Hey Mama,

If you’re dealing with the challenges (and joys) of a struggling learner or special needs child, here’s some help from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:

Homeschooling a Struggling Learner: Where Do I Find the Time?

Homeschooling Your Child with Autism

Nobody’s Normal

Homeschooling Your Special Needs Child

 

And remember:

Next week will take care of itself. Yes, a lot’s got to be accomplished during the next seven days, and it’s barreling down on us like a freight train, but you are not alone. Don’t forget the “God Factor” in all of this. Remember Him? He is the One who holds it all together. He is the One who builds and maintains our faith. He is the One who gave us these children, our beautiful families. All part of His plan, we are squarely in the center of His hand, completely cared for by Him.

 

He never tears down what He is building. He is not the God of chaos or confusion. If He has put you on this path, you can trust that He has a plan, and you can rest in it. You can walk in full confidence!

 

So, sure, there’s stuff that has to get done today. But first off, take a moment to look up to your Lord and Savior, and thank Him. Worship Him for all He has done and continues to do in your life. He is with you today! Enjoy it. Go through this day remembering that YOU, Mama, are the Daughter of THE only King, and as this much loved princess, you can put one foot in front of the other, in all the grace, courage, and tenacity you are made of. You’re doing things right.

 

His hand is still on your head today.

~gena

publisher@theoldschoolhouse.com

As long as children are involved in an organized forum for learning, such as public/private school or homeschool, there will be struggling learners.  Many parents experience this challenge, and it can be a frustrating experience, to say the least! Now don’t get me wrong – I was a good student - but here are two things that you need to understand about that:

First, not everybody will be a good student. Why? There are different learning styles – visual, physical, aural, logical, verbal – and perhaps the child’s curriculum is not suited to their particular style. In addition, there are different levels of “brain power” among children. Finally, the child’s environment can also play a role. The most important thing to realize, however, is that God blesses each one of us with certain skills and abilities that we are to use as we go through life, and we need to be content with where he has placed us. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in Philippians 4:11-13.  

Second, getting good grades does not guarantee you any kind of material success in life. I would even go as far as to say that being a good student can sometimes be a hindrance in life, if the knowledge a student has acquired is not accompanied with other important skills, such as communication, work ethic, and a willingness to try new things. I have met many people in my life who were strong students, but not very successful in their chosen career, because they did not have the people skills necessary to move forward. Also, sometimes children who do very well in their studies will not develop a strong work ethic because their school work came so easily.

Society has a way of getting people to think that one must get a great education, attend university, find a high-paying job with a pension, and retire from the work force at age 55. This rarely happens, and I don’t even think it should be one’s focus. I think one thing that is often overlooked in the homeshool world is the development of character. This is addressed in Proverbs 22:6.  

What can parents do when they are working with a struggling learner?

• Exercise patience.

• Focus on the child’s strengths and look to develop them further.

• Realize that the child’s struggles do not need to result in an unsuccessful path through life.

• Most importantly, trust in the LORD.

~ Jason

Jason Lindsay currently resides in Nova Scotia, Canada. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Christina, for more than seven years, and together they run "Young Entrepreneurs of North America." Their company is dedicated to working with youth and teaching them various skills, such as business, accounting, personal finance, and communication, which they can use to honour and glorify God in their lives. Jason has been in business for the last fifteen years working as a financial advisor, a university tutor for accounting and finance courses, and a bookkeeper, in addition to his work with Young Entrepreneurs of North America. It was approximately eight years ago that God changed his heart and convicted him of his sin, and ever since then he has been attending church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he holds positions of Deacon and Treasurer. Besides being an avid sports fan, he enjoys running, reading, and spending time with his wife. Check out the company website at: www.startearlyandsucceed.com.

Dear Friends,

Before we talk about “special needs” children, let’s first consider the BIG need of every child (and every adult), because if we do, we’re going to discover something powerful about today’s topic.

So, what’s your vote? Apart from our obvious need of God, what is the BIG need of every human being? That’s right!! Love. The unconditional loved-because-of-who-you-really-are kind of love. Regardless of height, weight, hair color, skills, strengths, wealth, intelligence, language, or culture, we all have a massive need to be loved—and known—for who we are.

And, my dear friends, that is something that YOU can provide for your own children. Whether their skills are in calculus or cuddling, in literature or laughing, in reasoning or rugby, they need to be loved (gently and kindly, Galatians 5:22), especially by their parents.

If kids know they are loved by their moms and dads, then these parents have the best foundation for teaching them. You are uniquely qualified for the task, because you bring a depth of commitment, of love, and of personal knowledge of your children that no one else can match.

