Homeschooling During the Holidays: Tricia Goyer’s Best Tips (and Survival Tactics)
Homeschool
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Ah, the holidays. The most wonderful time of the year—unless you’re trying to homeschool. Then it’s the most chaotic time of the year. Between Christmas plays, cookie baking, and the constant hum of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” homeschooling can feel like trying to ride a reindeer through a snowstorm.
But don’t worry! With a little creativity, a lot of grace, and maybe a few extra cups of coffee, you can keep your homeschool running smoothly while still embracing the holiday spirit. Here are my top tips for homeschooling during the holidays—sprinkled with humor and lots of practical ideas to keep your sanity intact.
1. Embrace the Christmas Chaos
Let’s start with the obvious: the holidays are messy. There’s glitter on the floor, frosting in your hair, and someone just “decorated” the dog with tinsel. Instead of fighting it, roll with it!
Math lesson? Let them calculate how many ornaments will fit on the tree. Science? Discuss the chemical reactions behind gingerbread baking. Art? Turn every school subject into a craft project. Sure, your house might look like Santa’s workshop exploded, but at least they’re learning, right?
2. Turn Christmas Prep Into Schoolwork
Who has time for formal lessons when there are cookies to bake and presents to wrap? Good news—that IS schoolwork!
- Math: Let them measure ingredients or create a budget for Christmas shopping.
- Writing: Have them write Christmas cards or craft a holiday newsletter.
- Home Economics: Teach them how to wrap gifts without using an entire roll of tape. (Good luck with that one.)
- History: Research the origins of Christmas traditions or study holidays around the world.
3. Add Holiday-Themed Learning
Add holiday magic to your regular lessons to keep your kids engaged.
- Holiday Book Reports: Read a classic like A Christmas Carol or The Polar Express. Or dive into my new book, Wonders of the Ocean Realm. What better way to escape the winter chill than exploring the vibrant world of ocean life?
- Christmas Math Games: Use candy canes to teach addition or subtraction. (Bonus: You get to eat the candy canes after.)
- Music Appreciation: Study the history of Christmas carols, then sing your favorites. Pro tip: Record their renditions as a keepsake—or a future blackmail tool.
4. Plan for “Light School Days”
Not every day has to include a full schedule. Give yourself permission to lighten the load during the holiday season. Here are a few ideas:
- Movie Day: Watch a holiday-themed educational movie or documentary. (Yes, The Grinch counts if you discuss the moral of the story afterward.)
- Field Trips: Visit a live nativity, take a tour of holiday lights, or check out a local Christmas market.
- Read-Alouds: Snuggle up with hot cocoa and read holiday classics—or dive into Wonders of the Ocean Realm for a break from the Christmas overload.
5. Make Time for Giving Back
The holidays are a great time to teach your kids about generosity and kindness.
- Volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen.
- Make Christmas cards for nursing home residents.
- Pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Not only does this teach valuable life lessons, but it also helps balance out the sugar rush from all those Christmas cookies.
6. Keep It Simple
Some days, just surviving is an achievement. On those days, remember that homeschooling doesn’t have to be perfect.
- Do a puzzle together.
- Build a LEGO nativity scene.
- Play a Christmas trivia game.
- Listen to Christmas audiobooks while sipping peppermint tea.
It’s not about checking every box on your lesson plan; it’s about creating memories and enjoying the season.
7. Lean Into the Magic of Storytelling
One of my favorite ways to keep kids engaged during the holidays is through storytelling. That’s why I wrote Wonders of the Ocean Realm. It’s packed with captivating short stories about marine life, stunning artwork, and faith-filled reflections that will inspire your kids to see God’s intentional design in creation.
Imagine reading about Dexter, the clever mimic octopus, or Wendell, the majestic humpback whale, while sipping hot cocoa by the fire. It’s the perfect mix of education and wonder—and it might even give you 20 minutes of quiet while your kids are mesmerized by the underwater world.
8. Give Yourself Grace
Here’s the truth: homeschooling during the holidays is never going to be picture-perfect. And that’s okay. Your kids won’t remember the perfectly planned lessons—they’ll remember the moments you shared, the laughter you had, and the memories you created together.
So if the math lesson turns into a snowball fight or the science experiment ends with glitter in your coffee, embrace it. Because homeschooling during the holidays isn’t just about academics—it’s about celebrating the joy of learning together.
Let’s Dive Into the Holidays!
This holiday season, let’s make learning fun, memories meaningful, and cookies plentiful. And don’t forget to pre-order Wonders of the Ocean Realm—the perfect gift for curious minds and adventurous hearts.
Merry Christmas from my homeschool to yours! 🎄
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