Yes, you CAN homeschool kids who learn differently!

Although parents choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons, realizing their kids learn differently is among the top of the charts. Over the years, the public (and private) school system has migrated toward a one-size-fits-all educational approach that simply doesn’t work for every child. Insert the issues of kids falling behind, being stamped with some form of learning disability, or just downright shutting down for the lack of their needs being met.

If you’ve chosen to homeschool your kids for any of the reasons mentioned above, I applaud you for taking their education into your own hands. At the same time, I’m sure you have some questions and concerns about your capability to meet your kids’ learning needs. Let’s dive into those along with some practical ways to help you confidently teach your child at home.

Can I homeschool kids who learn differently?

There are so many ways to approach this question, so we’ll break it down to hopefully address any concerns you may have about homeschooling your child who doesn’t seem to meet the ‘status quo.’ Speaking of which, let’s start there…

Break free from the status quo.

Do you remember what education was like when you were in school? Teachers were able to teach from a place of creativity and adapt to their students’ needs, no matter how different they were. Textbooks didn’t have to be strictly followed and there wasn’t such a thing as “teaching for the test.” Yes, there was a grading system, but it still allowed room the unique rates of development that each child encompassed.
Fast forward to today, this isn’t the case, which has caused quite a bit of stress for teachers and parents. There is now an urgency to get every kid on the same page while ignoring their true developmental abilities. Understand that when you choose to homeschool your kids, you can meet them exactly where they’re at with no status quo strings attached. In fact, go ahead and cut them off so you can do my next tip.

Get in tune with how your child learns.

You can take the somewhat quick route and opt in to take a learning styles quiz; however, you may want to pair that with visually monitoring your child for a few weeks. Sometimes parents answer the quiz questions from a perspective of how they’d like their child to learn and/or from how they think they learn best. Not saying you don’t know your child, but you want to make sure you’re getting to the roots of what makes them learn.

As you begin noting what they like best and what makes them soar, you can begin teaching in a way that fosters their love for learning. You’ll also be able to purchase curriculum and resources that enhance their development versus leaving you (and them) pulling your hair out. A kinesthetic learner will not enjoy sitting still. They will gravitate toward all things action, hands-on, and physical. These are your project-based, color, cut, glue, and experiment loving kids. On the other hand, some kids enjoy reading and verbally reciting what they learned.

The idea is to continue moving away from trying to mold your child to a particular cookie cut, and instead embrace the way they learn.

Go where your child’s need lead.

One of the single best ways to make you and your child’s homeschool journey much less stressful is to learn how to go where their needs lead. “But my child is 6, he should be reading by now!” I’ve heard it said a thousand times… “My child is (insert age) so they should be (insert milestone).” As a former public school teacher, trust me when I say that I understand milestones all too well. They are certainly there for a reason; however, they don’t have to become stumbling blocks.

When a milestone becomes a stumbling block, that is a red flag to step back and assess your child’s educational situation. Why isn’t he or she able to move forward? Is there a misunderstanding with a particular concept that was taught? What isn’t clicking? These are questions to ask yourself so you can meet those needs before progressing forward.

Oftentimes what you’ll see is a connection wasn’t made but that child was forced to move onto the next concept. If a child is struggling with addition, they may not understand subtraction that well. Therefore, moving on to multiplication will only hinder and frustrate that child. Instead, look for ways to teach addition in a way they understand. Perhaps they need hands-on materials such as blocks. Making minor (or major) adjustments can make a world of difference.

Yes, you CAN homeschool kids who learn differently.

Overall, homeschooling kids who learn differently comes down to a matter of perspective and accommodation. Rarely in the history of education have two children learned and processed information the exact same way. One lesson can be taught, but a variety of sensory processes can be made to reach the same answer.

In other words, it’s okay that your child takes another route to reach the same destination. Begin to see education from your child’s perspective and accommodate accordingly so that their needs are met. Yes, you CAN do it! Because of the surge in home education, you’ll find many resources and support to help you along the way.

Do you have a question about homeschooling your child who learns differently? Put it in the comments below and I’ll personally reply ASAP!