• Home
  • About
    • New? Start Here.
    • Meet The Co-Hosts
    • Meet The Contributors
    • In The Media
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

The Mom Hour

Happier motherhood starts here.

  • New? Start Here.
  • Podcast
    • Recent Episodes
    • Complete Archives
    • Search By Topic
  • Blog
  • Ages & Stages
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • Big Kids
    • Tweens & Teens
  • Shop
  • Our Partners

in Blog on August 28, 2023 by The Mom Hour

6 Ways To Support School Learning At Home (No Flash Cards Required!)

This week we’re revisiting a post from 2018 (a year our kids spanned preschool through high school!) about supporting classroom learning in our home environments – in ways that worked for our unique personalities and parenting styles. Enjoy!

When you hear the phrase “support school learning at home,” do flash cards come to mind? Or late-night battles of will over a tri-fold poster board? As busy moms with many kids in school, it’s our goal to raise kids who love to learn, and to support hardworking teachers by creating a home environment and family culture that supports school learning–in a way that feels natural, not forced. Fewer flash cards, more family walks around the block; less pressure, more fun.

Here are six easy ways you and your family can continue learning at home during the school year:

Model Curiosity & Critical Thinking

Sarah: My kids ask a LOT of questions…about everything! It’s fun to use our Google Home to get answers to questions like “Why do dogs eat their own vomit?” (trust me, the answer is interesting!), but I also want my kids to have the skills to look up answers to their questions from a trusted source like a book or article. We keep non-fiction books by DK or National Geographic on a handy shelf for easy reference, and I let my kids watch over my shoulder when I do an online search, because the critical thinking required to sort reliable information from internet baloney is something I want them to practice early and often.

Bring Math & Language Learning Into Everyday Life

Meagan: The way I see it, my kids spend all day doing formalized learning at school. Home is the place for learning to happen in such a natural and fun way, we almost don’t even know it’s happening (Mom included!). Whether measuring ingredients for the nightly meal, singing along with a musical soundtrack, or choosing a fun saying for your kitchen letterboard, look for low-key ways to incorporate math and language learning into everyday life. But don’t try too hard: some of the best learning happens while you’re just having fun.

Be A Teacher’s Advocate

Sarah: In a recent podcast episodes we talked about becoming the parent that teachers love, and one of our tips was to be sure you’re taking the time to participate in the two-way teacher-parent communication process. Read the weekly newsletters so you can prompt your kid with thoughtful questions about what they’re learning; write a note to let teachers know when your kid is particularly engaged in a subject (teachers get a lot of emails about the not-so-happy kids–it means a lot to hear about a kid who is gobbling up the solar system unit).

Promote Rest & Leisure Time

Meagan: At my fourth-grade daughter’s back-to-school night, her teacher made a point of telling us how little downtime the kids get during a typical school day. Thinking about the fact that school kids are often thinking and working for eight hours each day (plus after-school sports and activities) reminded me how important it is to give them plenty of opportunities to chill out at home. I try to allow kids to explore their interests in a low-key way, whether it’s watching craft videos or listening to an audiobook, without jumping in to “direct” their activities or add pressure about how they should be using their downtime.

Get Out In Your Community

Sarah: Classroom learning can take kids only so far, but practical life experience is where all those ideas come together in a real-world way. Look for live music and theater opportunities that tie in to a social studies unit, or get out in nature for stargazing, tide pools, or bird watching to support science. Doing these kinds of things as a family has the added benefit of showing kids that learning isn’t isolated to school days–it’s part of the experience of being human. Plus, when they head back to class they’ll have stories and artifacts to share, further enhancing the learning experience.

Rethink The “Well-Rounded Kid”

Meagan: Sarah and I are both advocates of letting kids go down rabbit holes and immerse themselves wholeheartedly in an interest, even when it seems a little obsessive or frivolous to us. A kid who eats, sleeps, and breathes Minecraft or origami or yo-yoing is getting a taste of what’s it’s like to follow a passion, and we’ve both seen the benefits: engaged, enthusiastic kids, proud of their knowledge and ready to share it with others.

