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AshleighLanghei's avatar
AshleighLanghei
11 months ago

Pack Suggestion: Homeschool Expansion

We got a High School expansion pack and that was fun, but I feel like there was a missed opportunity to create an online school or home school option. If I had to describe my real life aspiration in Sims terms it would be to Marry my Soul Mate (Done), Have Children (Done), and Homeschool our children (in progress). When I create my Sim Family, the aspect that is sorely lacking is the ability to homeschool the children. It feels like a letdown to send them to school each day in the Sims.

Here is my suggestion:

  • On the phone, an adult could phone the school board (or Department of Education) and register a child or teen as a home school student.
  • The child or teen then receives assignments similar to those received by adult sims when they have a "work from home" job.
  • Completing those tasks/assignments results in grades increasing.
  • Some of the assignments could be to 
    • Attend an online class on a specific topic.
    • Practice skills
    • Visit a museum or art gallery
    • Visit a library
    • Complete school projects
    • Paint/Draw/Do crafts
    • Write an essay
    • Earn X amount of money at a bakesale
    • Visit a park
    • Make a friend
    • etc.

There are so many items that can be added to the game:

  • Blackboard/whiteboard that adult sims can use to tutor their children in a group.
  • Notice board to display artwork
  • Notebooks (similar to the diary and homework books)
  • Desks
  • Bookcases
  • Posters
  • Alarm Clocks
  • Oversized wall clock
  • Globe (with an interaction that allows them to develop social / mental skill)
  • Tablet that allows online schooling
  • Road mat / Railway play table
  • etc.

New after school activities can be added too:

  • Karate
  • Ballet / Dance
  • Soccer Practice
  • etc.

The gameplay options would expand and have a big impact on other expansion packs. The more sinister gamers could create "cult-like" settings. The gamers who value family gameplay will have more to do as a family. Then there are those with Horse Ranches and Country Living who can have their children home all day to help with farm chores.

I'd love to hear what other Sim gamers would include in a Homeschool Pack. What other "Assignments" could be added? What other build mode things should be included? What interactions on the build mode items? What after school activities would you like? How could Homeschooling impact other expansion packs?  Leave a comment below!

[SalixCat - Modified thread title for clarity] 

feedback

9 Replies

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  • OzSimsFamily's avatar
    OzSimsFamily
    Seasoned Ace
    11 months ago

    I love so many of these ideas.  

    I would also love the ability to write books (and home-schooled assignments…) in a notebook when playing off-grid.

  • AshleighLanghei's avatar
    AshleighLanghei
    11 months ago
    @OzSimsFamily Oh yes! That would be great to have a notebook for writing a book. This post of yours made me realise that it would open up a lot of "off-the-grid" gameplay too, something similar to an Amish community for example! Another object that could be added is a special flower pot for children could be added that allows the sim child to grow beans or a sunflower, thereby adding gardening skills to children.
  • rosemow's avatar
    rosemow
    Hero
    11 months ago

    Your ideas are great! @AshleighLanghein 🙂  Having home schooling would add a lot to the game, and would also build up relationships between the children and their family. 

  • eb9304aacc6259d's avatar
    eb9304aacc6259d
    10 months ago

    I would also love to add forest school as a lot type the kids can go to that also doubles up as a career option for a daycare style profession. 

    in the homeschool expansion I think a purchasable “homeschool supplies” cupboard that has all the options associated with it & the animation of the kids taking each item out. I don’t want it to be all book work based, I would love it to have hands on learning as that would be more fun for gameplay & aesthetics. Think Montessori, waldorf, Reggio, waseca biomes style

  • sailorleontine's avatar
    sailorleontine
    Seasoned Ace
    10 months ago

    i love your ideas, i also want a private school (or whatever those are called just like in The Sims 2) with school uniforms and all but i can't think up about something what else needs to be added though

    i wished all school types were in one school pack but it's what it is i guess

    i'm open with your ideas, some kids in real life where i live are home schooled, i'd love to have that in the game

  • eb9304aacc6259d's avatar
    eb9304aacc6259d
    10 months ago

    I got curious & had a look 3.7 mil kids are homeschooled in the USA (I’m not from the USA). That’s a pretty big number, but from what I’ve seen even more wish they could be or could homeschool their own kids. It would work so well for family gameplayers. We have our “active career” version of school, now we need an “at home” career version. Just like the adults.

    I do feel like most of the people in production aren’t family game players surprisingly. I mean look at how long growing together took to came out! Plus I don’t think the concept of homeschooling would be on their radar. They might think it’s only one extreme political view point, when my research says it’s pretty evenly distributed among all the political view points (both sides protecting from the other 😂). If they grew up in the 80s & 90s they would probably think it’s some rare concept that shouldn’t be in a pack & not even know that’s it’s exploded so much & is very popular! Heck this idea would even work for most of the history themes people play out.

    I see it being so wholesome, filling some needed gaps & including a large group of people they may not even know about!

  • wddk2's avatar
    wddk2
    Seasoned Novice
    7 months ago

    Adding a homeschool option would make the game a lot more personal, especially for those of us who might be in a relationship. It would also be cool if we could help our sims with their assignments, similar to how real students get essay help online, for example at places like EduBirdie which I use myself. It can even be a homework assignment to improve your writing skills. Also, new interactions with family members or other players can really enhance the experience. What do others think?

  • sailorleontine's avatar
    sailorleontine
    Seasoned Ace
    3 months ago

    i saw this awhile back and for more school options even an online and homeschooling, i say it's a great idea to include it in The Sims 4

    we need more school options such as like private or boarding school (or both)

    i created a pack based on children going to elementary/primary school
    can we have a school pack based on children? | EA Forums - 11172051 

    rabbit-hole or not, i definitely want a active school for little kids and a world completely based on the children gameplay, i hope the team consider creating a pack based on children

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