How and Why to Display Your Child’s School Work

Posted by Jimmie | 0 comments

Have you ever made a pie or a casserole that was so beautiful that you almost hated to cut into it and serve it? The satisfaction of simply looking at your masterpiece and hearing the praise of your family felt equal to the joy of devouring it.

Every homeschooling mother longs for her child to have that same sense of satisfaction in looking back at thoughtfully done school work. Furthermore, that feeling of accomplishment is a vital foundation for a strong work ethic.  I believe that displaying our children’s work is one way we can help promote the joy of a job well done.

You can always slap a paper on the refrigerator with a handy magnet, but I’m talking about giving select pieces of school work a special honor.

Try one of these ideas. (Personalizing and decorating the display method also gives you a great family craft opportunity.)

1. Hang a rod or dowel with pretty ribbon and use clothespins to attach papers.
2. Create a “clothesline” with a ribbon tied between two hooks.
3. Choose an empty frame and hang it on the wall. Then tape the schoolwork directly onto the press board backing.
4. Apply magnetic paint on a portion of a wall and use pretty magnets so showcase special assignments.
5. Use small bulletin boards – one for each child in the family.
6. Place a clear acrylic frame in a prominent place on a table or shelf. Just slide the work in the slot.

Your criteria for featuring various pieces will be up to you. You may want to choose one excellent piece each day or each week or just whenever you think an assignment should be featured. Consider allowing your children to choose their own pieces occasionally.

You may be surprised at what they consider their best work.

Showcasing your child’s work is not just about art. Any well done school work qualifies – a notebooking page, a well written poem or paragraph, a math activity that was especially challenging, a spelling test, a nature journal  page, pretty copywork, etc.

Displaying your child’s artwork sends a strong message to your child:

• “I value what you do.”
• “You are creative, smart, or hard-working.”
• “Work done well is beautiful.”

When visitors come to your home, they can see the schoolwork too and have the chance to ask questions or praise your child again.

Share the ways you display your children’s schoolwork. How often do you change the work? What is your criteria? How does it make your children feel?

Jimmie is a former public school teacher turned homeschooling stay-at-home-mom. A sense of humor, faith, and creativity keep her “pressing on” in her unique situation — living and traveling abroad with an only child in a bilingual environment. Visit her blog at Jimmie’s Collage.