How can a laminator benefit me if I home school?

When you think of school laminating you might think of the large laminators made for bulk and oversized projects designed for brick-and-mortar institutions. However, the benefits of laminating educational materials can find their place in at-home schooling. Smaller roll laminators and pouch laminators are great options for enhancing homeschool activities and learning. They are built with safety in mind keeping curious hands away from any heating element and can be used for numerous projects. To give you an idea of what you can accomplish from investing in a homeschool laminator we have put together a list of some of our favorite uses that could help you improve your child’s education.

1. Storage Labels: Managing a household can be hard enough. Adding school materials and storing them when they aren’t in use can get chaotic. You can use your laminator with sticky back pouches or mounting adhesive to create labels. This will help you stay organized and help you easily grab what you need. Additionally, you can label items around the house for reading or language practice.

 



2. Flashcards: Great for learning and repetition, flashcards are great to have on hand. Finding a pre-made set with all the information you need can be hard. Creating your own flashcards is cheaper than buying them and fully customizable. Print out your cards and then laminate them so they can withstand countless repetition.

 

3. Reusable Worksheets: Education can take a lot of paper. Laminating your worksheets can help you save some trees and feel a bit eco-friendlier while homeschooling. Lamination creates an easy-to-clean surface that is great for answering questions, tracing letters and more. Simply wipe clean when you are done to keep practicing using the same sheet. Bonus points if you pass your laminated worksheets on to younger homeschoolers once your child has moved on.

 

4. Visual Aids (Maps, Posters, Diagrams): Similar to worksheets, laminating your visual aids will not only last longer but will also turn them into writeable surfaces. Instead of pointing it Paraguay on a map circle it with a dry-erase marker. Having all the information on a page while you are instructing can be overwhelming, fill it in as you explain. A laminator will essentially turn any piece of paper into a portable whiteboard.

 

5. Games & Activities: Creating custom games and activities can help reinforce topics and information. Create puzzles, board games, fill-in-the-blanks, or whatever else you can come up with for a fun way to learn. Additionally, creating a board game with your child can be a fun activity to not only promote creativity but also enforces skills like decision-making, collaboration, and problem-solving. Plus, lamination will make sure your creations last, even with enthusiastic play.

 



6. Durable Workbook Covers: Create your own workbooks with custom worksheets, reference sheets, resources, and more. Finish off with a durable, laminated custom cover and bind with a style of your choice to avoid having a million loose papers around.

 

7. Bookmarks: Encourage reading by letting your child create their own custom bookmark. A fun and creative craft in its own right, creating bookmarks can help kids get excited about reading. You can even include elements of collage by laminating in dried flower petals, leaves, and other thin flat items.

Homeschooling isn’t always easy but buying a laminator might just make it a little more manageable and a lot more fun for you and your child. We hope you continue to expand upon these ideas and create even more. Happy learning and happy laminating.