Create Your Own Math Playground (UPDATED!) ~
Written by Jamie C. Martin of Simple Homeschool

I’ve been revisiting a series I first wrote more than ten years ago (how is that possible?!) all about math—sharing the non-traditional path our family chose, particularly in our early homeschooling years.

This time, though, you’ll also hear the reflections of my older, wiser homeschool self, looking back to see how my early ideals have held up (or not) over time.

Together we’ve been exploring math through a fresh lens, pausing to ask: Why do we approach this subject the way we do? Could there be other meaningful options worth considering?

For this post, you’ll find my updated thoughts in navy blue, and I’ve fully updated both lists of games & toys. This is the final update in this math series, now complete!

If you’ve missed any of the others, you can find them here: 

Other UPDATES in this math series:
* A different way to look at math
* Out of the box math inspiration
* Read your way to a love of math:
75 titles for ages 4-12

Much of the research we’ve peeked at suggests it’s possible to wait until around age 10, give or take, to introduce formal math. (I’m not saying this is the only way to approach it, by the way! It’s one of many options.)

If you decide to follow this advice, however, what should you do up until that age?

I’m glad you asked. Why not create your own math playground?

Create Your Own Math Playground

Here are a couple of ways to approach it:

Option 1: Less Structure

In the early elementary years of homeschooling, look for ways to bring math into your lives when the opportunity naturally arises (and it will!). Point out patterns in nature and the beauty of God’s creation. Discuss it with a sense of wonder and possibility.

If your child enjoys games, follow her lead in playing some of the ones listed below – and read aloud some of the books I’ve mentioned in this post. As your child gets older, you may transition to option two below (or not, depending on you and your kids).

Option 2: More Structure

Let’s say you must document your child’s math for your state or country’s home education laws. Does that mean you can’t approach math this way? (I get this question a lot!)

I don’t think it means that at all. Simply apply these ideas with a bit more structure and document what you’ve done as needed.

Maybe you decide to set aside 15-30 minutes each weekday, three times a week, or whatever suits you – making it your “math time.”

Create a routine if that works best for you: read one math book or one chapter of Life of Fred (answering the questions aloud is fine, unless you need them written for proof of study), play a math game, and end with a Bedtime Math problem.

Switch it up when you or your child need a break or get bored with the routine. Now that you have an idea of how to play with math, let’s get an idea of what to play with!

Below you’ll find an updated list of popular math games and toys that I’ve spent hours putting together!

Feel free to bookmark this post so you can come back to it as needed. If you add 1-2 items each year, over time you’ll create your own math playground with ease.

Math Games

Let’s be straight up about games for a second: They’re great for learning, but young kids can seriously stink at losing. This seems to get better with age and depends on their personality, but don’t force something that makes you all miserable!

In our home I’ve found it works a bit better if I play one-on-one with a child (as opposed to siblings squaring off against each other).

^ Okay, an updated confessional: I did not have a love-hate relationship with board games in our homeschool. I had a like-hate. I liked them sometimes, and other times they made me hate my life. #honest

This meant that all the excited talk about gameschooling (and how fun it could make learning) inadvertently made me feel guilty.

What was I doing wrong? How come this wasn’t fun? And what was wrong with my kids that they couldn’t handle losing, and that one game gone wrong could destroy our entire day?

Doing games one-on-one helped some, which is why I recommended it here in the original post…but it wasn’t a guarantee. I have one twenty-something who I still can’t play games with!

Like anything else, explore the options to see what’s out there and then, as the expert on your homeschool, choose (or don’t choose) what works (or doesn’t work) for you!

And the upside, now I have one young adult who loves playing games…and occasionally we’ll have other siblings join in too with more success.

So keep in mind it isn’t now or never. Maybe games aren’t your family’s thing right now, but maybe in a decade and a half they might be!

Also on a practical note: Check your public library for math games! Ours started having these available for checkout over the past few years.

10 Top Math Games for Ages 4-9 (Updated!)

Those marked with an asterix * at the beginning are Martin family favorites.

1 – * Sum Swamp: Ages 4+, addition/subtraction (Just the sight of this gameboard hits me with such a wave of nostalgia that it makes my stomach hurt! True story: I gave this away to a dear homeschool friend of mine and then asked for it back.)

2 – Tiny Polka Dot: Ages 4+, counting, basic arithmetic

3 – Zingo 1-2-3: Ages 4+, number recognition, basic arithmetic

4 – * 4 Way Countdown: Ages 5+, basic math facts (Just the fact it’s wooden made me feel all Waldorf-y and like I must be doing something right. lol)

5 – Monopoly Junior: Ages 5+, money value

6 – * Money Bags: Ages 6+, coin identification/money awareness (Another game board that still gives me funny feelings, even though we passed it on to another family – and let them keep it this time!)

7 – Math Dice Jr: Ages 6+, basic math facts

8 – Quirkle: Ages 6+; pattern recognition

9 – Rat a Tat Cat: Ages 6+; strategy, memory, addition

10 – No Stress Chess: Ages 7+; (I am putting this on my wish list now because I never learned how to play and have always wanted to! I guess we’re never too old for games.)

10 Top Math Games for Tweens/Teens (Updated!)

1 – 7 Wonders: Players calculate how combinations of cards and resources multiply point values

2 – 24 Game: Use the cards to make the number 24 (Great for reviewing math facts; 2 versions available – single or double digits)

3 – Gravity Maze: logic/problem solving; can be played solo (I’m a sucker for any games with marbles!)

4 – Karma Card Game: forming/recognizing patterns (Recommended by a college math professor)

5 – Monopoly Deal: The fun of monopoly without taking hours!

6 – Prime Climb: multiplication/division/factors

7 – Rummikub: constantly add and manipulate number tiles to create or extend sets and runs

8 – Splendor: Arithmetic, sequencing, and cost-benefit calculation

9 – Who Knows Math and Finance Better? – a quiz style card game

10 – * Yahtzee: great for mental calculations (We still use the same one I had in childhood!)

