by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Mar 30, 2023 | Homeschooling
You may have already thought about the fact that your children aren't the only ones who are learning during your homeschool journey. However, I still thought it might be helpful and encouraging to discuss some of the ways that I'm being homeschooled. As a result, I've come up with 4 ways I'm being homeschooled.
1. I'M LEARNING HISTORY IN A WHOLE NEW WAY
The first of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled is related to the fact that I absolutely hated history when I was growing up. I especially disliked history when I was in high school. I thought it was seriously boring and I avoided it as much as I could. As a result, I don't remember much of anything except sitting in class talking to my friends, or writing notes to my friends, or even figuring out how to skip class.
It's true that I took the bare minimum classes in high school and college. However, I don't remember learning ancient history AT ALL.
Of course the Bible is history as well. However, I did not grow up with the Bible, nor did I start reading the Bible until I was an adult.
It is true that I have learned SO MUCH through the Bible. However, every time I read a book to Nathan, especially when it is historical fiction, I learn too. This is known as living history. And I think everyone could truly benefit from learning history this way!
For example, we are currently studying Martin Luther and are reading the book, “When Lightening Struck.”
Not only are we learning about Martin Luther, we are learning about what the culture was like during this time period. A well-written book will provide descriptions that bring the time period to life. And this book is doing it all right! We are looking out through Martin Luther's eyes, experiencing his life, becoming entrenched in his observations, including the smells.
During Martin Luther's lifetime, the Black Plague broke out several times.
Well, have you ever thought about what they did with the people who died? Apparently, they put them into “the stockyards.” If you lived anywhere near the stockyards, you could smell the rotting bodies!
Also, people were ignorant and superstitious during this period because the Roman church was controlling everything and people didn't have access to the Bible. As a result, people, including Martin's mother, would blame things such as their babies dying, on witches and witchcraft.
The people didn’t know the Bible, and were ignorant of the idea of germs.
Knowing what you do today, what do you think was causing so many baby deaths? In “Lightning Strikes,”, Martin mentions losing a baby sister, and he was remembering holding her little hand with his dirty thumb.
Now, I could have easily taught Nathan about the Black Plague, Martin Luther, the superstitions of this time period, and lack of knowledge regarding germs through a facts-based textbook. However, if we had just read these facts in a textbook, I don't believe they would have held nearly as much meaning as reading a “living history” book.
Reading, “When Lightening Struck,” is opening up a whole new world for me (and I'm sure for Nathan as well).
And every time we read a book like this, my world expands even more!
This is just one lone example of how I'm being educated in history as the result of reading books to Nathan.
To see the book, click here.
2. ONLINE LEARNING – I'M BECOMING MUCH MORE TECH SAVVY
Number 2 of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled is that I am much more tech savvy. 🙂
Whenever I enroll Nathan in an online class, I go through the class as well. Take for example, Techie Homeschool Mom's Graphic Design Online course. I learned SO MUCH in that class!
And believe it or not, I had never heard of or used the awesome online program Canva (also Canva App) before 2018. I also learned how to use Emaze, right along with Nathan. And those are just two of the main apps and programs I learned through this class alone!
Speaking of tech savvy. I wanted to start a blog over 10 years ago but didn't have the skills or the resources. If it wasn't for the fact that I homeschool, I seriously doubt I would have found out about “Build Your Bundle.” And one thing keeps leading to another. Here I am one year later, finally fulfilling the vision God has given me–one step at a time.
Who would have thought homeschooling would lead to this?
For example, in May 2018 I came across an awesome Blogging Basics class, and next thing I knew I had a blog!
And how could I forget the awesome Etsy Masterclass I went through with Nathan. (Well, actually Nathan didn't go through it yet–but I sure did)! =) In fact, to read more about my experience with it, Click here
Again, these are just a few examples of what I've learned and grown through this homeschool journey.
3. I'VE LEARNED SO MANY COOL THINGS ABOUT UNIQUE LEARNERS
The 3rd of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled is related to the fact that Nathan has special needs and is a unique learner. He struggles with developmental coordination disorder, also known as Dyspraxia.
From the beginning, I really wanted to enable Nathan to be successful. As a result, I was motivated to go out and find unique learning tools and boy did I succeed! I've written about this previously a bit here.
But if I'm going to be totally honest here, I have to admit that my “How I'm Being Homeschooled” journey started before I even imagined I'd ever be homeschooling.
