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Episode Description

Ever wondered how to make homeschooling both effective and enjoyable for your kids? Our latest podcast episode features Amanda Schenkenberger, a dedicated homeschool coach from Portland, Oregon. Amanda shares her incredible journey from being homeschooled herself to coaching other moms, providing invaluable insights into fostering independent learning in children, even those with unique learning needs.

Amanda’s journey began with her own homeschooling experience. Growing up, she enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with outdoor activities and hands-on learning. However, her life took a turn when her parents divorced, and she had to attend public high school. Despite her initial nervousness, Amanda excelled academically, realizing that her unconventional learning background had prepared her well. This experience solidified her belief in the efficacy of homeschooling and set the stage for her future as a homeschool coach.

A central theme of Amanda’s approach is leveraging children's interests to make learning engaging and meaningful. Whether it’s Minecraft, Pokémon, or any other passion, starting with what children care about helps introduce more challenging subjects seamlessly. This method not only makes learning fun but also fosters a love for education. Amanda emphasizes that engaging children in their passions helps gain their buy-in to the homeschooling process, making it more effective.

Socialization is often a concern for parents considering homeschooling. Amanda offers a fresh perspective, highlighting the value of mixed-age interactions over traditional peer-to-peer relationships. She explains that diverse age interactions encourage collaboration and the development of meaningful relationships, enriching the learning experience. Amanda shares personal experiences of socialization through sports and homeschool co-ops, illustrating how varied connections can enhance learning.

Creating a structured yet flexible homeschool schedule is crucial for success. Amanda provides actionable advice on building effective schedules, including time-blocking and theming parts of the day. This approach allows families to manage both educational and personal growth, creating a balanced and fulfilling homeschooling experience. Amanda also shares tips on finding local homeschool groups and co-ops, recommending the use of Facebook groups or even starting your own.

Starting homeschooling early can be advantageous, fostering a love of learning and avoiding the challenges of transitioning older children from traditional schooling. Amanda offers practical advice for parents considering homeschooling, emphasizing the importance of nurturing children's passions and curiosities. She also highlights the availability of homeschool family schedule templates to help manage daily routines effectively.

Amanda’s insights extend to dealing with learning challenges. She believes that homeschooling is especially beneficial for children with unique learning needs. By working in tandem with specialists or using online resources, parents can provide personalized support that caters to their child's specific requirements. Amanda shares examples from her own family, illustrating how homeschooling can be tailored to meet the needs of different learners.

For those already homeschooling or considering it, Amanda’s advice is to lean into your children’s interests. Showing children that their passions are valuable helps gain their buy-in to the learning process. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also strengthens the parent-child relationship. Amanda encourages parents to start with what their children care about and gradually introduce other subjects, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.

Building a homeschooling community is essential for both children and parents. Amanda discusses the importance of finding local groups or starting your own if none are available. She shares her method of theming parts of the day and time-blocking to create a structured yet flexible schedule. This approach helps manage daily routines effectively, allowing time for both education and personal growth.

In conclusion, Amanda Schenkenberger’s journey and insights provide a comprehensive guide for parents considering or currently homeschooling. Her emphasis on leveraging children’s interests, creating flexible schedules, and building supportive communities offers a holistic approach to homeschooling. By fostering a love for learning and nurturing children’s passions, parents can create a fulfilling and effective homeschooling experience for their families.

For more insights and practical advice on homeschooling, listen to the full podcast episode featuring Amanda Schenkenberger. Her experiences and strategies will inspire and guide you on your homeschooling journey, turning it into a fulfilling adventure for the entire family.

Guest Bio

Amanda Schenkenberger helps homeschool moms calm the chaos, create a schedule, and build strong bonds with their kids so that everyone can experience joyful connection and rigorous academics at the same time. She leverages her own experience as a homeschooled individual and homeschooling mother of four inside the Homeschool Family Academy where she coaches other moms to educate curious minds and cultivate courageous spirits.

Links Mentioned In This Episode

• http://sydneycrowe.com

• https://www.facebook.com/mandy.schenkenberger/

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