10 Top Math Toys

Those marked with an asterix * at the beginning are Martin family favorites.

You have a ton of math toys in your home already. Don’t overlook the obvious: a ruler, measuring tape, compass, dominoes, beans for counting, and your kitchen measuring cups.

And it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: You don’t need any of the below or the above to homeschool “right.” You’re already enough as you are.

These are just options for fun or for holiday/birthday wish lists! I hope you enjoy getting to create your own math playground that’s unique to you and yours.

1 – Base Ten Starter Blocks

2 – * Calendar/Weather Chart – Okay, I’m trying to stop getting all the feels over these family favorites, but it’s just not happening. We used our calendar chart all 15 of our homeschool years, and my family can let you know that I have heavily resisted taking it off the wall. Heavily.

3 – Fraction Tower Equivalency Cubes

4 – * Learning Resources Cash Register – I just looked it up…we bought this on August 12, 2010 for my Jonathan’s 6th birthday. Oh my heart – it’s still in the attic.

5 – Melissa and Doug Wooden Abacus

6 – *Melissa and Doug Money Set – buying Melissa & Doug stuff always made me feel like a good homeschool mom

7 – Pattern Blocks

8 – Self-Correcting Multiplication Keys

9 – Silent Learning Clock

10 – Talking Learning Clock

“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” ~ Albert Einstein

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Out of the Box Math Inspiration ~
Written and updated by Jamie C. Martin of Simple Homeschool

I’m currently updating a series I published several years ago about math, explaining how our family decided to approach the subject in a non-traditional way.

Now you’ll get to hear my perspective looking back as a veteran homeschool mom to see if it matches what my young, naive homeschool self thought!

If you missed the first update in this series, I’d recommend reading it here before continuing this one!

Let me continue by serving up more math inspiration for you to consider.

Several “out of the box” math inspiration examples follow, which I hope will help you develop your own thoughts and discern what may be best given your family’s current situation.

Many of these examples fueled my personal decision on when and how to teach math in our homeschool.

Out of the Box Math Inspiration

1. Just Do the Math by David Albert

David Albert shares the story of 9-12 year-olds who learned all K-6 math in just 20 hours of study. He also shares his belief that an average teen who is actually motivated to learn math, and wasn’t held back by math anxiety, could learn all the K-12 math that he hasn’t naturally picked up in life in approximately eight weeks of study. 

 “So, do the math. If you figure the actual math time at 30 hours a year for 8 years (accounting for the wasted time in the early years), it totals 240 hours. Lo and behold – if, at age 15 or so, you wanted to learn all the math K-12, weren’t inhibited by math anxiety, and were willing to spend 30 hours a week at it, it would take you…8 weeks!”

2. A Mathematician’s Lament by Paul Lockhart

In his book, research mathematician Paul Lockhart (afflinks) makes the case that math is an art form, and that the way we currently study it prevents kids from falling in love with and seeing it through the lens of imagination that other arts inspire. 

“If I had to design a mechanism for the express purpose of destroying a child’s natural curiosity and love of pattern-making, I couldn’t possibly do as good a job as is currently being done – I simply wouldn’t have the imagination to come up with the kind of senseless, soul-crushing ideas that constitute contemporary mathematics education.

“You want to train them to calculate 427 plus 389? It’s just not a question that many eight-year-olds are asking. For that matter, most adults don’t fully understand decimal place-value arithmetic, and you expect third graders to have a clear conception? Or do you not care if they understand it? It is simply too early for that kind of technical training. Of course it can be done, but I think it ultimately does more harm than good. Much better to wait until their own natural curiosity about numbers kicks in.”

3. Research on the Teaching of Math at Trivium Pursuit

This article shares (in thorough detail) how math has been taught historically through the ages – a fascinating study! The author then suggests waiting until around age ten to begin formal math lessons.

“So to wait until age ten to teach arithmetic is actually, from an historical perspective, to advocate an early start. It is only from a decidedly modern perspective that waiting until age ten would appear to be a late start.

“Depending upon the child, upon the method, and upon the subject matter covered, there exists the potential for developmental harm from the formal teaching of arithmetic before age ten.

“Small children cannot understand many arithmetic concepts at an early age. We can teach them to perform the process, but we cannot make them understand the concepts. The child learns to hate learning. The child’s understanding develops along the wrong lines. He may actually develop mental blocks to arithmetic – actual physiological blocks in the brain.”

But how can someone actually begin the formal teaching of math at age ten? Laurie Bluedorn suggested one possibility in a follow up to the above:

“At age ten we start the child in formal math with a 6th grade math textbook. I give the child two math grids, and they are allowed to use them when doing their math lessons.

At age eleven I take away the addition/subtraction grid. The child should have the addition/subtraction facts memorized by then. If I think that he doesn’t have them memorized then we would drill on them till he does have them memorized. At age twelve I take away the multiplication/division grid.”

4. Louis P. Benezet’s Study…as told in Free-Range Learning

In 1929 Louis P. Benezet, the Superintendent of Manchester, New Hampshire schools, tried an experiment within his system. He trialed having some of his classes wait until seventh grade to introduce formal math study. Before then he encouraged naturally occurring math learning, but had teachers make reading, writing, and reasoning the focus in the early years.  

“I feel that it is all nonsense to take eight years to get children through the ordinary arithmetic assignment of the elementary schools. What possible need has a ten-year-old child for knowledge of long division? The whole subject of arithmetic could be postponed until the seventh year of school, and it could be mastered in two years’ study by any typical child.

“Due to pressure from some school principals, children were started on a math book in the second half of sixth grade. All sixth-grade children were tested. By spring of that year, all the classes tested equally. In other words, those children exposed to traditional math curricula for part of the sixth-grade year had mastered the same skills as those who had spent years on drills, times tables, and exams.”

