CREATE AN ENGAGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
This can be anywhere from a dedicated area in the den or living room to the kitchen table and backyard.
Consider white boards and colored markers, Montessori teaching aids and other hands-on project material to stimulate learning, easy-to-reach supplies for little ones, a backyard garden or obstacle course, colorful wall maps and posters, and a basket full of books in a comfy reading area.
Remember to include such things as graphing calculators and grid paper for algebra, an affordable microscope or online science lab, music and art supplies, and foreign language books or apps.
Consider white boards and colored markers, Montessori teaching aids and other hands-on project material to stimulate learning, easy-to-reach supplies for little ones, a backyard garden or obstacle course, colorful wall maps and posters, and a basket full of books in a comfy reading area.
Remember to include such things as graphing calculators and grid paper for algebra, an affordable microscope or online science lab, music and art supplies, and foreign language books or apps.
Consider the Needs of Your Learner
The Actual Spontaneous Learner and the Conceptual Social Global Learner usually
prefer books and supplies in sight, ready to go, easy to reach. Also true for Visual and
Kinesthetic learners. This is the child who tends towards "out of sight, out of mind!"
There are so many other things to see and do!
Conceptual and Visual Learners also benefit from Color Coded Assignments and a
whiteboard for visual tracking.
The Actual Routine Learner usually prefers her books neatly lined up on a shelf,
pencil cases and laptop closed and waiting. This child's brain needs the sequential,
linear signaling of beginning and ending studies and benefits from a structured
learning environment.
A comfy bean bag or nook for studies is fantastic for students who prefer quiet
spaces.
Sitting next to a parent or sibling can help students with ADD /ADHD stay on track.
For your absent-minded professor type student (the Conceptual Specific Learner)
have a few snacks at hand or she might forget to eat, encourage using alarms or time-
trackers so she remembers appointments or outside classes, and provide storage for
projects and supplies -- although expect things to be untidy!
Learn more about Study Tips
for these learners.
(links open on T4L site)
Visual (spatial) Learner
Aural (auditory) Learner
Verbal (linguistic) Learner
Physical (kinesthetic) Learner
Logical (mathematical) Learner
Social (interpersonal) Learner
Solitary (intrapersonal) Learner
"Identifying how a child learns best and catering to those needs can have a dramatic effect on how your child understands and connects with the different topics being taught." T4L Learning Styles
for these learners.
(links open on T4L site)
Visual (spatial) Learner
Aural (auditory) Learner
Verbal (linguistic) Learner
Physical (kinesthetic) Learner
Logical (mathematical) Learner
Social (interpersonal) Learner
Solitary (intrapersonal) Learner
"Identifying how a child learns best and catering to those needs can have a dramatic effect on how your child understands and connects with the different topics being taught." T4L Learning Styles
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GRADES K-6PLAY and HAVE FUN!
Provide lots of manipulatives, hands-on projects, markers, flashcards, puzzles, and games. Use Playing Cards for math games and improving math skills. A small, personal white board can help a visual/auditory child -- let your child doodle while you read. Or use the white board for your child to practice math problems or spelling words. Use phonics kits for spelling and sentence building. STEM kits encourage science and engineering exploration. Field trips, museums, park days. Learning takes place everywhere! |
MIDDLE SCHOOLHORMONES! Oh, my!
Hormones are kicking in, mom and dad aren't so hip, and the pre-teen is struggling with how to fit in, anywhere! Build community service into your curriculum. This gives your child a sense of connection to the greater community and helps them build confidence in their social interactions. Pre-teens love to learn about themselves. Take advantage of online learning assessments, personality type assessments, and videos about all types of careers and fields for discovery. Try TED for Kids (Talks to Watch with Kids) or choose a science news site your child can check out and "report" on to develop independent learning. Build essay writing skills in middle school to make assignments easier in high school. Same with math! The more advanced math concepts mastered at this level the better. Your seventeen year old will be more interested in learning to drive than learning quadratic equations! Let your child make a video or audio recording, or create another project as an alternative to writing a report. (Then have them write a marketing "review" or "news critique" of their project!) |
HIGH SCHOOLNot Quite an Adult!
Wanting to be independent -- and wanting mom and dad to help them out! Continue community service -- especially in their area of interest! Encourage group projects with friends or other homeschoolers to build collaboration and team skills. Encourage independent learning. Encourage your teen to seek out other adults for mentoring. If they are nervous about asking another adult for guidance, role-play the situation with them. Have your child write down what they want to say and practice it with you. Have those serious conversations about Responsible Driving, Money-Management and Budgeting, and civil Civic Communication Skills (how to get along in the real world). Get a head start on planning for college. Prepare for SAT/ACT testing early. Foster and nourish personal interests and hobbies -- whether it's martial arts, drama, or white water rafting! Treat them as the Adult They Want to Become and Love Them as the Child he or she still is! |