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Monday 08:00 - 16:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00 Thursday 08:00 - 16:00 Friday 08:30 - 15:00

http://www.acehomeschool.co.za/

National Home Education Academy, 13 Glen Anil Street, Durban (2026)

14/08/2023

How To Homeschool When You’re Stressed

Let’s be real. It’s not uncommon for a mom to be stressed out at some point in her day. When you add homeschooling to the mix, it’s easy to be stressed out. Instead of letting the stress control your life, it’s important to learn how to handle it. Here are some tips!

Create a Simple Schedule
The feeling of not being fully prepared can easily make the whole day feel out of control. By creating a simple schedule, you can eliminate a lot of stress. It doesn’t have to be a strict schedule. Just keep simple things in mind such as when the kids will take breaks, what time you’ll stop for lunch, and perhaps a relaxing activity you’ll all do together in the afternoon. Make time for rest and give yourself some down time.

Slow Down
Even moms who are calm can easily become stressed. A lot of time, the stress of homeschooling comes from not slowing down, from cramming too much stuff into your day. One of the best things you can do for yourself, as you feel yourself becoming stressed, is to slow down. If it will help for the kids to take a break from maths today, that’s okay. Don’t overcrowd your schedule, don’t put so many expectations on yourself, and just spend a little time restoring a sense of calm to your own heart and mind. Remember that your mood has an impact on your family. If you’re feeling stressed, it could easily rub off on the children, so get it under control as quickly as possible.

Listen to music that calms your soul
We all have that favourite music that calms our soul, don’t we? If you’re a stressed out homeschooling mom, listen to music that will inspire you and help you calm down. Put on some praise and worship and soak up God’s goodness as He refreshes your soul.

Learn to cope with stress
Get more sleep if you need it. No one can focus on anything when they’re lacking sleep.
Take a break when you need it, don’t put too many expectations on yourself (or on your kids!), and try not to push yourself to the limit.

We hope that these simple tips will help you when you’re feeling stressed, so that you can fully benefit from the blessing that is homeschooling! 😊

06/04/2023

All we can say is…WOW! Well done to every NHEA student who took part in our latest Theme Thursday project: Magazine Collage. Each artwork is so original and unique. It was also exciting to see so many new faces for this challenge!

Enjoy the pics......

03/04/2023

HOMESCHOOL ENCOURAGEMENT - WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO QUIT

It’s no secret that homeschooling can sometimes be challenging for parents to pull off. Getting your children ready for their school day, plus still having to be the parent, can be a lot of work. Maybe you struggle with the admin, or find it hard having kids at different levels who all need your help. It can be exhausting. So, here is the homeschool encouragement you need when you feel like giving up.

(1) Reflect on why homeschooling is important to you.
Why did you start homeschooling in the first place? Sometimes remembering why you’re doing this can be all the motivation you need to keep going.
Do you believe your children thrive with the one-on-one approach? Maybe you feel they’re better able to be themselves by being homeschooled? Do you like the freedom with them not being tied down to a school schedule? Do you like knowing what they are being exposed to?
Spend some time writing, thinking or talking to a friend about why homeschooling is important to you.

(2) Stop comparing yourself and your kids to others.
Listening and being encouraged by other homeschool parents is great, but it’s important not to start comparing yourself to them, or comparing your child to others.
It’s easy to start thinking, “I’ll never be as organized as her,” or “I can’t afford to do all those extra activities with my kids.”
Every homeschool parent is different with their own unique strengths and opportunities. It’s not about what you can’t do for your kids, but what you are able to do. It’s ok if you suck at arts and crafts and have to rely on someone else (even YouTube) to teach art to your kids. That’s ok.
Just as importantly, we have to make sure we’re not comparing our kids to other kids. It’s so easy to get caught up in that, but in the end it’s not helpful for us or for our kids. Your concerns can easily rub off on them.
Learning should be fun! Wherever possible, encourage your child/ren to take what they’re learning to a deeper level and to greater depths. This could be allowing them to create projects, present orals, write stories, draw a picture, etc. etc….about subject matter they are interested in.
Remember, there are successful adults walking around today who didn’t learn how to read until long after their peers, and that’s ok. Focus on what your child is good at, and keep exposing them to material they still need to master, but no need to stress you or your child out about it.

(3) Create a new homeschool routine.
Maybe your daily setup is what’s draining your motivation to homeschool.
Are you starting homeschool too early in the day? Or maybe it’s dragging out too long? Your routine might be making it harder for you to do a good job.
Here are a few things to consider for tweaking your daily homeschool routine:
• Do you have a structured timetable up in a prominent place (office wall or fridge) so that everyone in the family can work the school day around it? Having a timetable is super important, because it ensures that you start and end at a specific time and also that the kids (and you!) are taking regular breaks.
• Is everyone in a good mood by the time you start? (Well rested and fed)
• Do your kids have time to feel connected to you before starting and throughout the day? This can be as simple as having some time reading books cuddled on the couch before getting started. Connection is an important part of parenting.
• Are you feeling rushed to get everything done? Do you need to perhaps allot more time for homeschooling, or do you need to focus on less material per day?
• Is it hard to focus on multiple kids? How can you divide up their learning so you’re not being stretched thin?
• Do you have designated breaks where you yourself are taking a break, too? (Not cooking or cleaning but actually sitting down and clearing your mind? Self-care is important for you as a homeschool parent.)
• Are you all getting enough time outside and moving your bodies?
• Is your routine usually consistent or does it change a lot? If it changes a lot, you might find that unpredictability makes your kids cranky which can make you cranky too.
• Is everyone getting enough to eat throughout the day to avoid getting “hangry”?

