From Checklists to Flexibility: Helping Kids Plan Their Day

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I sat down with Pam Barnhill—longtime homeschooler, former classroom teacher, and podcasting inspiration—for an insightful conversation about fostering independence and planning skills in homeschooled kids. Pam shares her own homeschooling journey, from her early days teaching preschool at home to launching her teens into work studies and career paths. Together we discuss the ups and downs of raising independent learners, offering practical tips for developing planning muscles, navigating different organizational styles, and supporting kids with unique needs, like dyslexia. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with relatable stories, honest reflections, and actionable ideas to help your family thrive.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Pam introduces herself, mentioning her background as a former classroom teacher and her journey as a homeschool mom.
• Discussion about learning alongside children and how homeschooling has been enriching for both parents and kids.
• Learning Through Homeschooling
• Pam's experience homeschooling her children from preschool through high school.
• The concept of "redeeming" one's own education as a homeschooling parent.
• Developing Independence and Planning Skills
• The importance of teaching kids independence in setting up and organizing their school day.
• The idea that independence is a muscle that needs gradual strengthening, not a switch.
• Tools and Techniques for Planning
• Using checklists and "Sarah McKenzie's spiral notebook" for tracking daily tasks, even before children can read.
• Benefits of lists/checklists in reducing decision fatigue for both kids and parents.
• Transition to weekly lists as kids mature, allowing more flexibility in how kids schedule their work.
• Adjusting planning approaches for each child based on their preferences and capabilities.
• Time Management and Overcoming Overwhelm
• Teaching children to estimate how long tasks will take and tracking actual times.
• Dealing with "this will take forever" feelings and procrastination.
• Using timers (e.g., 20-minute work blocks) to encourage focus and reduce overwhelm.
• The myth of "one right way" for planning and organization; acknowledging various effective approaches.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Executive Functioning For Teens Course
• Social Skills & Executive Functioning
• Homeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning Guide
• Pam Barnhill's Website
• Episode 10: Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Episode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 12: Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
• Episode 42: Executive Functioning Skills for Families: Holiday Edition
• Episode 67: Setting Up A Homeschool Day

Connect With Our Guest, Pam Barnhill

Pam Barnhill believes that you don't have to sacrifice relationships to homeschool strong. An award-winning educator, former journalist, and now homeschooling mom, she has a knack for breaking down big tasks into small, manageable steps and getting to the heart of the stories her listeners want to hear.

She is the host of the popular podcast Homeschool Better Together and the author of three homeschooling books, including: Better Together: Strengthen Your Family, Simplify Your Homeschool, and Savor the Subjects that Matter Most and Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning for Purpose and Peace. Pam lives in the Deep South with her husband of thirty-one years, three (mostly) awesome kids, and the dog dynamic duo. You can find her online at pambarnhill.com.