It's that time of year. You are going to see photos of kids holding up a chalkboard with their name and the grade they are going into. Just give it a few weeks and you will see them all over social media. You, too, can do that as a homeschooler—but, for my family, that would just confuse my kids too much! Grade levels are not really a thing in our home. Math is one grade level. Reading is another. History is done together and electives are non-traditional. While the first day of school chalkboard tradition is out, getting excited about the first day of school is 100% in.
On the first day of summer break I told the kids with a sing-songy voice that it was the first day of summer vacation—they were thrilled. Today, my six-year-old asked me if I would do the same thing on the first day back to school. I laughed. I am so glad he is just as excited to start back up as I am. Here are five ways that you can celebrate the new homeschool year! Pick one, two, or more—just have fun!
1. Wake Them Up to a Special Breakfast
We tend to have the same go-to items for breakfast—except for holidays. Christmas morning is traditionally quiche and monkey bread. Thanksgiving is usually a French toast or egg casserole. Why not treat your first day back to school as a holiday with a fun meal? Anything yummy, special, and different to make the day stand out will work.
2. Decorate Your Homeschool Space with Balloons
Who says balloons are reserved for birthdays only? Go for it and decorate away. Have your kids help and make that first day back special. It's the little things.
3. Personalize Journals and Notebooks
Let your kids' personalities shine through with this activity. Use paint, make collages with old magazines, break out the sharpies, or try decoupage. Pick the medium that each child loves and enjoys using (no point in trying to teach new techniques just yet) and let them decorate their personal journals and notebooks that they will be using this year.
4. Go on a Picnic
Whether it's in your own backyard or a park down the road, pack up a few sandwich fixings and some fruit and spend time enjoying lunch with your kids. Some of the best conversations happen during meal times when you are simply there as a parent to listen.
5. Start a Nature Loom
This one might feel out of place for a back to school post but hear me out. Giving our kids the opportunity to set a goal, start it, and then have a product at the end is invaluable. To create a nature loom, create a simply loom with wood and string ahead of time. Throughout the next month have them find things throughout each day that they can add to the loom. A bird feather they found in the backyard, a piece of yarn from an old blanket you were going to throw away—the possibilities are endless!
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