Take a good hard look at your current routine and feel free to play around with it until you find a system that actually works for you and each of your kids.

(4) Get organized.
Planning ahead might not be your strong suit, but keeping your homeschool organized can be a huge lifesaver.
If every day it’s easy to know what you’re going to do and just pick things up and get started, it will save you a lot of mental energy.
Keeping all your homeschooling materials organized can help a lot, too. Knowing where you’ll find the markers or scissors exactly when you need them can really help.

(5) Take a break and reset.
If after all of this you’re still feeling really defeated, it might be time to take a break.
You shouldn’t be afraid to take a break, and it’s even a good idea to plan breaks well in advance for you to have a break to look forward to.
Right now though, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAY. Take a step back. Regroup. Reset. Recharge. And be encouraged to continue on your homeschooling journey.

Hopefully, you are feeling a bit more encouraged now when it comes to homeschooling, but maybe you still feel a bit defeated. Remember, no one is going to be “perfect” when it comes to homeschooling. That’s not a goal anyone should try to reach for.

Go out there and start applying these tips, discover new things, and you should get your motivation back soon.

16/03/2023

NHEA's much-anticipated Theme Thursday is baaack for 2023! Londi and Sue are so impressed with the talent of students who participated in the first challenge of the year: "DIY Mousepad".

Heeere are the entries......!!

(The next Theme Thursday challenge is already in your Inbox!!)

01/12/2022

Watch Sue and Londi "in action" as they talk about the upcoming NHEA Prize Giving!!!

(Our apologies for the previous video that cut off halfway through...)

01/12/2022

Well done to all students who took part in our recent Theme Thursday challenge: Thumb Tack Word Art. (This was our last Theme Thursday challenge for 2022.)

Enjoy these works of art created by our amazing kiddos........

29/11/2022

How to FINISH STRONG…when all you want to do is quit.

Do the weeks left of the homeschool year seem to span endlessly before you? Do you long to recharge your batteries…or better still, give up altogether? As a homeschool mom, the end of the year can be really tough for staying motivated.
If you are a discouraged homeschool mom, too exhausted to homeschool, we completely understand. Any homeschool parent can get burned out. It’s not something to be ashamed of, instead, it’s something important to recognize. Without calling it what it is, it cannot be remedied.
There isn’t a single homeschool mom who hasn’t been in your shoes at one point or another. Homeschooling is tough work. Today’s Motivation is for YOU – the discouraged homeschool mom, the weary homeschool mom, and the parent feeling the homeschool guilt. In fact, this Motivation is also for the burned-out student. If homeschool parents can feel ready to quit, so can students!

How to Reignite Motivation as Homeschool Parents
Sometimes, you just need a break. I know taking a break can open the door to homeschool guilt, but resting isn’t wrong. For your health, your children’s health, and your relationship with you and your children, it is essential to know when it’s okay to take a break for a while. We aren’t talking about permanently stopping, so try to restructure your negative thoughts leading to homeschool guilt. Your children will not get behind or lose skills if you take off for a day or even a week. When you’re too tired to homeschool or your children seem burned out, it is far healthier to take a break than to push onward.
As homeschool parents, you work day and night to give your children the best education possible. Consequently, your energy is depleted and it’s okay to recognize your exhaustion, lack of inspiration, and need for variation. It is helpful to recognize when it’s okay to stop homeschooling for a moment and it is necessary for the overall health and joy of your homeschool! Here are our suggestions for putting a stop to the homeschool guilt and reigniting your motivation.

• Simplify the Schedule. When you begin feeling burned out while homeschooling, try lightening the daily schedule. Pare down the day to the basics and essentials.
• Take a Break. Sometimes, you just need a full break! If you are feeling depressed, stressed, or lacking motivation, it may be time to take a few days or a few weeks to rest and recharge. There’s no shame in it and you’ll be better for it!
• Get Fresh Air. Take a walk, jog or hike. Sit by a pond and breathe in the fresh air. Or, just go outside on your patio, deck or balcony. Either way, Vitamin D naturally helps us feel better. Make it a weekly priority to do something outdoors, and don’t forget to prioritize fitness!
• Homeschool with YouTube. YouTube is an excellent resource for homeschoolers! Let your students learn on their own for a while thanks to educational videos.
• Meet with Fellow Homeschoolers. It is always helpful to chat with friends and other homeschooling parents. Even if it is just over Zoom/Skype, try to connect with at least one other homeschool parent.
• Pause the Core Curriculum. If you’d rather not take a full break at the moment, consider simply pausing the core curriculum for a week. Instead, focus on electives, projects, reading, art, and more! A partial break can do more good than you’d think.
• Gameschool. Homeschooling with games is a fun and stress-free way to help your students learn. Games are a fantastic option because the educational concepts are practical, applicable and memorable. After all, everyone learns best when they are enjoying themselves!
• Remember Why You Started. At the end of the day, your motivation for homeschooling will still come down to your root reasons for choosing this lifestyle, to begin with. Take a few moments to remember your original reasons.

