When you ask my kids what they’ve added to their Christmas wish list, it always includes a low-budget crafty kit they saw in the stores, a Lego set or two, a gift certificate to their favorite store and whatever tiny toy is the hot item for the year. These are all fun and the kids always love them, but sometimes a little depth to their wish list is a helpful thing.
This year, I’ve been keeping an eye on areas of our school day that they enjoy and areas where they feel tortured in one way or another. My goal is to put a few items under our Christmas tree to help them with those areas of special interest or particular struggle.
For the areas that are already very interesting to my kids (history, logic and science, at the moment), I am looking into purchasing a few historical fiction novels, at a reading level or just a little above where they currently read. Also, I found some great coloring book style math mysteries. My kids curriculum doesn’t come with many workbooks, so this is something that will offer them a fun change of pace. I am considering one of the subscription kits which send the kids something every few weeks. I have found all sorts of subscriptions- everything from solving fictional mysteries, to building STEM kits, to a geography themed mailer . . . now the problem is to pick which one we want!
As for a fun strategy for the academic areas that aren’t such favorites, I have found motivational goals and awards are the best received. (Are my kids the only ones that can spot a practice assignment from a mile away??) I also have to work within our family’s budget, so I came up with a few things that will feel like gifts, but require them to do a little extra work – or the same work with a good attitude. I compiled a list of activities that my children are always asking to do (paint their fingernails with my polish, go for ice cream, load new music to their ipods, complete a fun craft that requires sequins, a one-on-one date to the library and other things that usually get bumped to the bottom of my to-to list) and made gift certificates for them. The back of the gift certificate says what they must do in order to earn them. The work requirements can be anything from 10 minutes of non-stop independent work, helping a sibling with a specific assignment, acing a test, or memorizing those stubborn facts. These can be printed out, laminated and hung on the tree before Christmas or stuffed into the stockings . . . or they can be used to decorate the schoolroom and the kids can earn them before Christmas or as a New Year’s boost.
You can always head for the classics – a gift of wonderful books on topics they enjoy. You can’t go wrong with well-made, beautifully written, deeply researched books with detailed pictures. (You can tell what I love, here!)
What are some things you suggest adding to our kids’ Christmas wish lists?
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com.
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