5. What I thought (and wrote) then – 10 years ago:

In some ways it’s difficult to explain exactly what we do in our family – because it is, has been, and no doubt will continue to be completely different for each child. There’s no formula, but we have followed the advice mentioned above about waiting to introduce formal math.

This decision comes from our deep belief in the importance of our young children having a full and thorough Core Phase, which does not include a focus on early academics.

Two of my three children are now in the second phase of learning, Love of Learning, and recently math emphasis has crept into our lives more regularly. But it is still highly individualized and based on each child’s needs and strengths.

I have one who is naturally gifted with numbers, who has played with them over the years and by doing so has picked up quite a lot. I have two children who learn very differently to the traditional classroom style and who appear to have their geniuses (at this stage) in other areas.

Of course this doesn’t mean that math won’t be a part of their lives, but it means that I introduce concepts when I believe maturity and readiness are present so I can set them up for success.

6. What I think now – 10 years later:

When I look back on teaching math, I marvel at how God in his wisdom directed our paths to what our children would need for their future. At the time I first wrote this, I didn’t have full clarity of my daughter Trishna’s and my son Elijah’s special-needs (both on the autism spectrum, with several other diagnoses).

Yet this individualized approach ended up suiting all three of my kids and what mattered most for each of them.

I would have experienced so much wasted time and frustration if I had tried to push structured math onto my special needs children earlier. It would have negatively affected their self-concepts, and my self-confidence as a teacher.

One of them reached about eighth grade level of math before graduating, and that fits perfectly with their needs. The other struggles greatly with math concepts, and is around first grade level, even after several years of diligent focus and lessons in their teens. This child is learning workarounds to help them function in this area for what they’ll need in life.

My son Jonathan used Teaching Textbooks for math and finished through Algebra II, enough for him to get into the colleges of his choice. His job as a Lighting Director and Designer uses a lot of math and it’s been interesting to see how proficient he’s become in that on-the-job setting.

So see? It all worked out!

I do want to honestly mention that at times it was challenging for our younger kids in certain social situations when math tasks came up that they had not mastered yet. This could be mitigated by mastering addition/subtraction earlier but waiting for the rest.

I also want to say that it is possible to teach math as a structured homeschool subject if that’s best for your family’s needs. This out of the box math inspiration and approach is not the only “right” option!

If you approach it with flexibility and the understanding that there is more than one way, you can make regular curricula work for you as opposed to you working for it.

Keep in mind the long-term perspective: Not every child needs to love math, but it would be nice if so many didn’t hate it!

So if you decide to get out of the box when it comes to math, what can you do in the early years to prepare and play with numbers instead? I’m glad you asked!

Come back soon for the next update in this series. I’ll have a list of specific resources so you can create your own math playground.

“Mathematics should be taught as art for art’s sake. These mundane “useful” aspects would follow naturally as a trivial by product. Beethoven could easily write an advertising jingle, but his motivation for learning music was to create something beautiful.” ~ Paul Lockhart

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!

52 Artist’s Dates for Your Homeschool ~
Written by Debbie Douse of An Adventurous Education

A wise friend of mine, knowing my desire to increase my creative flair, bought me an excellent book called The Artist’s Way. (afflink)

Fundamentally, this book encourages you to let go of what no longer serves you and instead make space for art in whichever forms call most to you. One of its key tenets is the concept of the artist date.

This is a permission slip to spend a couple of hours each week allowing your ‘inner artist’ to simply play.

The time should be spent alone, doing something that inspires you – fills your creative bucket so to speak – with no set outcome. Joyful, right?

I started adding this to my weekly planner. I’d bravely take myself out alone to the theatre to watch beautiful dancers or just ringfence time in my garden. My children’s interest was piqued.

I bought myself a stack of magazines to cut up into an inspiration board, and Rosie excitedly picked up what was left to make her own. Harry, noticing me book an oil painting class, asked if we could make it a mother-son date day instead. For months, I’d left a stack of photo frames hanging around ready to make a display of our travels.

It was an artist’s date destined not to happen… until Rosie decided she’d waited long enough and asked me with pleading eyes if she could please do some of them! Clearly the priority I was gifting my own creativity was motivating them to do the same.

So I brainstormed a list of 52 artist’s dates for your homeschool to stimulate all our imaginations.

The ardent Artist’s Way followers would insist these be done individually, and often, that works best.

But there’s also value to be gained doing them beside your loved ones, connecting through playful creation. And in a homeschool setting, it’s ideal for both bonding and interesting coursework that you might otherwise not have time for!

52 Artist’s Dates for Your Homeschool This Year:

1. Print out uplifting quotes and make a collage
2. Book a cookery course, design your own dinner party menu or forage for ingredients to use in a new recipe
3. Redecorate your bedroom and paint a mural on the wall
4. Attend a poetry recital or design your own with friends
5. Have a go at the potter’s wheel
6. Research Andy Goldsworthy’s art and create your own outdoor sculpture
7. Have a seasonal photography competition amongst family members – who can take the best winter or spring photograph?
8. Experience a new kind of theater, such as slapstick, mime or street theater
9. Design a mood board of pictures for a story/scene you’re writing
10. Try a new dance style, such as Irish or Flamenco
11. Draw your favorite building in your local town
12. Go wild swimming
13. Introduce yourself to a new style of music and find a favorite song in this genre
14. Pick some flowers from the garden to make a bouquet
15. Plan a road trip
16. People watch and create stories about each character
17. Make a photo-book of your holidays
18. Peruse a food market and taste foods you’ve never tried before
19. Research and try a new craft technique, like macramé, book folding art or wire figure sculpting
20. Go on a barefoot or night walk
21. Create a collection of beautiful objects
22. Visit an art gallery or museum
23. Write a song
24. Plant part of the garden as a beautiful sanctuary for you
25. Design a comic strip
26. Kayak or canoe down a river
27. Draw the floor plan of your ideal home
28. Bravely book a guided ghost walk
29. Go to a comedy club or write a comedy sketch
30. Make a ‘creative bucket list’
31. Attend a writing class
32. Make your own photo frame out of driftwood
33. Learn to knit
34. Explore unique shops with no agenda
35. Survey the sunset or sunrise, or stargaze
36. Watch an inspirational speaker
37. Start a nature journal
38. Enjoy a music festival or concert
39. Try workshops to learn new skills, such as juggling, leather working or soap making
40. Create a Pinterest board for a hobby or passion
41. Bake a new type of cake or pastry
42. Add hygge to your home
43. Plan, save and buy a new outfit
44. Make a Christmas wreath
45. Start a sewing project, such as new curtains, a patchwork quilt or new skirt
46. Enjoy a coloring or doodle book
47. Try a new type of painting class, like oil, Batik or watercolors
48. Start a blog, Substack or YouTube channel
49. Sit by the river and write a poem
50. Venture into previously unexplored areas of an art/stationery shop
51. Make a photo display
52. Write 10 things you’d love to be brave enough to do; chose one and do it!

