So, what do you need to homeschool, anyway? Well, there are plenty of things that help and make the process more dynamic, but if I had to list the essentials I would say:
- Quality time – patience, enthusiasm, curiosity, love, a hearty sense of humor, and all the things put into enjoying an experience with someone.
- Basic supplies – paper, pens, scissors, tape, etc. You can make a lot with a little.
- Access to resources – a good library, nature space, museums, and other ways to deepen understanding and appreciation of what is being learned, as well as those that help navigate the role of teaching.
What else is nice to throw in the mix? It doesn’t all have to be there on day one, but offhand – and in no particular order – it is a plus to have:
- Games – dice, dominoes, cards, board games, puzzles, puzzle books, etc
- Books – a home library, reference materials (like dictionaries), cookbooks, manuals, etc
- Art materials – markers, paints (watercolor, acrylic), crayons, colored pencils, chalk, canvas, etc
- Sensory/tactile materials – clay, playdough, sand, etc
- Pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, white out, sharpeners
- Notebooks, binders, folders, paper (blank, ruled, graph), index cards
- Bins, baskets, organizers, etc
- Scissors, glue, hole punch, stapler, tape, pins, clips, etc
- Ruler, compass, protractor, calculator, abacus, etc
- Maps, atlas, globe
- Crafting materials (felt, foam, paper bags, popsicle sticks, ribbon, etc)
- White board, corkboard, dry erase markers, magnets, pushpins
- Loose parts – blocks, wood, rope, spare parts, construction materials, etc
- Microscope, telescope, binoculars, magnifying glass
- Basic tools – hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, wrench, tape measure, etc
- Needles (sewing, knitting, crochet), fabric, yarn, thread, buttons, etc
- Cooking supplies – measuring cups, bowls, utensils, food coloring, etc
- Clock (analog, digital), calendar (standard, perpetual), etc
- Terrarium, aquarium, cage, etc
- Thermometer, barometer, rain gauge, etc
- Nature items – identification guides, survival/orienteering guides, compass, etc
- Sunscreen, bug spray, etc
- Camera
- Imaginative items – dress up clothes, props, etc
- Musical instruments, sheet music, etc
- Computer, printer, scanner, laminator, etc
- Gardening supplies – gloves, shovel, seeds, etc
Extraschooling 