will reduce the number of words a child
needs to learn, (ensuring that he/she will
always be behind in spelling) and continue to use typical spelling teaching meth-ods;such;as;worksheets,;tiles,;etc.;This;is
done,;rather;than;acknowledging;that;the
child has an auditory processing problem, and changing the spelling teach-ing;strategy;to;utilize;the;child’s;strong
Photographic Memory. Using his/her
Photographic Memory the child could
learn;not;only;the;weekly;words;(yes,;the
whole list), but the bonus words besides.
This happens with all subjects. Generally, even though the children are taught
in a different setting, they still are taught
using the same methods, but just fewer
problems or at a lower level. This leads to
frustration for the child and the parent
resulting;from;a;lack;of;significant;prog-ress. Homeschooling parents have found
that;it;is;very;possible;for;a;child;to;make
a two year growth in one year by using
different methods of teaching.
At home, parents have found that they
can;teach;“around”;the;learning;blocks;by
using totally different teaching methods
than offered through typical curriculum.
If the child has an auditory processing
problem, parents can use more right
brain teaching strategies to help the child
memorize;math;facts;or;phonics;sounds
or;spelling;words.;This;makes;the;child
feel;smart.;Specialized;teaching;programs
for a child with Dyslexia can be used, all
by the parent’s choice. The child then
blooms, as he learns to tap into the smart
part of himself. This typically brings the
needed two year growth in one year, in
reading, spelling and writing.
3-Time with your child each day.
All studies show that children who
are homeschooled receive much more
quality, focused instructional time with
the parent/teacher. With struggling
learners, this constitutes even more
time. This one-on-one individualized
instruction;at;the;child’s;pace;takes;the
stress out of the learning process. He/
she no longer has to try to “keep up
with;the;group.”;Working;with;an;adult,
who is using different teaching strate-
gies, and helping the child learn how to
“think”;through;problems,;rather;than
just;working;with;books;or;worksheets
is so valuable.
For instance, a teaching parent can
modify instruction by having the child
answer all the questions orally, instead
of writing the answers. This helps the
child;keep;up;with;course;content;with-out being bogged down by writing, if
that is an issue. Meanwhile, of course,
the parent is using a writing method
that will eventually help the child become an independent writer. (Don’t
worry. There are programs available for
struggling;writers;that;work;very;well
. . . I offer a free right brain paragraph
and composition writing method that
I used with my very struggling writers when I was teaching. Just email
me;at;craft@ecentral.com;and;ask;for
it.) Many of the homeschooled strug-gling;learners;I;have;worked;with,;us-ing these alternative teaching methods,
go on to college, some even getting
scholarships.;It;just;takes;a;completely
different method of teaching. Not expensive or hard . . . just different than
those offered by standard curriculum.
More Reasons Home is the Ideal
Place for a Struggling Learner
1-Reduced anxiety
For;children;who;have;Sensory;Process-
ing problems, just being away from all
the external stimuli of the classroom and
cafeteria, relaxes them so that learning
occurs so much more easily.
2-Special diets
Many parents of struggling learners are
discovering that their children experience greatly improved behavior and
learning through special diets such as
gluten-free, reduced sugar and dyes, or
dairy-free. This is so much easier to implement at home.
3-God centered
Each day, in many ways, the child/teen is
taught;to;trust;God’s;love;in;everything.
This is a life-long gift.
Research Shows That Parents
Excel at Teaching Their Struggling
Learner
Studies done by outside parties demonstrate that parents are providing a superior form of education for their struggling
learners by teaching them at home. It has
been found that parents do not have to be
specially;certified;or;have;special;qualifi-cations to teach their struggling learner
at home.
Dr. Steven Duvall conducted a year-
long study involving eight elementary
and two junior high students with learn-
ing disabilities. At the end of the year, he
www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com
For;children;who;have;Sensory;Processing;problems,;just;being;away;from;all
the external stimuli . . . relaxes them so that learning occurs so much more easily.
