by Stefany Smith

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 22, 2009

Most homeschooling families pride themselves on creative and inventive ways to use, and reuse, items from around the house. When it comes to kids' magazines, the opportunities are endless. I could give a list of recommended titles and ways to fit them into your curriculum. However, I'd rather share with you some of my family's favorite uses for kids' magazines.

Invest in your child's interests:

One of the most powerful tools when homeschooling your children, is knowing what drives your child. Take a walk down the magazine isle and watch your child's face light up. Then, let your child pick two or three of his favorites. This will give you an idea of things he is interested in. If he chooses Discovery, then you know he's into science; if he chooses National Geographic, then animals are his thing; a choice of Disney may tell you he is into acting and the world around him.

Once you get the magazines home, the real fun begins. I don't suggest "forcing" your child to read the entire magazine cover to cover. This takes the fun out of it, and tells your child that reading is for school and not enjoyment. The way I do this with my kids is I give them 30 minutes a day for them to choose what and how to read. I don't interrupt and I don't guide. I let this be their personal time for exploration. In turn, I see them reading for enjoyment, asking to read their magazines during free time, and constant inquires inspired by their magazines.

You may see the benefits of this right away, or it may take several months. But when it happens, you'll want to be ready for it. It will begin with some simple, "Did you know, mom," conversations from your child. It helps to know what your child is really asking when he starts a conversation this way. He isn't really asking "if" you know, he's asking what you know about it. If your child walks up and says, "Did you know that the cheetah is the fasting land animal?" Your response should entail much more than, "That's right." Here is your opportunity to bring this little fact into your "lessons". A better response would be, "That's right, Jacob. And did you know that the whale is largest mammal?" Or, "not only are they the fastest land animal, cheetahs can keep up with a car on the freeway!" Next time you are at the super market, you can bet that Jacob will be looking for a magazine with information on whales, fast cars, or other exciting facts from your conversation.

Re-usables:

The majority of homeschooling families have more than one kid. As

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