Having experienced my own artist’s date last night – a talk from the intrepid explorer Simon Reeve – I can attest to the uplifting impact on your imagination.

Here’s to building a creative 2025!

* Find more of Debbie’s inspirational writing on Simple Homeschool here.

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!

Tailoring Your Homeschool Curriculum: A Child-Focused Approach to Thriving ~
Written by Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners

Whether you’re using an all-in-one program, mixing and matching from various providers, or DIY-ing it with online resources, the key to ensuring your curriculum choices fit your family’s vision is to shape it around your child’s unique needs.

Here’s how to implement a child-focused approach with confidence and flexibility.

Think of Curriculum as a Framework, Not a Script

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the freedom it gives you to customize learning. While curriculums often come with guidelines and structured lesson plans, they’re not set in stone. Think of your curriculum as a framework that supports your child’s learning rather than a strict script to follow.

Your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs should guide your teaching journey. If your kiddo is a hands-on learner who thrives when building and experimenting, incorporate lots of project-based learning. Science experiments, art projects, and even cooking can make subjects more engaging.

Got a kid who loves structure? They might do well with a set schedule that allows them to anticipate what’s coming next. This mindset shift can reduce the pressure to “do it all” and allow you to focus on what truly benefits your child.

Adapt for Strengths and Challenges

Every child has their strengths and areas that need extra support. A one-size-fits-all curriculum won’t work, and that’s okay. Use your homeschool as an opportunity to lean into their strengths and find creative ways to address their challenges.

For the math whiz , but reluctant reader, look for cross-curricular activities that integrate their interests.  If they love baking, turn cooking time into a math and reading lesson by having them follow a recipe.

They’ll be practicing math skills with measurements and reading comprehension without even realizing it.

For the artistic child, seek out options that include creative projects. Let them illustrate science journals, create history timelines as comic strips, or build dioramas of scenes from the books they’re reading. These activities allow them to express creativity while still covering essential learning goals.

For the child who needs extra support in certain areas, customizing your curriculum can make a world of difference.

If reading is a challenge, consider using audiobooks or read-aloud sessions to build their comprehension skills without the stress of decoding words. On the other hand, if they excel in a particular subject, don’t be afraid to accelerate the pace or dive deeper into topics that fascinate them.

Incorporate Life Skills and Interests

Homeschooling isn’t just about academics; it’s about raising lifelong learners who are prepared for the world. Use your curriculum to teach life skills and cater to their interests. Does your child love animals? Take that passion and run with it!

Explore biology through animal studies, incorporate animal-themed books into reading time, and use nature walks as an opportunity for science lessons. Not only will this make learning more enjoyable, but it will also help them see how subjects connect to the real world.

Life skills are equally important. Cooking, budgeting, gardening, or even basic home repairs can be turned into valuable learning experiences. This hands-on approach not only teaches practical skills but also reinforces concepts like math, science, and problem-solving in a real-world context.

Embrace Flexibility and Adjust as Needed

Flexibility is one of the greatest gifts you can give both yourself and your child. Some days, the curriculum might need to take a back seat because your child is having an off day, and that’s okay. Consider it an opportunity to pivot and do something different. 

If you find that a particular curriculum or approach isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change. Try breaking subjects into shorter, more manageable chunks if long lessons cause burnout. Or take a day to dive deep into a hands-on project if your child seems disengaged. 

Connect with Your Community for Ideas and Support

Don’t forget that you’re not alone in this journey! Join local homeschool groups, co-ops, or online forums where you can exchange curriculum tips, resources, and advice. Sometimes hearing what works (and doesn’t) for others can spark new ideas for customizing your child’s learning path.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

It’s easy to get caught up in meeting academic benchmarks, but don’t forget to celebrate small wins. Did your child finally master a tricky concept or show interest in a new topic? That’s worth celebrating!

By focusing on progress rather than perfection, you’re fostering a love for learning and building your child’s confidence.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

This child-focused approach not only enhances learning but also nurtures a lifelong love of education. By embracing flexibility and meeting your child where they are, you’re raising learners who are engaged, motivated, and ready to tackle whatever comes their way.

Want to explore more ways to customize your homeschooling experience?

*****

A note from Jamie: The ideas in this post are just a tiny fraction of those Colleen shares in her new book, The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners.

I got a sneak peek, and here’s what I wrote afterwards:

“Colleen Kessler shares from the depth of her experience as a long-term homeschool parent, a mother of differently-wired kids, and a recognized authority on gifted studies.

In The Homeschool Advantage, she strengthens our resolve and self-trust as homeschooling parents, reminding us that home education is not just one alternative for our kids’ learning, but that it may in fact be the best option of all!” 

If you need a boost of confidence for your homeschool journey, snag a copy of The Homeschool Advantage today!

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!

