What Else Do I Need to Cover Alongside the Workbooks?
One of the most common questions I receive from families using my workbooks is:
"If we're using the workbooks, what else do I need to cover?"
The answer depends a little on your child, your homeschool style, and your goals, but the good news is that you probably don't need to add as much as you think.
The workbooks are designed to provide structured learning opportunities aligned with the Australian Curriculum, but like any educational resource, they work best when paired with real-life experiences, conversations, and hands-on learning.
Reading
If there is one thing I encourage all families to prioritise alongside the workbooks, it's reading.
This might include:
- Reading aloud to your child
- Independent reading
- Shared reading
- Audiobooks
- Picture books
- Novels
- Non-fiction texts
- Magazines and comics
Reading helps develop:
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- General knowledge
- Critical thinking
- Imagination
- Communication skills
Even 10–20 minutes of reading each day can have a significant impact.
Hands-On Learning Experiences
The workbooks include many learning activities, but children often develop deeper understanding when they can experience concepts in real life.
Consider incorporating:
- Science experiments
- Cooking and baking
- Gardening
- Art and craft activities
- Building and construction projects
- Nature studies
- Educational games
- Practical life skills
These experiences support problem-solving, creativity, independence, and critical thinking.
Physical Activity
Physical activity is an important part of children's development and wellbeing.
This might include:
- Sport
- Walking
- Bike riding
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Outdoor play
- Family hikes
- Playground visits
Physical activity supports not only physical health but also emotional wellbeing, concentration, and learning.
Social Opportunities
Homeschooling doesn't mean learning alone.
Children benefit from opportunities to:
- Play with peers
- Participate in community activities
- Attend homeschool groups
- Join clubs and sports
- Visit libraries
- Attend excursions
- Spend time with extended family and friends
Social learning develops communication skills, confidence, empathy, and collaboration.
Interest-Led Learning
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the ability to follow your child's interests.
You might choose to explore:
- Animals
- Space
- History
- Coding
- Art
- Music
- Photography
- Cooking
- Gardening
- Entrepreneurship
- Technology
Interest-led learning often creates some of the most meaningful and memorable educational experiences.
Real-Life Learning
Many everyday activities naturally support learning outcomes.
For example:
Literacy
- Writing shopping lists
- Reading recipes
- Writing emails or letters
- Keeping journals
Mathematics
- Shopping
- Budgeting
- Measuring ingredients
- Telling the time
These experiences often provide authentic learning opportunities that cannot always be replicated through a worksheet.
What About the Other Curriculum Areas?
The workbooks are designed to support learning across multiple curriculum areas. However, depending on your state's homeschooling requirements and your family's educational goals, you may also wish to intentionally include experiences related to:
- The Arts
- Health and Physical Education
- Digital Technologies
- Design Technologies
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Science investigations
The good news is that many of these areas naturally overlap with everyday life and activities that families are already doing.
You Don't Need to Do Everything Every Day
A common misconception is that every subject area needs to be covered every day.
This simply isn't necessary.
Your week might look something like:
- Daily reading
- Workbook activities several days per week
- One science activity
- One art activity
- Physical activity each day
- An excursion, project, or hands-on activity
- Plenty of free play and exploration
Learning happens over time, not in a single day.
A Simple Checklist
If you're using the workbooks and wondering whether you're covering enough, ask yourself:
✔️ Are we reading regularly?
✔️ Are we engaging in real-life learning experiences?
✔️ Is my child getting opportunities for movement?
✔️ Are they exploring their interests?
✔️ Are they spending time with others?
✔️ Are they learning and growing over time?
If the answer is yes, then chances are you're already covering far more than you realise.
Remember, the goal of homeschooling isn't to recreate school at home.
The goal is to create an education that supports your child's learning, curiosity, wellbeing, and growth.
The workbooks provide the structure.
Everything else helps bring that learning to life.
Reach out if you have any questions.
Happy Homeschooling.
Emma