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Interruptions and Distractions

A new homeschooling mom asked: “How do I hold my son’s attention to his work when there are distractions through the morning from his brother?” Another asked: “How do you cope with all the interruptions in the school morning and still get the right amount of work done?”

The homeschool lifestyle will never be entirely free from interruptions and distractions especially in the one room schoolhouses that we have. With each new age and stage that our children go through, particularly little ones who change so fast, we have to go through a season of adaption to the new challenges.

So this is the problem…but how do we remedy it?

Advice

The first “cure” is to accept what you cannot change! Some of these non-negotiables are nursing babies, normal childhood noise, interruptions from needy toddlers or husbands who work from home!

Next a mom needs to decide what it is about the interruption that is bothering her. If it is the need to constantly mediate between siblings – then she needs to train her children in correct ways to handle conflict. This is a long term need.
If is due to a lack of planning on her side i.e. keeping little ones entertained or allowing friends to visit in the morning, then she needs to spend a little time planning play dates for afternoons and laying out some activities for her little ones each morning.

A ringing phone can be a constant interruption in a homeschool. Checking emails or answering forums also cause interruptions in a school morning. Either turn off the phone for the period necessary, or resolve not to answer it. Emails and forums can wait until later in the day.

Since homeschooling is not just about academics, but opportunities to develop character in both parents and children, it is good to sometimes step back from a situation and realize that in many cases, the obstacle IS THE LESSON!
The interruption is an opportunity to develop patience, kindness, long-suffering, unselfishness etc. in ourselves and our children!

For more help and tips for coping with little ones in the home, you may find the following articles encouraging:

Free Printables

We are both using the Footprints Programs with our children this year, Shirley is using Little Footprints & Footprints Heritage and Wendy is using all three with her different aged children.

As we work through the biographies of the men and woman of the past we will continue to add notebooking pages to the site based on these characters. We will also add cultural groups that are covered in the fascinating study of South African history.

This month you can download notebooking pages for the Khoi-Khoi, Trekboers and Xhosa groups.

Websites

Footprints News

And what else?

Some parents have sent us comment that they have so enjoyed the Fly Eagle Fly Lapbook We hope to develop more of these units in 2008 for parents so that they can help those in need as well as enrich their children’s educational journey.

Till next month, we wish you every blessing

Wendy and Shirley

www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com

Footprints On Our Land - South African Homeschool Curriculum

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"The way you help heal the world is you start with your own family."
~ Mother Teresa

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