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!

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!

Colleen’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with an 11-, 14-, 16, and 21-year-old) ~
Written by Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners

It’s eight a.m. and I just want to roll back over. It’s not like anyone else will be up anyway. 

But, it’s Thursday, and Thursdays are a little bit crazy these days, so I drag myself out of bed, and Daisy Mae (the three-year-old Border Collie who still thinks she’s a brand-new puppy) jumps around my legs before waiting patiently-ish at the top of the stairs until I get to the bottom and release her to follow. 

I let Daisy outside, call up to the younger two to get up and dressed, and bring Bellatrix LePug down with them so she can go outside, too. Bella sleeps on Logan’s bed, under her covers, curled behind the crook of her knee. Her favorite place to be is wherever I am, and her second favorite place is in a bed, snuggled up with whoever will let her sleep with them. 

Logan and Isaac reluctantly make their way downstairs, let Bella out to join Daisy and eat breakfast while my coffee brews. On Thursdays, they have their “Homeschooling with Horses” class, which is a wonderful two-hour program run by an incredible woman who unschooled her own kiddos (now adults) and opens her barn four days a week to homeschoolers while also running a nonprofit that provides equine therapy to veterans at no cost to them. If you’re local to northeast Ohio, let me know in the comments and I’ll pass along her information because she’s doing wonderful work and I’d love to send more people her way. 

The dogs come back in and the two kids and I go our separate ways to get ready to leave for class. I also make my first attempt at waking my 16-year-old for the day and go in to remind my 21-year-old that he needs to pick up the kids from the barn as I have an eye appointment to go to. One of the “costs” of being able to live here rent-free is that my adult child needs to act as a taxi if I need him to and he usually doesn’t complain about that as he knows how great he has it. 

He’s up and caffeinating, I’m ready to go, and so I give the younger two the 10-minute warning and attempt to get the 16-year-old up again. She might just be getting up this time… fingers crossed.

It’s 9:30 a.m. and we’re loading up the car. Time to get on with the craziness of the day. 

Our homeschool has always been busy, but it’s been a different kind of busy each year as we’ve learned and grown together. Some seasons have been full of co-ops and classes, some have been filled with therapies and appointments, and some have been a mixture. Now, in our fifteenth year, we have an eclectic mix that keeps me on the road with different kids each day, means lots of waiting around for me while one or two kids finish and activity and another works independently at home.

It’s pretty rare to find us all at home and working on projects simultaneously. I love that homeschooling gives us the freedom to make learning a part of our own unique lives, and not have to fit life in-between someone else’s prescribed schedule.

I drop the kids at the barn while the 16-year-old gets herself going at home. She’ll be working on some Shakespeare for both an audition she has coming up and an assignment from one of her teachers. My 21-year-old has a few freelance jobs he’s working on right now, so while I’m gone he’ll get started on one of those before he needs to leave to pick up his siblings for me. 

Trevor is an audio engineer who produces several podcasts (including mine), a videographer and editor who works for several clients regularly including a race car company and a local film school. He recently taught a special effects class to teens at that film school, and is slated for another class this fall. He’s always looking for more podcast and video clients, and spends time continuing to learn new tech skills. 

While Logan and Isaac are at horse class, and Trevor and Molly are at home, I head out to the eye doctor. I’m notoriously bad at remembering to schedule appointments for myself, and can’t miss this appointment. 

It’s 1:45 p.m.

Contacts are ordered, it’s been confirmed that my eyes are as old as they feel, and that I need to wear my reading glasses more when I look at my phone, computer, or books and papers. I definitely turned fifty this year, as my body keeps reminding me!

I’m home in time to get Molly set up on my computer to meet with her acting coach for their weekly lesson and check on her Shakespeare assignment. Logan and Isaac have actually done parts of the checklist I left for them, so I head over to check their math, handwriting, and language arts while Logan makes lunch and Trevor takes a Zoom call from a new client in his room. 

The dogs mill about, dropping toys at our feet, begging for food while we eat, and looking at us with sorrowful expressions when we ignore them and play a game of SET after lunch. Logan tells me about some of the cool things she learned about manta rays in the nonfiction reading she’s currently doing, and Isaac complained bitterly about the grammar and reading workbook I’m having him do each day. 

We’re pretty eclectic homeschoolers who lean pretty heavily towards unschooling and self-direction, but every once in awhile, I throw in something I know they need to work on. Isaac is definitely the baby of four strong-willed kids with big personalities, and he’s perfected ways of cutting corners. While he can read pretty well, he lacks stamina and attention for anything other than video games, and misses some key comprehension when he reads because he rushes through.

The workbook he’s doing is more about forcing him to slow down, read for meaning, and build stamina than any of the actual skills involved. And it’s working as he’s making fewer mistakes in all things he does, and he’s talking more about the books he’s choosing to read because he’s understanding more of the plots. 

