schedule – Avantgarden

May 26, 2023

Guide to Age-Appropriate Chores for Your Little Ones

As parents, we strive to teach our children important life skills and instill a sense of responsibility from a young age. One effective way to achieve this is by assigning age-appropriate chores to our little ones. Chores not only contribute to the smooth functioning of our homes but also empower our children and foster their personal growth. In this guide, we’ll explore a range of chores suitable for different stages of your child’s development.

Toddlers (Ages 2-3):
Our precious toddlers are capable of simple tasks that promote self-care and tidiness. Remember to provide close supervision and guidance during this stage.

Encourage them to put away their toys in designated bins or containers.
Involve them in making their bed, guiding their little hands along the way.
Help them set the table with unbreakable items.
Teach them to wipe up spills with a damp cloth, making cleaning up a fun game.
Engage them in sorting laundry items, such as matching socks or folding towels.
Preschoolers (Ages 4-5):
Preschoolers are ready for more structured chores, building upon the responsibilities introduced during their toddler years.

Encourage them to make their bed independently, cheering them on as they tuck in the sheets.
Show them how to put away their clean clothes in designated drawers or shelves.
Let them clear their dishes from the table after meals, teaching them the importance of tidiness.
Guide them in simple food preparation tasks, such as washing fruits and vegetables.
Involve them in watering plants, nurturing their green thumbs.
Teach them to feed and care for a family pet, ensuring they understand the responsibility involved.
Early Elementary (Ages 6-8):
Our little ones in early elementary school are ready to take on more complex chores that require attention to detail.

Have them set and clear the table for family meals, fostering a sense of togetherness.
Show them how to sweep or vacuum floors in specific areas, praising their efforts.
Teach them to sort and fold laundry, turning it into a collaborative activity.
Let them dust surfaces with a damp cloth, making their mark on a clean and tidy home.
Guide them in emptying small trash bins and recycling containers, teaching the importance of sustainability.
Encourage them to take care of personal hygiene tasks, cultivating a sense of self-care and responsibility.
Late Elementary (Ages 9-11):
As our little ones enter late elementary school, they are ready for more responsibility and can contribute to household chores in meaningful ways.

Involve them in meal preparation, gradually allowing them to cook simple dishes with supervision.
Teach them to wash dishes and load/unload the dishwasher, appreciating their help in the kitchen.
Show them how to take out the trash and recycling, instilling a sense of cleanliness.
Teach them to fold and put away laundry, empowering them to take charge of their own belongings.
Guide them in cleaning bathrooms, making them feel proud of their sparkling results.
Let them help with sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming larger areas, teaching them the importance of cleanliness.
Middle School (Ages 12-14):
As our children enter middle school, they are capable of handling a wide range of household chores that prepare them for more independence.

Encourage them to plan and cook meals for the family, allowing their culinary skills to shine.
Guide them in managing their personal laundry from start to finish, including stain removal techniques.
Show them how to undertake deep cleaning tasks, such as shampooing carpets or organizing the garage.
Let them take responsibility for grocery shopping or running errands, nurturing their independence.
Teach them about budgeting and contribute to household expenses, instilling financial responsibility.
Show them how to babysit younger siblings with adult oversight, fostering a sense of maturity and caregiving.
Conclusion:

As parents, we have the power to shape our children’s lives and equip them with essential life skills. By assigning age-appropriate chores, we teach them responsibility, instill a sense of accomplishment, and create a strong foundation for their future. Remember to offer guidance, praise their efforts, and foster a positive attitude toward chores. With each task they complete, our children grow into capable and independent individuals while strengthening the bond within our family. So, let’s embrace the journey of involving our little ones in chores, knowing that we are nurturing their growth and development every step of the way.

May 26, 2023

Motivating Homeschooled Kids with Goals to Take Action

Homeschooling provides a unique educational environment for children, allowing them to set personal goals and pursue their interests with greater autonomy. However, sometimes children may struggle to take action and follow through on their goals, leading to frustration for both the child and their homeschooling parents. In this article, we will explore strategies that homeschooling parents can employ to motivate their kids when they have goals but struggle to take action.

Understand their goals:
As a homeschooling parent, take the time to understand your child’s goals and aspirations. Engage in open and honest conversations to gain insight into their interests and the reasons behind their goals. By understanding their motivations, you can better tailor your approach to motivating them.

Break down goals into manageable steps:
Help your child break down their goals into smaller, manageable steps. Often, kids feel overwhelmed when faced with big goals, and this can lead to inaction. By breaking goals into smaller tasks, you provide a clearer path forward, making it easier for your child to take action.

Set realistic expectations:
Ensure that the goals your child sets are realistic and attainable. Unrealistic goals can demotivate children when they fail to achieve them. Encourage your child to set both short-term and long-term goals, with each step building upon the previous one. This way, they experience small victories along the way, which fuels their motivation.