Homeschool tips for students with ADHD ~
Written by Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners

“He’s an EXTREME thinker,” exclaimed my oldest son’s preschool teacher the first time I met with her for a conference more than thirteen years ago. Since that day, I’ve endured all sorts of similar comments — some judgmental; some tinged with laughter — all of them related to his non. stop. energy.

My son was diagnosed with ADHD by the first of three psychologists we saw beginning when he was five. We’d later discover that his wasn’t truly ADHD, but hyperactivity and impulsivity that mimicked it, a result of his overexcitabilities stemming from profound giftedness.

But as ADHD and psychomotor overexcitabilities tend to need similar adjustments to learning environments and styles, we chose to pull him out of the public school system more than a decade ago so that we could meet those challenging and unique needs.

Homeschooling a child with ADHD can be a great way to adapt learning to their needs, and over the years we’ve found some things that work well as we try to tackle the ever-changing needs ADHD kiddos have.

Homeschool Tips For Students With ADHD

Stick with a regular routine.  While a kiddo with ADHD may struggle with routine, it is an important practice for the future.  Teaching your child about routine will help them to learn to be more focused.  A flexible routine is important, but overall you should have one you try to stick to on a regular basis.

This doesn’t mean you should have your child waking up and sitting at a desk as kids do in public school — for us, that was the kiss of death when we first started homeschooling and I fell back on my public-school-teaching-past. It does, however, mean you need to help your child maintain a sense of control in the daily routine.

Routine trumps a structured schedule every time. When kids know that morning chores come before breakfast, then comes independent work, then group work, then lunch, then free time, then dinner, then bedtime, they know what to expect — regardless of how much time each activity takes.

Create short lessons.  One of the best homeschool tips for teaching a child that has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD is to adjust the activity times to suit their stamina.  In a traditional school environment, most subjects are covered in 30-45 minute increments at a time.  In a homeschool environment, you can focus on shorter class times that will work better for your child and their limited attention span.

Start with 15-minute sessions or activities.  In between each 15-minute time block, give your child (and you!) brain breaks or a chance to stretch their legs. Play outside, grab a snack, take time to dance in the kitchen… any of these things can get you and your kiddo recharged to keep going.

Allow for movement. Like my son, your ADHD child probably needs to move all the time. In a school setting, this was a “behavior” that gets kids in trouble. Remember — homeschooling offers the flexibility to teach how a child needs to learn. Math facts on the trampoline? Absolutely! Reading while upside down on the couch with the dog curled in the lap and feet tap on the wall? Sure, why not!

Kids can also sit on exercise balls, fidget or hum while doing math, or do jumping jacks in between comprehension questions. Pick what works for your child.  You have to think about the struggles your unique child has to determine what will work best for them in this situation.

Get involved in local homeschool groups. This is truly invaluable for most homeschooling parents.  Including local homeschool group meetings into your homeschool schedule can make a huge difference in your productivity and the success of your child.  

There are tons of options for homeschool groups to consider.  Some are strictly co-op situations that are educational.  Others are for field trips and playdates.  Some, in light of the current situation we face during a pandemic, are only meeting online. Search for options in your city, county, and your state so you check out multiple options to see what works best for your kiddo.

Remember as you are adapting your homeschool — consider your child above all, and not just what others are recommending.  Every child diagnosed with ADHD and ADD (or overexcitabilities) will have different struggles.  Some will be physically more active, while others may struggle to concentrate on one subject for long time periods.  The reason most parents choose to homeschool is to truly make education work for their child.

You’ve got this! Enjoy the adventure.

Oh! And that “extreme thinker” is now seventeen, entering his senior year of homeschooling as a fulltime college student, working towards a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. He also has an internship with the college program to develop a VR campus experience for other remote-learning students while running a freelance audio and video editing business from home.

He’s still an extreme thinker — but homeschooling allowed him to think in his own way, and thrive.

* Read more of Colleen’s work on Simple Homeschool here!

Do you have homeschool tips for students with ADHD? I’d love to hear them. Share below.

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!

My personal experience using All About Reading with an older child ~
Written by Jamie C. Martin of Simple Homeschool

Sometimes homeschooling requires us to face our greatest fears.

When we first started out, my husband and I used an interest-led learning approach. I knew this meant that my children might not read at ages five or six, but could even take until eight or nine to reach that milestone.

I read example after example of homeschooling parents whose children went from not knowing how to read one day, to reading full chapter books the next. I saw something similarly miraculous occur with my oldest two, who began reading at ages six and eight, with minimal formal lessons.

But with my youngest I waited and waited. We dipped our toes in program after program as the years went by, each one helping, but nothing unlocking fluency.

Having an older child who could not read was one of my greatest fears, one that I’ve been called to face. My son is now fourteen.

His inability to read is not his fault, nor is it mine (another fear). It goes back to his battle in infancy with malaria, a battle that nearly took his life in West Africa before he joined our family. He’s a survivor, yet his brain still shows the scars. Having to work much harder than others to master basic academics is one of them.

I’ve cried and prayed and stared at the ceiling in the middle of the night, asking God for help. About a year ago those prayers led us to All About Reading. (affiliate link)

Using All About Reading with an Older Child

One day I watched a video in which Marie Rippel, founder of All About Reading and All About Spelling, describes her own son’s learning struggles that led her to create her programs. I showed the video to my son, and he wanted to give it a try.

We’ve been using it for over a year now.

I wanted to share our experience in case it might be the right fit for you and yours, whether you have a child who struggles as well or are just looking for a solid program to use with younger children.

A few details I’ve appreciated:

The Scripted Lessons

I was shocked by how much I LOVE the scripted lessons, telling me exactly what to do and say and what materials I need for each part of the process. It takes away that guesswork of “Am I covering everything in the best order?” – especially important with a struggling learner.

I will say that if I was using this program with elementary-aged children, I would likely add in some reward/incentive (#intentionalbribery) to make sure the lessons don’t become a battle.

Check out my day in the life post from a few years ago where I mention our “skills learning treats.” This is something I wish I would have started earlier, but I worried that bribery would take away my kids’ love of learning. (Note: Providing it’s not overused, it doesn’t!)

