Even if I wasn't homeschooling my daughter, I've realized there are moments in everyday life that can be teaching opportunities. Normally, I pick up on this if she's watching one of her educational TV shows, but I have also picked up on other teaching moments, as well -- outside of her normal schooling hours.

This morning we had pancakes for breakfast. She helped me to make them. I asked her "we need 2 cups of mix; can you find 2 cups on this measuring cup?" And I also let her pour, stir and flip. She had trouble with the flipping at first but then she got the hang of it.

Next, during Storytime and I was reading her the Disney version of The Prince and the Pauper, I paused at the part where Pluto knew that Mickey wasn't really Mickey because of his scent.

"Does Pluto look happy in the picture?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"Does Goofy look happy?" I asked next, pointing.

She nodded.

"Why do you think that Pluto isn't happy?"

She thought for a minute than shrugged.

"Because he knows that's not Mickey," I answered, then I read that part of the story again.

"See, baby? Pluto could smell him, and he knew that wasn't Mickey because he doesn't smell like Mickey."

"Oh," she said, smiling.

Then I talked with her about how dogs have a very strong sense of smell and that everybody has their own kind of smell. After a dog gets used to someone's smell, he won't bark at them anymore.

"That's why Chewie doesn't bark at your friend anymore, when she comes over," I concluded. "He's used to her smell."

So we continued the story and the rest of her lessons for the day.

I kept an eye out for other little moments to teach her something new. Whether or not it's for schooling, it's always a good parenting habit to enforce.