So those of you who aren't actually homeschooling, don't get discouraged, because you are learning too–whether you realize it or not!
My learning began the day Nathan was born, when I realized breastfeeding wasn't going to be a breeze.
Then, by six months, I first realized that Nathan was going to have some feeding issues.
Fast forward to kindergarten. Friday of the first week of school, I got “the call.” You know the call from the principal? They were worried because he was running off when he was supposed to be lining up, just to name one specific thing I remember discussing.
Long story short, Nathan was a challenge when he was in the regular public school and he was in public school until the end of 3rd grade.
In the public school Nathan was assigned homework pretty much every day. And you can be sure he didn't want any part of it!!!
And when Nathan doesn't want to do something, it is extremely difficult to get him to do it.
Back then I didn't totally get it about his autism. Nor did I completely understand why he was fighting me so hard on the homework. After all, I absolutely LOVED elementary school!
All that really matters in the overall scheme of things is whether your child is learning.
How they learn is not nearly as significant. As a result, I started thinking outside of the box more. For example, I learned how to teach Nathan in alternative ways because Dyspraxia affects his writing more than anything else. Out with the sticks and the magnetic letters.
An as he got older, I discovered speech-to-text and text-to-speech as well as visual processing programs to help with organizing thoughts. click here to read more about these programs.
When Nathan was at the end of 1st grade, I took a job as a substitute special education assistant for a little extra money. Let me tell you that I got so many good ideas from that! And I also obtained tons of valuable experience working with all sorts of unique and talented kids.
Which I am absolutely drawing from in my homeschooling with Nathan. I don't think I would have even considered a job such as this if it wasn't for my desire to understand my own son better.
4. I'M MUCH MORE WELL-ROUNDED AS A DIETITIAN
And last but not least, number 4 out of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled:
Like I mentioned a minute ago, I started learning the day Nathan was born. He had breastfeeding issues so I pumped for eight months. When I tried to follow all of the “rules” I was taught in school, they fell flat.
For example, brown pureed rice. He spit it up–I realize now this was an early sign that Nathan had a sensory issues with food.
I DID NOT realize it at the time.
Also, he threw up peanut butter. That was an obvious one (food allergy). However, the sensory issues with food still affects his eating today, though I would say he is way less picky than he used to be
and I am much more educated!
Read more about why kids are picky eaters here.
These are just 4 ways I'm being homeschooled.
How about you? What are you learning in your homeschooling/unschooling/lifeschooling journey?
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Jun 19, 2022 | Education Materials, Homeschooling
New Learning Tools to Help You Homeschool Your Kids
Gone are the days when devices were considered a distraction to quality education. Education is becoming increasingly digital, now that 75% of U.S. classrooms are using desktop computers.
Societal trends are shifting within the educational sphere. As a result, preschool and childcare center directors make sure that their educational centers adjust to these educational trends. Their leadership training in a fast-changing world gives them the foresight to react to changes within the educational landscape. As such, preschool and childcare centers often integrate devices for better institutional management, parent-teacher communication, and student learning outcomes.
Due to these rapid changes, home-based learning teachers and parents are expected to keep up with the integration of information and communication technology. Since these devices create more meaningful learning experiences for students, home-based learning educators are urged to shift to a more extensive and dynamic educational design. Many homeschoolers and their guardians struggle to make this shift, however.
Fortunately, thanks to the development of new learning tools you and your little learner can find the best options for your learning needs. Here are the learning tools that you can employ to make digitalized homeschooling easier for both you and your child:
Flashcard tools
Parents know from experience that flashcards are effective in testing one’s knowledge. While traditional cards have been tried and tested for many generations, your kid will be more engaged to pursue independent learning through digital flashcards.
Flashcard and study tool Quizlet is used by two in three high school students and by one in two college students for a good reason! Digital flashcards test students’ knowledge in various subjects. As a result, these kids eventually feel more confident to learn on their own. So if you want your kid to learn how to study independently, you can slowly introduce them to the study sets that are created by teachers, lecturers, and students on Quizlet. Once they feel more comfortable with the app, they can start to create their own quizzes and study tests for a more personalized learning experience.
Assistive technology
No student will be left behind, particularly now that assistive technologies have been made for educational purposes. Homeschooling will definitely be much easier if your kids with disabilities have tools that meet their needs.
