Starting a new homeschool year?

Are you just considering the option of homeschooling? Perhaps your child's experience in the traditional classroom has been a wake-up call to the difference between his gifts and their teaching style. On the other hand, you may have already been homeschooling and realized that your definition of learning - most likely established in your experiences as a child in the classroom - do not seem to connect with your child. That's okay ... in fact, it's quite common. As mothers, we may have carried, birthed and raised them, but we all realize fairly early that no two children are alike, and they are often very different from us!

So my first encouragement - you may call it a 'nugget of wisdom' based on years of experience in breaking out of the classroom mold - would be to NOT emulate the classroom! Especially if you pulled your children out of that environment because it wasn't working. Think about it: you have most likely been with your child more than anyone else on this planet - you fed and diapered him when a baby, you encouraged him as he took his first steps, you protected him as he explored his environment, you taught him to talk and to dress himself - so why wouldn't you be equally qualified to teach him academic subjects as well? Follow your instincts, listen to your child radar, and build on what works for your child.

Who decided that children needed to be sitting in a desk or at a table to do their schoolwork? Perhaps that's necessary to maintain order in a classroom, but in the tutorial environment of your home there are a variety of appropriate locations for your child to learn. I learned very quickly that my wiggly boys needed to shift locations often, so we would alternate between my reading to them while they sat on the couch or lounged on the floor and sitting at the table (or a reasonable surface) for written work. When it was far too distracting for a child to sit at the table, they would move their work to the kitchen counter and stand while they completed it.

A particularly wiggly child is usually a signal that they need to be moving in order to learn. If you want their ears and mind tuned in while you read to them or discuss something, let them manipulate something (Silly Putty, for example) in their hands, or sit in a rocking chair to add motion. Sitting on a large exercise ball may be a better option than a solid chair at the table, because they can incorporate motion while they are working (and it is usually quiet motion). Allow such motion will "free" your child to listen and focus.

Pay attention to your style. If you tend to speak fast and energetically, you will rev up your already wiggly child. When you need them calm for an activity, lead into that time with your own calm actions and voice. Have you ever had an energetic game of tug of war with a dog? When you are ready to quit, the dog is usually still eager to play, and it takes some effort with a calm voice and gentle petting to get them to mellow out. It's really the same with your children. So consider how you can help your child prepare for the next activity.

Use this summer to talk with other homeschooling parents, research ideas and build your repertoire of learning approaches to meet your child(ren)'s needs. If you try something and it bombs, set it aside and look for another idea. Just remember, it's not that your child is defective, he is just wired to learn differently. Your goal is to find what works with his wiring.