The Garden & Ivy Blog

Homeschooling multiple children at different ages can be challenging, especially when one child needs your help with schoolwork and another is still too young to understand why you can't give them your attention every minute. As a homeschool mom, I've learned that keeping little ones occupied while teaching older siblings often requires a little creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to adjust our plans. Thankfully, you don't need elaborate activities or a perfectly plann

Some of my favorite homeschool memories from this year have been made while sitting on the couch reading good books with my children. As a homeschool mom who enjoys a Charlotte Mason+ eclectic approach to learning, I love filling our home with classic children's literature, living books, beautiful illustrations, and stories that encourage curiosity and imagination. This year, I read many wonderful books with my six-year-old son. Some introduced us to new places and periods o

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to slow down, reflect on our blessings, and connect with the people we love. This Thanksgiving season, why not bring back the simple tradition of handwritten letters? In a world filled with ai chatbots, autocomplete, text messages, social media, and email, there is something special about writing physical letters. Also, opening the mailbox and finding an envelope addressed just to them can be very exciting. Additionally, letter writing is als

Fall is one of my favorite times of year to slow down, get outside, and enjoy cozy books with my children. As the seasons shift, there are so many opportunities to connect our reading with what we see happening around us. In our homeschool, I love choosing books that invite us to notice the world more carefully, learn about history, and enjoy beautiful stories together. This year, I’m sharing eight of our favorite fall books, along with a few simple, practical ideas for exten

Reading Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling is a wonderful way to bring geography, nature study, art, and science alive for young learners. This beautifully illustrated picture book follows a carved wooden figure's journey from the Nipigon country of Canada all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, touching each of the Great Lakes along the way. Here are some of the Paddle-to-the-Sea activities we have been exploring in our homeschool. These ideas are especially suited to ea

Watercolor Art Appreciation for Kids: A Monet-Inspired Activity Sometimes, the simplest homeschool activities become the most memorable. Recently, I sat down with my six-year-old son to explore art through watercolors. I wanted to try something a little different: instead of simply telling him about a famous artist or asking him to complete a directed art project, I wanted us to spend time looking at a painting, talking about what we noticed, and then creating something of ou

When my son was first practicing his reading skills, I wanted to fill our home with books that would make reading enjoyable and engaging. After building his foundational skills through formal phonics lessons (All About Reading Level 1) we explored early readers, funny stories, animal adventures, and classic children's literature. Now that he's reading independently, I can look back on the books we shared during that season of our homeschool and appreciate how they helped him

One of the things I love about homeschooling is the freedom to choose curriculum based on my child's individual needs rather than following grade levels rigidly. Children develop at different rates and may be ahead in one subject while needing more time in another. Homeschooling allows me to meet my child where he is and adjust as he grows. When I first started choosing curriculum for my son, I used placement tests offered by curriculum companies to help determine the best st

Nature as a Reset: Why Children Need Time Outdoors Sometimes, children just need to get outside. A change of scenery, a little fresh air, and the freedom to explore can make a difference in how the rest of the day unfolds. When the day feels busy, when lessons become a struggle, or when everyone seems a little restless, stepping outdoors can offer a welcome reset. As a homeschool mom, I love the flexibility of being able to take a break from our usual routine for a homeschool