Keeping Records of Relaxed Education

Whether you have chosen to homeschool in an eclectic or relaxed manner, or would like to expose your traditionally schooled child to more than their public/private school can, these tips will provide an excellent way to keep track of what you have covered.

Get a calendar and a pad of paper and choose some markers in different colors. Pick one day a week for a library visit and write it on the calendar. At each visit, get some fiction books, chapter books, and a book on a science topic and a history topic. Also get a book on tape and a video. Record the materials you took out in the notebook. Even if your child doesn't read them, take them back the next week and repeat. You will have a record of what he's been exposed to.

You can get memberships to some local zoos, museums, etc. and plan regular visits. You could keep a journal of these experiences with sketches, photos, stories, essays, recollections, poems--whatever your child wants to express himself with.

Also, collect information from all the museums, nature centers, colleges, zoos, historical societies, libraries, festivals, parks, etc. in your area as to what events, lectures, etc. are going on--I know my local library has a summer reading program with programs and coupons and gifts. Sit down with your child and let him decide what he definitely wants to do--pick a color and write onto the calendar. Pick a different color for "maybes". Make sure to leave plenty of blank days for spontaneous activities and just "hanging out". Then use stickers or little x's to mark the activities you actually went to and/or enjoyed so you have an idea for future plans.

You'll be able to follow your child's interests, yet have a structure and a record of what you've done.

You might check out the books Kids Love MI, Kids Love IN, (Kids Love [Your State]) and The Unschooling Handbook for more ideas.

About the Author:
Andrea Bikfalvy is the homeschooling mother of Nathan
and Michigan author of the children's book The Junkyard Club

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