What Counts?

School measures things that are, for the most part, irrelevant to homeschoolers. Grade levels and standardized tests control so much of what happens in the classroom. Often homeschooled kids aren’t even sure what grade they are in because they work in mixed-aged groups!

It is completely expected for a particular child to be “ahead” of grade level in a certain subject and “behind” in others. But that kind of reckoning only makes sense inside the school system where the conveyor belt is moving. Kids simply must keep up…or not.

In our homeschools we can look at our kids holistically. They are learning all the time, not just during designated school hours following purchased curriculum.

What counts in your homeschool? Testing results? Grade levels? We can sometimes forget to count the things that really matter. Worse, we can measure our kids against outside yardsticks, and let comparison steal our joy. Instead you might count

play time, read alouds, quiet time, service projects,
dress up, zoo visits, time with grandparents or other caring adults
chores, walks, and library visits.

What counts in your homeschool?