Approximately 7 million students in the US need special education services. This is why assistive technologies are crucial in breaking down the barriers that students with disabilities face. While your kid may be accustomed to manual practices, you can slowly introduce them to speech-to-text technologies by testing the solution together. Once they see that it’s quicker to type texts or look for information this way, they will be more encouraged to adjust to this innovative solution.
On the other hand, kids on the autism spectrum or those with hearing impairments may hesitate to use FM listening systems at first. In this case, you can encourage them to test these systems with or without a hearing aid. Also, allow them to choose the technology that helps them absorb the information much better.
AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies
Speaking of future education technology, you can further enhance your child’s learning experience through AR and VR. These devices will allow your kid to visit different places, sometimes even in different time periods, and learn more about the world.
AR and VR technologies can be frightening or shocking for younger kids. So it’s crucial to check in with them as they check out the devices by themselves. Iff they’re excited to go on a field trip through AR and VR, try a special headset. For example, Merge Headset. Start by playing 360° videos of museums for a more familiar experience. Once they’re comfortable with the technology, you can give them the freedom to go on a virtual field trip. And you can choose destinations that are related to their current lessons.
Gamified learning tools
Who says kids can’t have fun while learning? Most kids find games to be highly engaging. Thus, companies are leveraging these activities to make educational tools more interesting.
Math can be challenging to teach in homeschooled environments. However, a research study revealed that gamified learning tool Classcraft was effective in boosting the involvement and academic performance of kids in their math course. So, encourage them to use tools like Classcraft for their learning experience. Use these gamified learning tools as a bonding activity. Also, create avatars and complete quests together. This will help them understand the game and be interested to navigate through it on their own.
There is a learning curve with assistive technology. However, increase your kid’s engagement and academic performance by using these innovative learning tools. To make your child’s homeschooling experience even more fun, look into our recommended educational materials here. Go through the rest of our posts to find the right tools and technologies make each subject much easier.
Article contributed by Reanne John:
Reanne John became a learning advocate after her daughter entered nursery. After discovering helpful educational tips, Reanne decided to pursue a career in blogging to support other parents.
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Dec 8, 2021 | Holidays and Special Events, Homeschooling
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Dec 2, 2021 | Getting Kids Moving, Homeschooling, Nutrition and Health
9 Educational camping ideas for kids
Going on a camping trip with kids is always interesting, right? Children love to play and have fun in nature but how about you change the game and plan an educational trip to the outdoors? Camping should be fun but if you also teach them some survival skills and nature basics that won’t hurt.
In this article, I will show you which educational camping activities are perfect for young kids. I guarantee you that they won’t get bored over them as they will be occupied with new things. Check the camping ideas that will awaken their curiosity and the will to explore.
Learning New Things in Nature
I will show you how you can teach your children some new skills, and knowledge through games, play, exploration, and other types of activities so they will be more educated and prepared for life.
Camping Activities
In this section, I will list activities that are linked to camping itself. Invite your kids to help you with the tasks around the campground and they will know how to survive in nature when they get older.
Pitching a camping tent
Invite your children to help you to set up a family cabin tent where you will spend nights and play. Grab the instructions and start building the tent. I see how children help their parents set up a tent at the camps and they can be of great help.
Kids can pass you the poles or even insert them into the sleeves. Give them an easy task so they will be able to accomplish it. Talk to them in the process so they will know what has to be done to enjoy tent camping.
Make a tour inside a tent when you will be done with the setup and show them what features the tent has and how to adjust them regarding the needs.
Making a Campfire
Teaching them how to make a campfire is important. The first thing to mention is that fire is dangerous and can make damage or hurt people, so they should be cautious while starting it and when it burns.
Ask your children to go pick some kindling and tinder while you pick some logs. Go in the forest together and pick the firewood. Set a fire together while explaining the process.
Cook your Favorite Dishes
When you have a campfire burning, you can make some delicious meals. How about making some pancakes or s’mores for the kids? Let them bake a pancake and put their favorite filling on.
Learn from Mother Nature
Mother Nature is our biggest teacher. Plan a daily hike in the woods where you will explore a new area, learn about the trees, and wild animals. If the trees have marks, teach them why the trees are colored. Get some books about plant recognition so they will learn to identify the plant species. It is especially important that you teach them about poisonous plants like poison ivy, poisonous oak, and others that they should leave alone. You can also download an app about plant identification on your phone if you want.
