How Rhythms at Home Support Learning

Pause for a minute and think about how the rhythms in your home set the tone for learning. 

Why do I use the term rhythms? Rules and structure are perceived negatively, yet I also feel that rhythms, as a descriptor, fits more with the flexible approach I think is needed. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying every house should be the same or will be the same. Nor does each person learn and operate the same way. For instance, I am an expert at working under pressure, and can hyper-focus with the best of them to meet a deadline at the last minute. But does that mean that I should instill that into my family’s daily routine? 

In this post, I offer a few thoughts on what I have learned, along with some of the strategies I use within my home to support learning and other areas. This is a follow-up to my time on @thedyselxiabossmompodcast, where we discuss ways to support our learners. I hope you will read on to find the link to that podcast and tune in to our episode and others! 

1. What does your schedule look like? 

   I have learned that I need to space out activities for my kids.  They each have an extracurricular activity, but we have chosen to limit them to be within time frames that do not put us home too late or interfere with the time needed to learn, rest, or rejuvenate. Does that mean we are overly structured? Not at all - it means we have a target bedtime, and we stick to being within 30 minutes of that bedtime. It means we do schedule, but do not over-schedule. It also means we say no. This can be tough because it can come across as dismissive to others. However, we must realize that we are responsible for the well-being of our children. How rested they are, how healthy they feel, and if they can do their best learning, are all impacted by the rhythm of your schedule.
   

2. What does the learning space look like?

   
   We do not live in a big house (although it is perfect for us), and only recently did we have a designated space for homeschooling and my office. Small spaces can still have a positive impact. Does your child have a space in your home where they can complete their homework or complete a virtual lesson?  Is the area, for the most part, free of clutter and distractions?  Are there simple tools like sharpened pencils, paper, and a flat surface for writing, so they do not have to stop and get up for what they need?

   It does not have to be a desk, but it is helpful if there is a space where they can unplug from everything else to give their best effort when it is time to focus on learning. If there isn’t room for this type of space, then create it when they are ready to begin. 

   If it is the dining room table, clear the table, set up all the learning tools, and give them the best spot possible to succeed with their tasks. The rhythm of their space impacts their availability for learning.
   

3.  What does their routine look like?

   This can be a tricky one, due to differences in schedules and environments. Here are a few suggestions. Have a home base where they place their book bag and shoes when they walk in the door. For us, it was two small hooks behind their bedroom door.  They hang their book bag (yes, although homeschooled, my kids still attend co-op classes) when they get home. They also hang their clothes for the next day on the second hook and put the shoes they would like to wear on the floor below.  By doing it the night before, everything is right there, ready to go.  The predictability encourages them to be independent and allows me to support my kids without prodding and nagging every morning. Does it still happen occasionally?  Absolutely!  It took a lot of practice to build a routine, and it still needs some tune-ups now and then, but we’ve learned it helps us all if we do it.

   Rhythms of routine make transitions easier.

4. What does their play and rest space look like?

   Now I have gone from thoughts to meddling, right?  This is the area we struggle with most. My kids do not have a playroom or separate play space, so all their belongings are in their rooms. It is a constant struggle to keep these spaces clean. (My children inherited my creative, project-based learning and my love-of-all-things-crafty genetic makeup.)

   On the one hand, I love it, but it definitely makes organization a beast. They take apart toys to create new things and have the most creative plays, parties, and imaginative moments. I realize how excessive clutter in their rooms can negatively impact their ability to “turn off” their brain, especially since this is where they also need to rest.  So I use this phrase: “picked up, not perfect.” We have agreed that we can manage as long as things are, for the most part, in their place, there aren’t excessive items on the ground, and their bed is clean and clear.

I hope these suggestions have been helpful and you have at least one takeaway. I also hope you’ll think more about the rhythms in your house - be it scheduling or spatial set-up - and consider how those can impact and improve your student’s learning.  Be sure to tune in to my podcast interview here!
Thanks for reading!

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