organized for indoor guided learning systems

Today I finally finished sorting and planning learning activities and lessons for Monday-Thursday. With our scheduler app I have assigned to-do lists for each day, and the reward is the same. video games and movies. 

I have 3-5 subjects to be covered in a day, regardless of how many toys are in the seat. 

The beauty of this is that it can be done for ANY curriculum, if the contents are motivating enough, it can be part of unschooling as well. It's the organizational strategy that I feel is the subject here.

These comfy seats each hold one day's worth of activities, games and lessons. 

Each Day has a focus on one subject area. Although there are a lot of options for the boys to choose from based on their mood. Our goal and plan is to get through exploring the seat by bedtime. [This is Monday's] We have a container of little figurines, some light exercise weights (for following along with mommy) most of our kids books, puzzles and more. 

The way we play when its intentional may be something to be discussed. We follow these principles when playing and learning:

• his fine motor skills might not match his intention
• be careful of distractions, but if some are needed for background stimuli, take note of it
• follow their lead and provide insight or encouragement as they explore
• most of these kids have special interests in line with academics, as well as heightened anxieties
• if you are not having fun, neither will they
• if we make learning fun they will be able to retain it, not lose it.

Some reasons for my organizational system,

• I am prepared ahead of time for a full week
• The contents are carefully selected so that I know I have done what I can in a day if I go through the whole bin
• I have set aside 25 minute increments for each activity, this includes working through emotions and generalisation
• There is stuff in here that peaks the interest of each boy, but we can do together
• I've taken into consideration physio, OT, speech, social, relationship building, generalization, and opportunities for working through frustrations and anxieties. (I'm sure there will be many)
• That being said, the main reason I've restricted adult-guided learning to what is in this bin, is due to the anxieties and communication challenges. 
• If its not reaching them, you're not reaching them.

Tips! if you choose to follow any similar practices...

1.  know your children's interests, toys, skills, talents, and comfort zone
2. accomodate their comfort zone and desire to learn by melding the two, if they will only look at books about lightning mcqueen, that shouldn't stop you from using mcqueen activity books and so on.
3. when they are comfortable, try introducing new concepts or items, depending on their anxieties and sensory concerns.
4. Discover why your child does what he does when he does it. Learn it. Praise it. Move on from it.
5. if you can afford it, provide new items and games in these bins, so you are not using their special toys and you can be sure you are making the most of your time.
6. time wasted on boring toys and books is time wasted. 
7. incorporate the subject into your life as much as you can. if it doesn't fit, then it may be poor timing, and introduce it at another date if needed. 
8. technology is a blessing.
9. If all else fails and math is simply not happening on that day you set aside for it, go out and do something fun, counting the lines on the sidewalk or watching for patterns in life. Math like all other subjects are all around us.

The best part of all of this, is that its hidden away. we are free to play in the room and its all easily stored away... no chance of mess or getting used up during their own play time.If they choose not to participate there are no repercussions, simply no rewards. (would be a good idea to see how motivating and desirable the activities truly are)

If you have therapists or specialists coming to your home, encourage them to utilize what is in these storage bins, not only does it check off your to-do list, but gives you more opportunity to focus on being a parent and having fun.

As soon as you start seriously homeschooling, make sure you have plenty of opportunities to be active and engaged outside of the house.