Make an Herbarium
Kids can pick some of the tree leaves and plants and make a herbarium. Tell them to pick 10 plants (tree leaves, bush leaves, or plants from the meadow). The picked items should be dry to put in the herbarium.
What does the herbarium have to have? Each plant should have its (Latin) name, place, site, date, and the name of the picker. I enjoyed making one when I was young, and I am sure your children will too.
Grab some Nature Books
I encourage you to pack some kid's books about nature. These books are great as the children will be able to stay occupied, have fun and learn at the same time. Pick picture books like pack some kid's books about nature. or others if you have younger kids (3-7 years).
Before going to the wild, go to the library with your kid and let him pick his favorite books to read at the campsite.
Play Scavenger Hunt
I love this game! It is a game where the participants make a list of items that must be found in nature. You can make two teams. Each team should find all the items first to win the game. I recommend that you pick items such as an oak tree leaf, a fruit, a feather, etc. so children will learn about nature while searching.
Do you want to make a scavenger hunt even more exciting? Give a task to take a picture of a bird or to record the sound of an animal. Don’t forget to take a camera or a phone to do that.
Play Games
Play games that involve nature like deer, deer, deer, fire tender, food chain lap-sit, flower face, judge nature says, and others that will make your camping trip interesting and educational.
Teach them about Good Camping Etiquette
When you go outdoors with the kids they should know how to behave and what is good camping etiquette. Teach them about the “leave no trace” rule and put a few garbage bags around the camp so they will throw trash there and not leave them on the ground in the camp or in the woods.
Teaching your children to be responsible and environmentally aware is important as they will leave the place as it was, without changing the natural habitat of the wild animals. Did you tell them that bears love food and trash? Make sure you mention this fact so they will be strict to leave the place clean.
Use your imagination and include activities that you see as worthy to do at a campsite with your family members to entertain and learn. Happy camping!
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About the Author:
“Tadej Kozar is \the founder of Camping Valley. The site is an extension of my lifestyle and passion for outdoors. Everything that I learn, experience, and find valuable is on the site for you. We live in a technological era, but nature is reminding us more and more that we should go to the places where our heart and soul feel like home.”
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Oct 11, 2021 | Homeschooling, Nutrition and Health
Leadership Resources Help Parents Raise Confident Children
As a parent, you want your children to be successful, and success often begins with positive and powerful leadership skills. So how can you encourage these skills in your children? Well, reading these essential resources from Homeschooling Dietitian Mom can be a good place to start!
A Love of Literacy Can Lead to Great Things
Reading can open so many doors for children, and literacy is essential for future leaders.
Leading By Example is Essential for Parents
Parents can promote reading and other leadership skills by practicing them on a daily basis.
- Shaping a child’s character centers on setting positive examples for them in everyday life, and children pay the most attention to the behaviors of their parents.
- Being a self-esteem role model is also crucial for helping children develop confidence.
- Goal setting is an effective way for parents to boost their own self-esteem.
- One example of a positive goal to model for kids is returning to school to achieve your master’s or doctoral degree. You can advance your career and be an inspiration for your children.
Providing Opportunities for Mistakes is Also Vital
It’s natural for parents to shield their kids from harm but learning from mistakes is so important.
- Helping children learn from mistakes, rather than preventing them altogether, is crucial for helping them grow into confident and effective leaders.
- Making mistakes will help children accept responsibility and avoid feelings of anxiety.
- So, it’s also essential for parents to help children own and admit to their mistakes.
- Finally, fostering an understanding of remorse can foster positive leadership skills.
Encouraging literacy, self-confidence and personal responsibility can help your children grow into successful and thriving leaders. More importantly, instilling these principles in your children will help them grow into healthy, happy and thriving adults.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Article written by Lacie Martin
“Lacie Martin created Raise Them Well to help inspire parents to raise
their children well by prioritizing love over everything else. She firmly
believes that all moms and dads raising kids who know they are loved and
cared for are successful parents.”
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Aug 19, 2021 | Creation Education Resources, Homeschooling
We can understand why unbelievers don't hold to the literal interpretation of Genesis. But why don't people believe in Young Earth Creationism? The mystery is why do a growing number of Christians not believe in either the inspiration or literal interpretation of the first book of the Bible? Below are some reasons that I have observed over the years I have spent teaching creation science of why people don't believe in creationism:
Why Don't People Believe in Creationism?
