Fun-Schooling Magazine Spring 2025 : simplebooklet.com

Take charge of every morning. What ever isgoing on, you have what it takes to turn onhappy music, display a bouquet of flowers,light a candle, and make a cup of tea withhoney. Open the windows!It really doesn’t matter how hard yourrelationships are, or how tight your budget,or how gloomy the weather. We women havethe power to make every morning new andbright and beautiful. We can’t letcircumstances dictate our mornings. If weface the day with a feeling of defeat becauseeveryone else isn’t making life happy for us,we are losing already. We women set themood of our lives and families.So light that candle, and play the music. SarahMorning Thoughtsfrom Sarah

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Amanda Osenga is Thinking Tree's National and International Marketing, Support,and Influence Coordinator. She and her family live in Ohio. Amanda is an only childraising an only child whom she has homeschooled since 2017. She’s worked as aVirtual Assistant since 2014, primarily supporting homeschoolers, moms, and greenbusinesses. Contributors In This IssueGeorgia Janisse is an artist whose work is deeply inspired by her coastalupbringing and travels. She and her husband have journeyed to diverse places likeSouth Sudan and South Korea, where she combines her passion for art withteaching children and women’s groups. The mother of five daughters, she beganhomeschooling her children in 1990, and has continued being active with theeducation of her 29 grandchildren.Sheri Renno is a Christian saved by grace, wife to her high school sweetheart, anda thankful mom to ten incredible kids. She's a former public school teacher whonever thought she’d someday be a homeschool mom! Drawing on 15 years ofhomeschooling experience, she shares encourage-ment for everyday moms on herblog, YouTube Channel, and Podcast.Frances Stubbs is a stay at home wife and mother to 3 beautiful children. Her familyis currently in their 5th year of homeschooling. Finding creative ways to teach isone of her joys in life. MaKenzie Alberdi is a homeschool graduate and homeschooling mother of two. Sheworked as a Behavioral Technician with children on the spectrum and taught music,art, and writing to fellow homeschoolers before she became a wife and mother. Shenow lives with her husband and daughters in Idaho where they enjoy the wonderfulhomeschooling community there!Becky Diekema and her husband Bob have been married for 14 years and have 6amazing and creative kids. They live in West Michigan in a country home with 5acres for our kids to explore! Her favorite thing about Fun-Schooling is the idea ofdelight-directed learning; of focusing on their children's strengths, not theirweaknesses, and allowing them to freely discover their God-given callings.Sarah Janisse Brown is a homeschooling mom of 15 kids, and a happy wife! She isOwner and Founder at The Thinking Tree, LLC, publishing over 300 journals. She isalso the Creator of Dyslexia Games. Sarah, her husband Josh, and their children arethriving at Olive Branch Farm in Indiana. Linda Vivers is the happy wife to her high school sweetheart, a proud mom to theirmiracle teen son, an official Fun-School mom and a creator of "all the things".Besides her creative passions, her most important passion is to inspire other womento be more creative in life and to value their self-worth so they can experience the joyin their otherwise crazy hectic schedules and to remind them that they are AWESOMEno matter what!

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Monthly Themes .......................................................................................7Exciting themes for second quarterFrom Sarah's ..........................................................................................8One More Story...........................................................................................9Poetry by Sarah Janisse BrownSpring Theme.............................................................................................10Fun-Schooling with the Waldorf MethodHorse-Schooling Basket..................................................................13Ideas for your horse lover!Quiet Rest.......................................................................................................15Two-Minute Resets to refocus your dayDoes My Child Have Dyscalculia?.........................................16Math Craft can help!Windows to Our World.....................................................................20A peek inside Sarah's bookThe Fridge Door........................................................................................22Sharing poetry, photos & art from Fun-Schoolers!Meaningful Thoughts.........................................................................23Spring-themed copy work from Our Life HomeschoolWhen Mom Is Dyslexic......................................................................24Fun-Schooling can be a game-changer!Mom School Is...........................................................................................26Why Mom-School Is So Important!.....................................28Prioritizing self careBrain Games: Personal Testimony.......................................30Finding calm, focus and healingReviews: Faith-Based YouTube Channels.....................31The second of an 8-part seriesWhat’s New? .............................................................................................32Find out about our newest journals and resourcesSarah’s Tea Corner..............................................................................33Recipes, tips, and more!Inside This Issue

