Homeschool World Forum

Miyu · User Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Utah

I only have one child. We are homeschooling her and there are no kids in the neighborhood. She seems to get bored at times. Should I add more school subjects? Or more fun activities? Any ideas?

Note: My husband (who is a stay at home dad) does not drive, so she is pretty much stuck at home while I am at work.

Lenethren · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject:

If she has to be at home...maybe art projects? You could get a few things to surprise her with during her "bored" times. Like a beading loom, jewelery kit, a model, etc. Perhaps music...a harmonica or recorder or some such with a book and/or cd that gives a bit of instruction. Maybe a cook book if you think she and dad might use it. Cooking can be considered a bit of science, bit of math and perhaps even art.
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Ramona · User Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 408

How about inviting another child over sometimes?

micheller79 · User Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 77

I am in the same situation. Only child and a house bound parent. I welcome any suggestions.

robinsegg · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject:

Have you considered outdoor activities? Nature walks/p.e./geography of the neighborhood/etc?

How old is she?
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Rachel
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The Cleft in the Rock Academy

Miyu · User Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Utah

Emily is 9.

She does do outside activities at times, but I am thinking ahead to when the weather turns...outside won't be as much as an option, then.

Even now, after a long summer, she is sort of sick of doing outside things. She actually wanted to start school a week earlier than we had planned...The curriculum arrived in the mail and she wanted to start the very next day.

I am thinking that I need more project type things for her to do. Lately, I have been coming home to interesting "projects" in the kitchen and/or bathroom. She has made perfume...out of instant lemonade powder and canola oil....cakes out of pancake mix, water and an entire container of cinnamon...various art projects...a grasshopper habitat, complete with grasshoppers...a doll made out of garbage (recycling)...clothes for our rabbits made from cutting up her own clothes...outfits for herself made from cutting up her own clothes...etc, etc, etc....

I love seeing what she comes up with...but sometimes...well...she leaves disaster in her wake...I want to give her something more contained to do...that doesn't involve using up all the oil or spices or destroying her clothing...

momo3boys · User Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 574 Location: Western Mass

I have what we call a creation box. THings that they are allowed to use at during free time. It is full of recycled stuff, bottle tops, baby food jars, yogurt and applesauce cups, string, wire,... We also have a take-apart box. When things are broken or things we find free on the side of the rode, we put them in this box and the boys get a tray and take apart find out how the object works. the computer monitor was their favorite so far, and we get more things for our creation box. You might want to have her think about starting her own business, there are a lot of books on the subject, maybe cooking, or crafts? I hope this helps.
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Ramona · User Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 408

Miyu · User Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Utah

robinsegg · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:45 am Post subject:

You could buy a Girl Scout badge book and hubby could teach her the things contained therein. It's a great resource for projects, and could be planned for in advance.

Wallpaper sample books are discontinued regularly. Many wallpaper stores will give these away (esp. to a "school", as they can be tax deductable), and can be materials for lots of craft projects.

Walmart has fabric you can buy (they have a $1 table) that would be good for cloth projects.

See if you can interest her in dance/gymnastics/scouting, etc. durring time you could transport her.

Go to the library for books on crafts. Try the 745 section (dewey decimal) for this, both adult and children's areas. Also, Pack-o-Fun magazine is really good for projects.

Talk to your daughter about asking dad before starting a new project, so he can help her compile the materials (in a way that won't anger you).

I hope this helps!
_________________
Rachel
teacher at home
The Cleft in the Rock Academy