How To : Transition to Minimalist Homeschooling

[@ForHisGlory222]

Oh, mama! I laughed so hard as you shared your story. That is so me! "Squirrel!!" 😂

[@ForHisGlory222]

And thank you so much for the constant reminder not to keep buying more stuff we don't need. I'm soooo guilty of this. As a book lover with super good intentions, I have shelves full of books I've not had time to crack open. Read what we have first! Great advice! And amazing video! Thank you!! 😘😘

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Oh I’m so so glad this was helpful for you! 💗🙏🏽 Thank you for your kind comments! Hope you have a wonderful homeschool year!

[@ForHisGlory222]

@@SaltyTribeCo Thank you!! 😘😘😘

[@markandlindsayveldhuizen8284]

I think finding your educatioal philosophy is key. They stick to it! It will then be simple.

[@JSCDR]

The joy of the Lord comes through in your videos. Thanks for sharing

[@HumansOfVR]

*I've found that the less stuff I own, the less my stuff owns me*

[@SaltyTribeCo]

YESSSSS!!!!! 🙌🏽💕

[@barefootizzy4464]

YES! Once we transitioned to a minimalist homeschool my son started enjoying learning way more. We adopted a minimalist/unschool way of learning and holy moly, it was a game changer. Having a child who had ASD, this made life so much better! Great video!

[@unchartedwithtorrie]

Loved this woman!!! EXCELLENT ADVICE! In this over saturated, overly consuming homeschool culture, I find your voice and opinion refreshing!!!!! THANK YOU! From one NC’er to another! ♥️

[@SnowsLunchbox]

I’m so glad I found this in the beginning of my homeschooling journey ... I have a 4 & 5 year old and we have been so overwhelmed with what to do and what not to do!

[@carinthiamontana7069]

Best advice: Use what you already have.

[@921missray]

I'm such a SQUIRREL! homeschooler. I have all of the things 😂😂😂 thanks for sharing. I needed to hear allllllll this

[@Thewildermama_]

SAME 😂

[@countryatheart73]

🙌💖🙌💖 This is such a fun, exciting, motivating, FREEING and encouraging video! It's like a minimalist- seasonal-unschooling! Such a beautiful concept. I'm going to be praying about this. Thank you so much! ❤

[@ACommonLife]

Jane! I loved this So much! Such great tips. I am doing a more minimalist homeschool with my younger three boys since the beginning of 2019. It is So much better. We are focusing on reading more and getting their reading skills up to where they need to be. My son with dyslexia has made such incredible improvements since the beginning of January. It makes my heart happy!

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Oh that’s so great to hear!!!! 💕😂

[@SaltyTribeCo]

🤦🏽‍♀️ I MEANT 💕🙌🏽 not the laughing emoji.

[@treefiddy5000]

Just came actoss your channel and next week i am hoping to begin homeschool preschool with my daughter (3y). And i had watched so many other videos where they had purchased SO MUCHAH stuff and i felt so bad because we don't have the money for that and plus because i am on the journey of minimalism so i didnt want to accumulate that much stuff. And it made me feel so guilty. But after viewing this video, i feel so much better about how i want to approach preschool (focus on what she enjoys, less is more, and just let her lead, and not be overwhelmed by having to buy so much and go broke). Thank you ao much for this video. I trully enjoyed and cherished your advice SO MUCH. Thank you.

[@berrypatch5583]

I am loving the simplicity of Rod and Staff and CLE K2 for preschool and kindergarten curriculum. It is super simple and inexpensive. Add a simple phonics primer and library books and school is simply covered and fun. Pray pray pray...so true.

[@gfullerful]

OHHHHHHH MY GOSH!!! I am definitely in the SQUIRREL phase... Each time I think I have settled on a curriculum to buy, I find another one and it opens the search all over again! I can't commit and your message gave me so much peace. I need to pray in order to re-center and find the path for us. Thank you thank you!!

[@SaltyTribeCo]

haha!!! You totally got this, Mama!!!! And this is totally a normal phase!!!!

[@Hamster_Watching]

Yes! When we start our day reading the Bible everything afterwards just flows lovely.

[@lindajohnson2950]

I love your attitude and honesty! Thank you for all your suggestions. I got sucked into overwhelm, and I used to teach at a Christian school. I am homeschooling 4 grandsons, and I am afraid I sucked the fun out of it. :( I got away from the original curriculum that we started with. It was not expensive, and it worked. KZbin was my nemisis, because I allowed myself to be sucked in. I messed up this year, but I am minimallizing now and for the rest of our homeschooling. My biggest problem is my husband. "When I was in school we....." We were both raised in public school, and of course we are in our mid 60s, so it is an adjustment. Some of us are more flixible than others. I am praying for him to become more flexible. Thanks so much for all you do!

