Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Many parents find that it’s a great way to provide individualized education to their children that might not fit into traditional school settings.
But what if your child is especially active and has a hard time focusing? It’s not impossible to homeschool an active child. However, it does take some additional effort and planning to succeed.
In this article, we’ll discuss 15 key questions that every parent should consider when looking to homeschool their active children. We’ll start with understanding the types of active children, and then move on to strategies for dealing with both physical and mental activity.
By the end, you’ll have all the tools needed to give your active child the best possible education while at home.
What Types of Children Might be Considered ‘Active’?
Many children are considered “active” because they show signs of having an unusually high level of physical energy or are more mentally active than their peers. An active child might display traits such as: an incessant need to move, difficulty sitting still or paying attention, or excessive talking or verbalizing. Active children are generally quite inquisitive, eager to learn, and have a positive attitude.
However, if their energy levels turn out to be too much for their parents or teachers to handle, then they could become disruptive and be difficult to manage.
How Can I Identify if My Child is Active?
If you think your child is more active than other children their age, there are a few ways to tell for sure. First, observe how they act in different social and academic settings. Are they constantly moving when asked to sit still?
Are they easily distracted or forget things a lot? Or do they talk more than their classmates?
If so, then these could be signs that your child is above-average in their activity level. You can also consult with your child’s pediatrician if you are still unsure.
They can complete certain cognitive tests to determine if your child truly has an unusually high level of physical or mental activity.
What Types of Educational Options Should I Consider?
When homeschooling an active child, you need to think carefully about what type of educational approach will work best for them. Depending on your child’s personal interests, you can tailor the educational approach to their needs. Some popular examples include:-Project-based learning – This type of learning is great for kids who are engaged in hands-on activities.
It encourages them to find creative solutions to problems, and emphasize critical thinking skills. -Game-based learning – If your child loves playing video games, then this is the perfect way to teach them math, science, and other concepts.
-Hands-on activities – If your child is more of a visual learner, then hands-on activities like building models, performing experiments, and constructing projects are a great way to encourage them to stay engaged and focused. -Multi-sensory learning – This approach to learning involves using visual, auditory, and tactile activities to engage active children and keep them interested. If you’re still unsure of what type of educational approach to take, you can always consult with qualified professionals who can help guide you in the right direction.
What Kind of Goals Should I Set?
When preparing to homeschool an active child, it’s important to come up with goals that are both realistic and achievable. First, identify the skills or topics you would like them to learn or improve upon. Then, set a timeline and determine how long you would like to spend on each activity or subject.
Finally, build in goals and objectives for both the short- and long-term so you can measure progress. It’s also important to be mindful of your child’s interests.
For example, if they love music, then use it as a way to teach them about math or science. This will help keep them engaged and make the learning process more enjoyable.
How Can I Create an Engaging Homeschool Environment?
For homeschooling to be successful, your child must be engaged in the learning process. To keep them engaged and interested in the material, create a comfortable and stimulating environment.
Make sure you have plenty of space for them to move around and so that they feel free to express themselves. You can also create educational activities or games that are tailored specifically to their interests. This could include anything from a physical activity to a brain-teaser or a board game.
Letting them have a say in what activities they want to do can also be effective in keeping them engaged and motivated.
How Can I Handle an Active Child’s Physical Activity?
Physical activity is an important part of development and should be allowed and encouraged as much as possible. But when teaching an active child, it’s important to make sure their physical activity is contained and directed.
Designate times when your child can expend their energy. This could be during the day for recess or during the evening for sports activities. This will help them remain active, but also contain their physical activity to times and places where it is considered acceptable.
How Can I Help My Active Child Focus and Stay on Task?
Many active children have a hard time staying focused and on task. To help them, create a quiet and comfortable learning environment. This could be in the form of an office or study area that’s away from distractions like televisions and computers.
You should also plan and create a structure. This will include a routine and schedule that gives your child clarity on what they are expected to do and when.
Having a rigid routine can give them the security and confidence they need to stay on task.
How Can I Deal with My Child’s Mental Activity?
It’s not enough to simply deal with your child’s physical activity. It’s also important to address their mental activity as well. For example, you can use brain teasers and puzzles to help strengthen their problem solving skills, or have them read stories to stimulate their imagination.
You can also increase the difficulty level of their activities as they progress to keep them challenged. This will ensure that your child stays engaged and motivated in the learning process.
How Can I Make Sure My Child Gets Enough Social Interaction?
While homeschooling is an excellent way to provide individualized education, it is important to make sure that your child is still getting enough social interaction. To do this, try and connect with other homeschooling families in your area. If this isn’t possible, look for online communities or networks that your child can participate in.
It’s also important to ensure that your child has a safe and trusted adult supervision when engaging in activities with peers. This could be you, another family member, or a qualified professional.
How Can I Keep My Child’s Interests Peaked?
It’s natural for children to get bored with activities or subjects after a period of time. To help prevent this, it’s important to mix things up by doing activities or explaining topics in different ways.
You can also change the environments in which you provide instruction. For example, go outdoors or to a museum or library. When explaining new concepts, try and keep topics interactive and engaging.
This could mean utilizing stories, games, music, or other activities to maintain interest. Finally, make sure you are trusting your child and allowing them to explore topics that they find interesting.
What Should I Do When My Child Gets Frustrated or Can’t Focus?
It’s important to remember that frustration is natural for both you and your child. If this happens, try to identify the cause of their frustration and look for solutions. You can take a break from the activity and switch to something else, or you can try to explain the concept in other ways.
If you can’t solve the issue, then take a moment to explain that it’s ok to feel frustrated and take some time to cool down.
How Can I Handle Discipline?
It’s important to maintain discipline when homeschooling an active child. First, it’s important to have clear expectations and rules.
Establish rules that are easy to understand and enforce and make sure your child knows what the punishments are for not following them. It’s also important to be consistent with your discipline. Do not let your child off the hook for misbehavior, as this will only encourage them to act out in the future.
Finally, be open to listening to your child’s perspective and understanding why they acted the way they did.
Conclusion
Homeschooling an active child can be demanding and challenging. But with the right strategies and approach, you can provide your child with the best possible education.
Start by understanding the types of active children and what type of educational approach to take. Then, create an engaging homeschool environment, implement strategies for physical and mental activity, and make sure your child gets enough social interaction. Finally, maintain consistency with discipline and adjust things to keep interests peaked.
By following these steps and answering the aforementioned questions, you can successfully homeschool your active child and meet their needs. With patience and dedication, you can create an environment where your child can thrive and receive an education tailored to their unique needs and interests.