It’s approaching 3:15 p.m. and we need to be pulling out of the driveway pretty much now in order to get Molly to rehearsal on time, so I grab my things, check in with Trevor, and remind Logan and Isaac to empty and load the dishwasher before I get back. Isaac gives me a thumbs-up as he’s on a call with his buddy from North Carolina. The boys have a standing weekly Zoom playdate where they game and chat together since they live so far from one another and they both struggle with motivation and ADHD.

It’s kind of like a carrot to get them each to follow through on their chores, school, and behavior throughout the week, and it works surprisingly well for both boys (and both of us moms!). Logan will remind him to get off in an hour when the timer signals. 

Molly and I head out the door pretty close to on time. 

She’s in a musical at an all-boys Catholic high school about 35 minutes away. It’s her second year in the program and she loves it. The groups of boys and girls (recruited from all over the area) are simply wonderful and the director and music director are two of the most incredible mentors I could ask for.

Today I get to drop her off and head back home. She’ll have rehearsal until 7:00 p.m. and then my husband will pick her up and head to her music school where she rehearses with her acapella group “Double Treble” until 10:00 p.m. 

My husband and I split the pick-up depending on what everyone else is doing. Some days I stay and work on my laptop in the lobby of the performing arts center and he heads home to take care of dinner and activities for the others. Some days he goes to the performing arts center to work in the shop, helping the crew design and build set pieces, while I do the dinner and evening activity thing.

And sometimes, we need to be in three different places and my oldest picks Molly up. I kind of miss the toddler, preschool, and elementary years where I got to choose the activities the kids did and I could lump them all together. With Molly taken care of and dropped safely at the school for rehearsal, I head back home.

It’s close to 5:00 p.m. when I get there, and Trevor’s gone. He had a meeting at the film school about an editing project they want him to do for a short film they’re working on. Logan and Isaac are playing Minecraft together, and I throw dinner together. 

We all clean it up together and scatter. 

Logan is working on organizing her room so that she can have a dedicated art space. She heads upstairs to keep working on that, but since I know her well, I am pretty sure she’ll get started and then lose herself in her drawing for the rest of the evening or she’ll go to put away a book, and “accidentally” start reading instead. Hours will go by and the room will stay unorganized.

Isaac has had enough screen time for the day, so he’s staging an epic (his words) battle with Star Wars and Harry Potter LEGO minifigures, Magnatiles, and sensory blocks. It’s pretty much taking over my kitchen table at this point, but I have some work to do, so I let it go. He’s engaged, being creative, and staying unplugged. 

I go to work. 

In July, I have a brand-new book coming out – The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners (afflink)– and just received the layout proofs from my publisher to approve.

It’s always amazing to me how much there is happening all at the same time during a book’s publishing process. Here we are, just getting the book into its preliminary layout format so I can look it over to make sure it’s visually appealing, and the publisher already has it listed in book catalogs and on websites!

I haven’t even had the chance to think about promoting it because I’m still in the throes of editing! (If you decide to reserve a preorder copy for yourself as it’s going to be GREAT, hang on to your digital receipt and keep an eye on my site because I’ll be announcing preorder bonuses soon, and you can grab those once they’re announced with a copy of your receipt!)  

Proofing is done for tonight, as I can only focus for a bit on it before my eyes start crossing, I give my kids a 30-minute warning to wrap things up because it’s bedtime, and I turn my attention to email. I’m terrible with my email and have (ahem) several thousand sitting in my inbox waiting for my attention. Thirty minutes later, and I’ve made a small dent. 

It’s 9:30 p.m. and while I know the kids won’t go to sleep, I send them up to brush their teeth, change, and head to their rooms. I do not hover, and can’t force active minds to sleep (including my own), so our rule is that the 14-year-old and 11-year-old need to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. They can read, journal, dream, or draw, but they need to be in bed and try to wind down in some way.

I go back to work. Since it’s quiet, I record a podcast episode and the three intros I forgot to record after the interviews I did last week. I also keep slogging away at my inbox and spend about an hour in The Learner’s Lab answering DMs and posts from members of my community. 

My husband and Molly get home around 10:30 p.m. and Brian heads straight upstairs to bed. While I’m recording, Molly is in the kitchen making herself a late dinner of stir-fried vegetables and Italian sausage. Late nights are her catch-up time where she’ll finish school work, do some chores, and do some reading before heading to bed.

Tonight, I work until about midnight. Trevor came home about the time I finished up and he and I talked for an hour about all sorts of things. I love those late-night conversations.

More often than not, you’ll find me chatting with either Molly or Trevor until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. in the kitchen or in my office. I love that we can take that time and not feel pressured to cut it off because of early starts. 

