The transitional period between childhood and adolescence can be daunting. However, it is also key to shaping their spiritual growth.

Carole Joy Seid and Rachel Winchester discuss the importance of understanding middle schoolers' developmental needs. Cultivating an environment where children are free to embrace both their lingering childhood tendencies and the emerging traits of independence and responsibility is key.

This episode from the archive will encourage you to savor the middle school years with your child, helping you navigate this transitional period with confidence and joy. Homeschooling middle schoolers can be enjoyable!

RESOURCES

+Minding Your Own Business by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore

+The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood by Dr. Bill Sears

+$10 Preschool Interview with Carole and J.J.

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned in this episode:

Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons

Voetberg Music Academy

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

These years are when the "better late than early" approach is so important as parents prepare their elementary-aged kids for a gradual transition to more serious studies in middle and high school.

When homeschooling elementary-aged children, we want to take things slowly. Academics should build over time to prevent academic burnout.

Carole and Rachel discuss integrating study, work, and service by doing short, concrete lessons in phonics, real-life math, and handwriting. And of course, they encourage reading out loud to develop a love for reading!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Learn More about CTCMath

Mentioned in this episode:

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

Get 20% off lessons at Voetberg Music Academy using HOMESCHOOL20 code

Voetberg Music Academy

Have you wondered what the best approach to educating your preschooler is? In this episode, we delve into the crucial preschool years and the essential aspects that lay the foundation for educational success.

Rachel and Carole emphasize the importance of viewing preschool as a time for bonding, laying the foundation for future success, and fostering a love for learning through work, service, and study. They recommend focusing on life skills, character development, and nurturing attachment and bonding with children during these early years, rather than early academics. Join us as we encourage parents to listen to their intuition and to enjoy these sweet and formative years.

RESOURCES

+$10 Preschool Interview with Carole and J.J.

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned in this episode:

Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons

Voetberg Music Academy

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

Are you looking to understand the Homeschool Made Simple method in a nutshell? In this episode from the archive, we explore the research-based, interest-led, and literature-rich approach to homeschooling. Learn how to create a customized curriculum that fits your family's unique needs.

Embrace a holistic view of education that nurtures warm, loving homes and allows your children to pursue their interests under parental guidance. Join us as we discuss the joy of creating a literary-rich environment that shapes your children's character and theology, and how to factor in each child's unique needs.

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Try CTCMath-Half Price Discount

Mentioned in this episode:

Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons

Voetberg Music Academy

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

300 Episodes! We are celebrating you, our faithful listeners and homeschool community, for coming alongside us on this wonderful journey. In honor of 300, we want to celebrate a homeschool graduate! We love to hear from students who were homeschooled using our methods, because they are the most amazing people you will ever meet!

In this archived episode, Carole sits with Sienna DeMoss who recently graduated from Liberty University. Sienna shares her educational experience being homeschooled.

From our conversation with Sienna, you'll hear what it really takes to prepare children from the real world. We’ll give you a hint - it doesn't include sitting in a room of desks filling out worksheets.

You'll hear about:

1. her family's homeschooling journey
2. her own college experience
3. what prepared her to launch into the world
4. the value of Bible college
5. what Sienna would say to people considering homeschool

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

+Learn more about Word of Life Bible Institute

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned in this episode:

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

Get 20% off lessons at Voetberg Music Academy using HOMESCHOOL20 code

Voetberg Music Academy

In this episode from the archives, The Cavins were your typical public school family until their oldest daughter started to experience difficulty in her math classes. After homeschooling now for four years, they share a few of the things they've learned and experienced in making this switch for their family.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

1. what prompted the Cavins to start homeschooling
2. how the Cavins chose this method
3. what happens when dad and mom have a shared vision
4. how the family cut back their screen time
5. protecting time together at night
6. how the parents have become readers themselves
7. the spiritual growth they've seen in their children

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned in this episode:

Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons

Voetberg Music Academy

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

Do you ever find yourself looking for the ”right way to homeschool?” Sometimes we get swept up in doing what others are doing and then find ourselves frustrated with the results. But how do we develop confidence to do what's right for our family, even if it isn't what everyone else is doing?

In this episode from the archive, Carole sits down with her long-time friend, Kristina, to talk about their family’s experience homeschooling.

In this episode, you’ll hear about

1. Homeschooling multiple children
2. Kristina’s experience using other methods
3. How she learned to pay attention to her own intuition
4. The value of the right book at the right time and the detriment of the wrong book at the wrong time
5. A natural way to see what a child learns as they read a book

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned in this episode:

Get 20% off lessons at Voetberg Music Academy using HOMESCHOOL20 code

Voetberg Music Academy

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars

In this episode from the archive, Dr. Jerry Root shares with Carole stories about his college days and finding faith by reading C.S. Lewis, the “author who opens more than wardrobe doors.” As we read Lewis, he leads us into portals of many other authors and books, especially old books. This week, we're discussing how reading Lewis's work spiritually forms us.

Dr. Root also shares how he helps others to begin with C.S. Lewis’s works—whether you love fiction, satire, novels, or nonfiction—and gives encouragement for fanning the flame of your child’s curiosity. Share the wonder of the great books and Lewis’s legacy with your family!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned in this episode:

Donate to our homeschooling ministry

Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!

HMS 2026 Seminars