**This is the fourth part of a four part series I am doing on how you can accelerate your child’s education.

So far we have talked about teaching little people how to read — using Learning Posters and checking out dollar bins of Target or even your local Dollar Stores… This week we talk about Networking!

There is a growing population of families that home school as well as a ton of great local groups you can join that are full of fun ideas each week or month – even the Internet is a great tool that our own mothers never had around to take advantage of! Seriously, there are a ton of different avenues to simply just plug yourself in to.
🙂

**Keep in mind that my 5 year old daughter is in public school — I simply create a lot of “teaching/learning” moments at home…trying to keep her education fun and open her eyes to how amazing and cool the world around us can be.

Let’s start with Homeschooling. 
They have a ton of online material like: Access to Quality Student Activities for Home Schooling Children, ranging in age from Early Childhood to Grade 12, including:

· Field Trips
· Enrichment Activities
· Clubs
· Workshops
· Gym Classes
· Local Performances
Depending on what you are looking at – they can be a valuable resource. Groups ranging from F.I.S.H. to T.E.A.C.H. 


One thing I find interesting? There are many professional teachers that are staying home to educate their children — so connecting to a group like this can be a VERY valuable resource for you.

Now, for local Moms
You can do a simple Google search of (your local city) + mom groups. I did it and came up with a few different options:

MadisonMoms.com – and they have their own Yahoogroup that I get the daily digest of. It’s a great resource to ask other local moms about anything from a place to have a child’s birthday party to what dentist is child friendly in the area. You can even connect with others to start a small playgroup!

That Google search may find a few organized groups!

Here are a few that come to mind:

• The Mom’s Club (Moms Offering Moms Support)
• MOPs (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) – is a ministry founded on Christian values & usually meets at local churches but is non-denominational and doesn’t require any affiliation with the church or religious group. All are welcome.

Many groups provide childcare and organize regular play groups and mom’s night out or other activities.

• MAMOM (Madison Area Mother’s Of Multiples) – is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization for families with multiples…twins, triplets, quads or more – even if you are a sibling of a multiple.

• Even groups through your church like MOMS (Making Our Mothering Significant) – is open to mothers of all ages and stages of life. Whether you are expecting your first child or are a seasoned grandmother of six, they welcome you to join them for a time of encouragement and fellowship.

All of those are great ways to connect with other Moms!

Now, check for groups on the Internet!
I already shared one of my favorite sites with you (Brightly Beaming Resources) but you can look on Facebook, Yahoogroups, etc. You can find a ton of printables, etc and all at the click of a button!

Places like Unsolicited Advice do things like busy bag swaps! Where you make ONE activity — thirty times and send it in. You get back a box of thirty DIFFERENT activities that you can work through with your own kiddo. (check it out here)

Here is a list of Wisconsin home education Yahoo groups:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Harvest_Homeschool_Helps/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyConnectionWI/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wis-Homeschoolers-Activity-Club/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wisconsinhomeeducation/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wisconsinhomeschool/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WisHomeschool/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Harvest_Homeschool_Helps/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyConnectionWI/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wis-Homeschoolers-Activity-Club/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wisconsinhomeeducation/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wisconsinhomeschool/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WisHomeschool/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DodgeCountyHomeEducators/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorthernWImoms/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homeschoolers_Helping_Homeschoolers/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WisconsinHomeschoolBookSwap/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CHOOSE_WI/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/manypathshomeschool/

In my coupon classes I teach “let others do some of the work for you” and this is no different. As you can see, there are SOOO many available resources out there to simply plug yourself into — most at just the click of a mouse button! I hope you have found something in my four part series helpful and above all – keep it fun
🙂

Blessings-
Dannelle