What are Workboxes?
Workboxes give your kids the ability to complete some schoolwork and learning independently – and give you a chance to get organized in advance. The workbox system is simple but powerful; you’ll add everything needed to complete one task into each box. Your child will then access the boxes, beginning with #1 and working through to #10 (or whatever number you choose to include).
Your boxes can be any format, as long as there is one box for each task and they are easily accessed by your kids. Workboxes make it easy for your child to complete some tasks independently and be able to identify tasks that require your help. Rolling carts with bins, shelves with containers and other fixtures work well for a workbox system.
How to set up Workboxes
- Number your boxes or drawers from 1-10 so your child knows what to do first.
- Add items to each box, in the order you’d like them completed. You can add books, worksheets and even projects and experiments.
- Add any items needed to complete the task, including pencils, crayons, glue or other supplies
- Fill all 10 boxes and then allow your child to access them
It’s that simple!
Workbox Benefits for Kids
One of the biggest benefits that workboxes offer for kids is the ability to see just where they are in the workday and to know how many tasks, or boxes, are left. Most homeschooling parents who have written about using workboxes report that their children are excited to see what it coming in the next box – particularly if an occasional fun task or treat is included as a surprise.
In addition to the tangible evidence of progress, workboxes also make it easy for kids to work at their own pace and to pick up right where they left off after an interruption or distraction. One of the biggest benefits of workboxes is intangible – kids learn to work independently and take ownership of their day; this boosted responsibility helps build great study and learning habits that will last a lifetime.
Workbox Benefits for Moms
The workbox method works well with virtually any curriculum; the right cart or shelving system will have containers that can fit a full sized sheet of paper or a workbook so your child can easily access the work to be done. You’ll love being able to plan out your day in advance and have everything ready to go.
Workboxes make it easy to teach more than one child at a time, particularly if you distribute the more hands-on tasks throughout the day so you have one-on-one time with each child. The items that you include in a workbox are up to you – everything from printed out worksheets to actual books and other media will fit easily into the boxes and be instantly available when your child is ready to complete the task.
Being able to plan out your day in advance makes it easy to juggle schedules for multiple learners and to be sure that all of your students are completing their work as needed. We’d love to hear how you incorporate workboxes into your daily homeschooling routine – what works best for you and your family?
