Homeschooling while Traveling

I enjoy traveling with my husband and children 3-4 times a year. As a homeschooling mother, I see educational opportunities as we travel to our destinations. I don't like to waste the valuable time we have together. I have found a few things that make it easier to facilitate learning on the road.

To include your road trip as learning:

Plan your trip. This makes it easier to know how to incorporate your travels into educational opportunities. If you know where you will be traveling, you can educate both yourself and your children about area history, important significances, culture, scenic sites, industries, etc.

Plan ahead for learning. Call or e-mail local state tourism boards and request mailings of travel information, historical, and state information. Tell them that you are a traveling educator with students interested in learning as much as possible about the area as you travel through. When I mentioned that I was a home educator, NY and PA sent me coloring books and educational materials regarding their states.

Do research online about the places you will visit. Most major stops and some smaller ones have information on the web. It never hurts to look and there is no telling what you will find.

Stop and pick up brochures from hotels, gas stations, tourist information centers, etc. Many include information that will peak your child's interest in the area. Unique stories of the area are often included which will open conversations.

When you stop at tourist information centers, tell them that you are an educator and ask what they have available. In Maryland, I was given a whole package of educational material for my children!

Let your children help plan the budget. There are several expenses you can plan budgets around such as food, shopping, gas, lodging, and sightseeing. This is practical hands on learning that involves academics. This also makes your children feel a part of the trip planning.

Look for free things to do like factory tours, exhibitions, and so on. I found a lot of free things to do in Pennsylvania just by searching online.

Teach map skills! My oldest learned how to read a map on our last trip.

Get your children to help look for/read road signs. It's a great way to improve reading skills!

Teach the meaning of driving symbols.

Taste local foods if you have the opportunity.

For general education while in a moving vehicle:

Don't plan or expect anything too formal.

I have my readers read aloud to everyone in the car to practice their reading skills.

Bring along flash cards, if you use them.

Read aloud to your family from a book or on a topic in which everyone has an interest. This is a great way to learn together as a family.

Hold discussions. As we traveled from Virginia to Canada, we talked about the Underground Railroad, Freedom Quilts, and more. Our entire family was included in the discussion and we found our children had many questions about this period of history.

Crosswords, word searches, mazes, coloring books, and color-and-appear books can keep your children happy. You may be able to tailor them to your studies/interests.

Make good use of books on tape, educational story tapes, etc. You can use the library, purchase them, or make your own. You can also tape documentaries. Check local t.v. and radio program listings for things that will interest your family.

With just your radio and some time in the car, you can teach your child the difference between different styles of music. You can also discuss current events.

Just looking out of your window, you can explore the different things you see. For example: farmers, urban/suburban/city dwellers, commuters, industries, geological formations, and so forth.

Take advantage of license plates! Make a game where your children try to see the first one of the state you are traveling into or the most plates from different states.

Don't do all the talking. Encourage your children to share their thoughts and opinions! This keeps them thinking and involved.

Don't plan every hour of the trip for "school." This gets to be too much for the whole family. Instead, come prepared and provide the initiative, but then let it take it's natural course.

To survive on the road:

Throw out your plans of making "good driving time." This determination to drive somewhere in a set number of hours just doesn't work well with small children. It can also cause you to forget to put your child's needs first and to make family enjoyment a priority. And, it can cause you to speed in order to accomplish your goals. Relax! Have some fun instead of creating more stress on yourself and your family. My husband and I have a goal of getting there as safely, happily and quickly as possible...with quickly being on the low end of our priorities.

If your time is limited, travel at night while the children are sleeping so you will have less stops for bathroom breaks. This worked well for my family.

Make Goodie Bags!

Make an "I See It Travel Checklist!"

Bring along books, coloring books, books on tape, children's music, small puzzles, hand-held games, anything to keep them busy and happy.

Remember children have small bladders, small stomachs, and restless energy-filled bodies. Be considerate of your child's needs. (I will not hesitate to take my child to a secluded spot beside the road if he/she needs to use the bathroom and there is no where with facilities close.)

Be prepared. Pack some toilet paper, tissues, snacks, drinks, small pillow, favorite blankets and anything else you think you might need for someone's comfort.

Don't forget a few small toys! It's always best to try to use educational toys instead of mindless ones. And, I try to pack things that I know will interest more than one child to limit what I need to carry.

Limit caffeine and sugar, which will help with behavior problems.

Have plenty for them to do to keep them content. They may choose to play with the straws you picked up at the fast food place instead of anything you brought.

Let them know that the same level of behavior you expect at home is expected in the vehicle. I don't tolerate bickering or hitting at home and I most definitely do not allow it in a moving vehicle.

You can't stop everywhere, but do try to stop when you can. Make the most of stops--try to get a meal, exercise and some sightseeing in if possible.

Try not to pack so much that you have to pack under your children's feet. If your children are crowded due to limited space, they will be more restless due to discomfort.

When you want quiet time so you can talk to your spouse, tell them this is what you want. "Mom and Dad need some time to talk, please play quietly."

The most important tip I have for you....Relax and enjoy your time with your family! Life is too short to ignore the opportunities we have with one another!

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