Everybody Counts: Why Math Confidence Matters
January invites a fresh start, not just in the calendar, but in the rhythm of homeschooling. As we move into the second half of the school year, many of us are settling back into routines, recommitting to goals, and reflecting on how far we’ve come since August. At...
Wonder in Winter
There’s something enchanting about homeschooling in December. Twinkle lights on morning walks, winter-themed read-alouds, warm mugs of cocoa by the table while math is being done. It’s a season full of possibilities. With so much to enjoy this time of year, it’s also...
Finding Their Spark: Understanding Teen Motivation
There’s something inspiring about watching teens discover what lights them up, whether it’s diving into a favorite book series, learning how to drive, choreographing a dance routine, solving a coding challenge, or working a first job. When motivation clicks, it shows....
Gratitude, Growth, and Grace
Navigating November with Heart November often arrives like a deep breath. After the joyful chaos of back-to-school and the full sprint of September and October, this month gently invites us to pause. With fall break on the horizon, now is the perfect time to lean into...
Learning That Sticks: Why Project-Based Learning Works
Have you ever noticed how your child can recite facts about dinosaurs, recreate scenes from a favorite movie, or explain the rules of a complicated game, but may struggle to recall the math lesson you just covered? We know that learning takes more than worksheets and...
Let Curiosity Lead the Way
A Kindly, Cottonwood Blog Post – October Edition October is here, and with it comes the buzz of fall fun, golden sunshine, and a calendar filled with pumpkin patches, farm visits, and outdoor adventures. It’s one of the most joy-filled months of the year for...
Executive Function in Real Life
A Kindly, Cottonwood Blog PostSeptember In-House Expert Edition In homeschooling, we talk a lot about curriculum, pacing, and learning styles, but sometimes the biggest challenges aren’t academic at all. They look and sound more like: “They can’t remember what I just...
Finding Your Fall Rhythm
A Kindly, Cottonwood Blog Post – September Edition While our official school year began in August, September often feels like the moment when everything truly picks up speed. Assignments are flowing, programs are launching, routines are being tested (and re-tested),...
First Day of School Thoughts
Today marks the first page of this year’s story, one filled with possibility, growth, and memories yet to be made. Whether this is your first year homeschooling or your tenth, that “first day” feeling never really goes away. This week, take a moment to pause and savor...