Format of Lessons

Each lesson begins with a review of phonograms and words previously learned, moves on to new teaching (a lot of which is done on a magnetic whiteboard), and includes activities that allow students to practice new skills.

Alternate lessons have students reading stories, which are some of the best I’ve come across in early readers–and I love the illustrations, now in color!

I also adore the “warm up sheets” for each story, which guide children in practicing specific words and phrases that will appear in their story–helping them read with more fluency. Brilliant!

Since I’m doing these lessons with an older child, we often skip the kinesthetic, game-like activities geared toward younger kids, but it’s perfect to have them if you need them. The program also builds in many multi-sensory learning options so you can adapt it to what works best for your student’s learning style.

Our Progress

The entire All About Reading program is comprised of four levels, covering phonics, decoding, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.

Elijah and I are currently halfway through Level Two, and while he hasn’t reached fluency yet, we feel more hopeful about his reading than ever before.

We typically do a 15-20 minute lesson three to four times a week, and we go at his pace, which means that we might spend two days on one “lesson.”

Our progress is slow, but guess what? It’s progress! And after all these years, that feels really good.

Interested in giving All About Reading or All About Spelling a try?

I’ve also had wonderful success using All About Spelling with my son Jonathan, but this post was getting too long, so I shared those details in another one here.

One of the best things about AAR/AAS is their incredible year-long guarantee:

Check out all of the step-by-step lesson plans and reading and spelling tips for ONE FULL YEAR. Treat the program like your own, and learn everything the program has to offer. If you then decide it’s not for you, simply send the package back (in any condition), and we’ll refund your purchase price. No questions asked.

As I mentioned before I am an affiliate for All About Learning, which means I receive a commission on any purchases through these links. Please know I only ever share with you programs that have made a difference in our homeschool.

This is definitely one of them! Perhaps it will also be the answered prayer for you that it has been for us.

Any specific questions about using All About Reading with an older child? I’d be happy to answer them!

Disclosure: I received this curricula at no charge; all opinions are my own.

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!

Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children with Flexibility ~
Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners

The day started off well. We had knocked out math and language arts by lunchtime and were getting ready to dive into a science experiment we’d been looking forward to. 

Cue panic attack and subsequent meltdown.

As I soothed and calmed the anxious kiddo, the others drifted to their own projects and passions, and I knew the experiment would be pushed to another day.

Homeschooling presents a unique set of challenges and joys, especially when you have neurodivergent children. While traditional schools struggle to accommodate diverse learning styles, homeschooling is the perfect alternative.

But one of the hardest things for parents who homeschool is finding the right mix between structure and flexibility in how they teach.

This careful balance can have a big effect on how a neurodivergent child learns. Let’s look at some strategies to navigate this successfully.

Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children with Flexibility

First, we need to remember that kids like my anxious one need the structure that provides a stable and safe environment in which to learn. While they don’t necessarily need a strict schedule, they should know what’s expected from day to day. They also need to know that you, their parent and safe space, are there if things become overwhelming and that you’ll flex both structure and schedule so they can recover. 

Structure provides a sense of predictability and security for neurodivergent children.

Establishing a routine can help manage anxiety and improve focus. It can ease the overwhelm and distractibility that comes with ADHD. It can help a gifted brain stay on-task long enough to complete a project before taking apart the vacuum to see how it works.

However, rigid schedules may stifle creativity and exacerbate resistance to learning. Finding the right balance is key.

Tips for Incorporating Structure

• Establish a Daily Routine: Create a flexible schedule with designated times for learning, meals, breaks, and activities. Be mindful of your child’s energy levels and attention span when planning tasks.
• Visual Aids and Timers: Utilize visual schedules, timers, and calendars to help your child understand and anticipate daily activities. Visual aids can enhance comprehension and reduce stress.
• Clear Expectations: Communicate expectations clearly and consistently. Break tasks into manageable steps and provide positive reinforcement for progress.
• Create a Dedicated Learning Space: Designate a quiet, organized area specifically for homeschooling activities. Minimize distractions and personalize the space to cater to your child’s sensory needs.
• Utilize Adaptive Tools: Explore adaptive tools and technology to accommodate your child’s learning style. Consider audiobooks, interactive apps, or sensory-friendly materials to enhance engagement.

Flexibility is equally vital in accommodating the dynamic nature of neurodivergent learners. While structure provides stability, flexibility allows for individualized learning experiences, exploration of interests, and the need for a break when it’s warranted.

Embracing flexibility empowers children to learn at their own pace and in ways that resonate with them, and it teaches them to advocate for themselves and to be kind when their brains or bodies just crave downtime.

Strategies for Flexibility

• Follow Your Child’s Lead: Pay attention to your child’s interests, strengths, and areas of struggle. Adapt your teaching approach to capitalize on their passions and foster intrinsic motivation.
• Incorporate Multi-Sensory Learning: Engage multiple senses to enrich the learning experience. Incorporate hands-on activities, field trips, and creative projects to stimulate different modes of learning.
• Allow for Breaks and Movement: Recognize the importance of breaks and physical activity in maintaining focus and regulating emotions. Encourage movement breaks and outdoor exploration to support overall well-being.
• Be Open to Unconventional Learning Opportunities: Embrace spontaneous learning opportunities that arise outside of traditional curriculum. Whether it’s cooking, gardening, or birdwatching, every experience can be a valuable learning opportunity.
• Adjust and Adapt: Stay open to adjusting your approach based on your child’s evolving needs and feedback. Flexibility allows for experimentation and refinement to optimize the homeschooling experience

Balancing structure and flexibility is an ongoing journey in homeschooling neurodivergent children. By embracing the unique strengths and challenges of each child, homeschooling parents can create a nurturing environment that promotes growth, confidence, and joy in learning. 

