How To Homeschool While You Travel - 10 Realistic Tips
Are you considering homeschooling your children while traveling? Imagine being able to travel to new places with your whole family and creating fond memories that last a lifetime during the off-peak times.
Well, homeschooling while traveling allows you to make that dream a reality!
Ever since the pandemic, homeschool travel is becoming an increasingly popular option for families that are looking to provide a unique learning and travel experience at the same time. This is possible because many adults have transitioned to permanent remote work, and schools like ours make it easier than ever to homeschool your kids from anywhere. Kids no longer have to rely on traditional schooling to get a good education.
No longer would your family vacation be dictated by the school year. You could take long trips, travel throughout the year, and return to your home base during the summer months, aka the busy season with crowds and tourists.
But homeschool traveling has its challenges. So, you will want to make a plan before you leave to ensure everything goes smoothly and that your kids have everything they need to succeed in their homeschool studies while on the road.
In this blog post, we will look at ten tips for successfully homeschooling your kids while traveling – whether it's something you want to do full-time or just part-time.
Tips for Successful Homeschool Travel
Find The Right School With The Right Curriculum
When it comes to homeschooling while you travel, a great starting point is to find a homeschool curriculum that suits your child's needs. You can create lesson plans yourself, but this would take much more work. We recommend saving yourself time and finding a done-for-you curriculum that you can use.
There are many different types of schools and curriculums, so research and make sure you choose a school that will help your child's education. Some features to look for in a school curriculum that will be ideal for when you and your family are traveling are:
a complete curriculum for all the core subjects which are tailored to the area you are traveling
self-study options
virtual class options
online courses
tutoring and other support from teachers and coaches
Here at Infinite Learning Academy, we offer all of these features, making it easier than ever to homeschool while you travel.
First, you can choose only the classes your child needs and tailor learning times and days that fit your traveling schedule. Furthermore, we individualize our instruction and prioritize the learning styles of our students since we recognize that different kids need different approaches. We also support every grade level, K-12. So whether your kids are in elementary, middle, or even high school, we can help them in whatever way they need.
If you would like to learn more about what it would be like to use the Infinite Learning Academy to homeschool your kids while traveling, you can get more information here.
Stay Connected
In addition to a curriculum that suits your kids' needs and interests, staying connected to teachers and peers while traveling will be essential.
For your kids, you can set up virtual classrooms or tutoring sessions with teachers who can help them with any assignments and questions they may have, which is especially important if you are traveling to a foreign country where the language might be unfamiliar to them.
Similarly, it's also vital for you as the parent to stay connected with other homeschool families and educators who can offer advice and resources while traveling. This includes support groups or online communities that can lend a helping hand, moral support, or practical advice when needed.
Develop a Flexible Schedule to Accommodate Travel Plans
When homeschooling your kids while traveling, creating a flexible schedule that accommodates your travel plans is essential. By being able to adjust the timing of assignments and classes, you will make sure that your child is still receiving quality instruction while also enjoying their travels.
Before you leave for vacation, creating a daily schedule that suits the traveling you will be doing can be helpful. For example, if you plan road trips, your schedule should include time for driving, homeschool studies and work, and time to explore the area.
Alternatively, if you are making international trips, your schedule could include specific travel days, homeschool days, and sightseeing days.
A schedule will help you stay organized and ensure your kids are on track with their learning objectives and assignments.
It will also be beneficial to set a routine that either coincides with the curriculum you have chosen for your child or with specific activities you will be doing. This can help your child stay focused and motivated even when there are a lot of distractions and new experiences around them.
Research Your Destination Ahead of Time
When traveling, you can incorporate your child's learning into the local area you visit by researching your destination ahead of time and finding ways to explore its culture, history, or geography in a fun and educational way.
For example, if you travel to Washington, DC, you can look for museums or monuments to visit that will help your child better understand the history of the nation's capital. Planning these kinds of activities creates a unique educational experience that will give your kids an even greater appreciation for the places they are visiting and a more comprehensive understanding of what they are studying.
