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One of my favorite ways to introduce new books, games, art supplies, sensory bins, etc. to my kids is through the art of strewing. This is also very similar to Learning Invitations. The basic idea is that you lay out things out in an inviting way for your kiddos to discover on their own. You aren’t introducing it with a big lesson or with much fanfare. It’s a gentle invitation to play and learn, which makes it feel like your child’s idea – not yours.
Books & Breakfast
Set books out at the breakfast table in the morning so that your kids find them while they’re eating. They can read or look at the books right away in the morning, and then it can capture their interest into the rest of your homeschool day.
This could be a book related to a topic you’re learning about or just a random book you think your kids will like. This is especially great for kids who aren’t really interested in reading or are resistant to any book that you suggest to them.
Art Invitation
An art invitation can be as simple as putting out paper and water colors or more complicated with the pieces of an elaborate craft project.
Invitation to Play
I really enjoy putting out invitations for my kids to play, especially when they’re little. This could just be a basket of blocks, musical instruments, etc. This works best with open-ended toys.
These invitations to play really help if you feel like your kids are in a rut with play or you just need to rotate in some fresh toys.
Sensory Strewing
Put together a sensory experience for your kiddos – this can be really simple with popcorn seeds in a dish tub and your kids search for wooden shapes in the seeds.
Here are some sensory ideas:
- Kinetic sand
- Sensory bins
- Playdough
- Water table/tub
Games
Leave a new game or a game your kids haven’t played in a long time out to invite them to play!
Topical Strewing
Put activities, books, learning tools, etc. around the room that are related to a topic you’re studying. For example, if you’re learning about the human body, leave an anatomy model on the table for your kids to explore, with a human body puzzle, and some books about the body.
You can do this with any topic, even if you’re not specifically studying it in your homeschool. You can put out math manipulatives to encourage your kids to explore and do math on their own. Put a scale and measuring tape out with different objects for your kids to weigh and measure. Put a microscope and a magnifying glass out with some items from your nature shelf.
The great thing about strewing is that you don’t have to say to your kids “now we’re going to do this activity” or “let’s read this book!” Instead, your kids are in charge of their learning and taking initiative on their own. Isn’t this what we want? :)