{"id":62430,"date":"2021-04-13T06:00:15","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T10:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/?p=62430"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:53:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:53:37","slug":"fun-and-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/fun-and-games\/","title":{"rendered":"Homeschooling Really Can Be All Fun and Games"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Homeschooling\u00a0Really Can Be All Fun and Games ~
\nWritten by Cait Curley of <\/i>My Little Poppies<\/a><\/p>\n

I want to talk to you about homeschooling and why I think it should include more fun and games. (Wouldn’t you like to add more fun to your day??)<\/p>\n

There’s this quote that I absolutely love. I think of it all the time, but especially in these post-2020 times, and I wanted to share it with you today:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I tried to teach my child with books.<\/em>
\nHe gave me only puzzled looks.<\/em><\/p>\n

I tried to teach my child with words.<\/em>
\nThey passed him by often unheard.<\/em><\/p>\n

Despairingly, I turned aside.<\/em>
\n“How shall I teach this child?” I cried.<\/em><\/p>\n

Into my hand, he put the key<\/em>
\n“Come,” he said, “play with me.”<\/em><\/p>\n

– Unknown<\/p>\n

\"Homeschooling<\/a><\/p>\n

As a school psychologist, lifelong gamer, and unexpected homeschool mom, I am a huge advocate for play-based learning and gameschooling. I’ve witnessed the power of play when it comes to children and teen’s learning lives\u00a0and<\/em> social-emotional development.<\/p>\n

I’ve witnessed the power of play across multiple age ranges, when I worked as a nanny, as a tutor, as an assistant teacher, as a school psychologist, and as a homeschool mom.<\/p>\n

Homeschooling Really Can Be All Fun and Games<\/h2>\n

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In these post-2020 times, we’re all looking for more connection, more smiles, more laughter, more… FUN. I want you to know that I believe homeschooling can be\u00a0almost<\/em> all fun and games.<\/p>\n

Why learning can (and should) be fun<\/h3>\n

Yes, I believe homeschooling can be almost all fun and games. It’s not going to be perfect. Not even close. But I really believe we could all be having more fun.<\/p>\n

In fact, I think learning should<\/em> be fun.<\/p>\n

If you don’t believe me, I triple dog dare you to watch this TED talk by Peter Gray<\/a> and this TED Talk by Stuart Brown<\/a>. The truth is, research has shown that play is good for\u00a0all<\/em> of us, not just for our children.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Better yet, play benefits the\u00a0whole child<\/em>. Play has a positive impact on your child’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Play fuels learning in a fun, non-intimidating way.<\/p>\n

The best part? When you take the time to play with your children and teens, you are connecting and making memories that will last a lifetime.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you’re new to play-based learning and gameschooling, you might be wondering what this type of learning\u00a0looks like<\/em> in the real world. And you might be curious how to make this approach to learning measurable so that it counts for those looming year-end homeschool evaluations.<\/p>\n

\"Homeschooling<\/a>
Holi: Festival of Colors (afflinks)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How gameschooling really works<\/h3>\n

If you’re new to play-based learning, I always recommend dabbling in gameschooling. Gameschooling is the intersection of play and homeschooling. When you gameschool, you can add more play to your homeschool day and easily make it “count” for those year-end homeschool evaluations.<\/p>\n

If you’d like to see gameschooling in action, I have two articles for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n