Homeschooling Through the Holidays: The Relaxed Approach
Homeschooling through the holidays doesn’t need to be stressful! There are no-pressure ways to enjoy learning — and it doesn’t have to look like the regular routine either. After 15+ years of homeschooling, I’ve found some ways to make holiday homeschooling fun for everyone. It’s a time we look forward to in our family and I hope you’ll feel that way, too, after reading this post!
No-Stress Homeschooling through the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, homeschooling families often face the challenge of balancing the festive spirit with wanting to be consistent with educational time.
Including the ideas listed below can help you maintain a balanced and relaxed homeschooling experience during the holiday season.
- Create a Flexible Schedule
One of the key advantages of homeschooling is flexibility. Embrace this freedom during the holidays by creating a flexible schedule that accommodates both learning and holiday activities. Consider shifting your homeschooling hours to accommodate family gatherings or outings. This flexibility can make learning more enjoyable for everyone involved.
- Embrace Holiday-Themed Learning
Incorporating holiday themes into your homeschooling curriculum can make learning fun and festive. For example, if you’re teaching math, use holiday cookies to teach fractions or turn a family recipe into a lesson in measurements and conversions. Encourage your children to explore the history and cultural significance of different holidays, providing a well-rounded education while celebrating the season.
We include holiday learning in our morning routine, like this Thanksgiving themed morning basket and this Christmas themed morning basket.
I created the Great Big Christmas Activities Bundle to help families just print and learn with a Christmas theme. There are printables covering math, geography, Christmas around the World, language arts, games, and so many fun activities! The whole family can enjoy these activities together, from ages 4-12. It’s so easy to just print what you need when you need it so there is zero stress for overwhelmed homeschool moms. It’s a nice relaxed way to homeschool through the holidays.
- Plan Field Trips
The holiday season is an excellent time for educational field trips. Whether it’s visiting a local museum with holiday-themed exhibits or taking a trip to a historical site, make learning come to life by connecting it with real-world experiences. Field trips can be an enjoyable way to continue education during the holidays without feeling like traditional school. Even a Christmas lights scavenger hunt is a fun way to get out of the house to enjoy the season!
- Incorporate Holiday Crafts
Arts and crafts provide a hands-on approach to learning, which can be both educational and relaxing. During the holidays, engage in DIY projects that teach creativity and problem-solving skills. These crafts can also double as homemade gifts or decorations for your holiday celebrations.
We love crafting and have made many special projects this way, including homemade ornaments and holiday themed crafts.
- Prioritize Life Skills
Holidays present a great opportunity to teach essential life skills to your children. Involve them in holiday meal preparation, budgeting, and shopping. Teach them the importance of giving back by involving them in volunteering or charity work. These life skills are valuable and can be integrated seamlessly into your homeschooling routine.
- Utilize Online Resources
The internet is a treasure trove of educational resources. There are numerous websites and apps that offer educational games, videos, and interactive lessons. During the holiday season, allow your children to explore these resources, which can be both fun and educational. You can also incorporate online resources to supplement your curriculum and provide variety in learning.
We enjoy Reading Eggs and IXL, as well as printable digital resources with a holiday theme.
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- Relax and Unwind
Homeschooling during the holidays is a unique opportunity to create lasting memories with your children. Don’t forget to take time to relax and enjoy the season. Schedule breaks, cozy up for holiday stories, and savor the moments spent with your family. A relaxed and joyful atmosphere can foster a love for learning. Don’t forget to download the free guide with ideas for fun learning through the season!
- Theme-based Learning Weeks
Designate certain weeks during the holiday season as “theme-based learning weeks.” Choose a holiday-related theme, such as “Christmas around the World” or “Holiday Science,” and focus your curriculum on that theme. This approach adds variety to your homeschooling routine and allows children to delve deeper into specific subjects with a holiday twist.
- Set Realistic Goals
Holidays are a time for relaxation and enjoyment. Set realistic academic goals that align with your family’s holiday plans. Keep in mind that your children’s productivity might naturally ebb and flow during the festive season. Setting achievable objectives ensures that you maintain a steady learning pace while allowing for flexibility. In my opinion, learning happens all the time and doesn’t need to be forced. Keep things relaxed and just see what opportunities come up!
- Encourage Independent Learning
Empower your children to take charge of their education during the holidays. Encourage them to explore topics that interest them and pursue independent projects. This fosters self-motivation and a sense of responsibility for their learning, and it can be a more relaxed and self-paced approach, especially during the holidays.
- Create a Homeschool Morning Basket
A homeschool morning basket is a wonderful way to infuse a sense of togetherness and relaxation into your homeschooling routine during the holidays. This is essentially a basket or container filled with books, magazines, and learning materials that you and your children can enjoy together each morning. Here’s how you can use it:
- Select a variety of age-appropriate books, including classic literature, holiday-themed stories, poetry, and non-fiction books.
- Gather magazines, art supplies, and journals for creative exploration.
- Set aside a specific time each morning to gather around the morning basket. This could be before or after breakfast, or even during a cozy time by the fireplace.
- Encourage your children to take turns selecting items from the basket. Let them choose what to read, discuss, or explore that day.
- Use this time to read aloud together, discuss what you’re reading, or engage in activities related to the materials in the basket.
- The morning basket can be a relaxed and enjoyable way to promote a love of reading, exploration, and meaningful discussions. It can also be a great opportunity for parents and children to bond over books and learning.
By incorporating a morning basket into your homeschooling routine, you not only make reading and learning an integral part of your holiday season but also create cherished family moments that revolve around the joy of exploration and shared knowledge.
Homeschooling during the holidays doesn’t have to be a high-stress affair. By adopting a relaxed and creative approach, you can ensure that your children continue to learn while enjoying the festive season. A flexible schedule, holiday-themed learning, field trips, and life skills education can all contribute to a balanced and enjoyable homeschooling experience. So, embrace the holiday spirit and make the most of this unique opportunity to create memorable and meaningful learning experiences for your children. Happy holidays!
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