Create a supportive environment:
Establish an environment that nurtures motivation and growth. This includes setting up a dedicated homeschooling space, organizing necessary resources, and maintaining a schedule that accommodates their goals. A clutter-free and inspiring workspace can contribute significantly to their productivity and enthusiasm.

Provide encouragement and praise:
Regularly acknowledge and celebrate your child’s progress and achievements. Offer specific and sincere praise for their efforts, highlighting the positive impact of their actions. Encouragement and recognition instill a sense of accomplishment and motivate them to continue taking action towards their goals.

Foster intrinsic motivation:
Help your child develop intrinsic motivation by connecting their goals to their passions and values. Encourage them to explore how their goals align with their personal interests and the positive impact they can have on their lives. By developing a sense of purpose and intrinsic motivation, they will be more likely to take action on their own.

Offer support and guidance:
Be an active participant in your child’s educational journey. Provide support, guidance, and resources they may need to pursue their goals. This can involve finding relevant materials, connecting them with mentors or experts in their field of interest, or arranging relevant experiences or activities.

Encourage self-reflection and adjustment:
Teach your child the importance of self-reflection and adaptation. Help them evaluate their progress and make adjustments to their goals and plans if necessary. Encourage them to see setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than as failures.

Motivating homeschooled children to take action on their goals requires understanding, patience, and a supportive environment. By employing strategies such as breaking down goals, setting realistic expectations, and fostering intrinsic motivation, homeschooling parents can help their children develop the necessary drive and determination to take action and pursue their goals. Remember to offer consistent support, encouragement, and guidance, while also promoting self-reflection and adaptability. With these approaches, you can empower your child to make meaningful progress and cultivate a lifelong love for learning

May 18, 2023

Ace Public Speaking like a Pro: Tips for Middle Schoolers

Speaking in front of a crowd can be pretty scary, especially when you’re in middle school. But don’t worry, because I’ve got some awesome tips to help you rock your public speaking game. Whether it’s a class presentation, a debate, or a speaking contest, these tips will make you a confident and kick-ass public speaker in no time!

Get Ready and Practice: To shine in public speaking, you need to be prepared. Start by understanding your topic and gather all the cool stuff you want to share. Organize your thoughts in a clear and logical way, with an intro, main points, and a killer conclusion. Now, here’s the secret sauce: practice, practice, practice! Try it in front of a mirror or with your supportive buddy or fam. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.
Know Your Peeps: When you’re speaking, think about who’s listening. It could be your classmates, teachers, or even your folks. Use words and ideas that they can relate to. Tell stories or give examples that’ll make them go, “Wow, that’s so true!” When you connect with your audience, your speech becomes awesome and unforgettable.
Show It with Visuals: Visual aids are like the superheroes of presentations. Use them to make your points stronger and cooler. Slides or props can bring your ideas to life. But remember, don’t make your slides a snooze-fest with too much text. Keep it simple, with bullet points or eye-catching visuals. The visuals should jazz up your speech, not steal the spotlight.
Let Your Body Talk: Your body language and voice are your superpowers. Stand tall, like a boss. Look your audience in the eye, and use hand gestures to give your words extra oomph. Speak loud and clear, so everyone can hear your awesomeness. And hey, don’t forget to mix it up: change your tone, pitch, and speed. That way, you’ll keep your audience hooked.
Speak from the Heart: Feel the power of emotion in your speech. Show your passion, excitement, or concern. Let your face and hands express those feelings. When you speak with real emotions, you’ll grab your audience’s attention and make them care about what you’re saying. Get ready for some serious applause!
Crush Those Butterflies: Feeling nervous is totally normal. But don’t let it ruin your show. Take deep breaths, do some relaxation tricks, and remind yourself that you’ve got this. Focus on the message you want to share and why it matters. Start small, with cozy audiences, and work your way up. Practice makes perfect, and soon you’ll be a pro.

Becoming a public speaking rockstar isn’t rocket science. Just follow these tips, and you’ll conquer your fears in no time. Prepare and practice, know your audience, use visuals to spice things up, let your body and voice do the talking, connect with emotions, and tackle those nerves head-on. Soon enough, you’ll be a master of public speaking, inspiring and wowing the crowd wherever you go. Go get ’em, superstar!

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023

“Homeschooling and Goal Setting: Helping Your Child Set and Achieve Goals”

Homeschooling is a great option for many families, as it allows parents to take a more hands-on approach to their child’s education. However, it also requires a lot of responsibility and organization on the part of the parent. One important aspect of homeschooling is setting and achieving goals for your child. In this article, we will discuss some tips and strategies for helping your child set and achieve goals in a homeschooling setting.

