Tag: Parenting

  • Why It Matters: Being Involved in Your Child’s Education

    Hey lovely readers,

    On Wednesday, we touched on Parenting in the 21st Century and today I want to share something that’s very close to my heart—being actively involved in our children’s education. Not just financially, but physically, emotionally, and culturally. I truly believe it’s one of the greatest investments we can make as parents.

    Our children may go to school, and yes, their teachers do a brilliant job. But the truth is, education doesn’t start and stop at the school gates. What we do at home matters—sometimes even more than what happens in the classroom.

    For me, I’ve tried my best to be as hands-on as I possibly can because let’s be honest – private tuition costs a fortune! So we’ve created our own weekly learning schedule at home. And trust me, it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done- for my pockets too! 😂.

    Let me give you a peek into our routine after school.

    💫 On Mondays, we do English lessons. I sit down with them and we work on things like comprehension, creative writing, spelling, and dictation. Right now, we’re in the middle of learning how to write our own stories—starting from choosing a theme, developing a main character, building a plot, and understanding how a story flows all the way to the idea of publishing it. It’s amazing seeing how their little minds work, and how proud they feel when they bring their own ideas to life.

    💫 On Wednesdays, we dive into cultural studies. As someone from Ghana, it’s so important to me that my children know where they come from. So we talk about our heritage, traditions, history, and values. I also teach them our local language—Asante Twi—because I don’t want them to lose their connection to their roots. It’s more than just language; it’s an identity.

    💫 Thursdays are for Maths and Science—30 minutes each, just to polish up what they’re learning at school and help with any tricky topics they might be struggling with.

    💫 Fridays are all about PSHE (that’s personal, social, health, and economic education) and Home Economics. Sometimes we cook together. Other times, it’s gardening, learning to clean and organise the house, or managing basic finances. I want them to grow up with not just academic knowledge, but life skills too.

    💫Saturdays are reserved for family outings and extra curriculum activities.

    💫Sundays, we slow things down and focus on church and Family Bible study. We read the Word together, discuss it, ask questions, and reflect. It’s our way of grounding the week spiritually and reminding ourselves of what truly matters.

    And for the areas I can’t personally teach, I’m not afraid to invest. On Tuesdays, We pay for Mandarin lessons (£5 an hour) and Piano classes (£15 an hour) for my oldest daughter, and coding classes for my eldest son (£12 per hour). Altogether, we spend £32 a week, which is £128 a month—and honestly, I consider that an excellent investment in their future.

    Now I know this might sound like a lot, and not every family will follow this exact setup. That’s okay. But the heart of what I’m sharing is this: our children thrive when they know we’re interested, present, and invested in their growth. Not just academically—but personally, culturally, and spiritually.

    Now, if you’re thinking, “But I’m not a teacher—I wouldn’t even know where to start,” let me just say this: you’re not alone. Honestly, there are times I don’t feel confident enough to plan everything myself either—especially when it comes to English, Maths, and Science. That’s why I often turn to free online resources to help guide the lessons I do at home with my children. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—there are incredible tools out there, and I use them too!

    Next week, I’ll dive deeper into a few of my favourites and how you can use them to support your child’s learning journey from home. But just to give you a head start, here are some of the ones I love:

    🌟Khan Academy

    🌟Oak National Academy

    🌟BBC Bitesize

    🌟Math Playground

    🌟British Council – LearnEnglish Kids

    🌟Fun English Games

    🌟Science Journal for Kids

    These are all FREE, easy to use, and full of engaging content your children will actually enjoy and also follows their school curriculum.

    You don’t have to be perfect or have a teacher’s degree. Just showing up and trying your best counts.

    Let’s raise children who know their worth, understand their roots, and feel deeply supported—both in and out of the classroom.

    💬Let me know in the comments section what you’re all doing at home with your little ones—whether it’s reading, cooking, learning new languages, or just figuring it out as you go. We’re all learning from each other, and I’d love to hear your ideas. 💛

    With love and intention,
    Harmonie 💖