Photo by La-Rel Easter on Unsplash

Related

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: school

deals from our partners



When you click through these links and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and we only partner with brands we’ve used and truly love!).

« Beyond The Mom Bun (Talking About Our Hair!): Episode 427
Rest-Of-Summer Recap & Fall Aspirations: Episode 428 »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Listen + Subscribe

Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify
Subscribe in Google Podcasts
Subscribe on YouTube
Subscribe on Amazon Music

Featured Sponsor

Save 10% with code THEMOMHOUR at TheEssentialCalendar.com!

Search

Recent Blog Posts

6 Kitchen Gadgets Our Team Loves

September 18, 2023 By The Mom Hour

6 Ways To Support School Learning At Home (No Flash Cards Required!)

August 28, 2023 By The Mom Hour

4 Ways To Support Your Child’s Educator This School Year

August 21, 2023 By Lisa Payne

What To Expect When Your Child Starts Kindergarten

August 14, 2023 By Joanna Martin

Is Your Preschooler Ready For The First Day? At-Home Routines To Practice Before School Starts

August 7, 2023 By Kia Hammond

more from the blog...

On Instagram

themomhour

Top 10 parenting podcast hosted by @meaganfrancis (MI) & @powersofmine (SoCal). 8 kids between us, little to grown. Happier motherhood starts here.

The Mom Hour
On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sa On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sarah share some of our favorite kitchen gadgets, cooking tools, food prep solutions, cleaning solutions, and countertop appliances. Because every home cook has a different set of needs and priorities, we opened up the question to our contributor team to find out what gear makes their lives easier in the kitchen. Tap the link in our bio to get gear tips from @stacybronec @jaymesherrod @emilyeroark @sarahelimberg and @joannerevising!

(Looking for Meagan’s and Sarah’s kitchen favorites, as mentioned on the podcast? Head to the show notes for Episode 431, which you can find in your podcast player or by tapping through Tuesday's Insta post.)
Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitc Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitchens with a bit more pep in our steps - so let's chat about gadets and gear! Join Meagan and Sarah today to hear about the Porch Microwave, the Mercedes-Benz of Coffee Grinders, how our partners' personalities lead us to unwanted kitchen appliances, and more. We share our current favorite kitchen tools for food prep and cooking - with more to come next week, too.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts (we had a delay but all is well now!) or tap this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Big transitions in family structure are never easy Big transitions in family structure are never easy. When it comes to blending families, introducing a new romantic partner as a single parent, or stepping into step-parenting, there's so much to think about. Today Meagan gets candid about her current blended family situation, following her wedding this summer and the integration of their families into a shared home. Sarah has lots of questions as Meagan shares what's going well, a few tension points, what she would do differently, and how it's going overall.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialca Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialcalendar this fall!

I (Sarah) had the coziest evening with my Monday-start “Busiest Time Ever” calendar last night. If the next few months already feel like they’re filling up and you can’t quite picture it all, this is a great solution!

Tap the link in our bio to shop, or head to theessentialcalendar.com/themomhour. Happy planning!
New episode! Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, o New episode!

Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, or do you prefer to ease gently into a new adventure, challenge, or season? Whether you get excited to dive into a slew of new initiatives with the turning over of that shiny, crisp edge of a calendar page (like Sarah!), or really prefer to transition on your own internal timeline (like Meagan!), this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the many upsides to a soft start (in motherhood, business, health, and more) in an effort to take the pressure off moms this fall.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Happy September! What are you looking forward to t Happy September! What are you looking forward to this month? Drop a comment and let us know! 👇
Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words this week - or proctored a spelling pre-test - or ran through some multiplication tables? Sometimes supporting your kids' classroom learning at home looks like facts and flash cards, but we're here to remind you that there are LOTS of ways to nurture curiosity and promote learning, and many of them can fit seamlessly into family life.

