Some people have dry erase boards; we have sweaty, single-paned, old-as-the-hills windows. And you know what? It’s fine. We no longer have room for dry erase boards, bulletin boards, or anything else that hangs. We pared-down, and our homeschool only includes what we need. It is freeing, and for us, it certainly is a new way of life.
Being intentionally minimal works for us. I don’t expect it to work for others–maybe it does, and maybe it doesn’t. But, I am concerned about a growing misconception that in order to homeschool, you have to have “room” for it.
And by “room”, I don’t mean “room” in your schedule or “room” in your heart. I mean a physical place to “do” school.
For a long time, I heard and read, “I can’t homeschool because I’m not [fill in the blank].” Parents didn’t feel smart, patient or organized enough. However, the focus seems to have moved from the fear of “how” to “where”, and let me tell ya–the “where” matters little.
Your kids? They are going to learn, and they are going to do it everywhere–all day, every day. Maybe they are on a folding metal chair, or maybe they have a swanky, ultra-modern, ergonomically-correct one on wheels. Maybe they like to bury themselves under quilts on the couch, or perhaps swing freely from a hammock in the back yard. It simply doesn’t matter because learning is a dynamic process that does not need color-coded binders, pens, and dividers (although I must say, office supplies are addictive–watch out).
Social media is a powerful tool for homeschooling families and those considering homeschooling for the first time. We can subscribe to homeschooling blogs, peering into the homes and lives of individuals we’ve come to know through their words and photos. We pin away on our favorite Pinterest boards and quickly “like” snapshots on Instagram.
But if we aren’t careful, we can put off the wrong vibes. We can send the wrong message. Let’s not.
Homeschooling isn’t a product. It’s a process.
Homeschooling isn’t a set-up. It’s taking-in, re-evaluating, re-constructing, and gaining new understanding.
Homeschooling isn’t about things. It’s about people. It’s about my kids and your kids, and our deep desire to help them learn in a way that makes sense; to point the way for them to expand what is already inside of them.
Do I think all the fancy-schmancy stuff is bad? Not at all.
But when it takes precedence over what’s most important it gets in the way.
If you’re thinking about homeschooling, I highly recommend you start with less. If you want to add on later, great–do it! Just remember, aesthetics are only one element of an environment.
We have learned with “plenty”, and we have learned with “less”; it does not seem to affect the outcome.
What misconceived notions did you have when considering homeschooling? What did you think you had to have only to learn you didn’t need it at all?
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who desires to inspire families to live, love and learn. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods where she currently homeschools three kids using Monarch, an online homeschool curriculum.