AD | Homeschool must-haves from Learning Resources

Homeschool is the new ‘normal’ for all of us parents, these days. Personally, it’s taken me a good while to find my feet with it all and find out what to teach them. Because let’s face it, I’m not a teacher, nor do I come from a teaching background. So I am, just like a large portion of the population, in new, unknown and quite scary waters. However, Learning Resources not only have some amazing Home learning activities {available for free} on their website but have all the things we never thought we’d need when it comes to homeschooling our children. Annabelle, at the moment, is learning about money and focusing on her time’s tables.

With those topics in mind, I was sent two products, from Learning Resources to review. I was kindly sent a set of 100 Mathlink® cubes {RRP £11.50} and the Money Activity Set {RRP £15}. Both products will be an amazing resource when it comes to perfecting Annabelle’s money handling skills and, of course, the Mathlink® cubes will be amazing as she fine-tunes her time’s tables.

Homeschooling with Learning Resources

I think, at the moment, we could use all of the resources possible. Homeschooling my children has been no easy feat. It’s quite a lot of pressure to place on the shoulders of a parent, especially one with zero teaching experience, of any kind. Sure, we, as parents teach them to tie their shoelaces and brush their teeth properly.

We also teach them to say there pleases and thank yous. We teach them to be kind to others and to ride their bikes. But helping them absorb knowledge such as outer space, or World wars, times tables and homophones – it becomes unchartered waters. But I love that there are resources out there, readily available for us to grab with both hands and to homeschool our children with more confidence. 

Money Activity Set from Learning Resources

This is an HM Approved money set for children and it helps them learn the following:

• Adding & subtracting money
• Make change
• Understand the way money is used
• Recognise the value of both coins and notes

This Money Activity Set includes:

• 70 plastic coins 
• 12 money notes
• 8 double-sided price tags
• 12 double-sided money puzzle cards
• Write & wipe piggy bank card
• Double-sided spinner

If there is something I have learned, personally, since homeschooling my gang is that they are all visual learners. Like myself! So having this money activity set has been so much fun. Annabelle has been able to learn more about money, how it is used and we have even roleplayed ‘shops’. This set has been a great resource to help her achieve that. 

Learning Resources, on their home learning page, have Money Activity Sheets to use along with this product. Annabelle has loved learning all about money and these sheets were great for her to complete. 

Mathlink® Cubes

Now, I don’t know about you, but I remember using Mathlink® cubes when I was at Primary school. Which, between you & me was a good 30+ years ago! But, how amazing that this product has stood the test of time and is still used, to this day. 

These Mathlink® cubes have been an amazing resource to help Annabelle with her adding and subtracting skills. She is a whizz with her addition, but subtracting can still throw her off a little sometimes. So, having these Mathlink® cubes to help her visualise the sum if she gets a little confused on the mental maths front has been a great help. 

Another numeracy avenue I have been doing with her is some KS1 fractions. I have this thought that if I can help her learn her time’s tables, telling the time, handling money and simple fractions – then she will be more than ready for Primary four {on the Maths front}. For fractions, such as halves, quarters and thirds {which is all I am focusing on} having these cubes have been a really big help. And again, a great and simple visual aid to help her perfect her numeracy skills.

Just to also mention, if you have a little preschooler – using these Mathlink® cubes are great for tuning-in those fine motor skills. When it comes to clicking them together and pulling them apart, it will all go towards helping them perfect those fine motor skills. Not forgetting their early addition skills.

Learning Resources have provided an activity worksheet for Mathlink® cubes on their Home learning page. Annabelle had lots of fun completing it and of course, getting a sticker for a job well done! 

Overall thoughts

These products have honestly been such a great help. This whole … home learning journey has not been easy, for any of us, let’s be honest! So having these products to hand, to help my daughter be educationally prepared for her next Primary school year has been so helpful. For the price of each product? They’re so worth having around, even if we weren’t having to homeschool our children, they’d still be a great resource to have at home to help with our children’s learning.

Finally, just a note on the difficulties of homeschooling: If you’ve gotten to the point where you’re choosing learning resources, you’ve gotten over many of the worst challenges – namely, getting everyone involved on board, be it the school, family members, or your child themselves. Hopefully, it isn’t necessary, but if things get especially difficult in this regard, it’s always important to seek legal help. Consilia Legal, for example, offers the services of professional family and employment solicitors to help with any major struggles you’re having. Don’t try to tackle everything on your own – with the right help, you’ll get there in the end.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Disclosure: I was sent these products in return for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own