What if...we don't have internet access?

Part 1 of 2

Sometimes it seems like so much of our lives happen online—ordering something on Amazon, fact-checking at Wikipedia, or watching a how-to video on YouTube.

But when it comes to homeschooling…what if you don’t have internet access? or good internet access?

Is it even possible to homeschool without an internet connection?

Yes, you can homeschool without the internet!

Remember, up until 25 years ago, not only did most people not have reliable internet access (can you say dial-up?!), they didn’t have ANY internet access. So relax, for the vast majority of human history people managed to learn and do it successfully without turning to the internet for every piece of information.

Now, that being said, and when you consider our play is crucial / unschooly point of view, it shouldn’t be surprising that we think a low-tech or no-tech early childhood is a great option, perhaps even the BEST option!

No tech, real-world engagement for the win

In fact, a screen-free education for young kids is a good thing to aim for. If you’re at a restaurant, don’t hand them a phone, talk to your kids about what’s going on around them or pull out one of the travel games all homeschool moms seem to have in their purses. (We’re not sure if that’s a homeschool mom rule, but it might be! LOL!)

Kids easily pick up on computers, but being fascinated by the real world around them is hugely beneficial to young children.

So seriously — a library card (or an at-home library), a kitchen, a yard, a local park, and the occasional shopping expedition are all you need for a robust homeschool experience.

When our kids were little, a huge portion of their educational experience involved reading aloud to them. Social studies, science, and reading can all be learned from the pages of a library book! Join the legions of homeschooler parents who head to the library with a laundry basket.

Turn them outside to explore what’s happening in or back yard. When they’re hungry and ready to come back inside, cook with them in the kitchen. While you’re at it, singing and dancing in the kitchen always makes for a good time.

Encourage them to play with their toys rather than veg out in front of the television.

Narrate everything

Sometimes it seemed that all we did was talk, because when our kids were small, we narrated everything!

A trip to the grocery store could take all morning because we’d be talking about everything we saw. In the produce section we’d compare the differences between various kinds of apples, hunt for things that were green, or smell all the different citrus fruits. Then we’d head to the canned goods and start all over again. Once you’re back home in the kitchen, explain what you’re cooking, what your utensils are, how they work.

Need to do the laundry? Explain everything you’re doing to your kids. Count clothes, sort clothes, fold clothes — one towel, two towels, red towels, blue towels. It’s like a real-life One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish!

In short — no internet access is no reason to give up on your dreams of homeschooling your kids. Not even if they’re in high school, which is what we’ll talk about next week!

Best,