Latest / The Christy-Faith Show / Ep. 50 - Practical Tips for Homeschooling Multiple Ages

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Ep. 50 - Practical Tips for Homeschooling Multiple Ages · The Christy-Faith Show

• 0:00
  Christy-Faith: Hi, everyone. Welcome to The Christy Faith Show. Today, we're talking about something that keeps so many moms up at night. How in the world do you juggle multiple grade levels while homeschooling? Now, maybe you're just homeschool curious.
• 0:13
  Maybe you're a beginner homeschooler, or maybe you're like me where all of your kids are grade level and you literally are juggling multiple grade levels every single day. No matter where you are, the reality of, wait a minute. I actually have to teach my kindergartner to read while simultaneously explaining exponents to my 5th grader has hit you like a rogue Lego brick underfoot. And for those of you considering homeschooling, this can be something that's really hard to get past. How do you manage these logistics?
• 0:40
  You're already running on caffeine and prayer. So how can I possibly homeschool all these different grade levels in my home? I get it, and it really does feel overwhelming at first. You worry about whether you'll miss something crucial for 1 kid, whether the other child will feel neglected, and whether by dinner time you're gonna look like something that resembles a character out of the zombie apocalypse. This is hard.
• 1:02
  And hearing someone say, oh, don't worry. You were made for this. It'll all work out. Might just make you wanna throw a pencil across the room. But here's the good news.
• 1:11
  This struggle, this juggling act has solutions. There are rhythms, tools, and truths that not only make this possible, but help you approach it with confidence. What you're feeling now isn't the whole story and by the end of this episode, my goal is for you, mama, to see that. The transformation I hope for you is real freedom. Not perfection, not a Pinterest worthy schedule, but a piece that comes from practical steps and a shifted perspective.
• 1:39
  1st, though, if this is your first time here, hi. A little about me. My name is Christie Faith. I'm author of Homeschool Rising and founder of Thrive Homeschool Community. Thrive is where homeschool moms like you can gain the training, advice, and support you need to build and keep a homeschool environment that truly supports you and your kids.
• 1:58
  We're not about formulas over here. We're about thoughtful adaptation and practical wisdom guided by experts and an amazing group of other parents cheering you on. If that sounds like something that you'd wanna explore, head over to christyfaith.com. Don't forget the dash, christydashfaith.com. Now buckle up, friend, because we're about to get practical on today's episode.
• 2:32
  Now I'm a list person because no one has energy for vague advice, so I've got person because no one has energy for vague advice. So I've got 4 big points to walk you through today. And don't worry. I'll break them down step by step. And, yes, you will leave this episode with your own mental toolbox.
• 2:46
  Alright. We need to start with something foundational, your mindset. If you wanna homeschool well, the most helpful thing you can do is uproot the public school mentality that most of us grew up with. Now I'm not throwing shade on any educators. I was one.
• 3:02
  Public schools do what they were designed to do in environments with certain constraints. But here's the problem. Many of us unconsciously carry those constraints into our homeschools. When you homeschool, you don't have to separate every child into grades. You don't have to follow a rigid curriculum that decides what each kid must know by June, and you certainly don't have to recreate school at home.
• 3:27
  Homeschooling is fundamentally different, which means it can and it should look fundamentally different. And why does this matter? Well, research tells us that learning environments designed around individualized pacing and intrinsic motivation improve both academic performance and emotional well-being. That's why studies like one from the National Home Education Research Institute show that homeschool students consistently outscore their traditionally schooled peers on measures of academic achievement. The flexibility we have in our homeschools isn't a hurdle.
• 4:02
  It's an asset. So here's a practical example. Instead of asking if your 4th grader is on track compared to other public school kids. Ask, what does my child mean next? That might mean slowing down on a little bit of grammar or speeding up in something else like science, and that's okay.
• 4:19
  Education isn't a race. Don't miss the forest for the trees. Educating our child is about cultivating a beautiful human being. And you know what? Content has very little to do with that.