[@heidib.4089]

Yes! Great video! We (w/3 kids) moved overseas where we could only mail about 8 locker boxes of “stuff” - minimum clothes, medicine, special toys, skeleton of what I needed for school. The rest went into storage. 6 months later....FANTASTIC!!! Husband and I feel physically and emotionally lighter and stress free - I sleep better and am waking up at 6am. Totally and completely unexpected blessing and school is simpler. I don’t have shelves of unused school stuff that is making me feel guilty. Really great. I MISS real books ;) but am thankful for Kindle!

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Oh yes!!! It’s a lighter, relaxed feel that is real. Everyone in the home can feel it. So glad you shared that!!! 💕

[@rachaelmilne5574]

Loved this! We simplified big time this year and oh what a difference! That shiny new curriculum thing sure can get ya!😂

[@SodbusterLiving]

I like how you just laid it out and went through it all point by point. I agree with so much here.

[@gobigandgohomeschool4882]

Lots of great advice!

[@ABeautifulHorizonTV]

So much wisdom here. Thank you! I consider myself a minimalist homeschooler and still have to realize when I'm falling into the squirrel mentality. It's so shiny! 😄💖

[@allisgrace1313]

I felt just like that with Charlotte Mason!

[@Dreblueskies]

I see this is an older video but it was so spot on! 🙌

[@ERICA850]

Thank you. The Lord definitely just directed me to this video. I've been feeling so overwhelmed

[@berrypatch5583]

This year we are doing Robinson curriculum as I love the focus on the 3rs. I plan to continue my own favorite math programs and add our favorite English program. Late this spring we did phonics, Math facts, and spelling intensive focuses. This summer will be handwriting and grammar. I feel this lends itself well to focusing on these fewer subjects in the fall. Rotating heavy focuses allows you to go deep and set it aside for a while.

[@jenniferchristopherson]

You have an absolutely gorgeous family! I'm so glad I have found your video before I start buying all my homeschool supplies!!

[@OurLadyFarms]

This video spoke to me!! I was praying last night as were doing allll the things

[@michellechannell1219]

Girl. I have so much curriculum. Squirrels all over the place at my house right now. I even have your curriculum. Love it but we had started something else before we had our copy. Now I'm back at my legs do basics phase. So I'm also at my praying for direction. Great video.

[@maranathayall]

You are speaking my language!! ❤

[@kristiLB93]

Haha! This is SOOOOOO TRUE!!! I bought a full Timberdoodle package for my two oldest and the first week I started I had a complete melt down because I had stacks of books staring at me. We stuck with the curriculum and we figured it out-BUT we set several books aside and many extras. But I agree, for us, prayer first. I tend to default to panic instead of prayer. Great tips and encouragement!! Thanks.

[@lorieannwarr7278]

Homeschool has been something I've thought about for a long time, but you make it seem so doable! Thank you for posted this video!!

[@SaltyTribeCo]

It’s doable! And very rewarding when you see them learning. I thought about it for years before I finally just jumped in. Had no clue what I was doing lol.

[@gratituderanch9406]

Love your personality! Appreciate the minimalist homeschooling ideas- I’m a perfectionist but have hit a wall (I have 3 kids, one is a fireball 11 month year old and I just can’t anymore). Been just doing basics and not liking our history and science just hard.... Thinking of the good and beautiful history as my kids WANT to do that. Nature journaling = science and art. Flesh out with library books/videos to teach science? Not high school yet so more flexible. Side note: the color of your eyes and your sweater..... wow. You’re so beautiful. Thanks for the video! Keep it up!

[@lynettestrickland1688]

Boy, can you read my mind? It's like you are talking directly to me...thanks so much❤️

[@lizabethski1]

I needed this! We are 3 years in, and I finally feel like we have a groove! We had allllllll the things, and I'm slowly paring down and keeping just the necessities. I was a self professed curriculum junkie. It feels so good to simplify! I love this video so much, thank you!

[@jeng9975]

Thanks Jane, I really needed this today! Lately I've really been feeling called to unschooling, but didn't know where to start, and this is perfect! Thank you!

[@Silly-Little-Mama]

You are so funny! And genuine. ❤️❤️

[@ProjectHappyHome]

This was awesome and hilarious! 😂🤗 TFS!

[@thisworldisnotmyhome747]

I feel like this video is just for me. Seriously! I have wasted so much money on curriculum. I feel like we've used it all.