Why Goal Setting is Important

Goal setting is an important aspect of any educational program, as it helps children to focus on what they want to achieve and gives them a sense of purpose. Goals also provide a way for parents to measure progress and make adjustments to the curriculum as needed.

How to Help Your Child Set Goals

When it comes to helping your child set goals, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to encourage your child to set goals that are realistic and achievable. This means setting goals that are challenging but not impossible, and that align with your child’s interests and abilities.

Another important factor to consider when helping your child set goals is to ensure that the goals are specific and measurable. For example, instead of setting a goal to “improve math skills”, a specific and measurable goal would be “improve math skills by mastering long division by the end of the school year”.

It’s also important to help your child break down their goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make it easier for your child to focus on what they need to do in order to achieve their goals and will also help to keep them motivated.

Strategies for Achieving Goals

Once your child has set their goals, it’s important to help them develop strategies for achieving those goals. One effective strategy is to create a plan of action that outlines the specific steps your child will take to achieve their goals. This can include things like setting up a study schedule, finding resources to help with learning, and setting up a system of rewards and incentives to keep your child motivated.

Another important strategy is to provide your child with regular feedback and support. This can include things like checking in on their progress, providing encouragement and positive reinforcement, and helping them to overcome any obstacles that may arise.

Conclusion

Homeschooling and goal setting go hand in hand. By helping your child set and achieve goals, you can ensure that they are getting the most out of their homeschooling experience. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can help your child set and achieve goals that align with their interests and abilities, and that will help them to succeed both academically and personally.

December 31, 2022January 20, 2023

“The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling: A Parent’s Perspective”

Homeschooling has become a popular alternative to traditional education for many families. It allows parents to customize their child’s education to their individual needs and interests, and it provides more flexibility in terms of scheduling and location. However, homeschooling also has its challenges and may not be the right choice for every family. As a parent, taking on the role of being your child’s academic educator is a weighty decision. Here are some pros and cons of homeschooling from a parent’s perspective:

Pros:

Customized education: Homeschooling allows parents to tailor their child’s education to their specific needs, interests, and learning style. This can be especially beneficial for children who have unique learning needs or who struggle in a traditional school environment.

Flexibility: Homeschooling offers a lot of flexibility in terms of scheduling and location. This can be especially appealing for families with busy schedules or those who want to travel frequently.

Family bonding: Homeschooling can be a great opportunity for parents and children to spend more time together and develop a closer bond.

Control over curriculum: Homeschooling allows parents to choose the curriculum and materials that they feel are most appropriate for their child.

Cons:

Limited socialization: One concern with homeschooling is that children may miss out on socialization opportunities with their peers. However, there are many ways for homeschooled children to interact with other kids, such as through homeschooling co-ops, sports teams, and extracurricular activities.

Time and energy: Homeschooling requires a significant time commitment from parents. It can be especially challenging for parents who are working or have other obligations.

Limited resources: Homeschooling may not have the same resources and support as traditional schools, such as specialized teachers and equipment.

Isolation: Homeschooling can be isolating for both children and parents, especially if they don’t have a strong support network.

Ultimately, the decision to homeschool or not is a personal one that should be based on the needs and preferences of the individual family. It’s important for parents to carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision. Be very honest with yourself as far as what you can do. Take into consideration that there is lots of help available for homeschooling parents but ultimately the responsibility of your child’s education will be yours.

December 31, 2022April 5, 2023

“Designing a Homeschooling Curriculum that Fits Your Child’s Needs”

A parent working on homeschooling schedule with their child.

Designing a homeschooling curriculum that fits your child’s needs is a process that requires careful planning and consideration. There are many factors to consider, including your child’s age, learning style, interests, and goals. Please include your child in this part of the process. Ask what they would like to learn about in the next semester.

Here are some steps to help you get started:

Assess your child’s needs and goals: Start by understanding your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Consider their interests and what they hope to achieve through homeschooling. This will help you tailor the curriculum to their needs and goals.

Determine your educational philosophy: Consider your own educational philosophy and how it aligns with your child’s needs. Do you want to focus on traditional academics, or do you want to incorporate more hands-on, experiential learning? Perhaps you would prefer more than one type of teaching.

Choose your curriculum: There are many homeschooling curriculum options available, including traditional textbook-based programs, online courses, and self-designed programs. Consider the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that best fits your child’s needs and your educational philosophy.

Create a schedule: Determine how much time you want to spend on homeschooling each day or week and create a schedule that works for you and your child. Be sure to include time for breaks and extracurricular activities.

Be flexible: Homeschooling is a learning process for both you and your child. It’s okay to make adjustments to your curriculum as needed and to try new things. Be open to feedback from your child and be willing to make changes if something isn’t working.

