Mama's Musings

Aussie homeschooling parents, we made it through 2024! Can I get a collective high five? Now it’s time to pause, take a deep breath, and set ourselves up for an even better year ahead. I’m talking about a fresh start for 2025 — one that doesn’t feel like a hamster wheel of curriculums, activities, and Pinterest-perfect goals. Let’s keep it simple, real, and joyful.

Take Stock of 2024

Before we dive headfirst into planning, let’s reflect. Gather your kids, grab some snacks, and chat about the highs and lows of 2024. What worked? What didn’t? Did those fancy science kits gather dust? Did a random library book spark a month-long passion for volcanoes? Did a daily schedule feel like too much?

Be honest with yourselves and your kids. This is the time to let go of what didn’t work without guilt. Didn’t finish the math workbook? Who cares? Your child still learned. Didn’t stick to that detailed timetable? Maybe your family thrives...

Homeschooling is a journey of growth - not just for our kids but for us as parents and educators. Like any journey, it brings with it twists, turns, and unexpected leaps, and in my experience, the ability to adapt to these changes is as essential as any lesson plan. Today, I’d like to share some thoughts on adapting to change as a homeschooler and why flexibility, openness, and family-centered priorities are key.

Recognising the Need to Be Flexible

One of the greatest gifts homeschooling offers is flexibility. Unlike traditional schooling, where a rigid schedule dictates the pace, homeschooling allows us to pivot when needed. But it’s easy to get caught up in our own expectations - believing we have to “finish the curriculum” or “stick to the plan” no matter what. We must remember that plans are just that: a rough guide, not a rulebook. Life will throw curveballs, and learning to embrace them with grace and flexibility helps us model adaptability...

Chess is more than just a game; it's a centuries-old strategic challenge that has captivated minds across the globe. While it is often associated with grandmasters and intense competitions, chess is also an excellent activity for children. It can help them develop critical life skills, improve academic performance, and enhance personal growth. Even though I've never mastered more than the most basic moves myself, it's something - like music, art, drama, and sport - that I've encouraged my children to learn.

Some benefits of playing chess for children:

By integrating citizen science into your lives, you'll not only nurture a passion for learning but also contribute to vital research that benefits us all. Happy exploring!

As home educating and unschooling families, we have the unique opportunity to create a rich, diverse learning environment that goes beyond textbooks. One fantastic way to make learning engaging and meaningful is through citizen science. This collaborative approach allows everyday people, including homeschoolers, to contribute to real scientific research. It's a hands-on way to learn about the natural world, develop critical thinking skills, and participate in a community that values curiosity and discovery.

Citizen science involves public participation in scientific research. From collecting data on local wildlife to analyzing climate change trends, citizen scientists help professional researchers gather valuable information. This collaborative effort enhances scientific knowledge and often leads to...

We love fungi!  Eating fungi, growing fungi, photographing fungi and learning about it!

This great little pack of ten resources (above) from Twinkl is just one of many resources they offer for learning about Fungi.  What a great starting point for a journey into mycology - thanks Twinkl!