One of the greatest things about homeschooling is the relationships my kids have with each other and the ones I have with them.

We have time in the car to chat, over games at the kitchen table, and late at night while the house sleeps around us. I’m often having coffee in the morning while Isaac, who is our earliest riser, talks my ear off before everyone else gets up. 

Some days we have therapy appointments (anxiety is tricky, friends), voice lessons, acting classes, hip hop class, and other random classes we hear about and want to try out (like the intro to archery class we just took and loved). Some days are filled with work as both my girls are volunteer assistant teachers in several preschool classes each week. 

It’s eclectic, it’s ever-changing, and it’s ours.

My, how the days have changed:

• 2023: Colleen’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 10-, 13-, 15-, and 20-year-old)
• 2022: Colleen’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 9-, 12-, 14-, and 19-year-old)
• 2021: Colleen’s homeschool day in the life (with an 8-, 11-, 13-, and 18- year-old)
• 2020: Colleen’s homeschool day in the life (with a 7-, 10-, 12-, and 17-year-old)
• 2018: Colleen’s homeschool day in the life (with a 5-, 8-, 10-, and 15- year-old )

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!

Managing Expectations in Your Homeschool During the Holidays ~
Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners

I remember the first Christmas we had as a homeschooling family. My oldest was in second grade and the girls were four and one. 

We were going to do it all – spread random acts of kindness, decorate every inch of the house inside and out, bake delectable treats and deliver them to friends, family, neighbors, and public servants, and so much more. 

About a week or two into the festivities, the eight- and four-year-olds begged for a break. “Can we stay home? I want to play with my toys.” At first I thought, absolutely not! We have the amazing gift of time now that we’re homeschooling, and we’re going to make the most of it!

Then I remembered that playing with toys and enjoying one another’s company was an important gift homeschooling had given us as well. 

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness.

For homeschooling parents, however, it also brings unique challenges as we navigate the delicate balance between festive cheer, academic responsibilities, and downtime. Managing expectations during the holidays becomes crucial to ensure a blend of learning, fun, and relaxation.

I want to share some practical tips and strategies I’ve learned to help you make the most of this special time of year.

Managing Expectations in Your Homeschool During the Holidays

Set Realistic Academic Goals

As the holiday season approaches, it’s essential to set realistic academic goals that align with the spirit of the festivities. Understand that the holiday period may not be the best time for intense lessons.

Instead of trying to maintain the usual pace, consider adjusting your expectations, focusing on meaningful, engaging activities that blend learning with holiday joy.

Embrace Seasonal Learning Opportunities

The holiday season offers a wealth of unique learning opportunities. Explore subjects such as history, geography, and cultural studies through the lens of holiday traditions around the world.

Engage your kiddos in festive-themed reading, writing, and math to keep the learning spirit alive while embracing the joyous atmosphere.

Create a Flexible Schedule

Flexibility is key during the holidays. Allowing for it helps accommodate festive activities, family gatherings, and spontaneous moments of celebration.

Consider creating a holiday-specific rhythm that balances educational time with leisure, ensuring that both academic and festive priorities are given attention.

Involve Your Children in Planning

Including your children in the planning process can foster a sense of ownership and excitement. Discuss the upcoming holiday schedule, academic goals, and festive activities with them.

Encourage them to share ideas, suggest holiday-themed projects, and contribute thoughts for a well-rounded holiday homeschooling experience. 

Prioritize Family Time

The holidays are a time for family bonding and creating lasting memories. Prioritize family time by incorporating educational activities that everyone can enjoy together.

Whether it’s a holiday-themed science experiment, a group reading session of festive stories, or a creative arts and crafts project, make learning a shared experience that strengthens family connections.

Manage Expectations About Productivity

It’s essential to recognize that productivity during the holidays will look different from the rest of the year. Instead of focusing solely on completing assignments or reaching academic milestones, emphasize the joy of learning and the quality of educational experiences.

Celebrate the progress your children make, and accept that the pace will likely be slower than usual.

Stay Mindful of Stress Levels

The holidays can be a stressful time for parents, particularly those juggling homeschooling responsibilities on top of everything else. Practice self-care and mindfulness to manage stress levels effectively.

Ensure that you set realistic expectations for yourself, take breaks when needed, and seek support from others. Remember, a happy and relaxed homeschooling environment is conducive to effective learning.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Acknowledge the effort your children put into their studies and appreciate the unique learning experiences the holidays bring. Focus on the joy of learning and the growth of your children, both academically and personally, rather than getting bogged down by unattainable expectations.

Navigating the holidays as a homeschooling parent requires a delicate balance between academic pursuits, festive celebrations, and relaxation. Please learn from my mistakes, as you create a joyful and enriching holiday homeschooling experience for your family.