• 4:30
  And truthfully, if you're worried about being unqualified, just remember, if you thought that public school was the gold standard for every child, you wouldn't be here watching this episode today. You don't need to replicate an absolutely disastrous system. What you do need is to tailor your homeschool to fit your reality, your kids, and your values. Okay. On to point number 2.
• 4:52
  Now that we've got mindset squared away, let's talk curriculum. I know some of you are out there googling every blog and Facebook opinion post trying to find the perfect resources. Truth bomb alert. There is no perfect curriculum. However, there are wise ways you can build balance into your choices.
• 5:11
  This is where my concept of the parental involvement index comes in. Not every single subject you teach requires you to sit by your kid's side for hours. If you try to micromanage every subject for your child, well, you know what? Burnout is coming for you, girl. Instead, the wisest thing to do is aim for a mixture.
• 5:31
  Your time is finite, so choose your materials wisely. Some that require your presence and others that are more self paced and your kid can be more independent. For example, for teaching something foundational like learning to read, yeah, that requires hands on involvement and intentionality from you. But other areas and subjects can be sourced really well and can be done more independently through a program that guides your child. Oh, and speaking of programs that allow our kids to be independent, this would be a great time for me to tell you about a program that completely transformed our homeschool, CTC math.
• 6:04
  A few years ago, we were really struggling to find a solution that worked for both me and my kids. And then I tried the free trial for CTC math. And honestly, game changer. CTC math is mastery based, so your kid can actually get and retain the material. And it also has tons of mixed and spiral reviews, so your child never forgets what they've learned.
• 6:24
  The questions also adapt to your child's pace, and that keeps them motivated every single day. It builds their confidence and keeps them on a great track. Plus, because it's gamified, it has celebrations and certificates, it makes learning fun and motivating. And here's the best part for us parents. CTC math handles all of the teaching, grading, and testing for you.
• 6:47
  Lessons are short, concise, easy to understand, so no more stress for your kiddos. If math has ever felt like a battle in your homeschool, trust me. This is a program you should try. Head over to cdcmath.com or click the link in the show notes to start your free trial today. Okay.
• 7:03
  Now back to curriculum choices. When selecting resources, consider your own limits, not as weaknesses, but as a design feature. Your kids see you at your best when you aren't stretched to exhaustion. But I have one caveat with this point. Children who have special needs, they often require a different level of involvement and that's okay.
• 7:24
  If this is part of your family's reality, go ahead and reach out and email me. Also, Thrive homeschool community is exactly the place where we tackle these nuanced situations together with insights and encouragement. Okay. So practical advice. Start by listing out all of the subjects you're teaching and then group them into 2 categories, subjects with a high parental involvement and those that can be more independent.
• 7:47
  Are you balancing that load in a way that prevents overwhelm both for you and your child? If not, it's time to adjust. And now the 3rd tip to managing multiple kids in your household, encourage independence. Here's the thing. We love our kids so much, but sometimes without even realizing it, we hold them back from becoming independent.
• 8:06
  Homeschool moms, see, we have this front row seat to every success, every stumble, every missed detail, and it's easy, so easy, trust me, to step in before we should. Well, it's hard to watch your child struggle. I know for me, when I see one of my kids not where I feel like they should be, which that's a whole another episode, I can spiral into this wave of anxiety. What if they fail? What if they fall behind?
• 8:31
  What if I'm failing them? And that fear, it's a daily mental battle that we face as homeschooling moms, isn't it? We jump in because it feels safer, like we're protecting their progress. And that makes a lot of sense. But if we're really being honest, sometimes it's less about trusting them to figure it out and more about us doubting ourselves.
• 8:50
  Are we teaching them enough? Are we guiding them the right way? It's like this voice whispering, this is on you, mama, and you can't mess this up. But here's the truth. Our kids need to struggle.
• 9:00
  Struggling is how they learn, how they build resilience and confidence. It's what helps them discover, hey, I can do this. And even though it's hard to step back, that stretch is so good for them. And honestly, it's really good for us too. Studies from developmental psychology show that when children are supported but given space to work through challenges independently, they grow in confidence and resilience.