[@ciannacoleman5125]

This concept of “minimalist” or “literature based” homeschooling is the perfect idea. We basically did this once we reached around 13yrs old but had curriculum when we were kids and I never liked it as much as the historical fictions on the same topic. My mom used to bemoan my obhoreance of nonfiction but that only lasted until I was old enough to want to find answers to questions (around teen yrs). Something so many people forget about is that it is impossible to educate anybody, all we can do is facilitate them educating themselves, if your student is unwilling they won’t absorb anything you think you are teaching.

[@SaltyTribeCo]

That is so true and something I was just talking about on a podcast! We facilitate but the learning is done by the child/person learning. That part is beyond our control. Thank you so much for your comment and insight!

[@AtHomeWithJill]

Best. Video. Ever!!!!!!!

[@MaggieR4]

This is coming at a great time. We are completing 1st grade using an eschool and it is SO much per day. This video will definitely be in mind as we plan our homeschooling strategies for next year. Thank you!

[@VictoriaaaLauren]

Thanks for videos like this! A lot of my friends are starting homeschool while everything is on lockdown and this is really helpful

[@leslieomr4912]

I so needed to hear everything you said on this video. It's hard getting off the hamster wheel of reviewing more curricula and questioning all my life choices ahaha

[@lisag.5337]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I know this is really going to help so many people struggling or just starting out with homeschooling. You have personally helped my family on our homeschool journey. Thank you😊

[@mmpjuly291]

Thank you for sharing! You have no idea how timely this is. Bless you

[@luthergirl106]

You are a rock star!!! I love love love this video. We are doing Charlotte Mason Homeschool, and trying to figure out how to minimize 💖. This video answered so many questions. Thank you!!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you for sharing this!!! Such good content and totally truth! I am guilty of making things way more difficult then they need to be! 💗 I buy all the things...it's a disease... I swear! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FoxRidgeRun]

O man totally been there. I have a ton of stuff to get rid of now.

[@ninilovenana]

8:48 best advice ever

[@supremegirlsinternational]

I love this help. My stress is going..

[@thecherishedlife]

This was actually extremely helpful! Thank you so much!!!!!

[@unconditionallovehomeschoo1830]

Thanks so much

[@danniosgood1362]

This is AMAZING! 😆

[@lisanunes7129]

querida sou do Brasil amando seus videos obrigada

[@Lss-s1x]

Jóia. Mais uma do Brasil. rs

[@lifeinhisimage]

you are so beautiful! your whole family is gorgeous! i hope i can get as good at this as you have

[@krispyklean9376]

So useful during this pandemic

[@MM-ct2te]

EPIC is a great app as a library alternative. it isnt FREE its about $7 per month but its well worth it. My son loves it. EPIC has a wide variety of reading material and Read To Me books also. This app also encourages your child by giving them award badges and you can print out a reading certificate as well. GREAT APP

[@Lss-s1x]

Great! We are in Brazil. Here there aren't videos and blogs about minimalist homeschooling. We need those videos with subtitles in Portuguese, please.

[@homeschoolreaders9598]

Very informative ♥️

[@mandygalgrows4454]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom! What advice would you give a mom of younger kids (1 and 4) on how to begin introducing homeschool structure? I’ve been thinking a lot about it the past year and I think I’m going to let them each do preschool for two years (a couple days a week) then begin “officially homeschooling” when it’s time for kindergarten. My oldest already does school twice a week a few hours and we visit the library at least weekly and read lots of books including bible stories. I’m just at a loss with how to officially begin.

[@SaltyTribeCo]

We introduce “formal” homeschooling between age 7 and 8. Every once in awhile we would do a learning activity or have some simple math curriculum or books we wanted to read. Mostly at those ages we spent a lot of time reading, playing with art supplies, kinetic sand and being outside 💕 Mama, you’re doing GREAT! 💕🙌🏽

[@hillaryenloe]

@Amanda I am in the same boat with my 4 yo. I am reading and following others on KZbin and soaking it all in. I plan on starting when she is 6 but I don’t even know how to introduce the idea to her. Or is that even necessary? She sees the school bus and is asking questions. She doesn’t want to leave me but wants to ride the bus 😂! Anyway, I thought next fall I would try to make a schedule for us but am at a loss. Right now we play outside - play all morning and I read to her but we don’t do anything “school” but we are living life! I just am not sure how to start to transition to a learning time. @SaltyTribeCo I love your channel, your honesty and real ness! Thank you for actually responding to questions too! ❤️❤️ Blessings to your family!

[@mandygalgrows4454]

SaltyTribeCo thank you! I hadn’t thought of kinetic sand. Will have to introduce more art activities and looking forward to spring and being outside again!!!