Remember that the holidays are a time for creating cherished memories, and with thoughtful planning and a positive mindset, you can make the most of this special season in your homeschooling journey.

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!

Let Go To Thrive When Homeschooling Neurodiverse Kids ~
Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners

Our homeschool year started last week. By Tuesday of this week, I had melted down into a puddle and called my friend crying. I was overwhelmed, burnt out, and sure I was not going to be able to handle doing it again this year.

Folks, I’ve been homeschooling, both typical and neurodiverse kids, for thirteen years. And I was sure (at several points this year) that I was absolutely going to fail and have been messing up my kids all along the way. Sound familiar?

Prefer to listen instead?

Most homeschool parents face this meltdown point at one time or another — many cycle through it again and again. And, if you’re homeschooling neurodiverse children, you probably cycle through it more often than most.

Parenting and homeschooling differently-wired kiddos is exhausting. 

Sometimes the hardest part can be letting go of our own expectations. The reality is, though, that it can be one of the very best things we can do for our atypical child.

There are five areas where letting go can set us on the path to freedom and joy when homeschooling neurodiverse kids.

How to Thrive When Homeschooling Neurodiverse Kids

1. Educational Expectations

If you have homeschooled your child for any length of time, this one likely doesn’t surprise you. When our atypical children progress on their own timelines and learn in atypical ways, it becomes essential to let go of any formal educational expectations we may have had for children.

The good news is, once we let go, our children are free to learn in the ways that work best for their unique needs.

2. Social Expectations

Neurotypical kiddos have a way of upending our social expectations as well. Friendships often look much different for our children than we imagined. In fact, many atypical kids find peers that are much younger or much older to be better fits.

For one of my children, one of the best social relationships was an older mentor-type figure.

Letting go of preconceived notions of what a social life looks like for our children takes the pressure off of us and allows our kids to thrive in relationships that make sense for their needs.

3. Parenting Expectations

You may let things slide that other parents would never dream of letting their kids “get away with.” 

Read that again. 

You may find that you allow more screen time, books to be read, language that you never imagined being a part of your dinner conversation, and have so many more parenting expectations completely upended than you ever expected.

I am here to encourage you be okay with that. Let go of the guilt or fear that comes from comparing ourselves to other parents, and instead create boundaries and rules in your family that make sense for your particular children.

4. Nutritional Expectations

Restricted or obsessive eating is often a part of the puzzle that we are putting together in an effort to support our children. This means that nutritional expectations might look completely different for your family.

My friend Shawna used to allow her son, who had extremely restricted eating due to sensory issues, have ice cream in the morning before school. It gave him a little bit of protein, calmed down the flight or fight he experienced each meal time, and made the day progress more smoothly. On more than one occasion, she was accused of spoiling him.

He turned out just fine – healthy and eventually, able to handle a more traditional breakfast. She has no regrets.

5. Personal Expectations

This one can be the most difficult of all. The truth is, many of our children simply require more care. This means less time for our own pursuits and relaxation.

I want to encourage you to do what you can, when you can, and remember that you are a person too! Your health and care matters just as much as your child’s. After all, you are their parent. 

They need you to be healthy and happy.

So remember, when you’re melting down on Tuesday of your second week of school — and then again every few weeks all year long — you’re not alone.

Parenting and homeschooling neurodiverse kids is tough. You’ve got this, friend. I promise.

What’s Your Child’s Learning Style? Take Jamie’s new quiz now and set yourself up for homeschooling success by understanding the way they learn best!

Originally published on September 20, 2022.

The Power of Play Throughout the Homeschool Years ~ 
Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners

When I first started homeschooling – almost SIXTEEN years ago, I was so worried about tackling the roles of both mom and teacher, and I overcompensated by leaning heavily on my classroom training.

I forgot that one of the main reasons we brought my son home was that sitting all day long was torture on the poor kiddo.

While textbooks and structured lessons can play an important role in learning, parents often underestimate what can be a powerful catalyst for learning – play. 

From the world of toddlers to the craziness of the teen years, play serves as a powerful tool for all ages, fostering growth and enhancing learning for all. It’s important to remember the power of play and its role in learning, impact on cognitive, emotional, and social development:

The Foundation of Early Childhood Learning

Play is the cornerstone of development for the youngest members of your family and easiest to see how it fits into your little ones’ days. But play is not just a frivolous activity; it’s how kids make sense of the world around them. 

Whether it’s stacking blocks to understand balance or engaging in make-believe scenarios to enhance communication skills, play becomes a vessel for absorbing information in a manner that mirrors the child’s natural curiosity.