Use Educational Attractions In The Area To Your Advantage
In addition to area-specific attractions, you can also use educational attractions to your advantage while traveling. There are educational opportunities all around us. For example, most major cities you travel to will have a local museum, art gallery, zoo, aquarium, etc. If you are visiting an art museum, you could have them research the works of a particular artist before you visit. Or, if you are visiting an aquarium, that could provide a unique opportunity for your child to learn about marine life or oceanography.
Traveling throughout the United States, you will also find national parks you can visit.
Many websites and apps now offer deep discounts or even free admission for kids at educational attractions like these, so it might be worth researching beforehand. These offers make educational travel more affordable.
Set Academic Goals & Milestones Into Daily Routines While On The Road
When traveling, it is easy for a child to get caught up in the excitement of the adventure and forget about or not prioritize their studies enough. One way you can help keep them motivated and focused is to set academic goals and milestones with them.
You can even get their input on their goals and what classes will help them the most, and then incorporate them into the daily routines you have established for your travels. Doing this will give them a sense of empowerment and help them keep their academic progress on track.
Leverage Technology To Enhance Learning While Travelling
One of the key reasons it is easier than ever to homeschool while traveling is thanks to all the technology and tools we have available to us. Examples include video conferencing tools, emails, direct messages, and even voice calls.
To ensure your kids succeed in homeschooling while you travel, ensure they have everything they need to utilize these tools. If your kid is doing online classes, ensure they have a webcam and microphone. Headphones can also help them focus on the task and drown out other distractions.
Another vital aspect of their homeschooling will be accessing the internet wherever they go. So, it's important to research ahead of time and ensure reliable access throughout your travels.
Utilize Tutoring Platforms or Virtual Classes If Available
In addition to having access to technology and tools, consider utilizing tutoring platforms or virtual classes if available. These will give your kids the support they need to achieve their academic goals while you travel as a family.
At Infinite Learning Academy, homeschooling doesn't mean doing it alone. Instead, it is about finding the right tools and resources to help your child get the most out of their learning experience. Online tutoring and virtual classes are one of those resources. That is why we offer online tutoring services, virtual courses, and one-on-one coaching and mentorship opportunities.
Encourage Reading and Writing At Night Instead Of Screens
You will likely want to spend some days exploring the area and new sights. However, when it comes to homeschooling while traveling, you will want to ensure your kids still take time out of their day for reading and writing practice.
So, instead of letting them zone out in front of a screen after dinner, encourage them to read or write about something exciting or educational from the day's activities. This can be anything from a short story based on a place they visited or even an essay about something meaningful they learned that day.
Alternatively, they could also use this time to read something recreational, such as a classic novel or some educational materials that are relevant to the area.
Whatever your kids decide, make sure they enjoy the activity so they don't become overwhelmed with schoolwork and lose motivation.
Invest In Quality Educational Supplies To Take On The Road With You
One more thing to consider before you hit the road is investing in quality educational supplies your child can use while traveling. This can mean something other than buying expensive textbooks or fancy technology. Instead, it could be things like notebooks, writing utensils, books, and other materials they will need depending on their curriculum.
If you have younger children, other helpful educational supplies include a whiteboard and a dry-erase marker, magnetized alphabet letters and numbers, and flashcards. These are all things that are easy to transport but can help make learning fun and interactive while traveling.
You could also invest in online resources and tools for homeschooling while traveling. For example, plenty of apps can help make keeping up with education easier when you are on the go. These include virtual learning platforms and apps that offer grade tracking and even gamified learning experiences for your kids to enjoy.
Following these tips, homeschooling while traveling can be an enjoyable experience for you and your kids.
It's important to remember that it's about finding the right balance between learning and exploring. So, take your time to plan and ensure you have everything you need to ensure your kids get the best education possible.
Visit us at Infinite Learning Academy for more tips and resources to make homeschooling your kids an enjoyable experience.
Good luck and happy travels!
