• Easy Steps to Teach Kids to Stay Organised at Home

    At The Natural Homeschool, we believe that fostering good organisational skills in children is essential for their development and helps create a harmonious living environment. Here are some easy steps to guide kids in becoming more organised at home.

    1. Create a Designated Space: Set up a specific area for schoolwork and crafts, equipped with all necessary supplies. Having a dedicated workspace helps children understand that this is their organisational hub.

    2. Use Labels: Involve kids in the labelling process for storage boxes, drawers, and shelves. This not only makes it easier for them to find items but also reinforces their ability to categorise and sort belongings.

    3. Establish a Routine: Help children establish a daily routine that includes tidying up. Setting a specific time for clean-up can make it a fun and expected part of their day, rather than a chore.

    4. Incorporate a Decluttering Day: Regularly schedule a decluttering session where kids can go through their belongings. Encourage them to decide what to keep, donate, or discard, reinforcing decision-making skills and the importance of keeping only what they truly need or cherish.

    5. Lead by Example: Demonstrate organisational skills yourself. Children often model their behaviour on their parents, so showing them how you keep your space tidy will inspire them to do the same.

    By implementing these simple strategies, you can instil lifelong organisational habits in your children, creating a calmer and more structured home environment for everyone.

  • Teaching kids to count money can be both a fun and valuable experience. Here’s a simple approach that works wonders for children, using blue and hazel as themes throughout the lesson.

    Start by introducing different denominations of coins and notes, displaying them against a backdrop of blue and hazel objects—perhaps a blue cup or a hazel-coloured mat. This visual connection makes learning more engaging. Encourage the kids to touch and sort the money, helping them become familiar with each piece.

    To motivate them, incorporate practical scenarios. Set up a mock shop where they can ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ items using play money. Choose items in shades of blue and hazel, matching the theme, such as blue toy cars or hazel teddy bears. This not only makes it enjoyable but also helps them understand the value of money in real-life situations.

    Celebrate their progress with a reward system—perhaps a sticker chart featuring blue stars and hazel hearts. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in encouraging them to learn and practise counting. By blending visual elements, hands-on activities, and incentives, teaching kids to count money becomes an exciting adventure they’ll look forward to.

  • Incredible games that teach kids to obey are a fantastic way to instil important values while making learning enjoyable. One such game is “Follow the Leader,” where children take turns mimicking actions and commands given by a leader. This not only promotes attentiveness but also encourages teamwork and respect for authority.

    Another engaging option is “Treasure Hunt,” where children must adhere to specific rules and listen carefully to clues provided by an adult. This game reinforces the importance of following directions while igniting their sense of adventure.

    These activities not only provide entertainment but also embed crucial lessons in discipline and cooperation, helping children understand the value of obedience in a fun and interactive manner. By integrating play with learning, they naturally gravitate towards positive behaviours, laying the groundwork for responsible decision-making in the future.

  • Teaching kids the importance of portion control and serving size is essential for fostering healthy eating habits from a young age. Start by using fun visuals, such as plates divided into sections, to illustrate how much of each food group they should be consuming. For instance, explain that half of their plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables, while the rest can be shared between proteins and whole grains.

    Involve them in meal preparation to give them a hands-on understanding of serving sizes. Use measuring cups and scales to show how different quantities look, making it a game to guess the right amount. You could also introduce the idea of “listening to their tummies”—encouraging them to recognise when they're full and to serve themselves appropriate portions.

    Encourage regular family meals where everyone can discuss what a healthy plate looks like and share ideas about food. By making learning about portion control interactive and fun, children will be more likely to understand its importance and carry these healthy habits into adulthood.