End the struggle to create "school at home." Recognize that learning happens naturally with very little help from us! Learn to walk alongside your children as they soak in the world around them. | The Prudent Homeschooler

End the Struggle to Create “School at Home” – Preschool Home Education

in Homeschooling
by Yvonne Vanderlee

Several weeks ago I shared loosely about our Kindergarten Curriculum choices, which I candidly referred to as “Un-Curriculum.” Despite both my husband and I having graduated from Teacher’s College and working within various school systems (Private, Private Christian, and Public), we have seen time and time again how children thrive when they are given the freedom to learn and explore on their own!   A CLASSROOM TEACHING CAREER   In nearly ten years of teaching we have used textbooks, paperwork, busywork, interactive lessons, group work, and all sorts of other methods with the goal of engaging classrooms of 20-30+ students to absorb material that...

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What does it look like to explore play dough for THE FIRST TIME?! Beautiful photos documenting a toddler's first experience.

Exploring Play Dough – A Toddler’s First Experience Through Photos

in Art, Homeschooling
by Yvonne Vanderlee

Toddlers experience so much in their lives through touch and taste. It never ceases to amaze me some of the items that make their way into our littles one's mouth: board books, table edges, sweater strings, zippers, and even flip-flops! While this behaviour is developmentally appropriate, I sometimes have to take a deep breath before stepping in to remove something surprising from his mouth. So while I have encouraged a great amount of open-ended play with our little man, as I have too with his siblings, I have been hesitant to offer play dough as a form of exploration. In my mind,...

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Do you ever have that terrible feeling where your home feels so disorganized that you cannot breathe? I definitely do, and then it leads to frustration in homeschooling, laziness in accomplishing other tasks, and an overall feeling of overwhelm! Follow these 5 Easy Tips to conquer the chaos and finally enjoy some peace at home. | The Prudent Homeschooler

The Busy Mom’s Guide to Keeping a Clean Home – 5 Easy Tips

in Parenting & Life
by Yvonne Vanderlee

As a homeschooling mom and aspiring entrepreneur, my life is nothing short of a daily race to the finish line. If wearing shoes was my thing (which for this farm girl it definitely isn’t), I would wear my sneakers to bed, just to be ready to hit the ground running in the morning! Since I’m being honest with you, the last thing I need when I come downstairs in the morning is to wake up to a messy kitchen, toys scattered throughout the living room, and paper clutter mounted high on our countertops.   Perhaps you can relate. Some weeks are just...

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Dear Mama who has worn through her jeans. You are a warrior! Embrace the reality of your battlefield and the truth of your mission. It is an honourable one. | The Prudent Homeschooler

To the Mama with the Worn Knees

in Parenting & Life
by Yvonne Vanderlee

Dear Mama with the Worn Knees,   You are a warrior!   Fighting battles on the ground.   You, who take the time to kneel before your little ones to look deeply into their eyes as they speak to you, you are molding hearts.   Your worn knees speak tales of maintaining composure and authority. They speak of daily intentional conversations as you raise hearts for the Lord and consider the future of your family.   Those knees may feel tired from playing alongside your young boy as he smashes his trucks in an effort to replay the demolition derby Daddy brought him to experience. As you engage in his...

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Learning about colors?! Participate in a simple, yet fun "Color Hunt" at your local garden centre! | Find more over at The Prudent Homeschooler

Little Gardeners Learn About Color as they Search for Plants/Flowers at their Local Garden Center

in Homeschooling, Outdoor Ed., Science
by Yvonne Vanderlee

If you have little gardeners who adore all things colour and full of life, head to your local garden centre for a simple, yet fun colour hunt!   Gather Your Supplies:   Clipboard with Colour Words Listed Pencil Camera/Camera Phone (that you are willing to allow your child to manage on their own)     If your child is able and willing, have him or her print a list of the colours that they would like to search for. We love the book "Pantone Colors" for its fresh take on colour, and used it to spell each of the colours that we hoped to find!   With clipboard, pencil,...

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Enjoy a Little Nonsense!

in Weekly Inspiration
by Yvonne Vanderlee

There has been plenty of nonsense going on around here lately!  Silly talk.  American Ninja Warrior chaos.  Babbling.  Running up the slide.  Climbing the railings.  Our three little adventure seekers have been exploring anything and everything that they can, and a great majority of it seems like NONSENSE to me!  And yet they exude joy and excitement throughout it all.   Take their advice.  Enjoy a little nonsense and wake up your brain cells!     COMING UP THIS WEEK ON THE PRUDENT HOMESCHOOLER   I am excited to share all about our fantastic 'colour hunt' at our local garden centre.  Armed with his clipboard and my...

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Five key elements that transform painting with preschoolers and kindergarteners from disaster to creative victory! By implementing these ideas, painting with little ones will be a breeze!

From Painting Disaster to Creative Victory!

in Art, Homeschooling
by Yvonne Vanderlee

Painting is by far one of our most favourite art activities.   I love the freedom that it provides our children. I love to watch their eyes as they select a colour from the palette. I love to watch their little hands move the brush across the paper. I love the grace and fluidity of the colours mixing before them. I love the creative expression that pours out from their hearts and minds. I love listening to their conversation as they work side by side. I love the beautiful mess!       In our home we do not have a homeschool room. You will not find a designated studio in which...

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How to organize children's books. We set up the best home library display! Are you considering how to set up your home library to better engage your little ones? Consider these 6 great ideas to help you create a home library display that will entice your young readers to both read and tidy up after themselves, while also maintaining a cohesive look in your home décor.

Six Solutions to Organize and Display Children’s Books

in Homeschooling, Learning Environments, Reading
by Yvonne Vanderlee

Are you considering how to set up your home library to better engage your little ones? Do you have books that you simply love, or frequent your public library often and simply haven’t found a storage solution to suit your home and style? Consider the following suggestions to create a home library display that will entice your young readers to both read and tidy up after themselves, while also maintaining a cohesive look in your home décor.     1.  Consider the Age of Your Children   In my experience, children under the age of 18 months will gravitate toward board books with attractive imagery...

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How do you express your creativity? Go ahead, and be contagious!!

How Do You Express Your Creativity?

in Weekly Inspiration
by Yvonne Vanderlee

How do you express your creativity?   Do you paint or sketch?   Perhaps you dance, sing, or play an instrument.   Do you like to dress creatively, or change your hairstyle or colour often?   Maybe you enjoy decorating your home, office, or classroom. Or constructing furniture to fill that space.   Journaling and photography are also fantastic ways to express oneself.   If you have a creative soul like my Oma, you might enjoy quilting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, gardening, and baking!   Creativity with Team V   I myself have always tinkered in various creative ways. Sewing. Quilting. Painting. Drawing. Dancing. Singing. Playing piano. The list goes on.   The important thing is that I have...

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I love being a mommy! So why is it so hard sometimes? An encouraging article about the struggle in finding the time to develop intimate relationships with each child in a larger-than-normal family. | The Prudent Homeschooler

My Biggest Struggle as a ‘Mama to Many’

in Parenting & Life
by Yvonne Vanderlee

Friends.   The struggle is real.   In just three months time we will have four ‘babies.’ Our oldest won’t even be 5 ½ yet. Some days I look at our youngest and realize that he himself is still a baby.   I’ve had some funny looks and even funnier comments. (Yes, we HAVE figured out what causes this! And clearly we’ve become quite good at it.) I welcome the comments actually. Everyone celebrates with us in his or her own way, and I find most of it quite entertaining.   Truthfully, I am THRILLED! Four babies. Four blessings. Four beauties to love on and be loved by....

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