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We have some exciting plans in store this year, including monthlythemes complete with giveaways, sales, tips, and more! The themesfor this quarter are: Creative LearnersThe kids who are Creators learn everything for one purpose: tocreate something. All their education has to revolve aroundcreativity. That’s what they are motivated by. These kids will not donormal workbooks. They need things that are open-ended, thatrevolve around their passions and interests.Detective Learners These kids love research and are not interested in anything that youwant to teach them. They are only interested in what they want tolearn. They are very difficult to give a standard education tobecause they aren’t going to remember anything or make any effortto retain anything that doesn’t revolve around their interests.Triage/Troubleshooting Just as medical professionals triage their patients, evaluating their needs in terms of urgency and precedence, so we home-schooling moms are continually evaluating our kids and what their needs are not only educationally, but also emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Learn more about types of learners at the blog here!Fun-Schooling Monthly Themes

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One more story, one more song, one more pageI hear the whispers in the late night silenceI hear the giggles in the cool spring airIt's been an hour since we said good nightIt's been an hour since the kiss and prayerThe day is overIt's not coming back again.Tonight's a nightthat has never been.So let them laugh and stay up lateOne more story, one more song, one more pageIt wasn't perfect, it was barely goodThey were just doing what they couldThey were helping in their childish wayAnd in a moment they were lost in playThey'll learn to helpIt just takes timeLittle oneshave so much on their mindsWatch them laugh and run and playThey'll need a bath later today.One more story, one more song, one more pageNever silence, not a quiet momentAlways questions bouncing off the wallsIf I had answers I would be a geniusSomehow they think I must know it allJust a moment and I'll finish sweepingJust a moment and I'll find that shoeAnother pancake, turning, burning smokingAnother inch, another question, maybe twoThe day is newSmiling at me againThis is a momentthat has never beenSo let them laugh and run and playOne more story, one more song, one more page.~Sarah Janisse BrownOne More Story

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Waldorf Fun-Schooling by Amanda OsengaThe Waldorf educational method,developed by Austrian Rudolph Steinerover 100 years ago in Europe, isconsidered a gentle, holistic, and child-led way of learning. The Waldorfmovement began during the same era ofeducational reform as the Montessorimovement, and in fact, Montessori andWaldorf have a lot of overlap. In recent years, Waldorf has made itsway into American schools, with manydedicated Waldorf schools. Ashomeschooling has grown, so hasWaldorf for home education. This approach was founded on the basisthey believe children go through 3 stagesof development, each about 7 years.Birth-7 is all about: Sensory developmentObserving others and learningthrough doingPlay-based educationNot giving reading lessons or formallessons yetLots of art, play, crafts, and learningto care for themselves and others7-14 years old focuses on: Beginning of more “formal” lessonsReading is taught in 2nd grade /around age 8Lessons focus on engaging wonder,creativity, and feelingsLots of fairy tales and beautifulstoriesStudy other cultures and biographiesThe elementary years involve a lot ofstorytelling, drama, rhythmicmovement, visual arts, and music.These are incorporated daily.14-21 education looks like: Students gain autonomy over theireducation; teachers act more asguidesEncouraged to work with experts inthe field they’re interested instudyingLaunching into the world to make adifferenceYou can see a lot of overlap betweenWaldorf and what we value here atThinking Tree!

