Continuing Education for Homeschooling Families

This episode breaks down structured choice — a research-backed strategy for giving students meaningful autonomy within a framework you design. Heidi walks through what structured choice actually is, what the research says about why it works, and five concrete techniques homeschool parents can start using immediately. What You’ll Learn * Why choice improves motivation, effort, and task performance...

In this episode of Continuing Education, Heidi walks through the biggest homeschool‑related legal changes from the past month and then breaks down new research on how kids learn—especially around executive function, math, and unstructured time—into practical, home-friendly ideas. You’ll hear neutral, sourced summaries of recent bills, plus simple ways to weave brain‑based strategies into your dail...

Goal setting sounds simple — until you’re the one responsible for both setting goals for your kids AND sustaining the energy to actually show up every day and homeschool them. In this episode, Heidi breaks down what the research actually says about goal setting, why vague goals fail, and how to build a goal-setting practice that works for your kids and for you. Practical, honest, and grounded in r...

Chunking with processing time is a research-backed teaching rhythm that breaks lessons into small, digestible pieces and uses short active pauses between each one so learners actually retain what they’ve been taught. In this episode, Heidi walks through the cognitive science behind why it works, why it’s especially effective for neurodivergent learners, and six concrete techniques homeschooling pa...

This devotional is for the homeschooling parent who is very good at pushing past uncomfortable feelings to keep the day moving — and who suspects something might be getting lost in that habit. Drawing on Rumi’s poetry, contemporary psychology, and Japanese aesthetics, this episode makes a gentle case for treating your hard feelings not as problems to solve, but as messengers worth listening to. LE...

Before You Teach Anything New, Do This First Episode Summary Prior knowledge activation is one of the most research-backed teaching strategies available — and one of the easiest to use at home. In this episode, Heidi explains what the strategy is, why neuroscience and cognitive research support it, and gives six specific, age-flexible techniques homeschool parents can use starting today. What You’...

LEARN This episode names the particular weight homeschool parents carry — the pressure to constantly justify their choices, to themselves as much as the world. Drawing on three traditions from three very different corners of the world, it offers a different way of holding that weight. Mary Oliver’s poem Wild Geese opens the door. Lao Tzu’s concept of wu wei reframes rest as working with, not again...

SHOW NOTES When the Controller Gets Slammed: Teaching Emotional Regulation Through Gaming Rage Episode Summary Gaming rage isn’t a parenting failure — it’s a neuroscience problem. This episode breaks down what’s actually happening in your child’s brain during a meltdown, what the research says about emotional validation and skill-building, and exactly what to do in the moment, after the storm, and...

Thanks for listening! If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another homeschool parent who could use a boost. Until next time — keep learning, keep loving, and keep building strong learners one scaffold at a time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit homeschoolce.substack.com

Welcome to Continuing Education , a podcast for homeschooling families with actually useful information. In this episode, Heidi talks about deschooling: what it is, why it matters, and why the end of the school year is the perfect time to slow down instead of rushing into curriculum. Deschooling is the process of letting go of school-conditioned habits and expectations so kids—and parents—can redi...

Heidi shares how simple family rituals—like a morning backpack check or porch questions after dinner—can transform chaotic homeschool days into moments of deep connection. Backed by research from the American Psychological Association and more, this episode reveals why these small repeats lower stress, boost emotional health, and create memories that last. Perfect for overwhelmed parents craving c...

In this episodwe explore Concrete Examples (a research‑backed teaching strategy that helps children understand abstract ideas by connecting them to specific, everyday experiences.) You’ll learn: * What concrete examples are and how they differ from abstract explanations. * Why research shows concrete examples improve understanding and memory. * A step‑by‑step script you can use one‑on‑one with you...

In this episode, we round up the past month’s biggest homeschool‑related policy moves—from a federal bill to solidify recognition of homeschool diplomas, to sharply different state proposals in Connecticut, West Virginia, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. Then we unpack new research on retrieval practice, digital homework, and generative AI in education, translating the findings into simple, concrete id...

