There is no doubt we live in a fast-paced culture. Go go go. Do do do.
Have you ever considered what the busyness is doing to your family?
Adding some unit studies to your schedule can offer a wealth of opportunities to slow down, enjoy life and laugh a little.
These are my favorite sneaky ways to use unit studies to let kids be kids.
1) Allow free play
I don't schedule every minute.
I do sneakily leave baskets of books and other activities to be found. Kids are happy to stumble upon things and do their own thing with them.
2) Hands-on
In the above sneaky baskets I always add hands-on items. It could be games, craft supplies, stickers, or a re-fill of something we used up.
There might be books. But there will never be video games or DVDs. We do use those things, just at other times. And only for a little bit of time.
I don't schedule every minute.
I do sneakily leave baskets of books and other activities to be found. Kids are happy to stumble upon things and do their own thing with them.
2) Hands-on
In the above sneaky baskets I always add hands-on items. It could be games, craft supplies, stickers, or a re-fill of something we used up.
There might be books. But there will never be video games or DVDs. We do use those things, just at other times. And only for a little bit of time.
2) Limit technology
It's hard to be the parent and turn off the electronic babysitters.
But, boredom doesn't start until you don't have anything to do.
Looking for something to do doesn't start until you are bored.
Creativity doesn't start until you are looking for something to do.
PLEASE let your kids have some boredom.
It's hard to be the parent and turn off the electronic babysitters.
But, boredom doesn't start until you don't have anything to do.
Looking for something to do doesn't start until you are bored.
Creativity doesn't start until you are looking for something to do.
PLEASE let your kids have some boredom.
3) Learn and explore many different
things
Sneaky unit studies can introduce many topics you probably wouldn't have discussed in the course of a normal day. or normal week. or normal year.
Sneaky unit studies can introduce many topics you probably wouldn't have discussed in the course of a normal day. or normal week. or normal year.
4) Embrace the mess
I often look at an activity and think about how messy it will be and how it could potentially...ruin a shirt or the table or the floor. Don't say these things out loud.
Kids see fun everywhere you see mess.
Learn how to plan ahead for the mess. Paint shirts and table cloths make a happy unit study for everyone.
I often look at an activity and think about how messy it will be and how it could potentially...ruin a shirt or the table or the floor. Don't say these things out loud.
Kids see fun everywhere you see mess.
Learn how to plan ahead for the mess. Paint shirts and table cloths make a happy unit study for everyone.
5) Follow the bunny trails
Your kids have short and strange attention spans. Follow them! This is another sneaky way to add some more unit study and learning.
6) Get on their level
Your unit studies don't need a supervisor. They need an extra participant!
When working on your unit studies remember these things.
Let your children act their age. Let them participate to their own level. It they can't write 4 pages, don't expect it. If their attention span doesn't include cutting a whole lap book, don't make them.
It's ok if they only participate in part of unit. They 'get' exactly what they were supposed to get out of it.
If the topic doesn't thrill anybody, put it away for later. Don't slog through it just because.
Don't overprotect your children. Safety is great, but learning new skills within boundaries and protection is important too. Don't always say no. Learn how to say yes at the right times.
Don't try to give them every single experience there is.
Unit studies can be addicting but you don't have to do them all.
To your unit study success,
Suzanne
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