Toe-Dipping into Homeschooling

Toe-Dipping into Homeschooling ~
Written by Lusi Austin of That Homeschool Life

Imagine it’s a hot, summer’s day here in Australia. There is no place I’d rather be than near the ocean or our local river, dipping my toes into the cool water.

Sometimes, just dipping my toe in is enough and other times, it is the starting point for a full on deep-dive!

And that has had me thinking – offering our kiddos a myriad of learning opportunities and experiences is like toe-dipping: our kids dip their toes into the learning waters.

Sometimes they have ‘just enough’ exposure to certain activities and ideas that it gives them a chance to really feel like they have tried that subject or theme. At other times, that little toe-dip actually leads them into a deep-dive on a topic that they’d once never even thought of.

This has happened with most of my kids over the years. Instead of fighting the urge to insist that we all approach the water in the same way, I now actively encourage toe-dipping into homeschooling interests (even if it doesn’t lead to a deep-dive experience).

Let me share a few examples and just how far one small dip into the waters has led to an immersive experience for three of our kids.

Toe-Dipping into Homeschooling

A Dip into Tech

A few years ago, my youngest son (now 13 years old), seemed to be interested in building, making and creating with Legos. I saw that his interest moved more into the Lego Technic pieces (afflinks). He worked on click-style circuit kits but completed these very quickly.

A friend had mentioned a special electronics style kit that she had found called Spintronics. Although this was a little beyond him in some areas, he kept at it. I saw that it was stimulating his mind in way that other kits had not.

Now at 13, this little toe-dip which began playing with Legos, has led to him into new tech areas.

He has purchased two 3D printers and using his own designs, he has begun selling 3D printed earrings and fidget toys. He has joined a homeschool coding club. His love of tech and engineering principles continues.

A Dip into Cooking

From the time our kids could stir a bowl, I have had them in the kitchen making a mess  participating. They kept their own recipe books, writing out recipes we had made together. When one of our sons took a job at a local nursing home in the kitchen, he already had some skills he had practiced at home.

He was then offered an apprenticeship in commercial cookery. He has now graduated from his tertiary education certificate course. Last week, he cooked for his housemates!

Who knew a toe-dip into cooking during our homeschool years might come in handy in his future?

A Dip into Sewing

Another example of toe-dipping in our home has been my youngest daughter and sewing. I gave a toe-dipping experience to all five of our children in this area.

But she was the only one who REALLY went all in with the deep-dive! You can read more about where this dipping led her in this post.

When Toe-Dipping Doesn’t Lead Anywhere

What if NOTHING happens after you offer an activity or a learning experience to your kiddo? As parents, sometimes we feel disappointed that our kids don’t go all-in with an activity. Breathe and know that it is okay.

We all have likes and dislikes. It may not be something your kid picks up again EVER. Or you may have given them an introduction to something that they can explore for themselves in another season of their life.

Sometimes, the best place is watching from the sand. They may be observing and taking things in. It may be that later down the track they ask more questions or their interest piques.

Rest in the knowledge that you have given your child rich learning opportunities and experiences. There is value in toe-dipping, in deep-diving, and in standing on the sand too.

* Find more inspiration in Lusi’s writing on Simple Homeschool!

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