Homeschooling Tips While Travel Nursing with a Family
Nurses who choose to pack the moving van and start an adventure with their families is becoming more and more common in the travel nurse industry today. By having a partner who can take on the roll of homeschooling the kids, nurses are gaining the freedom they need to hit-the-road with family in tow. With that in mind, here’s a few tips for the nurse who wants to provide the best educational experience for their kids on the road.
Enroll in short-term extracurriculars
It’s essential that kids learn how to interact with a range of different personality types. While studying on the road may give children the skills they need to adapt to new situations and changing environments, the likelihood is that your kids are spending the majority of their time with adults.
There are short-term extracurriculars – like pottery classes and theater workshops – that take place over one or two months that will give kids a chance to meet new people while learning a new skill or hobby!
Thinking outside the box…
Homeschooling gives your family the opportunity to rethink education and focus on what’s important. Some families are embracing “unschooling,” according to Good Housekeeping. Families take a more relaxed approach, incorporating courses from Khan Academy and catering the curriculum to kids’ interests. You can also make field trips a regular part of class! Visiting the botanical gardens in your city can turn into an impromptu science lesson about photosynthesis or the local art museum can spark a discussion about Picasso.
If your family plans to be on the road for an extended amount of time, you’ll also need to make sure you keep track of educational progress.
…while maintaining structure
Developing a routine can stop students and parents alike from feeling frazzled first thing in the morning. It can also help kids focus when they know they need to hit the books. But there’s no need to start school bright and early! Researchers have found that teenagers need more sleep for their development. The latest recommendation is to start the school day at 8:30 a.m. at the earliest. A later start time may give the parent a chance to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, while the student can start the day feeling well rested.
Find fellow homeschoolers
These like-minded individuals don’t have to be in the city you’re visiting (though it doesn’t hurt!) Finding other homeschooling parents or travel nurse homeschoolers can help you when first embarking on your homeschooling curriculum – especially when you’re not sure how to handle an obstacle. They can also be a great support network for advice on how to incorporate subjects – like math or history – that you never enjoyed when you were in school.
Homeschooling is an amazing opportunity for kids to pursue what interests them while studying at their own rate without worrying about falling behind. It also gives parents a chance to spend more time with their young children as they travel around the country. It’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.