Encouraging Curiosity and Critical Thinking

As children go along through their homeschooling journey, the role of play evolves to accommodate their growing intellectual needs. Play-based learning encourages curiosity and sparks critical thinking. Activities like puzzles, science experiments, and art offer opportunities for your kids to explore concepts independently, fostering a sense of ownership over their education.

By presenting challenges in a playful context, you can instill problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and creativity in your kiddos’ learning toolkits.

Breaking the Monotony for Tweens

As children transition into the tween years, the draw of play remains. It tends to evolve into more sophisticated forms. Board games, strategic video games, and team-building activities are not only enjoyable, but also hone vital skills like critical thinking, planning, cooperation, and time management.

These activities offer a break from traditional homeschooling routines, adding a sense of fun that can rekindle enthusiasm for learning.

How Play Looks in the Teen Years

When kids grow into their teens, the concept of play remains important. This is a time when the lines between play and learning can blur. Hobbies, sports, and creative pursuits take on new importance as teens seek to find themselves and see their futures.

This is the perfect time for deep-dives as play in the teen years takes on greater meaning with potential impact on a child’s future confidence and vocation. Like Deepak Chopra says, “If a child is poor at math but good at tennis, most people would hire a math tutor. I would rather hire a tennis coach.”

Helping kids focus on their strengths through interest and play can lead to increased confidence, resilience, self-esteem, and propel them to greater success as adults.

Social Learning Through Play

Beyond individual development, play offers an opportunity for social learning. Playdates, group projects, and community involvement provide homeschoolers with tons of opportunities to interact with others, share ideas, negotiate conflicts, and collaborate on projects.

Homeschoolers have the chance to do this with mixed-age groups in person and online, instead of in grade-level divisions like the ones most school children experience.  

The Power of Play in Stress Management

Life is challenging, and when you add in homeschooling, it can be demanding for both parents and children. Play is a fabulous stress relief. It has been shown to reduce stress hormones and stimulate the release of endorphins, promoting a positive emotional state.

Engaging in play is a healthy way to unwind, offering a mental break from academic pressures, along with the stress that comes with everyday life and all the decisions that need to be made on a daily basis.

Customizing Play for Effective Learning

As homeschooling parents, you have the advantage of tailoring play-based learning experiences to your child’s individual learning style. Observing your child’s interests and passions allows you to design activities that pique their curiosity.

By blending play with academics, you create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that can significantly enhance retention and understanding.

Fostering Lifelong Learners

The ultimate goal of homeschooling is to nurture lifelong learners – individuals who are curious, adaptable, and self-driven in their pursuit of knowledge. Play, with its intrinsic joy and limitless possibilities, fosters this naturally. 

As your kiddos grow, their ability to learn from their environment, adapt to new challenges, and approach the world with curiosity will be deeply ingrained – all thanks to the power of play!

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: Unleashing the Potential of Kids with Executive Function Challenges ~ 
Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners

We all know that executive function skills are super important for our children’s success in organizing, planning, managing time, and more. But what about those kids who struggle with these skills? Here’s some great news: homeschooling can be a game-changer for them!

There are so many ways homeschooling can benefit children with executive function challenges, giving them the chance to develop and strengthen these skills in a supportive and personalized environment.

Personalized Learning

Picture this: instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, homeschooling allows us to tailor our teaching to our child’s specific needs. We can create lesson plans that are perfect for them, using teaching strategies that work best for their learning style.  Unit studies and project-based learning can be a great motivator for kiddos who love diving down rabbit holes and following their own interests

This individualized attention helps them truly understand and retain what they’re learning, and they can progress at their own pace. We can also meet their asynchronous needs — whatever they are. How awesome is that?

Flexibility is Key

Time management and organization can be tough for kids with executive function challenges. I have one talented kiddo who can lose her sheet music right after her voice teacher gives it to her — before she’s ever left her teacher’s tiny office! 

But with homeschooling, we can create flexible schedules that fit our kids’ unique needs. We can design routines that include breaks, time management techniques, and self-regulation strategies. By allowing our kids to set their own pace and adapt their schedules when necessary, we empower them to take charge of their learning and build those crucial executive function skills.

Building Skills Every Day

Executive function skills get better with practice, right? Well, homeschooling gives us plenty of opportunities to help our kids develop these skills in real-life situations. We can involve them in household chores, set up projects that require planning and organization, and encourage them to participate in community activities.

Inside our membership community, The Learner’s Lab, we equip families to work on these skills throughout the month by completing multi-age social-emotional and learning challenges together. These experiences allow our children to apply their executive function skills in everyday life, making the learning stick.

No Distractions

Distractions, distractions everywhere! But wait, not in our homeschooling environment! Traditional schools can be overwhelming for kids with executive function challenges due to all the stimuli.

