Want to Help Your 2(e) Homeschool Student Soar? Play Follow the Leader.
How’s it going so far?
Feeling more at ease in home-educating your twice-exceptional child?
You should! You’re believing in yourself, embracing the freedom of modifying curricula to fit your needs, educating yourself about your child’s strengths and challenges, and trusting the learning process.
You’re doing great! You’ve made it to the halfway mark of our “Ten Tips for Homeschooling 2(e) Learners.”
You’re growing in your faith, and gaining confidence.
In the process, in yourself, and most importantly, in God.
Now, let’s go a bit deeper into our trust exercises, shall we?
Don’t worry, God’s got you.
Follow The Leader
Did you ever play follow the leader as a child? How about Simon Says? Or Mother, May I?
Man, I did.
I had the gift of a pre-internet childhood sans excessive technology. (Slow your roll, our television shows were in color.)
These playground games were a daily occurrence, especially in summer when the days were long and we were not allowed back inside the house until the streetlights came on.
I remember the delicious fear+hesitation+excitement combo of mixed emotions where we competed to see who could hold out the longest and be declared the victor.
These games were more than fun. They were learning opportunities. They taught us listening skills, strategy, collaboration, endurance, perseverance, and leadership.
They also taught us how to trust.
Strength in Surrender
We are all born with free will.
How we wield our will has an immense impact. We can use it as a tool to prosper or as a weapon in our downfall.
Think of the best lessons you have learned throughout your life.
Were they from advice or experience?
While I am by no means discounting the words of wisdom imparted by our elders, the natural consequences (good or bad) of my choices stand out in my mind the most when I look back over the lessons of my life.
Perhaps it is because I am a bit stubborn.
It is through these trials that I have learned to trust in the power greater than myself. To surrender my will to God and trust His plan for His calling on my life.
In this trust, I am learning to let go of the need to “control” the complete course of my child’s learning experience.
Interest-Led Learning
While I am by no means an un-schooler (to my readers who are, I salute you), I have started making space for more interest-led learning in our homeschool.
Interest-based learning is an instructional approach that allows students to explore their personal interests as a means of acquiring knowledge and skills. This approach has been shown to be more motivating for students, and can lead to deeper and longer-lasting learning experiences. Interest-based learning also helps students develop lifeling skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. And this is why incorporating interest in education matters so much.
Rebecca Devitt, www.howdoihomeschool.com
The freedom to choose is empowering.
For those who attended higher learning, did we not choose our college major?
Do we not choose the books we read in our leisure time?
Which movies and television shows to watch?
Of course, we do!
And our choices are guided by our interests.
Have Your Cake (And Eat It, Too)
Children learn best when they are excited and engaged.
If you’re like me and embracing the interest-led learning style wholeheartedly is out of your comfort zone, take heart. Do what I do. Treat the style like dessert.
You would never consider allowing your child to have cake, cookies, and candy 24/7, correct? Of course not! Malnutrition, hyperactivity, and cavities aside, it’s just not a good idea.
But treats in moderation? That’s fair. And a crucial component of adopting a healthy eating approach throughout one’s lifespan.
Let interest-led learning sweeten the delicious homeschool meal of your gently laid feast. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
To learn about how we use interest-led learning in our homeschool, check out the video below:
Coming Up
Join us for Part 6 of our “Ten Tips for Homeschooling Twice-Exceptional 2(e) Learners” where we remind you that no one is an island. Successful homeschoolers do not exist in a vacuum. It’s ok to ask for help.
Let’s Keep In Touch
Have a heart for service and love podcasts? Check out our It’s Only Homeschooling Podcast presents the Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight. Each month we feature a different community outreach program. We hope to bring awareness to the good works of these amazing organizations and encourage support.
You can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube, Podbean, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Samsung, PlayerFM, or right here on our website.
Are you a homeschool parent looking for encouragement from other homeschool parents in the trenches? Then check out our latest podcast series, Shelf-Indulgence Book Chats. In this series, we chat with some amazing authors who also happen to be homeschool moms of faith. New episodes will premier the first Wednesday of every month on the It’s Only Homeschooling YouTube Channel.
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Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