• 9:25
  This is where we hear the term scaffolding, offering structure but allowing the child to do the building. Here's a practical example. Start with just one area. Tell your 9 year old, hey, I'd like you to try completing this section today on your own. I'm here if you need me, but I'd love to see what you can do independently.
• 9:42
  And then, and this is key, praise the process when they finish. Even if they didn't get it all right, your job is to notice their effort before correcting any mistakes. You can say things like, I love how you worked through this section on your own. I'm really proud of you for sticking with it because effort leads to progress, and progress leads to confidence. Okay.
• 10:04
  And now our last point for the day. As a homeschool mom who values a family together approach and leans towards the classical and Charlotte Mason styles, I often struggle to bring my educational vision to life with my kids' diverse ages and learning needs. With all our interests and super packed schedule, bridging that gap between the dreamy homeschool I want and reality, I gotta be honest. It's a challenge. Now, yes, I know perfection isn't the goal.
• 10:28
  But if you're listening and you could use a little easing of your mental load in your day to day, I found a resource that has become the quiet hero of our routine and it could be a really great option for you too. BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum. Now, many think that BJU Press Homeschool is solely an all in one option. And though it does excel in that role, did you know you can also opt for specific courses and tailor them to fit your family's needs just as I have? BJU Press Homeschool provides the perfect balance of structure and flexibility and easily complements my family's mixed age, family together on the couch learning style.
• 11:02
  They are second to none in integrating a biblical worldview, stimulating critical thinking, and offering tons of hands on activities in the lessons. To find out how BJU Press Homeschool can come alongside you in your homeschooling goals too, visit bjupresshomeschool.com or click the link in the show notes. This is one of my favorite parts about homeschooling, and this is family together learning. It's that multi age, one room schoolhouse idea where certain subjects can be taught together regardless of the age difference between your kids and what grade levels they're in. A lot of us refer to family learning as morning time because it happens a lot in the mornings.
• 11:40
  And, no, this isn't just a kumbaya technique to make life easier. It's rooted in fostering relationships, collaboration, and multidimensional learning. Parents often worry about whether their kids can engage at such different levels, but honestly think about it. I've been doing it for years. Imagine you're teaching about ancient Greece.
• 11:58
  Maybe your young ones are coloring a map while your older ones are writing an analytical essay or exploring a primary resource document, and the conversations blossom naturally around the dinner table. Family together learning is learning that connects rather than isolates. And research shows that collaborative learning environments, even for varying abilities, improve children's emotional health by promoting empathy and shared experiences. You're not taking away from your kids' education if you're doing family learning together. You're unifying your family while still meeting all of their individual needs.
• 12:30
  So here's something you can try. Start small. Pick one subject, like science or history, and bring it together for the week. Choose a central theme, then tailor how your children engage based on their ages. You'll be amazed at how this not only transforms your day, but cultivates those priceless family bonds.
• 12:47
  If that felt a little bit too loosey goosey and you feel like you need a little bit more help, check out my unit studies on my website. I have a ton of them on there, and they're really amazing. They're literally designed for family learning because this is a passion of mine. And they're all basically plug and play for you, homeschool mama. Alright.
• 13:04
  So there you have it. We've tackled some big principles today on how to manage multiple grade levels in your home when you're homeschooling. Sourcing with the right balance, encouraging independence with your learners, and bringing your family together as a family, that saves so much time. And I hope part of you feels like a weight has been lifted because you don't have to do all of this perfectly. You just have to choose wisely and walk it out step by step.
• 13:30
  And remember, if you need more tools, more support, more advising, don't forget to check out Thrive Homeschool Community. It's where my heart lives, and maybe you'll love it there too. It's your chance to get the help that you need in your day to day. Because this road, while beautiful, isn't meant to be walked alone. Thank you for letting me join you today.
• 13:48
  Until next time, give yourself grace, celebrate the small victories, and don't forget to laugh when the day gets messy. We're homeschool moms. The house gets messy. You're doing more than you realize, and your kids see it. Take care, friends, and we'll see you next time.