Do you teach something on Monday and find your kid has completely forgotten it by Friday? You’re not doing anything wrong — that’s just how brains work. In this episode, we’re talking about one simple, research-backed strategy called spaced retrieval that can dramatically improve how much your child actually retains — and it only takes about two minutes a day. No new curriculum, no extra prep. Jus...

Episode Show Notes: Trusting the Process – A Homeschool Devotional Episode Summary Join us for this week’s secular homeschool devotional on “Trusting the Process.” We explore the quiet beauty of growth through relatable stories, Piaget’s child-centered insights, and practical ways to embrace learning’s natural rhythm. Perfect for Monday morning motivation—listen solo or with your family to spark r...

Weekly national homeschool roundup: West Virginia’s move to loosen standards, Wyoming’s expanded access to school activities, New Hampshire’s push for minimal regulation, plus new research on retrieval practice, project-based learning, and what actually drives homeschool outcomes—all translated into practical ideas for your homeschool. Show Notes Links News & Policy * West Virginia – effort to kil...

Ever feel like your homeschool lessons could be clearer and more effective? In this episode, discover explicit instruction —a research-backed, step-by-step method perfect for one-on-one homeschooling. Learn the “I do, we do, you do” routine, why studies show it boosts skills and confidence in reading, math, and more, and exactly how to apply it at your kitchen table with real examples. No teaching...

Another inclusive devotional... how can we better "pay attention" and honor the attention that our day deserves? Subscribe to our work here: https://continuingeducationforhomeschool.substack.com • How does it feel when someone truly listens to you — without distraction? • In what moments do you find it hardest to pay attention, and why? • How can paying attention make ordinary moments feel special...

What’s happening: * A series of horrific child abuse deaths in several states (including West Virginia, Connecticut, Hawaii, Georgia, and Illinois) involved children who had been withdrawn from school under the label of “homeschooling.” * Lawmakers in multiple states are pushing bills that would: * Require more reporting/monitoring of homeschooled children. * Ban individuals with certain abuse his...

Inclusive devotional: Gaining a sense of Awe and Wonder A weekly secular devotional podcast that helps homeschooling families start their week with reflection, curiosity, and connection. Each short episode centers on a universal theme — like patience, creativity, gratitude, or belonging — blending storytelling, psychology, and practical wisdom into something both meaningful and doable. Through gen...

In this episode of Continuing Education, we unpack January 2026’s biggest homeschool stories: Virginia’s record 49.5% enrollment surge since 2019, new 529 tax changes that unlock up to $20,000 per child for homeschool expenses, and why expanding school choice programs may threaten homeschool freedom by adding strings and regulation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that every homeschool parent—whether you started by choice or by circumstance—needs to wrestle with: your why. No matter how you arrived here, it’s essential to anchor yourself in your purpose. Drawing on the Hindu concept of dharma —living in alignment with your role and season of life—we’ll explore how remembering your why can help you weather the ha...

Inspired by a Wall Street Journal piece (“How to Make Sure ChatGPT Doesn’t Make You Dumber”), we explore a core question: How do we use AI to support learning rather than replace it? Like it or not, our kids are entering an AI-shaped world. Our job: teach them to use it thoughtfully, critically, and in balance . In this episode, we’ll explore: * Why AI feels appealing (and overwhelming) * Four big...

In the hustle and bustle of homeschooling, it's easy to lose sight of the present moment. Join us in this episode of Continuing Education as we explore the transformative power of presence, offering an inclusive devotional that transcends traditional boundaries. Discover how mindfulness and connection can enrich your homeschooling journey and foster deeper relationships with your children. The epi...

In this episode of Continuing Education, we dive into one of the biggest milestones in childhood: learning to read . Whether your child is just starting out, is struggling, or you want to make sure you’re using the best strategies, this episode is packed with practical, research-based techniques you can use at home. You’ll learn how to build foundational readiness skills, introduce phonics and dec...