How to Weave Language Magic into Your Curriculum
Choosing to homeschool your child is a big decision, but it’s one that many people find is exactly right for them, and it gives them the ideal – and rather unique – opportunity to ensure their children get the best education possible, working with their own unique needs and interests.
There are many different elements to consider when it comes to homeschooling and many different subjects to cover, but one area that is crucial to work on is language. If you can get this right, you can ignite a lifelong love of learning, language, literature, and great communication, all of which can help your child hugely as they get older and enter the world of work. With that in mind, here are some of the ways you can weave language magic into your curriculum.
Tell Stories
If you think that telling stories is a waste of time or that, as enjoyable as it might be, won’t help your child and their education, it’s time to think again. The fact is that you can start to introduce your child to a wide range of different stories that explore different genres, cultures, time periods, and more. There are books and stories on every subject and every aspect of life, so if you set some time aside to read stories during the school day, not only will your child be learning about lots of different things, but they’ll pick up skills when it comes to their own writing too.
On top of this, reading together is a great bonding experience, which is crucial for a happy, healthy relationship. Even when your child is older and doesn’t need you to read to them anymore, reading the same book and discussing it or simply sitting quietly and reading at the same time can be a wonderful way to bond.
Story Writing
Reading is clearly a vital part of learning about words, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and so on, but what about writing? Writing can be just as important as it helps your child grow their vocabulary and explore words at their own pace. Of course, they’ll be writing essays and other papers, but if you can also include some time for creative writing throughout the day, that will help even more, and it will keep their imagination strong, too.
It’s a good idea to create a creative writing nook or quiet space so your child can focus on what they’re doing. You’ll need the best laptop for authors or some pens and paper, depending on their age and preference. You could also include some inspiring quotes or put a random object in the nook or writing space each day to spark their imaginations.
Boost Their Vocabulary
Having a large vocabulary is a positive thing, as it means your child can really express themselves in the way they want to – it means they’ll always be understood and be able to ask for what they want in life.
Boosting their vocabulary can start as early as possible, and if you’re homeschooling, you can turn it into a game through lesson time, ensuring that learning new words is a fun process, not a chore to be rushed through as quickly as possible.
One thing you can do is choose one new word each day and slot it into a lesson or conversation so your child notices it. Once they do, you can discuss what it means and how to use it, then challenge them to use it the next day, ensuring they remember it and understand it properly. If you do this every day, your child will learn more than three hundred words in a year, which is impressive.