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Waldorf vs MontessoriBoth approaches are very tactile. Bothfocus on engaging all the senses. Bothfocus on natural materials, time innature, and little to no technology in theearly years. You will be hard-pressed tofind much plastic in either setting.Montessori begins formal lessons at amuch younger age- expecting mostchildren to be reading by the end ofKindergarten.On the other hand, Waldorf focuses onsensory development, nature, and play.Formal reading/ writing instructiontypically doesn’t begin until around age8. Both emphasize the rhythms andchanges of the seasons, with Waldorfplacing a higher focus than Montessori. Key Components of Waldorf Waldorf emphasizes engaging the head,heart, and hands. It also emphasizespractical life skills, the arts, andcitizenship. Waldorf schools and familiesare often involved in social justice andequality. Many Waldorf families valueorganic & local food, natural fiberclothing & textiles, and alternativemedicines like homeopathy & herbalism. There is a lot of crafting and art, such asmaps, mini-books, journals, illustrations,tactile math, etc. You’ll find more “toys”in a Waldorf setting than in a Montessoriroom, such as little felted or woolen dollsor animals, building blocks, rockerboards, and play silks. Textbooks are avoided wheneverpossible and never introduced until atleast 6th grade. Writing is taught beforereading and as a way to communicatewith art. Technology plays no part in educationuntil at least age eight and very littleafterward. A Typical Waldorf DayStudents generally focus on one mainsubject for up to two hours daily. Theywill focus on this subject for about fourweeks at a time, similar to what wemight call a Unit Study. Our single-subject journals are a good example ofmaterial used during this time. A typical school day also focuses onsubjects that public schools often drop.These include art, music, playinginstruments, and crafts like knitting anddrama. Students also learn mind-bodywork and mindfulness. You’ll find kidspracticing breathwork, relaxationtechniques, mindful movement, self-care, etc.Waldorf and Fun-SchoolingThis type of education works well withFun-Schooling as Waldorf stronglyemphasizes going at the natural pace ofyour child vs. forcing them into a moldto meet x standard at x time. We alsoboth value what Waldorf calls “anunhurried childhood.” Documentinglearning in notebooks/journals is a keycomponent of Waldorf as kids get older.Our Fun-Schooling journals are perfectfor this!! Document your child’s learningall in one place with a core journal vskeeping multiple journals. Waldorfplaces a big emphasis on art, creativity,and allowing children to expressthemselves- all things we deeply value! Waldorf and Fun-Schooling can go handin hand. They can bring nature, art,pursuing interests, and a focus onletting kids be kids into your homeeducation.

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Some days we don’t need advice. We need a moment’s peace. Just atiny respite in the middle of the day to anchor our hearts with quietconfidence in God’s promises. We need unchanging truth from oursovereign, omniscient, omnipotent God. So, I’m sharing my 2-Minute Resets. These are very short segments Icreated on various topics for my podcast, to refocus and renew mind. Very simply, they consist of scripture and quiet music. We can all spare 2 minutes. Brew a cup of tea and listen while you’rewaiting. I think you’ll be blessed by how refreshing it can be! Clickthe hyperlinks below!· Reset: Joy https://tinyurl.com/5n65ujtx· Reset: Patience https://tinyurl.com/ychu9npm· Reset: Trials https://tinyurl.com/39bjuvy9· Reset: God’s Love https://tinyurl.com/yfp3tcrx· Reset: God’s Presence https://tinyurl.com/2rvxbst2· Reset: Forgiveness https://tinyurl.com/3wkazyan· Reset: Peace https://tinyurl.com/23e524yp· Reset: Security https://tinyurl.com/3623xh8p· Reset: Thoughts & The Mind https://tinyurl.com/yuf8jcba· Reset: Worry https://tinyurl.com/wtrnbb56· Reset: God’s Sovereignty https://tinyurl.com/4pse95ha· Reset: Fear https://tinyurl.com/23edde22· Reset: Comfort https://tinyurl.com/6acvnw5z· Reset: Rest https://tinyurl.com/yc22fkb7· Reset: Faith https://tinyurl.com/496rc5kw· Reset: Longsuffering https://tinyurl.com/2n5zf99cDiane Heeney lives in eastern Wyoming with her husband and youngest daughter, Kate. She has had writing published with Regular Baptist Press, Frontline Magazine, Homeschool Digest, and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. She is Senior Editor/Production Director for this magazine. Join Diane at "The Quiet Rest Podcast". Click the teacup to access all the episodes!Quiet Rest

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Dyscalculia is a learning disability that causes difficulties with math. Themost basic type of dyscalculia is an inability to grasp the concept of quantity.The student may be able to count, yet not understand the real meaning of thenumbers, or even be sure of which is larger: 3 or 7. Learning math for these kidscan be like learning to speak a foreign language, without knowing what thewords mean. They may know that if someone says “Como estas” you aresupposed to answer ‘Muy bien, gracias” and yet you don’t know what theconversation is about. It’s easy to see how rote memorization can enable kidsto get the right answer, even though they don’t grasp what is happening withthe amounts involved. But it’s just a matter of time before there is just toomuch information to memorize while still keeping it all straight. Math Craft,dyscalculia games, is designed to help these kids by getting more areas of thebrain working together on quantity. Other math problems can be caused by an inability to memorize math facts.Math Craft helps with this by using fun activities and memorizing by playinggames, which makes learning so much easier. The student will focus becausethey are having fun, and will be motivated because they want to play well –and to win the game! Some kids have trouble keeping everything lined up, orreversing numbers such as 6 & 9 or 24 & 42. Doing the brain trainingactivity at the beginning of each lesson, and the inclusion of Dyslexia Gamespages in the context of math, helps with these issues. And other kids somehowmissed some important foundational math knowledge because of the way theywere taught. The very first book in the series covers common issues and lays afresh foundation for understanding math. Another issue is resistance to math lessons. Kids who are older, yet stillstruggle with first and second grade math do not want to be doingkindergarten style lessons. Math Craft was designed from the start to be usedwith kids that are about nine years old (because that is when so many kidshave “hit a wall” and cannot progress in math). And so, the style of the pagesand lessons are appropriate for kids from age five up toeleven, or even older.Does My Child HaveDyscalculia? by Georgia Weyant Janisse