You can always get back to the learning, but ignoring the social, emotional, or heart needs of your kiddo can have long-term negative effects. Being flexible within the structure gives you the framework to meet all the needs of your kiddos, ensuring that homeschooling is the perfect educational choice for your outside-the-box child. 

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Trust your instincts, stay adaptable, and celebrate the remarkable journey of homeschooling your neurodivergent child.

You’ve got this. 

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!

Homeschooling Middle School: What’s The Same vs. What’s Different ~
Written by Jessica Waldock of The Waldock Way

At first, homeschooling middle school feels like a big challenge. Suddenly, you’re facing new emotions and a new level of independence. Most of the things your child used to think were fun are “boring” and “lame” now.

Fortunately, there’s a lot about homeschooling during the middle school years that stays the same. Middle school kids still want to have fun and have a strong connection with you, even if they think your jokes aren’t funny anymore. 

Keep reading to get the scoop on what’s the same and what’s different about homeschooling middle school. Plus, get some tips from a mom who’s made the transition to help you face the challenges of homeschooling middle school this year. 

Transitioning To Middle School In Your Homeschool

In a lot of small ways, homeschooling has changed, but there are lots of ways it’s still the same too. It’s crazy to think about how much older Emily is getting and what that means for our homeschool. At first, I thought transitioning to middle school would be a challenge and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to meet it. 

Gradually, I’ve come to discover that we can keep doing the same things with just a bit of revision. 

Homeschooling Middle School: What Has Changed

Homeschooling in middle school can be intimidating. I won’t say that it’s the same because a lot has changed since we started diving into the middle school years. We still play lots of games, prioritize our family connection, and focus on Emily’s passions and interests. 

However, there’s a lot that has changed in our homeschool too! 

It’s Harder to Have Fun

Homeschooling middle school sometimes means that having fun is a bit more challenging. Remember kindergarten when a game of Candy Land and writing letters in the sandbox was a great homeschool day? Well, middle school is different. 

Sometimes middle schoolers feel stuck between trying to be cool and still enjoying the things they did when they were little. Even if they’d still like to play Candy Land, they’ll never admit it. That means homeschooling parents may have to get creative with school assignments and curriculum choices.

There aren’t always fun activities and games built into every middle school curriculum. I have to put forth extra effort to keep things fun while meeting our middle school learning goals. Fortunately, with a little extra effort, having fun while homeschooling middle school is still possible.

New Emotions

Middle schoolers come with all kinds of new emotions that can throw a curve ball in your homeschool plans. They’re dealing with lots of big changes. Sometimes we get blindsided by big emotions or emotional outbursts we weren’t expecting. 

Sometimes these new emotions mean we have to switch up our plans for the day or that academics need to take a backseat. I stay focused on prioritizing a strong connection with Emily and teaching her that emotional health is important. Teaching our middle schoolers skills, like how to have a growth mindset and how to use mindfulness tools can be just as important as learning about algebra or history.

New Independence

Another thing that’s changed about homeschooling middle school is Emily’s level of independence. She’s able to complete lessons and face academic challenges without my help. That’s a bittersweet change for me. 

Suddenly, she’s capable of doing so much on her own and wants to do it alone too. It is challenging to step back after years of being a very hands-on homeschool parent! 

At the same time, middle schoolers are caught between that newfound independence and their dependence on us. That means we have to make challenging decisions about what they’re ready for and what they might not be able to do independently right now. 

Sometimes, your middle schooler might even surprise you by asking for your help with something you know they can do on their own. It’s okay to say yes sometimes when that happens. After all, fostering connection is still important for homeschooling middle school.

Homeschooling Middle School: Most Is The Same!

Fortunately, homeschooling middle school is mostly the same. We kept the same priorities: interest-led learning, strengthening our family relationships, and having fun homeschooling.

Strewing

We’re still doing many of the things that worked well last year in our homeschool For example, strewing. Strewing has been an important part of our homeschool routine for years. 

Now that we’re in the middle school years, strewing is often about books, games, and tech resources as opposed to crafts and building materials. We are big fans of strewing single-player games too.

Morning Baskets

We are still enjoying our morning basket time together while homeschooling middle school. Morning baskets for middle schoolers can still have lots of fun activities and opportunities for connection. The challenge is that the materials are often very different from what used to be in our morning baskets.

Now, morning baskets begin our day with themed poetry, stories, and games. They have also become an easy way for me to squeeze in subjects like poetry or foreign languages that sometimes fall through the cracks.

Homeschooling middle school can be a challenge in the beginning, but I think you’ll find that not everything has changed. Even though some things are different, it’s a good difference.

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!

Am I doing enough in our homeschool?
Written by Shawna Wingert of Different by Design Learning

After ten years of homeschooling, there is one thing I know to be true.

I am most likely to doubt, question and fear my own ability as a homeschool mom in the middle of the night.

Last night was no exception.

Having some trouble getting back to sleep, I began to go through the previous day in my head.

My son’s resistance to writing.

The video we watched on YouTube instead of doing the actual history assignment.

The to-do list left undone at the end of the day.

As I tossed and turned, one familiar question haunted me.

Would you rather listen to this post?

Am I doing enough for these children?

I know I am not alone in asking this, nor is this a new question. Over the past decade, I know I have asked it hundreds, if not thousands of times.

It’s a question that comes up at every homeschool get-together and in every homeschool mom Facebook group.

We carefully ask other moms what they think. We worry they don’t really understand our realities when they tell us we are doing well and it will be okay.

We wonder, when we hear about a new curriculum or book list.

We whisper it to ourselves on the days when things don’t go as planned.

Am I doing enough?

One of the most challenging aspects of being a homeschool mom, for me, is feeling like I never really know how well I am doing.

At all my other jobs, I had a boss. I had performance appraisals. I had a sense of what right looked like and how well I was doing.

Homeschooling gives us none of that.

And yet, the longer I educate my own children, the more I am finding ways to answer this question, when it rears its ugly head.

Am I doing enough in our homeschool?

