Three Self-Directed Family Learning Activities
The truth is that we all learn together.
My parents were gifted teachers and university professors. For a long time, I considered them my greatest teachers. That is, until I met my children. If I were to put all of the teaching and learning experiences that I had with my kids on one side of a scale, and what I learned from everyone else on the other, my parenting and homeschooling experiences would tip the scale dramatically.
It turns out that my children were my greatest teachers.
Being aware that we are learning together all the time made it easier for me to create family activities that we could all share. The activities led to extended learning experiences – not just for the kids, but for everyone.
Conversations endured for weeks. Trips to the market resulted in new recipes. Nature walks inspired poetry and science. Museum visits sparked forgotten memories and made us yearn for travel.
Here are three activities that made a lasting difference for us on our homeschooling journey:
Share a news article once a week. This was a tradition every Friday evening at our dinner table. Sometimes my sons would race through a stack of papers while dinner was being prepared (we recycled our daily papers on Saturday) to find something that interested them. Of course, you can also scan your favorite newspaper online for an article that intrigues you. Our tradition was that each member of the family had to find an article or news item that interested them and, over dinner, explain why we made that selection. My sons often chose a dance, movie, or theater review, or even a recipe, as a let us know they would enjoy it. My husband would share something found in the business or sports section. I often delighted in finding history or science on the front page. This activity combines news and language arts along with endless educational possibilities! Here are more ways to use the New York Times to teach.
Choose a favorite item while visiting an art gallery or museum. At the end of a museum visit, share your favorite or most interesting picks. Walk back through the exhibit and look again to compare and discuss your top choices. Browse the gift shop where you might find postcards of the things you chose. Make this activity more interesting by taking turns to choose the destination, museum or exhibit. After visiting several museums or galleries, discuss which exhibits you liked best and why. You can also do this activity virtually by browsing exhibits online. Here are exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum.
Note things worth remembering on a nature hike, in a park, or at a farmer’s market. After walking through the woods or an open market, take out a moment to show each other the things you found interesting or vivid. This could involve additional exploring and comparing before sharing the picks. Explaining the selection often provides insights into each other’s. Photograph or write down what you see. Identify a bird, flower or tree in a nature guide, or on the internet. Take out a moment in nature to draw, write a poem, start a story, or just sit quietly and listen. Then share what you heard, wrote or drew.
These activities increase the following skills: initiative, communication, decision-making, self-awareness and individuality (what interests you and why), listening to others, inquiry, and teamwork. It’s also family fun!
Related articles and sites:
20+ Ways to Make Your Homeschool More Fun This Year
The Learning Network from The New York Times with lessons for middle and high school
Teaching with Newspapers from KidsDiscover
Turn Any Walk Into a Nature Walk from NAEYC (Early Childhood Educators)
Family Nature Walks Tips and Activities from Fireflies and Mudpies