We homeschool and love it (most days). However, I realized quickly how homeschooling and being zero-waste are often at odds with each other. All the paper, workbooks, craft supplies. It gets overwhelming, especially in those young years when hands-on crafting is what it's all about.
I set out to be more mindful of homeschooling with less waste. Do I think you can homeschool absolutely zero-waste? Sure. If you choose to do everything on the computer. I am not that extreme, but I have found a few tips that lightens the waste load.
1. Thrifting- This is obviously my number one tip. I love the hunt. You would be surprised at how many times I find brand new or nearly new workbooks, games, and flashcards at thrift stores. Also craft supplies or yards of fabric. Not only is this method a huge money saver, but also doesn't add the waste in the world. When you are done with said items, simply pass them off or return back to the thrift shop. Thrifting is a huge step in creating a world circular economy. What's that saying 'One man's trash is another man's treasure.' And so it is.
2. Library- The library is awesome, plain and simple. Books about all the topics, educational games, movies, and computers to use. There are often free classes that involve story time, music, STEAM, and puppet performances. And, if your library is big enough, you'll find a homeschool section with books like Life of Fred. The library is a zero-waste homeschooler's dream!
3. Swaps- I recently went to a clothing & household goods swap. Amazing experience. Bring all the stuffs your kids have outgrown and other items you're parting with, to share. Then go 'shopping'. I found science dvds, math bingo, and a money counting game. For free! Saved from the landfill and will be passed on once we've finished using them. Check for local swap groups on facebook.
4. Nature- Gather fallen leaves, pinecones, acorn tops, sticks, and rocks. Little kids love getting their hands on all the things and you can easily make a lesson from what they've found. Learn about different rocks and minerals, what tree the leaves come from, counting, textures, and colors. When they've had their fill, simply put the items back and you're ready to explore again. Zero-waste & free nature study resources.
5. Scratch cooking- Also-known-as home-ec.Teach your children how to grow a garden, make bread, and can food for the winter. This can be low-waste and super healthy! How exciting to share these life skills with your children.
6. Online resources- Follow homeschool blogs. They send out freebies, craft ideas, and links to educational videos. I find a worksheet here and there that aid in our current studies. This helps create less waste by intentionally choosing pages of curriculum instead of whole workbooks, that may or may not be used entirely.
Also, Youtube is my best friend. There are kid dance routines, music lessons, yoga, educational videos, and kid songs. There are tutorials on any science experiment you can dream up, knitting, sewing, crocheting, up-cycling clothing and beyond. Kid has a question about Blue whales...Youtube it. What is Mardi Gras?...Youtube. How to do anything?...You get the point.
7. Two-sided- Here's the thing, you will probably buy some curriculum and print out worksheets over the course of your homeschool journey. That's okay. Try to get as much out of the pages as possible. For every worksheet my eldest completes, the back becomes a coloring page for my preschooler. They may crumple up old homework and use it as a ball. Sometimes they will cut up their work and create something else with the shapes. We try to use each sheet at least twice before it gets recycled.
Homeschooling can be overwhelming without stressing over a zero-waste approach. Do what you can. Make little steps in the right direction. But ultimately, give yourself grace momma.
Signing off,
Shantel
I set out to be more mindful of homeschooling with less waste. Do I think you can homeschool absolutely zero-waste? Sure. If you choose to do everything on the computer. I am not that extreme, but I have found a few tips that lightens the waste load.
1. Thrifting- This is obviously my number one tip. I love the hunt. You would be surprised at how many times I find brand new or nearly new workbooks, games, and flashcards at thrift stores. Also craft supplies or yards of fabric. Not only is this method a huge money saver, but also doesn't add the waste in the world. When you are done with said items, simply pass them off or return back to the thrift shop. Thrifting is a huge step in creating a world circular economy. What's that saying 'One man's trash is another man's treasure.' And so it is.
2. Library- The library is awesome, plain and simple. Books about all the topics, educational games, movies, and computers to use. There are often free classes that involve story time, music, STEAM, and puppet performances. And, if your library is big enough, you'll find a homeschool section with books like Life of Fred. The library is a zero-waste homeschooler's dream!
3. Swaps- I recently went to a clothing & household goods swap. Amazing experience. Bring all the stuffs your kids have outgrown and other items you're parting with, to share. Then go 'shopping'. I found science dvds, math bingo, and a money counting game. For free! Saved from the landfill and will be passed on once we've finished using them. Check for local swap groups on facebook.
4. Nature- Gather fallen leaves, pinecones, acorn tops, sticks, and rocks. Little kids love getting their hands on all the things and you can easily make a lesson from what they've found. Learn about different rocks and minerals, what tree the leaves come from, counting, textures, and colors. When they've had their fill, simply put the items back and you're ready to explore again. Zero-waste & free nature study resources.
5. Scratch cooking- Also-known-as home-ec.Teach your children how to grow a garden, make bread, and can food for the winter. This can be low-waste and super healthy! How exciting to share these life skills with your children.
6. Online resources- Follow homeschool blogs. They send out freebies, craft ideas, and links to educational videos. I find a worksheet here and there that aid in our current studies. This helps create less waste by intentionally choosing pages of curriculum instead of whole workbooks, that may or may not be used entirely.
Also, Youtube is my best friend. There are kid dance routines, music lessons, yoga, educational videos, and kid songs. There are tutorials on any science experiment you can dream up, knitting, sewing, crocheting, up-cycling clothing and beyond. Kid has a question about Blue whales...Youtube it. What is Mardi Gras?...Youtube. How to do anything?...You get the point.
7. Two-sided- Here's the thing, you will probably buy some curriculum and print out worksheets over the course of your homeschool journey. That's okay. Try to get as much out of the pages as possible. For every worksheet my eldest completes, the back becomes a coloring page for my preschooler. They may crumple up old homework and use it as a ball. Sometimes they will cut up their work and create something else with the shapes. We try to use each sheet at least twice before it gets recycled.
Homeschooling can be overwhelming without stressing over a zero-waste approach. Do what you can. Make little steps in the right direction. But ultimately, give yourself grace momma.
Signing off,
Shantel
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