6 Digital Resources for Unschooling in a Multigenerational Household
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Welcome to the #TechieHomeschool IRL blog series! In this post, my guest Marie shares a few apps perfect for unschoolers who want to include all family members at home in the homeschooling process.
According to research gleaned from Pew Research Center, approximately 59.7 Americans, in 2021 were living in multigenerational households. These are homes defined as those that include two or more adult generations; grandparents or parents, or both, and grandchildren under the age of 25.
With 3.135 million homeschooled K-12 students in the United States during the 2021-2022 school year, there's bound to be an intersection multi generational living, homeschool families.
Add to that the number of families who, after the pandemic decided to hit the road as roadschoolers, and you've got a significant segment of the homeschooling population utilizing technology to educate and connect.
Multi Generational Living and Unschooling
In many cases, grandparents will step in and help with some of the homeschooling either to help out or impart some insight or knowledge they may have on a particular topic or skill. To that end, many tech-minded families may seek out digital resources.
Grandparents and their grandchildren can use the technology together, in a homeschooling capacity and beyond. For example, older kids may enjoy talking about current events with their grandparents, for a unique perspective on the world; set them up with a few of the many current events apps for kids designed to present the news in a clear and concise way.
There are several apps that foster connection for grandparents living apart from their families. However, the following apps are great for multigenerational households looking for additional activities to do with one another.
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Unschooling-Friendly Apps for Multi Generational Living
Phase 10
If you're not familiar, Phase 10 is loosely based on the classic game, Rummy. It imparts logic, planning, and strategy.
While the app is a single-player version of the original card game, it may be a good way to introduce tech-reluctant grandparents to the world of online games and apps.
Drawphone
This is a fun game that everyone will enjoy. Simply gather the family around the phone and the game will tell you what to do!
But, if you'd rather know beforehand; it works much like the “telephone” game. Players start with a drawing prompt and the rest of the players have to figure out what the drawing is.
You'll need at least four players for this fun, fast-moving party game so gather everyone and enjoy!
Memories Book Family History
One thing many of us take for granted, is the time we have with our loved ones. Sometimes we'll find ourselves, years later, wondering why we didn't ask more questions or listen more intently to their stories.
The Memories Book Family History app isn't a game, but rather an app where you can share pictures, stories, and records and customize your family history book; which you can then have printed and sent to you.
What better way to learn about the history of the world, than starting with your child's own family history? Download this one ASAP, one day you'll be grateful that you did.
The Merlin App
Are daily walks around the neighborhood part of your unschooling day? Or, do you include nature walks with grandpa and hikes through the woods in your homeschool? The Merlin app is the perfect app for tying in science in an unschooly way.
You can easily track the birds you encounter and learn more birds in your area about them through the regional database. The app even allows you to record bird sounds and scans the database to let you know exactly what bird it is, you're hearing in your backyard.
Skymap App
Stargazing is a fun, relaxing, and educational activity for the whole family. And, regardless of activity level or health, is one that most kids and grandparents can enjoy together.
You'll be able to recognize constellations, stars, and planets in the sky with this interactive and all-encompassing astronomy app.
Reading Apps for Unschooling Multigenerational Families
There are an abundance of apps that assist with reading, teach reading or read aloud to children, this is just the tip of the iceberg!
Incorporate one of these apps into daily story time, morning basket time, or bedtime to make reading easier and fun for all. This is an especially helpful option when there are mobility and vision issues that otherwise make reading and turning pages of a book challenging.
Caribu
Storyline Online
One More Story
Kahoot
Dr. Seuss Treasury Children's Books
Teach Your Monster to Read
Sparkle Stories
Audible & Audible Stories
Imagistory
Whether you're an unschooling family or traditional homeschoolers, apps are a great way to help your children use technology in an educational capacity.
Encouraging family members who live in the home, to jump in and be part of the learning, will help your child bond, learn, see the world from a different perspective and make precious memories that will last a lifetime.
About the Author
Marie Bentley Shaurette
Marie is a freelance writer and homeschooling mom of four – three adult kids and an 11-year-old – who, for the last 16 years has made the Lowcountry her home. When she's not writing – something she's been doing for almost 30 years now – Marie and her family love roadschooling; weaving history into her youngest's' homeschool lessons, and utilizing technology as often as possible.
Techie Homeschool in Real Life Series
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