[@mandygalgrows4454]

Hillary Enloe wow that’s so cool you focus on playing outside! We do too but in the warmer months. Haha I’m too much of a wimp to withstand the cold!

[@rebekahpope4875]

Love ALL of this!

[@maisieliberty1319]

Hi Everett! :)

[@carlacarlson1676]

I love the idea of minimalist homeschooling. I'm just not sure if it's possible in a state that regulates so much and requires so many subjects!

[@SaltyTribeCo]

That can be tricky but it doesn’t have to be. If you have to keep records you would write every single thing you did (use pictures etc) or quick journal about what you used and what subjects that covers. There’s a lot of overlapping. Reading about science topics in biology for example if reading a bio about a scientist that’s not just science, it’s historic and English/language arts.

[@Kattenma]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[@hannahc1072]

I really enjoyed this video! Great information that everyone should follow, especially for us collectors of all the things 😂 Can you do an update review on the happy baby carrier soon please? I’m trying to decide if I should get it or not!

[@themillersbuiltupontherock7301]

I needed all of these videos you have posted lately!! And yes Squirrel 🐿!! That is Meeeee 😡 Our first year I did soooo much better .. I am no longer buying .. I made the mistake of purchasing the good and the beautiful ( don’t get me wrong it’s beautiful!! It’s great ... but it’s not for us) Core subject are what matters most !! ❤️Reading writing and arithmetic❤️ We have our bible app and we do the devotional We paint and play play-doh while I read .. we have discussions and pray Reading ... we read !! I read - kids read - we take turns - Dad reads .. WE READ lol Math ... khan academy ( ohh yes !! Thee best ) p.s they have a great kids app !!!! GREAT 👍 and we use Kumon math History ... who was books .. documentary.. bible And we bought a journal from thinking tree ( fun schooling ) ... looove them That’s it !! Can we just be neighbours !!! Thank you so much for these videos !!!!!!! I’m soooo done with Winter ❄️ 🥶 ❄️

[@SaltyTribeCo]

I LOVE FUN SCHOOLING MAMA!

[@organicwife]

Great video!! Gosh isn’t that the truth it can be so overwhelming if you allow it to be.

[@BeautifullyBlissfulButterfly]

Wonderful!

[@shannoncutshall8229]

I was a squirrel! homeschooler also. I actually sent my kids back to school for this semester because it got so stressful and expensive chasing all that stuff. I'm not sure if we will go back to homeschooling because it was so overwhelming.

[@GraceFilled]

Your the best!!!!

[@LivingTheJoyousLife]

this is SO good

[@angiea.399]

Thanks for sharing. You’re so inspiring And You’re not old lol

[@littlelearnerandmom]

Love this ❤️ thanks !

[@AtHomeWithJill]

What was the free math thing you mentioned? I can’t understand what you said there

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Khan Academy is free and they have beginning math alllll the way through college! My kids love it and it’s zero dollars! #ForTheWin 🙌🏽💗

[@madonnajordan8161]

This helped me so much. Thank you!! :-)

[@rolandabradley6193]

I am such a squirrel when it comes to homeschool curriculum......it's terrible at some times. i wanted to look at your curriculum but the link above doesn't work. How do I get to it to take a look at it? Thanks

[@SaltyTribeCo]

I sold the company Lamp + Light Homeschool but they continue to release the curriculum 💗 I write Salt and Light Homeschool and other curricula now, so it’s a little different.

[@Spinning_laine]

Oh man. This speaks to me! I am this person. I need all the things. I have a 4 year old who is beginning to read. I have good and the beautiful for language arts primer, good and the beautiful for math k, I am also throwing in a reading curriculum from moffatt girls, also writing from the good and the beautiful. As well as I am subscribed to a fun monthly play/learning thing, and kid wonder box so she could have some fun learning, AND little passports for some geography because she seems to like that. And all this is while trying to still have some bible and character learning and read alouds. I am so overwhelmed but I get worried to leave anything behind or not use what I have purchased. May I ask your opinion on what you would use out of the stuff I have and what schedule you would have? And maybe even what you would leave behind? She is eager to learn and we spend a good chunk twice a day learning from these supplies. Ugh, any help would be appreciated. Stressed out mom over here. Haha

[@SaltyTribeCo]