However, homeschooling provides a controlled setting with fewer distractions, allowing our kids to focus better. We can create a peaceful, organized workspace that supports their learning and minimizes external distractions. It’s all about optimizing their ability to tackle tasks that require executive function skills.

Emotional Rock Stars

Remember, emotional well-being plays a huge role in developing executive function skills. Homeschooling allows us to give our kids the individual emotional support they need. We can create a nurturing and understanding learning environment where they feel safe to grow.

By fostering resilience, teaching stress management, and encouraging effective coping strategies, we set our children up for success. Homeschooling removes the anxiety and pressure that sometimes comes with traditional schooling, letting them focus on their academic and personal growth. It can be a real game-changer for children who struggle with executive function skills.

With personalized learning, flexible schedules, skill-building opportunities, reduced distractions, and emotional support, we can create an environment that caters to our child’s unique needs. Homeschooling empowers our kids to develop those essential executive function skills, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed academically and flourish in their personal lives. With the right support and resources, homeschooling opens up a world of possibilities for our children, giving them the bright future they deserve.

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!

Colleen’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 10-, 13-, 15, and 20-year-old) ~
Written by Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners

A note from Jamie: Don’t forget to come share your own homeschool day in the life with us here at SimpleHomeschool.net this Friday, March 10th!

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

It’s 7:30 a.m. 

The alarm is going off, and I open one eye, calculate, and turn my alarm off.

Nobody needs to be anywhere until later today, and I had *another* late night of working that kept me up until almost 2:00 a.m. 

Surely the ten- and thirteen-year-olds can get their own breakfasts this morning. Even knowing it means they’ll likely binge watch cake disasters or play on Roblox. So I’ll have a terrible time tearing them away to get a little work done, I doze back off…

It’s now 9:30, and Daisy Mae, our border collie is letting me know she’s ready to get up for the day by quietly woofing from her bed in the adjoining bathroom. She sleeps on a dog bed in there with the opening gated because she randomly likes to jump up on the bed at night to see if I’m still there and might want to play. If I gate her away from me, but allow her to still see me, she lets me sleep.

Daisy and I head downstairs where we find abandoned cereal bowls, a milk puddle (do they ever stop making messes?), and two kids curled up playing No Stress Chess while LEGO Masters plays in the background. I remind them to clean their mess up after the game, and that I’ll be back to start school with them by 10:30. 

Daisy and I go outside and I throw the frisbee for about twenty minutes while the coffee brews. This dog can literally do this for hours straight with no breaks.

Me? I’ve reached my limit. I’m ready for caffeine and a shower. 

The dog and I head into the garage where I towel her off for the first of what will be countless times today, then head in, grab my coffee, remind the younger two again to clean up and get ready to do school, and head upstairs. 

I start the process of waking my oldest two. 

My twenty-year-old is taking college classes, working a part time job, and taking freelance video and photography projects while living at home. I usually ignore him, and let him get himself up, but today I need help with driving so he’s going to need to get his own projects done earlier. That’s part of his “rent” — helping to chauffeur his siblings when I need help.

I move on to his sister’s room. This room is like a blast furnace. She keeps a heater going and sleeps in shorts and a tank. I turn her light on, the heater off, and leave the door open after I shout to her that she needs to get herself out of bed.

I go to take a shower.

I have mentioned before (on my site, podcast, and in past day in the life posts) that I am not a morning person. I need the snooze button, coffee, and a shower before I am a functioning human being. 

Once I’m showered and thinking straight, I head back towards the stairs making my second attempt at waking the teen and adult kids. 

It’s a little later than my 10:30 promised start time but I round up the younger two with a snack and their handwriting, grammar, and unit study supplies.

Isaac, my ten year old, goes to the computer first and works on CTC Math, my favorite online math program. Logan, my thirteen year old, begins on her handwriting and grammar, then switches with Isaac to do her math.

Once they’re done with that, we work on our current unit  study. The younger two and I are learning about Jane Goodall. Logan is working on a poster biography I downloaded from Teacher’s Pay Teachers. Isaac is learning the same material as we’re reading books, watching documentaries, and completing projects all together.

The Jane Goodall study was born out of Logan’s love of animals. She wants to be a zookeeper, and so I try to incorporate things that fuel the kids’ passions and interests into our homeschool whenever possible.

Sometimes they work on their own projects, other times they work on the same topic like they’re doing now. 

It’s almost lunch time, and Molly, my teen daughter has made it downstairs, eaten, and is back upstairs nebulizing and working on some vocal exercises. She has rehearsal and a callback tonight. Molly’s passion is acting, particularly musical theater, and her schedule ebbs and flows, depending on the projects she’s involved in.

