May 11, 2010
written by Michelle Caskey
www.homeschool-your-boys.com
The majority of children today spend countless hours watching TV, surfing the internet, playing video games... and the list goes on and on. Media can be an addictive beast which gets ahold of the minds of our children and doesn't let go. Because of this, some parents have chosen to completely eliminate all media from their homes.
Is it possible to tame this beast and allow media into our homes? It is. It does take parental involvement and limits... but there are actually some great uses for media in our homeschools.
1. Curriculum - More and more publishers are offering their material in the form of computer programs. Some parents choose to have their children learn math or other high-level subjects with which they feel less comfortable in this way. It's one of the easiest ways to teach a subject with which we are unfamiliar. Foreign languages are a popular subject to learn on the computer. Typing is another subject which children usually learn on the computer.
Some parents teach most of the subjects in a traditional way but reserve one with which their child is struggling to learn on the computer. Computer-based classes also come in handy for parents who are teaching several children of multiple age ranges.
2. Enrichment - Adding a video from the library or an internet video clip to whatever subject you're studying can add some visual interest and excitement to your lessons. We have also found that using pictures, stories, and other tidbits we find on the internet adds another dimension to our study.
Use the internet with caution, however. I always prescreen videos, pictures, and information gathered there. It's important to do this with everything - even materials gathered from the library. There are more and more offensive materials created daily and it is our job to be sure what we are showing to our children agrees with our worldview.
3. Incentive - We finally broke down and allowed grandparents to buy our sons a Wii for Christmas this year. We had been diametrically opposed to video games in our home previously, choosing learning computer games over video games. What caused us to change our minds was the fact that playing the Wii is physical where playing computer games is not.
The Wii is a great motivator. Our boys have to read books for a certain amount of time each day in order to earn Wii time. They also have to do their schoolwork with a good attitude and complete their chores. We have found that simply threatening to take away Wii time is usually enough to curb whatever negative behavior we are experiencing with our sons.
One caution, however, is that the Wii is highly addictive - for parents as well. Be sure to set a timer when letting your children play and set strict limits on its usage. With these safeguards in place, we have found that it can hold a proper place in our homes.
Many families have been living with less money these past few years. Our family has certainly been in this situation. Our budget has shrunk to the point where extra things such as vacations simply do not fit anymore. Surprisingly, even though money has been tight, our family has enjoyed even more time together as a family. As gas prices go up and my husband's salary shrinks, we have found many free activities we can do together - many without ever leaving our home.
1. Campfire in the backyard - We have a firepit in our backyard. We've been able to enjoy hours of enjoyment sitting around a fire talking, singing, and enjoying each other's company. Even people with the smallest yards can usually purchase a small chiminea or other outdoor firepit. Cooking hotdogs or marshmallows will heighten the experience even further.
2. Pitch a tent in backyard - Campground fees can add up, even if you're camping with a tent. So why not pitch a tent in your backyard? Make it fun by cooking over the fire, hanging up a clothesline to try swimsuits and towels, try not to enter the house very often. You can make the camping experience as authentic as you would like. Go fishing, let the kids run through the sprinkler, sit around in lawnchairs... the sky's the limit. Check out these tips for learning opportunities you can take advantage of while camping.
3. Board games - Remember when we were children and we spent hours playing games with the family? Board games and card games are a great way to have free fun with your family. Most of us have a closet full of games the kids have received as gifts over the years. Dust them off and have a family game night. It's a great way to get to know your children better.
4. Reading aloud - Reading to our children is so important. Having dad read aloud to the family at night can be a wonderful way to spend time together. Choose books which are just above the reading level of your oldest child. Be sure to use expressive voices, making the experience fun. Check out these tips for making reading fun for your boys.
5. Movie night - You don't have to go to an expensive theater in order to enjoy a movie. Watch a family friendly video together at home. Pop some popcorn or make some other yummy treats to enjoy together.
6. Bike rides - One of the tricks to saving money is to use resources we already have versus purchasing new ones. Most families already have bikes which are stored in our garages gathering dust. Get them out and go for a bike ride. It's great exercise and family fun at the same time. More and more groups such as Rails to Trails are creating bike paths around the country. Search the internet to find some bike trails near your home. Check out these tips for learning opportunities you can take advantage of while biking.
7. Hikes - We are fortunate to live near some woods, where we can go on nature hikes whenever we'd like. Again, you can search the internet to find hiking trails in your area. Check out these tips you can take advantage of while hiking.
This is just a small sampling of ideas you can try for having fun with your family without breaking the bank. This year, you might want to replace your expensive vacation plans with some inexpensive activities you can do around home. You may find that your best summer memories are made when you are relaxing at home as a family.
Thanks for reading this month's newsletter. I hope you enjoyed it! See you next month...
Michelle Caskey
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