Monday, March 4, 2019

Focus on the WHOLE child

I was humbled to be asked to present a lesson at our annual homeschool retreat last weekend about focusing on the WHOLE child in our homeschooling.    The premise was that our children are SO much more than just academics and grades.    In order to focus on the whole child, we need to consider the following: 



W - WHO they are  

                (what are their personalities?  strengths? weaknesses?)

H - HOW they learn 


        (what are their learning styles and preferences?  Cater to those in your lessons when possible,               and their retention of material will increase exponentially!  My children are auditory learners               -and I am NOT- so we do a lot of read alouds, audio books, songs, etc.  For kinetic learners,                incorporate movement into your day.  Visual learners need charts, graphs, pictures, etc.)

O - Outgoing or Introverted?

         If you have an outgoing child, find ways for that child to interact with others.  Grandparents 
         always love to hear oral presentations.  Record speeches and share with others.   Find ways for 
         them to share knowledge with others one-on-one.  Find a co-op or athletic team or class outside 
         the home.  Introverted children might prefer writing persuasive essays instead of giving 
         speeches.   We all gain our energy from different activities and sources...channel that energy in           ways that will help your child grow and learn!

L - Likes and Dislikes

         One child may prefer a spotless work environment.  Another, a messy desk.   One may love all 
         things math.  Another, not so much!   We all perform better when allowed to do things we                   enjoy, so find ways to incorporate that into your homeschool!  Of course, it won't all be 
         sunshine and rainbows, but finding ways to put things your kids enjoy into your day will reap 
         benefits for everyone AND increase learning and retention!

E - Emotional needs

          Emotional needs can make or break your homeschool day.   We all have emotions, but how we            deal with them can change how much they affect us.  If you have a child who has difficulty                  regulating emotions, find ways to address this during the day.   Don't ignore this part of your 
          child or brush it off.   When our emotional needs are not met, learning takes a back seat until                we take care of the situation.   Remember -- your child isn't GIVING you a hard time, your 
          child is HAVING a hard time.   

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