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Also, Moms don’t need to explain math concepts. It’s “open-and-go.” Yousimply make sure you have all the materials together for the lesson, then readwhat it says to say to your child – guiding them through the activities. Youdon’t need to explain anything. We have found that sometimes explanationsabout math only confuse the child, so the lessons are designed to enable thestudent to naturally discover math concept for themselves. If you figure it outfor yourself, you will understand and you will remember – even if you can’texplain it with words.So how does Math Craft work? Every lesson begins with an activity using weighted magnetic manipulatives“mag-nuts”, while the student is blindfolded. This is a totally novel experiencefor them and activates The brain in new ways, and it is a unique multisensoryexperience. The mag-nuts are made of steel, so they are heavy and feel cold -using senses of proprioception; and they “clink” together, the sense of sound.Also, they go easily from separate manipulatives to a connected group thatrepresent a number. AND IT’S FUN! Each lesson’s activity will demonstrate theconcepts of math that they will be learning in the lesson. The lessons havethree or four parts. 1) The blindfolded activity, 2) a craft and/or 3) learningactivities, 4) Playing games to memorize the math facts. The games are important because they enable kids to repeat the same mathfacts overand over while having fun and not getting bored. They also alwaysincorporate visually the actual amounts involved, usually alongside thenumeral that represents the number. For example, the little pictures on the playing cards and the dots on the dice. The crafts are for two very important purposes: to make the games and manipulatives, and to use math for a real purpose. Using math for a purpose is always a great way to improve understanding of math concepts – cooking, building, art, design, decorating, or spending,earning, and saving money are wonderful ways to math concepts meaningful -enabling kids grasp and remember. This is why crafts are incorporated into thelessons.

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For this issue, we have Spring Themed Copywork, shared courtesy of Sheri at the Our LifeHomeschooling blog. Receive the entire free printable by clicking here.April by Sara TeasdaleThe roofs are shining from the rain,The sparrows twitter as they fly,And with a windy April graceThe little clouds go by.Yet the back yards are bare and brownWith only one unchanging tree,I could not be so sure of SpringSave that it sings in me.The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. LewisThat strange feeling—like the first signs of Spring, like good news, hadcome over them. Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight. Atthe sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more. When he bares histeeth, winter meets its death. And when he shakes his mane, we shallhave spring again.Song of Solomon 2:11-12“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appearon the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves isheard in our land.” The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder The end of March came. April began. Still the storm was there,waiting a little longer now perhaps but striking even more furiously.Laura seemed to have forgotten summer, she could not believe itwould ever come again. April was going by. Then Laura felt a warmth inside her. It was very small, but it wasstrong. It was steady, like a tiny light in the dark, and it burned verylow but no winds could make it flicker because it would not give up. Pa was whistling as he came from doing the chores. “Well, girls,” he saidgaily. “We beat old Winter at last! Here it is spring, and none of us lost orstarved or frozen! Anyway, not much frozen.”Meaningful ThoughtsA beautiful journal for thesafekeeping of beautiful words

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In 2022, I joined Sarah’s brain fog research study. During that study, Inoticed how Dyslexia Games not only helped me focus, but alsomade reading easier. The words weren’t moving on the pageanymore. I wasn’t sick to my stomach or facing a pounding headacheafter reading. I wasn’t losing my place as often. I was enjoyingreading books for the first time at the age of 29. I wanted to love books. I was homeschooled myself and could writeat a level beyond my years (spelling was a different story). Icompleted grammar lessons like they were candy. I loved to researchall the things. Yet as the books grew longer and the text got smaller,reading became a struggle. I would start books, but rarely everfinished them. I was often told, “You’re just not a reader.” I felt so discouragedbecause I wanted to be a reader. I felt defective. I wasn’t defective. Iwas a reader. I just didn’t know it yet because I had undiagnoseddyslexia. I immediately bought the entire series of Dyslexia Games C aftercompleting the brain fog research study. I began to learn strategiesto adapt and overcome my struggles with reading. The year Icompleted Dyslexia Games C, I read over 14 books! Special Needs:When Mom Is Dyslexicby MaKenzie Alberdi

