January Home Education Diary 2026

January has been a long month, with the youngest’s 12th birthday and a week away skiing all included. Not everything was back to normal at the beginning of the month, but now all groups and clubs are back on as usual.

So here is what we’ve been doing this month as part of the children’s education.

Table of Contents

History

The kids love learning about history, especially Ancient Greeks, Vikings and Egyptians. However, I’d like them to expand their knowledge base a bit more, as although they know almost everything about these historic topics, there’s lots more to learn!

We visited Linlithgow Palace again this month to explore Scottish history a little more. It’s where Mary Queen of Scot’s was born, so a good place to discover her and her son’s stories (James the VI)

We have also listened to various history podcasts, including the Rest is History, and the eldest has read part of the Sapiens book, which tells human history as a graphic story .

Geography

We travelled via train to Grenoble in France for a ski holiday. Travelling overland helps the kids better understand geography. They can tell which country we’re in, which are connected, how to read maps and work out difficult places like train stations and departure boards!

Also, skiing is useful tool for geography, as using a ski map to work out which runs are safe for you to go down is essential. Well it is if you’re a beginner! The kids were quite good at working out where they were and had been on the ski maps.

We also visited the West coast of Scotland over New Year, so explored that area and discussed volcanoes, islands and locations there too.

Science

The kids are very interested in science topics. They are especially enjoying the podcast ‘The Rest is History’, which is aimed at adults, but fine for kids to listen to as well. It invoices a lot of theoretical science and maths, but is entertaining with the hosts personalities.

There has also been plenty of food science as the eldest is playing around with smoothie recipes! We did an Escape room for the youngest’s birthday, which involves a lot of logic and he also received the triple bearing Diablo he wanted. Which although a circus toy, involves a lot of understanding of physics to get it moving correctly and managing to execute tricks.

He also received a science kit, which has been used a few times already. He still loves any type of kitchen science and hands-on science activities. Whilst away over new year we also explored the local area, including looking at various shells and rocks on the beaches. I was looking for cowrie shells, but the kids were finding anything that interested them!

Maths

Both children have been continuing with Beast Academy maths. We don’t use it as a curriculum, instead we started part way through. Mostly as I thought it would be good to go over some information they already knew to build up their math skills. They both seem to be fairly confident with where they are now. The youngest is especially quick at picking up new math skills.

They also both have been building plenty of Lego which involves a lot of math and logic. Plus the eldest has been baking a few times, which obviously involves measuring too.

Language

The eldest has read plenty of books as usual, whereas the youngest chooses to listen to audio books instead. Both love books and enjoy spending time reading or listening to them.

The youngest has also been having more lessons with his dyslexia tutor, which certainly seems to be improving his reading. Consisting the number of times he has recently been looking over my shoulder reading what I send to friends on WhatsApp! So still not quite fast as a reader, but certainly improving substantially.

I have also continued on with handwriting practice, simply to get the kids hand writing to a place where it’s legible to others. Neither like to write anything for the sake of writing. Even though I’ve given them plenty of encouragement int his area over the years. So it had to come down to me making them practice hand writing! Some children enjoy writing, but my two just don’t!

Clubs and Groups

Most of the kids groups and clubs are back on now. So they are both back at dodgeball, Lego group and board games group. Also, started a DnD group at their board games club, which they love.

The youngest has also been back at his dancing, gymnastics and drama classes. Plus Scouts, NYCOS and musical theatre rehearsals for Matilda the musical. He auditioned for Bruce in Matilda and got the part, which he’s very excited about! He’s also begun singing lessons with a local singing teacher, which is useful as he is always singing!

Socialisation

Both children see their home educated friends several times a week. We have various park meets and indoor meets once a week. The youngest also has several schooled friends nearby, so he meets with them regularly after school or at weekends too.

If anything, I feel we’re too social!

Art and Music

Music is the youngest’s favourite thing, although he doesn’t play any instruments! We constantly have him playing his favourite musical theatre songs and singing along. He’s also learning to read music through NYCOS.

Neither child is interested in making much art, but they do take an interest in looking at art. Although we haven’t been anyway arty this month.

Physical Education

We’ve been out on various walks this month, playing with friends and of course skiing on holiday. So there has been plenty of physical education. I’m exhausted by everything we have being doing, yet the kids still find time to run about with friends or practice stilt walking!