Right now she works on a math program at her own pace, usually in the car to and from rehearsals and callbacks, and is annotating several of her favorite classic novels as well as a contemporary one. Molly’s history and science this year is very relaxed and informal. She’s fascinated by true crime, and follows several podcasts related to this topic, taking deep dives into forensic science after each episode.

She also loves and listens to a variety of history podcasts, watches documentaries on time periods she wants to know more about, and generally acts as a sponge when something piques her imagination or interest. 

I love the flexibility of letting her dive down these rabbit holes because, when we talk, she always has such fascinating information to share with me. It is the perfect way to off-set her formal training, which is taxing. She takes private lessons with an acting coach, and participates in masterclass opportunities in the area as they present themselves.

Weekly, she works with a private voice coach and has lengthy rehearsals with an all-girl teen acapella group. She’s a member of a teen comedy improv troupe that meets for practice once a week and performs three times a year, and is so funny to watch. I just adore how quick and talented she is.

Finally, she works weekly with a private dance coach, and takes online lessons in between to hone her skills and keep in shape. She’s an incredibly busy girl, which means that I’m an incredibly busy mama.

I was talking to a friend the other day about how, when our kids were little, we were pretty much always tired because of the interrupted sleep and constant reaching of new milestones. Now we’re pretty much always tired because our schedules aren’t our own and we’re constantly driving a kid somewhere or picking a kid up from somewhere. 

While Molly preps for her auditions and Logan and Isaac finish their work for the day, I pull together an easy lunch, throw some laundry in, and check my email. 

Lunch for us is usually sandwiches, soups, or cheese, crackers, and veggies all cut up and set out for snacking. Today it’s a snack lunch because I have a creative thinking lesson to teach live to kids in The Learner’s Lab, the community I host for families who are homeschooling gifted, 2e, and otherwise neurodivergent kiddos. It’s so much fun — even my kids participate in the live lesson from another computer in another room.

They bring their lunch into the “school room,” which is our dining room turned project, school, and play space, and fire up the computer, logging into the Zoom room where the lesson will be. 

I go to my office to set up my camera and teach. In today’s lesson, we’re explore how emotions look and feel, specifically focusing on stress, and creating the first in a set of emotion cards (we’ll add to the set over the year) that show a creative representation of what stress looks and feels like to each of us and how it affects our bodies, minds, and behaviors. 

It was a great lesson, and the kids were so fun and engaged!

It’s 2:00 now and we’ve already had a full day. 

Well… most of us have. 

My 20-year-old, Trevor, didn’t have anywhere to be, so he’s just getting up now, making himself some coffee, and doing his wake-up-and-meme thing in the family room on the couch. I’ll ignore him for a bit before I dump his list of things I need him to help do on him.

Meanwhile, I’m packing up some snacks for Molly and me, guiding Isaac to get dressed and pack his basketball bag — that boy would LIVE in mismatched pajamas if he could, and begging Logan to feed and water all the pets.

I have a quick summit meeting with Trevor and text my husband to make sure he knows who he’s getting where tonight, and Molly and I are out the door by 3:00. 

Trevor will be working on a few freelance assignments he has right now and making sure Logan gets to her rehearsal. She’s playing a wolf and Mowgli’s mother in The Jungle Book at our favorite fine arts place. Before they leave, Logan will make dinner for the three of them and make sure everyone’s fed and things are cleaned up.

My husband will be swooping in around 5:30 to scoop up Isaac to take him to basketball practice. 

They’ll all (except for Trevor) be asleep by the time Molly and I return home.

Back to us — Molly and I are driving to rehearsal. She is currently playing Bea in Something Rotten at a high school about 45 minutes from where we live and is called to work on a dance number for about an hour and a half this afternoon. She’s doing her makeup in the car, warming up some more, and is belting by the time we pull into the parking lot. 

Thank goodness for noise-canceling earbuds.

Since she’s not going to be in this rehearsal for long, I snack and listen to an audiobook while I wait. We need to leave as soon as she is done.

When she comes back out, we take off in a different direction (another 45 minutes…) so she can audition for a musical that will take place this summer in the city. I’m stunned, but we score a spot at a parking meter right in front of the theater which is a great thing because I need to go in with her and fill out releases and paperwork as she’s under 18 and this particular show — if she’s cast — requires her photo to be shared with local media. 

I hate these auditions because I can hear a teensy bit from outside in the lobby, but not enough to know how she’s doing, and I go a little crazy with worry and hope for her. 

She bounds out of this one with a grin, so I’m thinking it went well. We’ll hear if she’s called back later in the week. The competition is fierce, so I’m hoping she’s at least cast in the ensemble because it would be a great experience for a sophomore. 

Now it’s on the road again…

She’s due at a callback for a play that’s closer to home, but almost an hour from where we currently are now. We make it and I find a corner out of the way and try to catch up on a few emails. It’s getting hard to fit work in during the day in this busy season I’m living with my kiddos, so I travel with my iPad and pay data services on it so I always have internet access and can squeeze in little bits of work wherever I am. 

