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Every August finds us watching excited children running around in new clothing on television as retailers vie for our hard-earned dollars. Well-meaning experts provide helpful advice on how to make the transition easier for our children. All of this is part of the noble tradition of “back to school.” Why would this year be any different?
The excitement and anxiety is almost certainly the same. However, we learned lessons during the pandemic that would make it a mistake to view this return to school as just another year. Homeschooling families have known many of these lessons for years. While I have never homeschooled my children, I appreciate many of the practices that such families employ to provide a well-rounded experience for their children. Whether your child is in a public, private, or parochial/religious school, you can benefit from following many of the practices as well.
According to the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooling has been increasing steadily since 2016. Even considering the spike seen during the pandemic, it is clear that the homeschooling (or home education) trend is no statistical blip. While many of us do not have the ability or desire to homeschool our children, we can learn a lot from those who do. Here are some important takeaways to help make this year a little different and potentially a little better for your children.
- Utilize community resources. Homeschooling families know where to find valuable educational resources outside of traditional schooling. There is a wealth of opportunities at our local and national parks, museums, and historical societies. Their offerings must not be seen as peripheral to learning and should not relegated to field trips only. Rather, such resources can become a core part of any child’s learning experience.
- Nature is not just for recess. Instead, it must be a vital component of any child’s education. During the early stages of the pandemic, my wife, who served as a volunteer neighborhood advisor, was laughed at for suggesting that students could learn outside. While the pandemic has largely changed this thinking, we are at risk of reverting to the “old” way of doing things. Sitting at a desk in a classroom is not the only (or best) way to learn. Myriad data have demonstrated the health, mental health, and cognitive benefits of spending time outside. It lowers stress, promotes learning, and generally enhances positive feelings. To ignore this important aspect of a child’s development would suggest that we learned little from the pandemic.
- Parents are teachers, too. School is an institute for learning, yes, but the learning does not stop when the bell rings. As parents, we have an opportunity to view our role differently. Children learn from their parents all the time, of course. However, if we are mindful and intentional about what we are teaching them, we can help to ensure that the right lessons are coming across. This year, I encourage you to commit to the time, research, and planning that will be required to supplement your child’s education.
So, welcome to another year of “back to school.” This year, however, affords us an opportunity to view the return differently. Let’s learn from the painful, and sometimes joyous, lessons that the pandemic taught us. It would be a missed opportunity to go back to the way things were before this societal shift. As parents, we can partner with our schools in ways we never have before, and that is a lesson definitely worth learning. Good luck!
