This is a question asked by many home educating parents every day when looking for resources for the kids. Over the 25 years I have been home educating these are the things I look for in a good resource for home education.
It’s FREE!
Free resources include the library, websites like Khan Academy and Cool Australia, MOOCs, free printables, using what you have, and borrowing from family or friends. Not all free things are great quality, but there is a lot of decent free stuff out there to support homeschoolers. If not free, then…
It’s AFFORDABLE
Or excellent value such as the ability to use for several children over a long time, or able to be re-sold when you’re finished with it, or is second-hand, or bargains like recurring Outschool classes which are generally priced lower than one-off classes. Homeschoolers can also save money through subscriptions, annual passes, digital products, and a quality printer with ink tanks.
It has MORE THAN ONE USE
Lego and other building systems, tech devices, open-ended art supplies rather than kits, card games with multiple options, and most games in general are all good choices for gifts which can also be used as homeschool resources. Anything fun is more likely to be used regularly, of course!
It is MEMORABLE AND MEANINGFUL
A resource involving multiple senses is ideal because when we learn by doing, understanding is cemented into our brains. One example is Montessori activities with manipulatives and hands-on resources for learning. When learning is recorded by the child as a journal entry, photograph or video, or the learning produces something which is either a keepsake or is practical, profitable, or edible, it is a satisfying activity which is more likely to be remembered by the child. Outschool Reading Readiness with scissors, glue, playdough, Outschool cooking, Outschool art/craft, Outschool movement/music.
Montesori on Outschool
- Full Year of 1st Grade Math in One Semester ( Montessori Approach)
- Montessori Magic: Art Club | Elements of Art + Drawing | Pre-K
- Montessori Reading & Writing: Phonics - CVC Words for Beginners
- Hands on Math " Montessori Approach"
- Montessori Story Time: The Stories and Fun With Grammar Symbols
It's EASY
Resources and activities which don’t require parents to plan, to sit with the child the whole time, or to clean up afterwards are good for homeschoolers because they’re more likely to be undertaken, and repeated! Involving another teacher or tutor in-person or through Outschool to outsource lessons makes homeschooling life easier, and brings variety and energy to learning. Outschool provides daily and weekly sessions with teachers for a variety of learning such as reading, science, nature clubs, gaming groups, and more.
It doesn’t add CLUTTER
Online resources, borrowed resources, audiobooks, art & craft which can be later composted, and mindfully-purchased and neatly stored games and toys are ways which homeschoolers can avoid clutter. Too much of anything is overwhelming – so choose resources carefully before bringing items home.
My top piece of advice for new homeschoolers is to pause before purchasing all the things! There are so many resources for homeschoolers available now, wait to see what you actually need, and which to invest in within your homeschooling budget.