Overall, the key to designing a successful homeschooling curriculum is to take the time to understand your child’s needs and goals, and to be flexible and open to making adjustments as needed. With careful planning and a little bit of creativity, you can create a homeschooling experience that is tailored to your child’s unique needs and interests

Designing a homeschooling curriculum that fits your child’s needs is a process that requires careful planning and consideration. There are many factors to consider, including your child’s age, learning style, interests, and goals. It’s important to involve your child in the planning process and ask what they would like to learn about in the next semester.

Here are some steps to help you get started:

December 30, 2022April 5, 2023

“Creating a Homeschooling Schedule that Works for Your Family”

As a parent, you may have decided to take control of your child’s education by homeschooling. Homeschooling can be an excellent way to tailor your child’s education to their specific needs and interests. However, creating a homeschooling schedule that works for your family can be a daunting task. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to create a homeschooling schedule that will work for your family.

Determining Your Family’s Goals

The first step in creating a homeschooling schedule is to determine your family’s goals. What are you hoping to achieve through homeschooling? Are you looking to provide your child with a more personalized education? Are you trying to instill a love of learning in your child? Or are you trying to prepare your child for college or a specific career? Once you have determined your family’s goals, you can begin to develop a schedule that will help you achieve them.

Assessing Your Family’s Needs

The next step is to assess your family’s needs. This includes taking into account your child’s age, learning style, and interests. It also includes considering the needs of other family members, such as the availability of a parent to teach or the need for time for other activities such as sports or music lessons.

Creating a Flexible Schedule

Creating a flexible schedule is essential for homeschooling success. This means that you should be willing to adjust your schedule as needed to accommodate your child’s needs and interests. For example, if your child is particularly interested in science, you may want to dedicate more time to science-related activities.

Using a Block Schedule

A block schedule is an effective way to organize your homeschooling schedule. This involves dividing your day into blocks of time for different subjects. For example, you may want to dedicate the morning to math and language arts, and the afternoon to science and social studies. Using a block schedule can help your child stay focused and engaged during each subject.

Incorporating Fun and Educational Activities

It is important to incorporate fun and educational activities into your homeschooling schedule. These activities can include field trips, hands-on projects, and educational games. Not only will they make homeschooling more enjoyable for your child, but they will also help to keep your child engaged and motivated.

Allowing for Breaks and Flexibility

Finally, it is important to allow for breaks and flexibility in your homeschooling schedule. This means that you should be willing to take a break if your child becomes tired or overwhelmed. It also means that you should be flexible enough to adjust your schedule as needed.

In Conclusion

Creating a homeschooling schedule that works for your family takes time and effort. However, by following these guidelines, you will be able to create a schedule that will help you achieve your family’s goals and meet your child’s needs. Remember to assess your family’s needs, create a flexible schedule, use a block schedule, incorporate fun and educational activities, and allow for breaks and flexibility. By doing so, you’ll be on your way to a successful homeschooling experience for your family.

October 25, 2022January 20, 2023

We welcome you!

Welcome to our site! We are so excited to help as many parents as possible and professional educators who are having to teach from home or online! Our hope is that the information we give here and the resources we recommend can make remote educators and parents’ jobs easier.

Homeschooling is a difficult yet rewarding undertaking. Here at Avantgardenedu we aim to make it as easy as possible. Over the years both as educators and homeschooling parents we have come across many free and low-cost websites that will help you give your student a wonderful, rounded out education. We have no affiliation to the websites. We will post links to them for your convenience.

October 25, 2022January 20, 2023

10 Free and low-cost resources to make Homeschooling Easier

We are all busy and do not have time for fluff. Let’s go straight to the list along with a brief description of each website:

Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice— One of the best, free online schools. They have great courses, are always improving, and are a great site for other free resources for our learners.

http://thecreativearchive.weebly.com/library.html– The Creative Archive is a free Library with many free eBook options available, both new and classic.

Learn to Code – for Free | Codecademy— is a top-notch course to teach your learner the basics of coding.

Discovery K12 | Free Online Homeschool–Both free and paid versions are available. The only difference with the paid version is that it keeps attendance and gives you a certificate of completion.

Computing KS2 – Dance Mat Typing – BBC Bitesize— This is an excellent course to teach young ones keyboarding skills.

Browse Printable Worksheets | Education.com— A wide variety of free printable worksheets are available for grades K through 8th for most subjects. Also…fun games!

IXL – Welcome— This is a low-cost resource to add to the toolbox!

National Geographic Kids— A great place to learn about animals and other countries.

Crafts & Recipes | Highlights Kids— Both the site and their monthly magazine are fun! We recommend their easy-to-follow recipes that you can enjoy making with your student.

ESA – Space for Kids— The European Space Agency has interesting information about space exploration presented in a fun way for kids.

We are not affiliated with any of these sites. They are just sites that we are confident we can recommend.

Please check back as we will be adding free lessons and blog posts on how to overcome challenges that arise for online and homeschool educators.