It’s now 10:00 and callbacks are ending. 

She comes out, exhausted, and doesn’t want to talk about it, but says it went well. There were seven girls in there reading for one role, and they were all incredible, so it’ll come down to whomever the director sees in the role and whomever looks more like the daughter of the people cast as her parents.  

She did all she could do, though. Her best. And she had fun while doing it, which is what I want for her always in this passion — the fun. 

We pull into the driveway around 10:45 and as I thought, everyone but Trevor is asleep. He and I chat a bit, Molly makes herself a snack, and then I get a little more work done before heading to bed around 2:30 a.m. 

My life is absolutely crazy right now and all my kids go in very different direction on any given day, but I wouldn’t change it.

It’s now, more than any other time in these fourteen years of homeschooling, that I feel most grateful for the initial stumble down the path we took when that 20 year old was in first grade.

I have the busy, but I also get to start the busy out with a relaxed morning and conversations with each of my kids. Homeschooling is such a gift. 

My, how the days have changed:

• 2022: Colleen’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 9-, 12-, 14-, and 19-year-old)
• 2021: Colleen’s homeschool day in the life (with an 8-, 11-, 13-, and 18- year-old)
• 2020: Colleen’s homeschool day in the life (with a 7-, 10-, 12-, and 17-year-old)
• 2018: Colleen’s homeschool day in the life (with a 5-, 8-, 10-, and 15- year-old )

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!

Should I Test my Child for Giftedness? ~ 
Written by Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners

Do you have a bright child? One who is constantly surprising you with all that he knows — things you didn’t teach — and how quickly he learns and remembers things? Do you wonder if you should pursue gifted child identification?

I am often asked that question: Should I test my child for giftedness? Does it matter?

My answer?

Yes… and no.

When I taught as a gifted intervention specialist, I often pushed for the early identification of those kids I knew were highly, highly gifted. It was important to me that they get that identification so that when they moved on from the grades in which I taught, they’d be guaranteed services.

I had a specific reason for wanting those kids to have that identification, so I advocated for it. If my kids were going to a brick and mortar school right now, I’d push for their identification, too. I’d want to know that their needs would be respected and met.

But they’re not at a school.

My kids are young. They’re home with me, learning at their own pace, according to where they are. As long as I’m the one who is taking charge of their education, I don’t really need an official gifted child identification. I don’t think it’s critical to have a label put on a homeschooled elementary student.

There are many people out there who will tell you differently. They believe that identification matters a lot and think all gifted kids need to have that label so that their gifts are appreciated and validated. My opinion may not be popular.

Remember… it is my opinion. We can get along just fine, even if you disagree with me. I do not like any young child being subjected to testing for the sake of testing.

When you’re thinking about your child undergoing a test for giftedness, ask yourself about your motivation:

• Do you just want to know?
• Are you trying to prove something about yourself or your child to someone else?
• Are you concerned that there are other issues involved too; maybe something that you don’t know how to manage like a twice-exceptionality?
• Are you trying to get your child into a specific program, camp, class, or other opportunity that requires a test score or gifted child identification?

Your motivation will guide you to the correct answer to the question when it comes to your child.  Every family’s answer will be slightly different. My suggestion goes beyond the need to know whether or not your child is gifted.

I want you to know your child.

Your child’s uniqueness matters. It matters a lot. It shapes how you run your home, how you discipline, what your family standard is, and what curriculum you use in your homeschool.

Your child and his needs will always matter more than the term used to describe those needs. 

Know your child inside and out. You love your child more than anyone ever will, and I know that there’s a part of you that is afraid he’ll miss out on something if you don’t know exactly what his IQ is or what type of child he’d be labeled.

Rest assured that if you really understand your child, and love him for who he is, he’ll have a great start to life.

Know:

• What motivates him.
• What interests him.
• How he learns best.
• What his learning style is.
• What upsets him.
• His favorite and least favorite subjects.
• Anything that will help you motivate him.

Then think about what you are doing to meet your child’s needs right now. Are you finding an interest-based or delight-direct curriculum plan for your child? Have you figured out great ways to motivate him to do his work?

Will a test score change how you approach your homeschooling for your child?

If the answer is no, and you are working hard to get to know your kiddo for who he is and meeting his needs in the best way you can, then there is no need to put him through any kind of testing. Your time, and his, would be better spent finding great resources that pique his interests.

You’ll know when the time is right – if ever – to test for giftedness.  When that time comes, you’ll both be ready. In the meantime, remember to celebrate and love your child for who he is.

His giftedness matters. He matters. You knowing and loving him well will give him the start he needs.

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!