This week on the blog we're revisiting a post Meagan and Sarah co-authored back in 2018 - when our kids spanned preschool to high schoool! - with six ideas for supporting school learning at home. Tap the link in our bio to read the post!
New episode! Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled trav New episode!

Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled travel in August before saying goodbye to summer. The Powers family traveled to the East Coast for a week of multigenerational state-hopping served with a side of bug bites and butt bruises! And Meagan officially opened a bookstore in Manistique, MI, right after surviving a 20-mile hike with her siblings and their spouses. Now we're back, shifting from summer-mom to school-year-mom, and sharing our "laundry basket of hopes and aspirations for Fall 2023" with all of you.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Been thinking about trying one of our sponsors? He Been thinking about trying one of our sponsors? Here's your sign! 🌈 Once a month, we like to thank our partners and remind you of their great discounts. For our special promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight OR tap on this image at the link in our bio to check out the Deals & Offers page on our website.

We appreciate when you check out our partners who support our show and use our links + codes!

The Mom Hour is sponsored by . . . 

💚 @betterhelp (10% off your 1st month!)
💧 @liquidiv (20% off sugar-free hydration amplifier!)
💅 @oliveandjune (20% off your 1st system!)
🎨 @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
🧘‍♀️ @fabletics (2 workout bottoms for $24!)
☑️ @todoistofficial (2 mo. free of Todoist Pro!)
🗓️ @theessentialcalendar (10% off calendars!)
🍃 @drinkag1 (1yr of Vit.D + 5 travel packs!)
👡 @vionicshoes (15% off your order!)
💊 @ritual (30% off your 1st month!)
This week on the blog we're revisiting @lisaapayne This week on the blog we're revisiting @lisaapayne4's tips for supporting your child's teacher and classroom this school year. Lisa is a career educator whose work takes her into multiple schools and classrooms, so she sees a lot! She's also a single mom to four kids who span elementary, middle, and high school this year.

Read the post at the link in our bio - and feel free to add more suggestions in the comments below!

Photo Credit: LinkedIn Sales Solutions via Unsplash
New episode! Sarah stopped dyeing her hair and gr New episode!

Sarah stopped dyeing her hair and growing out her natural grays last fall - almost a year ago - and Meagan is contemplating a new style! Today Meagan asks Sarah ALL the gray grow-out questions to catch up on the progress, and talks about why she might be ready for a new look herself. We also share some hair wins and hair woes from this season of life, and how it's different from early motherhood. Join us!

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio to visit the show notes, where you'll find photos of the hairstyles we discussed!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Revisiting this super helpful post from @cafedumar Revisiting this super helpful post from @cafedumartin on the blog this week (link in bio).

What would you add to Joanna's list of things to expect when your child starts kindergarten? What advice would you give to a first-time kinder mom?
Load More... Follow on Instagram

as seen on

Send us an email

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email hello@themomhour.com and we’re here to help!

listen on

looking for something?

On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sa On the podcast this week (and next!) Meagan and Sarah share some of our favorite kitchen gadgets, cooking tools, food prep solutions, cleaning solutions, and countertop appliances. Because every home cook has a different set of needs and priorities, we opened up the question to our contributor team to find out what gear makes their lives easier in the kitchen. Tap the link in our bio to get gear tips from @stacybronec @jaymesherrod @emilyeroark @sarahelimberg and @joannerevising!