For that age and what you have : I would read books for English. Since you have the primer I would use that 1-2 times per week max. Math I would wait until she’s 5 or 6 and until then just count things, cook together etc. I would do the little passports each month (or the other learning fun thing). Might be best to pick one. Bible daily and character weekly. If it were truly me I wouldn’t do anything but : Bible daily, reading to her daily, outside daily, character stuff weekly, and do the little passports. I don’t like to feel guilt over not using stuff I’ve purchased and here’s why : I would rather not use something I spent hard earned money on than to overwhelm one of my young learners and set them up for either disliking school, feeling overwhelmed or burnt out before their more academic schooling even begins. 💕 We don’t start formal schooling until age 7-8. Even with my genius son who’s been reading since he was 2 and multiplying since he was 3. I keep them at their brain age even if they’re academically inclined. We feed that passion with books and outings to experience life together instead. I have totally been there! I completely understand this struggle! 🙌🏽💕 We are in the journey together. You’re doing great, mama. The fact that you’re worried is just a sign to me that you’re trying to be and do the very best for your baby! And that’s great!!! 💕

[@Spinning_laine]

@@SaltyTribeCo thank you so much for responding! I will try to chill out a bit and slow it down. 😂

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Sure thing! You’ve got this!!! 🙌🏽

[@tuathadesidhe1530]

Yeah so after home educating 5 kids who are now aged between 25 and 8.5 years old I realized a few years ago that I'm a hoarder minimalist. .. Which sounds kinda oxymoronic - but I've collected so much stuff over the years, yes many curriculums that were never fully used, maybe pilfered here n there - but I've amassed an amazing library over the years, and beautiful books, nature and art, along with nature science/study really are the foundation of what we do in the real world. The last couple of years we pick a topic that is the core subject of our year, and every education subject is based around that. Last year was supposed to be the year of travel and culture but covid turned it into the year of nature science, the year before that was the year of dinosaurs, this year will be vikings and every subject will revolve around vikings.

[@SaltyTribeCo]

sounds like a VERY fun school year ahead following a lovely nature study! This year for us is World Religions/Geography and Nature Study!!! So excited! But will have 6 kids now haha! It's going to be a fun kind of chaos! Love your comments!

[@tuathadesidhe1530]

@@SaltyTribeCo 6 certainly makes life interesting, I have 5 - but I also raised a "Cinderella daughter", while it can sometimes feel like meeting everyone's wants and needs is neverending - it's all over far too soon, embrace the chaos, remind yourself every day that you will miss it ❤️

[@lisalinder2697]

😂 It’s like watching myself go through the curriculum buying process 😂

[@alishajennings2013]

I'm new to homeschooling. I have chosen the Charlotte Mason method. I'm alittle confused bc my understanding is that you stay with an artist or composer for the entire 12 week term. You study 1 picture for a week or two and then pick another picture by the same artist and so on and so on for 12 weeks. Is that not correct?

[@SaltyTribeCo]

We could never get it all done in a day and it felt like too much with changing subjects in the day so frequently. 15-20 minute lessons didn’t work for us and then we didn’t get to everything and then I was overwhelmed.

[@alishajennings2013]

@@SaltyTribeCo That makes since. I have minimized every part of my life so I have really enjoyed your videos. Since this will be my first year I'm worried about getting overwhelmed so I like that someone is talking about minimizing homeschooling also.

[@meekybow7199]

I would love to live by this philosophy BUT my kiddo hates reading. I mean cannot stand it. No learning struggles, he just does not like reading. Any suggestions??? He is in 8th grade. Thanks!

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Often I’ve seen this reaction to reading in teens and older kiddos that may have felt pressured to read early. He may not have been actually pressured but sometimes they may FEEL pressured. Or didn’t like the literature picks in earlier years. Could have also been a peer pressure, a desire to measure up to other kids his age or grade level. Take a relaxed approach! First, take a break! Like, for months. Then try audio books on any topic he’s interested in. Also I try to keep in mind that even though I LOVE reading, not everyone does. It could be personality as well playing a part. 💕

[@meekybow7199]

Thanks Jane!! He was in public school kinder and 1st and was pushed to read and was NOT getting it at all!! That is the reason I began HS all my children. I love to read as well and it’s hard when my children don’t 😔. God is good and I believe he will turn that around. There was one book series that he absolutely loved “The Penderwicks.” I have not been able to find any book like that one. Also, it is so good to see you again! May Our Lord bring continued peace to you and your family 😁

[@shaysjs3376]

As always.. Good Stuff!! LOVES!!! ^^^ All of the above!! Can not TY enough for sharing!! Always, always, always look forward to it.. PS: My fave all time.. way to do clothing.. a few fave pieces, and just LIVE!!!! ^_^

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Haha the hoodie is from Walmart! It was around $15 I think. It’s so comfy!!!

[@beatricehatcher4867]

Archive.org is a good resource for free books you can checkout online and read. They have picture books too.

[@mamabiz4150]

THIS IS ME