One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling is the freedom to explore, to wander, and to follow curiosity wherever it leads. July invites us to step fully into this gift. The longer days and lighter schedules create space for spontaneous adventures and simple, joyful learning.
This month, I encourage you to lean into discovery in all its forms. Think beyond traditional lessons and ask: What sparks wonder in my child? What sparks wonder in me?
Summer is the perfect time to pay attention to these sparks. Maybe your child can’t stop asking questions about bugs or the ocean, or maybe they’re captivated by cooking, building forts, or drawing maps. As you explore together, notice what excites them most. These little clues can help shape and inspire your homeschool plans for the year ahead.
When we observe what lights up our children (and ourselves!), we can weave those interests into future projects, book selections, field trips, and unit studies. Curiosity is a powerful compass, and summer offers a gentle, open space to follow it without pressure.
Here are a few simple ways to explore freely this July:
🌳 Get outside together — Visit a new park or trail, keep a nature journal, or start a “found treasures” collection (leaves, rocks, shells).
📖 Read just for fun — Let your child choose anything that excites them: comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, magazines. Storytelling in any form is valuable.
🏡 Learn through hobbies — Cooking, gardening, tinkering with bikes, or learning to play an instrument all count as rich summer learning.
🚗 Take local mini-trips — Explore nearby towns, museums, or farmers’ markets. Even a simple day trip can spark big ideas.
This freedom to explore not only nurtures a love of learning but also gives us insight into what might guide our homeschool journey in the coming year.
May this month be full of big skies, messy hands, and open-hearted wonder—so you can carry that spark into the homeschool year ahead.
Kindly,
Kara Parkins
Parent Support Supervisor