No matter what has changed in our homeschool over the years or how old my children have grown, one thing has remained constant… read-aloud time. My children still remember so many of the books we’ve enjoyed as a family – and so do I! Sometimes snuggled under blankets on the couch, sometimes lounging on a…
These group games for families are perfect for any special gathering! Games have always been the go-to activity when family or friends get together because they are so much fun and keep everyone actively involved in the party. We don’t have a giant extended family, but every holiday or birthday celebration will find the 10…
I’m so excited to share these free winter play dough mats with you! They can help elementary students learn nature study observation skills through hands-on play. You might think play-based learning is mostly for the preschool crowd, but there are still plenty of benefits of playing in the elementary years. In fact, learning through play…
Yes, logic and critical thinking really do matter. A lot, in fact. We all want children who can stop and think before they act, right? That takes logic and critical thinking. And, I bet at least one of your homeschooling goals is to raise a well-rounded child who can transition into successful adulthood. Well, that…
Critical thinking games are the perfect way to teach and practice important thinking and decision making skills in your home. I’ve been using games as part of my plan of attack for years and it’s been such a fun and challenging way to strengthen my children’s ability to think and reason. Critical thinking is extremely…
Many mommas come upon the Charlotte Mason method at a pivotal time in their children’s growing-up – the time when “school” begins. “We’ll need textbooks. Maybe little chairs and desks.” They start to feel pulled in different directions trying to teach all the different subjects, while school and life quickly feel fragmented. It isn’t long…
Problem solving picture books can boost your children’s understanding of how to solve math problems and enhance general problem solving skills. Both types of problem solving involve deep thinking to recognize an issue and think through possible solutions to get to a resolution. We tend to call general problem solving “logical thinking”. If you’re looking…
I’ve gathered a list of the best independent brain training games for kids to help you incorporate more brain building goodness into your homeschool. If you’re new to the discussion, take a look at my original brain training post where you can identify cognitive skills and learn more about getting an online assessment for your…
No matter how long you’ve been homeschooling or how old your children are, some days just don’t go as planned. A craft doesn’t work out the way you’d hoped, anxiety sneaks in and sets kiddos on edge, siblings bicker, headaches happen, and fatigue creeps up and whispers for a break. Societal pressure (and our own…
We’ve talked a lot about brain training for cognitive skills here at Our Journey Westward. Closely related to cognitive skills are social skills. This article focuses on some easy ways to improve social skills in the homeschool. Don’t get “social skills” confused with “socialization”. One of the biggest thorns in the side of any homeschooler…
During my workshops about creative homeschooling and living math, I often talk about incorporating games into the school schedule. If your family has an established game night, you probably already know how educational many board and card games really are. Math, language, history, science, logic and so much more can be practiced without your kiddos…
Games are wonderful additions to any homeschool. In fact, we typically play at least one game a day – sometimes even gameschooling for an entire day! Not only do games bring joy and lightheartedness to the school day, they can help teach new concepts and practice old ones. One of the most important reasons I…
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