S5E113: Building Literacy At Home

S5E113: Building Literacy At Home

Author: Robyn Robertson November 30, 2021 Duration: 1:37:45

Building Literacy At Home

This is episode 113 and I am excited to share this Clubhouse discussion on building literacy at home. In this special episode I invited three moms that share my passion for learning in the natural world. All three of my co-hosts are former school educators and two of the three are now homeschooling parents.

Lesley Jones Sessler is a progressive educator, blogger at WatchMonkeyMama and school principal turned unschooler.

Elsa E. Jones is a professional development consultant with a specialization in birth to 5 years. She is also an early childhood equity and social justice activist, Chair and Professor of Early Childhood Education.

Demetria Giles is a school designer, education consultant and homeschooling mom to her son.

Ways We Can Build and Support Literacy At Home

Are you homeschooling or unschooling and concerned about your children learning to read? Tired of boring writing curriculum that no one in your family wants to really do? Are you looking for other ideas on how to support reading, writing and literacy in your home?

This episode will leave you empowered to support joyful learning in your home with tools and ideas from infancy to the later years.

We explore:

  • Learning to read and write- what is literacy?
  • How to offer nonstop exposure
  • Listening, Conversation, Retelling and Artistic Expression- a story doesn't always mean what's in a book
  • Literacy through play and building from infancy
  • Reading isn't just the words on a page- other ways in life that we "read" and communicate
  • Access and Exposure
  • Different kinds and levels of stories
  • Higher Order Thinking Skills
  • Reasons to write
  • Digital Literacy and changes for the future

Dive a Little Deeper and Other Resources

I offer a free, welcome community for Parents and Educators on the Clubhouse App. Join my Club, Honey! I'm Homeschooling on Clubhouse and be part of our weekly discussions that are held 4 times a week. Download the app or go to my Club link~ Honey! I'm Homeschooling.

If you would like to learn more, I recommend you listen to my previous interview with Demetria Giles; From School To Homeschool. You can connect with Demetria via Instagram drosewritings

You can connect with Lesley through her blog https://watchmonkeymama.com/category/homeschooling/ or on Instagram.

Elsa, Lesley and Demetria can all be found on the Clubhouse app.

Would you like to support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids

Enjoy this episode? Share it on social media. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Robyn Robertson hosts Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids, a conversation that goes far beyond curriculum choices and into the heart of what it means to learn and grow together as a family. This isn't about presenting a perfect blueprint; instead, each episode feels like an honest chat with a friend who gets it, exploring the nuanced realities of choosing an educational path outside the conventional system. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices-experienced homeschoolers, unschooling advocates, educational researchers, and parents just figuring it out-all sharing their stories, challenges, and triumphs. The discussions naturally weave through parenting philosophies, cultural perspectives on childhood, and practical advice for nurturing a rich, engaging home life. Tuning into this podcast means finding a supportive community and thoughtful reflections on creating a family culture that prioritizes connection, curiosity, and joy. It’s for anyone curious about alternative education or simply seeking inspiration for a more intentional and fulfilling life with their kids.
Author: Language: en-ca Episodes: 100

Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids
Podcast Episodes
S7E157: From The Soviet Union To Homeschooling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:34
Evgenia is a homeschooling mama of one boy and the founder of Fit Mama Method. She was born in the Soviet Union and lived in Russia until 29 years old. She holds 2 Master Degrees in Journalism and Sports. Evgenia came to…
S7E156: How Do You Know If Online Learning Is The Right Option? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:49
How Do You Know If Online Learning Is The Right Option? Technology has become a powerful tool in learning, transforming education in numerous ways. It has increased access to education, information and resources. Learnin…
S7E155: Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:50
Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray Peter Gray is an American psychologist, author and research professor. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and…
S7E154: How Unschooling Affected My Life: Liana Francisco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:11
How Unschooling Affected My Life: Liana Francisco Has anyone ever said to you that this whole idea of Unschooling does not end well? That kids will never be self directed? That there is no evidence that self directed lea…
S7E153: How Homeschooling Affected My Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:31
How Homeschooling Affected My Life with Amanda Schenkenberger Amanda Schenkenberger is a grown homeschooler that now homeschools her own 4 children. She is also a homeschool coach and mentor to moms that are busy trying…
S7E152: How Can We Build FEARLESS Learners?​ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:45
How Can We Build FEARLESS Learners?​ Kohila Sivas is the founder of Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes, where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Kohila's certified Learni…
S7E151: Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:47
Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Have you ever felt disconnected from community? Even more so now that you homeschool? Are there times when you feel like your ideas on learning and living your famil…
S7E150: Unschooling Q&A~ With Robyn Robertson & Liana Francisco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:26
Unschooling Q&A How do I talk about Unschooling with my family and friends? In Unschooling we can focus on following my children's interests but what happens when my child is not interested in anything and they are doing…
S7E148: Season 7- Having Your WHY Lead Your WAY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:00
Welcome to Season 7! Season 6 was a focus on Deschooling. It was a look back and reflection on our beliefs, expectations and what's most important to us. Season 7 is a shift. We are moving from pause and reflection to ac…