more complex questions about the broader world. That’s when we begin introducing more detailed history lessons, typically around the ages of 10 to 12.
Real-Life Skills in the Early Years
I’m also a big advocate for teaching real-life survival skills at a young age. Things like:
- Knife safety
- How to build a fire
- Basic camping skills
- Cooking and cleaning
- Living off the land
These hands-on skills are not only practical but also make more sense to young children who are still developing their understanding of the world. As they get older, we shift focus to more complex subjects like science and history, but in the early years, teaching them how to navigate the real world is key.
As a seasoned homeschool mom, I’ve learned that homeschooling is about what works best for your family. Every family and every child is different, and the beauty of homeschooling is that you can tailor it to meet your needs.
Final Thoughts
I hope these insights into math, history, and survival skills are helpful as you plan your homeschooling journey. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education, and what works for one family might look completely different for another.
For those of you in areas affected by hurricanes, please stay safe. We’ll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Feel free to check in with us and let us know how you’re doing. We’d love to hear from you!
Until then, have fun teaching your kids and remember to embrace the flexibility that homeschooling provides.
If you are interested in joining us, Click this link to learn how!
Search
Recent posts
More Related Articles
Discovering the source behind the ubiquitous filler text. In seeing a sample of lorem ipsum, his interest was piqued by consectetur