(Looking for Meagan’s and Sarah’s kitchen favorites, as mentioned on the podcast? Head to the show notes for Episode 431, which you can find in your podcast player or by tapping through Tuesday's Insta post.)
Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitc Kids are back in school and we're back in our kitchens with a bit more pep in our steps - so let's chat about gadets and gear! Join Meagan and Sarah today to hear about the Porch Microwave, the Mercedes-Benz of Coffee Grinders, how our partners' personalities lead us to unwanted kitchen appliances, and more. We share our current favorite kitchen tools for food prep and cooking - with more to come next week, too.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts (we had a delay but all is well now!) or tap this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Big transitions in family structure are never easy Big transitions in family structure are never easy. When it comes to blending families, introducing a new romantic partner as a single parent, or stepping into step-parenting, there's so much to think about. Today Meagan gets candid about her current blended family situation, following her wedding this summer and the integration of their families into a shared home. Sarah has lots of questions as Meagan shares what's going well, a few tension points, what she would do differently, and how it's going overall.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialca Use code THEMOMHOUR to save 10% on @theessentialcalendar this fall!

I (Sarah) had the coziest evening with my Monday-start “Busiest Time Ever” calendar last night. If the next few months already feel like they’re filling up and you can’t quite picture it all, this is a great solution!

Tap the link in our bio to shop, or head to theessentialcalendar.com/themomhour. Happy planning!
New episode! Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, o New episode!

Are you a "Today's The Day!" type, or do you prefer to ease gently into a new adventure, challenge, or season? Whether you get excited to dive into a slew of new initiatives with the turning over of that shiny, crisp edge of a calendar page (like Sarah!), or really prefer to transition on your own internal timeline (like Meagan!), this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the many upsides to a soft start (in motherhood, business, health, and more) in an effort to take the pressure off moms this fall.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Happy September! What are you looking forward to t Happy September! What are you looking forward to this month? Drop a comment and let us know! 👇
Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words Raise your hand if you practiced some sight words this week - or proctored a spelling pre-test - or ran through some multiplication tables? Sometimes supporting your kids' classroom learning at home looks like facts and flash cards, but we're here to remind you that there are LOTS of ways to nurture curiosity and promote learning, and many of them can fit seamlessly into family life.

This week on the blog we're revisiting a post Meagan and Sarah co-authored back in 2018 - when our kids spanned preschool to high schoool! - with six ideas for supporting school learning at home. Tap the link in our bio to read the post!
New episode! Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled trav New episode!

Meagan and Sarah had fun-filled travel in August before saying goodbye to summer. The Powers family traveled to the East Coast for a week of multigenerational state-hopping served with a side of bug bites and butt bruises! And Meagan officially opened a bookstore in Manistique, MI, right after surviving a 20-mile hike with her siblings and their spouses. Now we're back, shifting from summer-mom to school-year-mom, and sharing our "laundry basket of hopes and aspirations for Fall 2023" with all of you.

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Been thinking about trying one of our sponsors? He Been thinking about trying one of our sponsors? Here's your sign! 🌈 Once a month, we like to thank our partners and remind you of their great discounts. For our special promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight OR tap on this image at the link in our bio to check out the Deals & Offers page on our website.

We appreciate when you check out our partners who support our show and use our links + codes!

The Mom Hour is sponsored by . . . 

💚 @betterhelp (10% off your 1st month!)
💧 @liquidiv (20% off sugar-free hydration amplifier!)
💅 @oliveandjune (20% off your 1st system!)
🎨 @minted (art, cards, decor & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (the easiest photo books ever!)
🧘‍♀️ @fabletics (2 workout bottoms for $24!)
☑️ @todoistofficial (2 mo. free of Todoist Pro!)
🗓️ @theessentialcalendar (10% off calendars!)
🍃 @drinkag1 (1yr of Vit.D + 5 travel packs!)
👡 @vionicshoes (15% off your order!)
💊 @ritual (30% off your 1st month!)
This week on the blog we're revisiting @lisaapayne This week on the blog we're revisiting @lisaapayne4's tips for supporting your child's teacher and classroom this school year. Lisa is a career educator whose work takes her into multiple schools and classrooms, so she sees a lot! She's also a single mom to four kids who span elementary, middle, and high school this year.

Read the post at the link in our bio - and feel free to add more suggestions in the comments below!

Photo Credit: LinkedIn Sales Solutions via Unsplash

Copyright © 2023 · Life, Listened
Development by Cipher