If you struggle with this same sense of not knowing, I want to encourage you today that you are not alone.

In fact, I have never met a homeschool mom who didn’t wonder, at least sometimes, if her efforts would be enough to successfully educate her children.

When this question creeps up, this is what helps me most.

Stop Asking, “Does this count?”

It is so easy to feel like I am not doing enough in our homeschool when I am concerned about what “counts” as learning and what doesn’t.

For example, it’s easy to feel like my son taking a quiz or completing a worksheet “counts,” because it looks more like the public school model that so many of us grew up in.

But what about the Batman graphic novel he was obsessed with all day, or the Geography Now YouTube video we watched, with its tongue in cheek look at what defines the 50 states? Do these count?

While I am still prone to worry, I have learned that if I am asking if something counts, it usually does.

Learning is an element of almost everything we do, in life and in homeschool. It’s easy to see it when I take a step back and really think about the skills my children are practicing.

The graphic novel allowed him to practice reading and think about story. The video sparked an interesting conversation about northern states and political divides.

I could go on and on, but essentially, instead of asking if something counts as learning, I ask, “What did my children learn from this activity?”

Establish a daily minimum.

This has evolved considerably over the past few years, but it is genuinely making a difference in our homeschool.

At the beginning of the school year, I define what I think are the most important things we need to accomplish everyday (and not just academically). This list of no more than five things becomes my minimum expectation for our days.

Below is my “even if nothing else happens, I will consider this enough” daily list for this year for my youngest son.

1. Audiobook and read to mom
2. Sensory activity or rock climbing
3. CTC Math – one 5 minute lesson
4. Current events discussion
5. One item from weekly list

In addition to our daily plan, I create a weekly list of ideas and activities to add to the above. We only add an item from the weekly list if we are in a good place and able to take on more (which, if I’m honest, is about 50% of the days).

Here is a picture of my plans for last week.

The daily list of requirements helps me start the day with a sense of things being doable from the start, instead of behind before we even get started.

Most important, it feels like enough.

Accept that resistance will come.

It is really, really hard to not take my sons’ resistance to learning personally, especially when I have worked hard to prepare an activity or define our plans for the day. Their resistance often triggers guilt and leads to be me being up in the middle of the night asking if I am doing enough.

But the truth is that resistance and not wanting to do something that is required of us is a part of learning. It is a part of homeschooling.

Accepting this reality helps me feel like what we are accomplishing, even in the midst of some resistance, matters.

Know that it all adds up.

I have to remind myself of this over and over again, but I know it to be true.

After all these years, I can see that all the small decisions, the seemingly unfocused afternoons, the audiobooks listened to in the car, the visits to the zoo, the conversations over the dinner table, the rock climbing lessons and yes, the worksheets and math lessons done on the computer – it all adds up.

It all adds up to a well-rounded and effective education.

It adds up to more than enough.

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!

Home and family are where differences are celebrated, and books are often the best or only avenue available for kids to see inside the homes of others and begin to fill in the soft outlines of their understanding of how other people see the world.

Providing books as literary windows gives honest and varied views of different people’s lives and is like pulling back the curtains of a darkened room, allowing light to pour in. Literary windows provide a realistic view of how others live while simultaneously situating children within the context of a wider world.

An intentional home library (or public library haul) of windows is a first step to bringing balance to any curriculum, and it’s a creative way to raise children who operate with humility and confidence.

There’s no strict prescription for what constitutes a window because priorities and perspectives vary across households and backgrounds. But generally, I’ve found that many of the best selections of books as literary windows fall into the following categories:

How to Select Books as Literary Windows

A Day in the Life

Books that show how children in other countries, regions of our own country, and even our neighbors who look different live their daily lives today are invaluable. It’s easy for this category of books to become trite, so seek authentic voices when possible and choose dignity over tokenism and stereotypes in every case.

Family Is Everything

Family-focused stories offer ample opportunity for children to see the many similarities between their loved ones and others. This dynamic is just as important as embracing differences.

Family-centered books are also where we can most easily witness joy expressed through food, music, clothing, rhythms, and traditions, giving children a vivid sense of our common humanity and shared values.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Photographs and illustrations communicate things that authors often leave unsaid. They can show the variety of dress, skin color, hairstyles, home decor, food, leisure, transportation, and more.

Books featuring quality pictures are perfect for strewing around the house for children to happen upon and flip through.

Folktales

Legends or myths passed down through generations of people within a culture or cross-culturally are unique ways to understand the core beliefs of a people’s ancestors. The storytelling traditions of many groups hold a rich heritage of experiences on which some of their modern views may rest.

Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs

It’s nearly impossible to write about a person’s life without including details on the world around them. Biographies and autobiographies often shed light on how people lived and what they received and gave to those around them, providing day-in-the-life glimpses contextualized within a broader historical perspective.

They’re gold mines for learning about people and the spaces in which they operate.

Poetry

I’m not sure that any other art form so quickly and thoroughly communicates the beliefs, customs, and dreams of a person or group of people.

Thoughts shared in verse explore what the poet may find familiar, what she loves, the beauty or pain she sees in her world, and even her opinions on real-life occurrences. Poetry is a near-perfect window.

Primary Sources

Books containing copies of primary sources such as speeches, interviews, documents, and letters are often windows that speak entirely for themselves. Resources such as these can provide more truthful and accurate accounts of people’s perspectives during a particular time.

Historical Fiction

Rooted in reality but not hemmed in by factual occurrence, historical fiction often brings humanity to stories of triumph while credibly redeeming tragedies. Some of these books are a gentle way to introduce tough topics, while others spur children to emulate heroes and ensure that some parts of history don’t repeat themselves on their watch.

These categories are not the only types of books as literary windows to share with children, but they’re an ideal beginning for families looking to expand their reading lives as they learn more about their communities and the world.

To learn more check out my book, A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond (currently 60% off on audio!) and/or Jamie’s book, Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time (afflinks)

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!