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After completing Dyslexia Games, I started implementing BrainGames into my routine. They help me focus, calm my anxiety, andmake reading so much easier. I notice I read less and have moredifficulty when I fall out of my Brain Games routine. I have found many ways to adapt to being a homeschooling momwith dyslexia. I always try to start our school day with Dyslexia Games/Brain Games. Instead of putting thepressure on myself to do all the readingaloud, we utilize lots of audiobooks, our Yoto player, and search read alouds of picture books on YouTube. When I read, I try to utilize e-books on my Kindle set to a dyslexia friendly font or on my phone so I’m able to zoom in on the PDF and read the text easier. Fun-Schooling has been the biggest blessing to us. I can meet my girls wherethey are. They don’t have to feel in-sufficient or defective because of their struggles. They get to build confidence and focus on their strengths rather thanthe pressure to perform and fix their weaknesses. I am learning to prioritize joy in our homeschool. If something is notbringing us joy, it’s not worth our time— this includes curriculum,learning methods, and even books. Learning should fill us withexcitement and delight instead of draining us. Fun-Schooling utilizesthis mindset beautifully and has given me the tools I need to help mygirls (and even myself) succeed!“I felt defective. I wasn’t defective. I was a reader. I just didn’t know it yet because I had undiagnosed dyslexia.”

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Mom-School happens when you remember who you are through your passions,your interests and your needs. You fill a basket with learning tools for yourself,then in your free time you dig into your Mom-School Basket, read a book, or watcha tutorial about something you want to learn... instead of watching TV, Netflix, orcruising Facebook.Mom-School energizes me while the children curiously look into my basket, watchme learn, see me grow... and they discover that I am not just their mom, but awoman with dreams, goals, ideas, needs and desires.They see me research, join me for an online class, or they flip through my Mom-School Journal and see my careful efforts and beautiful handwriting. They see me assomeone who is curious. They see me as a detective, an explorer, a creator, afollower, a leader and a friend.Mom-School is waking up with ideas, and being full of wonder. It's problem solvingand crafting. It's higher education or a new recipe.Mom-School is remembering who you are in the midst of the busy season ofmothering and holding on to your dreams so your children will be inspired tobecome who they were created to be...because they are basking in the example ofyou!Mom-School is refreshing and calming, and it's worth your time and mine. It isempowering to you as a woman and sets the stage for your children to follow yourexample because you make learning look so delightful.~Sarah Mom-School Is...

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I am constantly looking for ways to teach, guide, and influence my child in apositive light. To show him a different view of motherhood -- and what betterway than Mom-School? Mom School is about being an example to your children. It shows theimportance of self-care. It exemplifies the excitement for life-long-learning. Itshows them that mom has interests too and it shows your kids that researchingand studying your own interests as an adult are super important. Why? Because it shows them that no matter what age or stage of life they’re in,they can learn. It instills the idea of life-long-learning (not just K-12 or college).It shows that you are not just barking orders at them but actually doing workyourself to learn what you can about the topics you’re interested in, rightalongside them.It shows them that mom is taking care of herself too.It shows mom at peace.It shows mom has a spark. I remember my mom as .... Superwoman! She did it all! She cooked, laundered,cleaned, grocery shopped, chauffeured, scheduled medical appointments, kepta calendar of all the practices, recitals, competitions, and games. She made sureeveryone was bathed and had clean teeth. She catered to my Dad (and us 5children) hand and foot, night and day, year after year. She made sure we had(and went without herself). She made sure we were well taken care of. It wasawe inspiring to see! Some days, I still wonder how she did it all and not goinsane! The one thing I also noticed is that her spark (the one I caught a rare glimpseof every now and then) was dulled or non-existent. I rarely saw it. I’m nottalking about the spark when one of us kids did well on a report card, or won anaward in a sporting event, etc.I’m talking about the spark for her own interests. Oh, it would pop up from timeto time; like when she would talk about God, or sing at church, around thehouse or in the car and especially when one of my older brothers majored in artat college. Apparently, my mom loved singing and art. Apparently, she loved charcoals and making beautiful stills. Apparently, she put all that away while raising us.Why Mom-School IsSo Important!B Y L I N D A P A N T E L I D E S V I V E R S