We also need the wisdom and counsel and experience of those who have gone before us, as well as of those who have deeply studied how people learn. This wisdom and counsel is more precious than silver or gold.

With the twin concepts of unconditional love and wise counsel in mind, if you are considering homeschooling a child with special needs, let me point you to some very qualified people and resources who can help you in your quest.

The first is Hope and a Future. I met Linda Kane years ago, and was deeply impressed with the specific knowledge and help she brings to families with special needs children. She will direct you to a nationwide group of very capable counselors.

Dianne Craft also offers specific help in working with learning and behavioral difficulties.

For helpful reading, Joyce Herzog’s book, Learning in Spite of Labels, is filled with practical encouragement and insights for families who face learning disabilities of any sort. And, Homeschooling the Challenging Child, by Christine Field is a book that helps you sort the challenges you might be facing—whether discipline, disability, learning style, or attention disorder—and then practical suggestions for how to address it.

There may also be people in your local community who will help you build on the foundation of your love and commitment for your child. Seek them out, dear friend, without any condemnation or guilt! Prayerfully seek the help and encouragement you need because what you are doing IS difficult.

Remember, stay relational,

Diana

As I’m writing this, I have graduated a child with special needs, and now it seems I have yet another struggling learner. I am much more relaxed the second time around, but the stress is still real.

There are a few suggestions I have for homeschooling a struggling learner.

• Chill! I would first encourage the parent to RELAX! We serve a big God who doesn’t make mistakes. He has knitted your child together perfectly for the purposes He has intended. Try to be intentional to remember this plan is for your family’s good and for His glory!  
• Don’t Compare! Do not compare your child’s progress to siblings or children of other families. Believe it or not, they can pick up on this, and it will further discourage you and your child.  
• Research. There are many levels of learning struggles. Find a way to identify the problem. This seems to be the hardest part, but once you have done this, you can customize a curriculum tailored to your child’s needs. When I scan the various booths at homeschool conventions these days, I never cease to be impressed with how many options are out there to help strugglers! Most of these folks are willing to talk to you and offer a wealth of information.
• Environment. I am finding that an environment that is comfortable for your child is key to being able to focus. One of the things I noticed about both of my strugglers that was different from their siblings (Oops! I’m comparing!) is that they thrived with a messy desk!  It drove me insane.  Whenever I would tidy and organize their desk, I would be met with blank stares, and I seemingly had messed everything up. Become a student of your child’s needs and character.  This will help enormously!
• Find Support. I would highly recommend Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Not only do they provide legal defense, they have special needs consultants, as well as support groups. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has many resources to guide parents in this area as well. Obviously, local support is needed. If you don’t have a local support group, it may be time to start one. Once you are transparent, it will encourage other parents that they have a safe place to share as well.

This time with your child shouldn’t be constantly marked with challenges. Find activities that your child does well, and be a part of that with them. Find things that interest them. I believe I have memorized every exhibit at our local zoo, and, quite frankly, have lost interest, but I keep going because it brings her joy and it's her favorite place to be. Affirm them in areas whenever you can.

Having a child with challenging needs may seem difficult at the time, but someday, you will look back and see how much God taught YOU through caring selflessly for these little ones. Press into Him! He is faithful!

~ Kerry

Kerry Tittle is a mother of 9 children and an 18-year homeschool veteran. She was the founder of ReformationKidz Publishing that was lost to a natural disaster. Her desire is to honor Christ while encouraging parents during the hard years of homeschooling.

I am crazy busy as I write this. In fact, the last two weekends I've been in Phoenix and Pasadena, and we leave tomorrow for Houston. So, this will need to be short and to the point.

Here's the deal: Wherever I speak to homeschoolers, I inevitably have parents of struggling learners/special needs children who make their way up front after I've spoken to ask me a question. The question usually goes like this: "Everyone around me is telling me to put my child in "real" school. What do you think I should do?"

My answer is the always the same, "What do you want to do?" Usually they get choked up and say, "I want to homeschool them."

To which I affirm, "Then you SHOULD homeschool, and stop listening to those around you." I then go on to tell them why home is still the best place for their child, that they are the best teacher for their child, and how that child is a masterpiece created by God.*

So, if you're a mom, and you're feeling the pressure to put your "masterpiece” in "real" school, I'll say the same to you, "If you want to homeschool . . . then you SHOULD homeschool your child!" 

But, first, you should stop thinking about school, and keep enjoying your summer with all your “masterpieces”!

Be real,

Todd

*Get the life-changing audio CD of "This We Believe,” here. Best thing you'll listen to all summer!