Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but for some individuals, it can be tough. The days are shorter, and in many states, it is cold, resulting in more time spent indoors. This can have you longing for warm, spring days. However, in this post, we share how to ward off the winter blues and make the most of homeschooling during the colder months.
For many of our teachers, this is a great time to reset with their students. Whether it is a mental shift or a schedule change, our teachers will help you navigate any necessary shifts or changes. Our flexible learning choices allow families the time and space they need to regroup during the winter season. With our help, spring will be here before you know it!
Shift your mindset.
It is a fact that the post-holiday winter season is different. The hustle and bustle of the holidays has come to an end, and families find themselves slowing down as the new year begins. You most likely no longer have as many obligations as you did during the holidays. This time is an opportunity to shift your mindset to a slower pace. This will allow you to make changes to your schedule, curriculum, or activities without increasing your stress levels.
Take time to slow down with your children.
Your children are not the only ones who are allowed to slow down. You are, too! You have permission to put your feet up and relax a little more. Consider spending a shorter amount of time on schoolwork one day a week, and after lunch, watch a movie with your children. Or, spend a little extra time reading or listening to some relaxing music. If there is snow on the ground, turn off the screens and go play in the snow. It can be tough to slow down after the holidays, but you and your children will benefit from it.
Change your schedule as needed.
Many of us equate winter to a sort of hibernation period. The days are shorter, and more time is spent indoors. While you may be longing for warmer days, it’s ok to adjust your routines and schedules to reflect the winter season. Most of us appreciate more time to sleep since there is less light. The beauty of educating at home is that you can start school whenever it works for your family. Our teachers do an incredible job of helping our families navigate seasonal changes throughout the year. Get started today so they can help your family as well!
Find ways to incorporate (winter) fun.
There are plenty of ways to have fun during winter, and you can even do it while you’re homeschooling! One thing that makes Strike School teachers so special is their desire to lean into students’ interests. Here’s an example of how our teachers are incorporating fun during the winter months: During a collaborative staff meeting, our teachers decided to begin a “Story-Go-Round,” where each virtual classroom will write part of the story and pass it along to a new class. This is a really fun winter activity for students that will keep them engaged during slow days.
Other winter activities include making paper snowflakes, taking a snow hike in the woods, learning to knit or crochet, and making fake snow.
Get outside the house as often as you can.
Although we love to hibernate during the winter, it’s still important to get out of your house as much as possible. Some great ideas for getting outside your house include running errands, taking a walk, visiting the library, going to a nearby park, or having lunch at your favorite local restaurant. The change in scenery will be great for your mental health, and even better if you can spend some time outside in the sun to help increase your Vitamin D levels, which are naturally lower during this time of the year.
Winter is the perfect time to start your journey with Strike School. If you are looking for a fresh start to your year and want flexible learning options for your children, we could be the right solution for your family! Get started with us today.