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It’s hard to think about, but she actually had a life, passions and desires priorto all of us being born. I loved when she sang to me as a child; her voice was angelic. Apparently shewanted the life of a musical entertainer at one time (who knew?!). I had no cluehow good she was with art until much later in life as an adult. Putting all thataside for us, dulled her spark. I can’t even imagine what it would’ve been like to witness her singing on stageor making art while growing up! I can only imagine how much it may havechanged our view of her. Not just as an over tired, sparkless, always-there-and-always-loving-Super Mom, but as a mom that dug deep into her passions andshared them with us! I wish I saw that part of my mom and I wish she had shared it with us whilegrowing up! Because seeing that spark (though rare) was something to behold!If she had led by example with her interests and passions, things probablywould’ve been different for us kids (as adults). But that’s an assumption on mypart and you know what they say about that... For me as a home school mom, Mom-School is just asimportant as breathing. I want my child to see that spark in me. I want them to want the same sparknow and as an adult. I want them to see me take care of myself. So many adults (especially mothers) don’t truly take care of themselves.Our health (mental and physical) come last because we are too busy taking careof everyone else. Can you imagine what shining examples mothers could be ifthey actually took the time to take care of themselves? Wow! Just that thoughtalone inspires me to Mom-School! While it is “normal“ to feel guilt for taking time for yourself, try to think ofwhat it could mean to you, your child now, and their future adult self. Thatshould encourage you to set apart time for yourself. Will it be easy? Probably not at first. Will you feel guilty? Maybe at first, but when you and your children get just asexcited about each other’s learning and accomplishments that guilt will slowlymelt away. When you watch them grow and love learning because of yourexample, it will melt a little more. Just remember, you have a whole community of Mom-Schoolers all trying toput that guilt aside and lead by example. We are all in this together. We are alltrying to shine that spark brightly for our children to see/share. We are here foryou, to wrap our virtual arms around you in this Mom-School journey. It doesn’tlook the same for everyone. It shouldn’t, either. We all have our own interestsand passions (just like our children). Just know we are your cheering section andeagerly say...You’ve Got This!

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Nine months ago, I gave birth to my 6th baby via scheduled c-section. It was a disaster.I could share all the details, but that would take all day. To summarize, I had a plethora ofcomplications, some of which were life threatening and others never identified. I was justsent home on medication and told to hope for the best. The trauma - physical, mental, and emotional - was overwhelming. Trauma trulychanges the way your brain works. I couldn't remember simple things. I got overwhelmedby daily tasks. Even simple decisions gave me anxiety. I struggled constantly to findwords when having conversations. It's like all the information I needed was in my mind,but it was lost and I couldn't find it. The hardest part was that I couldn't read. Readinghas always been an enjoyable pass-time for me. I loved getting lost in fiction. But I wasnot capable. I was completely unable to process what I was seeing on the page intoanything meaningful. I'd purchased a few of the Brain Games journals when they first came out, assomething for my kids to do during read alouds. I came across one while sorting abookshelf and decided maybe I could try it since I was looking for some type of "busywork" for my self during down time. The first few days, I had to skip around because I could only do certain pages. Only oneswith very short patterns. But as the days went on, I could do longer patterns, I finishedpictures, and eventually even pages that required writing. I finished the journal in lessthan a week and I was noticing significant improvements even in my ability to recallwords while talking. I picked up a book from my TBR pile, just out of curiosity, and I read it, cover to cover in24 hours. I cried. I really didn't think I'd be able to do that ever again. I started withsimple fiction- mostly middle grade or young adult books. I was improved enough to readfamiliar books without any issues and was actually able to read the entire Harry Potterseries with my kids! I still do better with familiar books or simple middle grade fiction. Ones that are morechallenging or heavily fantasy-based are harder for my comprehension. I think it’sbecause none of it is real so it requires more imagination, if that makes sense. But, I canread again! I want to be able to get back into some of the non-fiction I was hoping to read. So I'mgoing to try doing a few more of these Brain Games journals to see if I can continue toimprove. I just wanted to share my experience, as an adult with no learning disabilities. Sarahhas done her research and she knows her stuff! This really does work to retrain the waythe mind works!Brain Games-APersonal Testimony by Becky Diekema