(Adapted from homeschool.com)

24/11/2022

IT'S HERE!!!!!!

Your 22-page NHEA Newsletter for 2022!!!

(Check your Inbox...)

03/10/2022

Tips On Motivating Your Child

There isn’t a single home school parent who hasn’t faced the challenge of kids who just don’t want to work. Kids who are less than enthusiastic about opening their Maths PACE or studying for a Science Checkup. So how do parents get past this difficult phase? Is it possible to turn “school time” into a cooperative experience?

Firstly, remember that students on the ACE programme, and particularly home schoolers, don’t have to be lumped together with a classroom of 20-30 other children who are all learning the same thing at the same time. The beauty of home schooling allows us to nurture each child individually and help shape them into the person they were meant to be. Here are some tips on how to nurture the love of learning in your home schooling environment:

What Not To Do:
• Don't encourage competition. In school, kids vie to receive the highest grade or be the best student. A real education is not about obtaining the highest grade or finishing first -- it's about learning to love learning.
• Focus on the process, rather than the results.
• Don't compare your children to other kids. It doesn't matter if your daughter's seven-year-old friend knows all of her times tables, or the eight-year-old down the street is already writing cursive. Home schooled kids have the luxury of learning when they're ready to learn. Enjoy this freedom.
• Don't confuse rote memorization with real learning. It’s been proven that children forget 80 percent of the prior year's "learning" (i.e., memorization) over a long holiday. Kids (and adults!) remember things they love. If your kids are allowed to pursue their passions and interests, they'll be light years ahead in their learning without even trying!
• Don't blame your child if the home schooling isn’t going well. Step back, take a break, look at what you're doing, and find a better way to do it. Flexibility is essential (check with your academy if you need guidance).

What To Do:
• Before your day starts, make sure that the Score Keys are where they should be, and that PACE Tests are ready to hand out (if your child has a test that day).
• Arrange your house so it is "education friendly." Be sure to have plenty of the following within easy reach, where possible: interesting books, magazines, and catalogs; arts and crafts supplies; writing and office supplies; science equipment (scales, thermometers, magnets); calculators; cookbooks and measuring tools; musical instruments and music books; a microscope or telescope; a globe, and maps prominently displayed.
• Turn off the TV or limit its use. Few kids (or adults for that matter!) can resist the hypnotic grip of a blaring television. Shut off the Game Boy and restrict mindless computer games. Children should also not be allowed to use cell phones during school hours.
• Visit your library regularly and check out a variety of books on interesting new topics.
• Gear your studies to your child's interests. Find a topic that inspires him/her, and follow his/her lead. Study science using insects, fractions by baking, horticulture by gardening, and geometry by building a birdhouse.
• If you have space, provide an area for mess-making and have a table set aside for ongoing projects.
• Allow for down time when kids aren't producing much at all. This "dormant" period is often followed by an intellectual growth spurt. Encourage and support this slow period.
• Set a good example. Want your kids to read more? Let them see you reading. How often do you write letters, look up something you don't know, or play an educational game? Are you willing to try an unfamiliar activity or learn a new task? Kids mirror what they see at home. If your free time is spent vegging out in front of the TV, how can you expect your kids to do anything different?
• Become your child's learning partner. Home schooling is really a great opportunity to learn all those cool things you missed when you went to school. See your role as that of a facilitator... creating an atmosphere where learning is a part of living rather than something that only takes place during "school time."

When we are willing to let our children learn in freedom, they soar. If we introduce rigid "school-type" studies into their lives, their creative juices will dry up. So it’s important to find that balance -- some PACE work, sharing a great book or science experiment, working on something together …… and watch their beautiful minds unfold. You’ll find it’s a gift to be a part of that learning experience.

29/09/2022

WOW!!! We were a bit worried that we'd made our latest Theme Thursday task too difficult when we challenged students to create their own "ship in a bottle", but our students proved us wrong. Here are their clever creations......

06/09/2022

Well done to those students who created “Marble Clay Dishes’ for our latest Theme Thursday challenge. Your dishes look so impressive, well done!!

National Home Education Academy

14/08/2023

06/04/2023

03/04/2023

16/03/2023

01/12/2022

01/12/2022

29/11/2022

24/11/2022

03/10/2022

29/09/2022

06/09/2022

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Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:30 - 15:00