Tips for Avoiding the Mid-Year Slump

Charles Dickens Quote

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Cassie Espich, Off-Campus Program Advisor

Here in Michigan, the leaves are falling from the trees, the days are getting shorter, and the air is brisk. Autumn has arrived, which only means that winter is not too far away! December will be here in a few short weeks, and with it usually comes freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and the prospect of months indoors.

Even if you don’t live in a climate that has winter like we do, many homeschooling families find themselves falling into a mid-year slump around this time; they’ve gotten into a good routine with their school work and studies, but the routine has begun to seem boring.

Have you played all the games, done all the activities, or gone on all the field trips that are in your regular bag of tricks, and are now finding that your students are getting restless? Whether you’re stuck inside because of weather or stuck in a routine that needs some spice, the following tips can help you make it through the next few months.

Tip #1: Get out of the house and into a museum.

You might have thought you’ve gone and seen and done it all, but there still might be a museum, gallery, or fun place that you have yet to discover. Finding a museum or similar indoor activity can be great on days when you just don’t want to be out in the rain or cold (or heat!). Check out these links to find museums near you:

Tip #2: Expand your network.

Remember, you’re not alone! There might be other families near you who are also looking for things to do. As homeschooling becomes more popular, families are coming together to form local homeschooling groups and co-ops. Many of these groups have classes for students, but many more are for the sole purpose of getting out of the house to meet and play with other kids. Use these links to find a group near you:

Tip #3: Go outside anyway!

It’s commonly known now that playing outside in the winter is good for kids in many ways. Letting kids play outside in the winter helps build their immune system, gives them much needed exercise, and also allows them to absorb plenty of vitamin D. The following resources offer a number of ideas to keep you busy:

Does your family live in a cold-winter climate (in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere) that makes you feel like you’d rather stay inside? Or do you find your student falling into the mid-year slump?

Please share your ideas of what you do to keep things interesting at this time of year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2 Responses

  1. Dear Cassie,
    Moreover Fall is inviting us to look inside ourselves as a tee routine for pleasure and tenderness. Winter rises intimacy uo for further analysis, patient consolidating exercises to be built up as a fairy tale neverending retake for a child in admiration and fright. Even the cham of a certain season spleen may meet bore, displiscence and even a careless classroom behavior to be forgiven for an ultimate depth in every step students hesitate to take before spring will awake back their bodies.
    Then we will all perceive how cold days were hiding butterflies in a minutious way whose rythm rain and snow were peacefully trainig for elegance and genius. My grey season students are my favourite in Porto for crossing with me less shining days through stones and a rough sea in Porto, we close up for lightening debate, for controversy, for pain, for sighing together, for everything to be demolished and the universe to be regained. And it is sucha a beautiful landscape inside to be kept in our hearts, millions of hearts I’ll be recalling everytime I’ll be staring at stars to be mine fefore I’ll die. Our ice classes in Porto.

  2. Even if you’ve been to all your local museums, you could always go back! My kids loved to return to the same local museums over and over again. Many museums have knowledgeable docents, rotating exhibits, programs for kids (and sometimes specifically for homeschoolers), and special events. Some also offer volunteer opportunities for all ages. Also check for membership discounts for students, families, homeschoolers, or groups. And ask your local library if they offer free passes to any of your local museums!

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