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The Saddleback Kids YouTube channel is filled with praise andworship sing-along songs, dancing, short sermons and animatedbible stories. Saddleback Kids also has different series includingtoddler, early childhood and elementary so your little one can beintroduced to God’s love and your older ones can continue to growin their walk with Christ. On their website, you will find that Saddleback Church haslocations across the state of California as well as internationally.Watch the live worship services on Saturdays at 4pm & 6pm andSundays at 9am & 11am Pacific. There are many resources to findthrough their website, including several podcast stations: DoableDiscipleship, Found Podcast, The Well, DriveTime Devotions, just toname a few. Lastly, Saddleback can be found on TV apps includingApple TV, Roku and Fire TV and their mobile apps SaddlebackCompanion and DriveTime Devotions. Saddleback Kids can be found on YouTube, as well as the linksbelow: YouTube: Saddleback Kids Website: www.saddleback.com Facebook: Saddleback Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saddlebackchurch/ YOUTUBE CHANNELSFaith-Basedby Frances Stubbs

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Introduce your child to a world of self-care, wellness, creativity, and discoverywith this dynamic Kids' Self-Care Journal.Flexible & Personalized ApproachHealth Challenges: Packed with themed health challenges designed toimprove physical and emotional well-being. Food Exploration: Encourages kids to explore and reflect on healthy foodchoices. Spark Creativity & Curiosity: This journal stimulates your child's creativitywith coloring pages, writing prompts, and nature exploration. Positive Quotes & Poems: Inspirational quotes and poems are scatteredthroughout the journal to uplift and motivate. Promotes Emotional Health: Activities help kids recognize their strengths,emotions, and what makes them exceptional.Encouraging self-awareness, self-love, and a balanced perspective, thejournal is designed to nurture a child's emotional resilience.Deep Breathing & Relaxation: Includes exercises to guide kids throughdeep breathing and calming practices. Builds Communication & Kindness: This journal creates a safe space forkids to express themselves while promoting empathy and kindness towardothers. Incorporates Cursive Writing: A fun twist! Some pages encourage kids to practice cursive writing, combining creativity and motor skills development in a playful way. Nature Exploration: Prompts kids to explore the outdoors and connect with nature. Creative & Calming Coloring Pages: Many pages feature black-and-white illustrations for kids to color in. This creative process can help relax and focus their minds.This journal not only keeps kids enter- tained but provides long-term opportunities for growth and learning. What’s New?

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VITALITY is a blend of mineral rich herbs traditionally used for blood building,increased oxygen, iron, potassium, vitamin C and magnesium, commonly used for betterdigestion, long lasting energy, anemia, and easier weight management. Alfalfa Red Raspberry Leaf Nettle Elderberry Rosehips Sweet Basil PeppermintAlfalfa is a nutrient-dense herb that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Itcontains chlorophyll, which has been shown to increase red blood cell production andoxygen delivery to the body. It is also a good source of digestive enzymes.Red Raspberry Leaf is known for its ability to strengthen the uterus and promote healthyreproductive function. It is also a good source of antioxidants, and is commonly used as atea or supplement for its blood-building properties and to support healthy digestion.Nettle is an herb that is rich in iron, magnesium, and calcium. It is known for its abilityto support healthy kidney function and promote healthy blood flow. It is also a goodsource of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against oxidative stress andinflammation.Elderberry is an herb known for its immune-boosting properties and its ability tosupport healthy respiratory function. It is a good source of vitamin C and potassium,which can help promote healthy blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body. It iscommonly used as a supplement or syrup for immune support.Rosehips are the fruits of the rose plant and are a rich source of vitamin C andantioxidants. They are known for their ability to support healthy skin and immunefunction. Rosehips are also a good source of iron.Sweet Basil is a herb that is known for its ability to support healthy digestion andpromote relaxation. Sweet Basil is a good source of magnesium.Peppermint is known for its digestive and relaxing properties. It is a good source ofmagnesium, which can help promote healthy blood flow and oxygen delivery to thebody. Peppermint is also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the bodyagainst oxidative stress and inflammation. It is commonly used as a tea or supplement fordigestive support and relaxation.Sarah's Tea Corner“This recipe is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have notbeen evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you are pregnant, nursing, takingmedication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product."

Fun-Schooling Magazine Spring 2025

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