1. Lack of Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual maturity is not measured by time and our Christian walk is not measured by distance.
Spiritual maturity is a never-ending journey to become more Christ-like.
How a person integrates their beliefs into all aspects of their lives is a good measure of their spiritual maturity. This is different from a person’s salvation. That is only dependent on their relationship with Jesus. But it can affect their witness and their Christian walk.
The key to spiritual maturity is a teachable spirit and a willingness to learn and grow, to not “lean on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Many people who today do not accept the literal interpretation of the creation story will at some point in time, eventually become mature enough to see clearly the obvious clear meaning of the test and be able to lose the chains of worldly compromise.
2. Influence by False Teachers
Those who devise these interpretations are in the position of influencing millions of Christians by their publications, Internet presence, and classroom teachings. Unfortunately, the originators of these theories also are often respected and influential teachers in our Christian schools and Seminaries.
Young people are easily influenced when professors present attractive compromises that allow for long earth ages and even evolution as additions to the Bible. One bit of leaven can leaven the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)
3. Human Pride
How can a person have the audacity to try to correct God? First, they have to believe that The Holy Spirit did not write Genesis, or that it is merely an allegory and not to be taken literally. Then a human mind can imagine anything and fit it in-between the lines. Just like the snake in the Garden, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1)
4. Lack of Scientific Understanding
There is an overwhelming amount of scientific proof that the earth is young. But most of the people who originate the compromising theories accept that secular science has proven that the earth is old, so they feel that they need to correct the Bible to fit into the existence of long ages.
Why Don't People Believe in Young Earth Creationism?
If the age of the earth were only a battle of facts, young earth creationism would win easily.
But it is a spiritual battle and facts get lost in emotions and false assumptions. Others, while still believers, have fallen for the lie of evolution. They do not understand the violence and struggle that evolution entails. Since they do not really understand the theory of evolution, they can accept that God used it to create the diversity of organisms on earth.
While almost all of these alternative theories are created by theologians, somehow there is a general understanding that they are created by believing scientists. Dr. Hugh Ross would be the exception. He is an astronomer who is a proponent of Progressive Creations. However, he sets himself up as an expert in Hebrew. More about that later.
5. A lack of knowledge of Hebrew and Hebrew traditions.
The Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, was originally written in Hebrew. Much has been lost in translation and opens itself to interpretation. In Genesis, the word Yom means day. It is used to recount each of the days of creation. Every time it's used with a number is a literal 24-hour day. This occurs within Genesis and outside of Genesis.
Yom occurs 2,282 times within the Hebrew Bible. Every time it meant just 24 hours, a standard day. This is the same word used nine times in Genesis 1 to depict the six days of creation.
Hebrew language and tradition uphold that this is the true meaning of the word. It cannot mean millions of years because it always means a 24-hour day.
And last, but most importantly,
6. Many people do not study Genesis or the Bible as a whole.
Many people do not study Genesis in particular and the Bible as a whole. As a result, they cannot see that the entire Bible is one consistent story from Genesis to Revelations, and that picking and choosing what is to be believed removes that consistency. One thing that all these theories have in common is death before sin. If there is not a literal Garden, Adam and Fall there is no original sin and no need for a Universal Savior.
Why Don't People Believe in Young Earth Creationism?
- The Gap theory
- The Framework Hypothesis
- The Cosmic Temple
- Progressive Creation or Day/Age Theory
- Theological History
- Analogical Days
- Ancient Science/ Mythology
Although all these theories claim to be biblical, they all are accommodations that allow for an old age of the earth. They all have death before sin, and some allow for biological evolution.
In my next post, I will discuss the Gap Theory.
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Click here to see more about Creationism and Bible study resources here.
The Unbreakable Faith Course by Pilgrim's Rock, LLC
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Sunday School God Created You Series
Dr. Sharon Cargo is a retired veterinarian from eastern San Diego County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University, and a Master’s of Science Education from The Institute for Creation Research. After practicing veterinary medicine for 38 years, she is currently an Assistant Professor at Liberty University. She and her husband Robert Davey have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Dr. Sharon Cargo is a retired veterinarian from eastern San Diego County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University, and a Master’s of Science Education from The Institute for Creation Research. After practicing veterinary medicine for 38 years, she is currently an Assistant Professor at Liberty University. She and her husband Robert Davey have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
