Sometimes students struggle. It's inevitable. Whether they're schooled at home or in a traditional school, every student has the occasional difficulty in their learning.
As a homeschool parent you may feel at a loss as to handle a struggling student. Here are some practical tips to help your homeschooler is is having trouble.
Provide motivation. In a traditional classroom, students are often motivated by doing as well as or better than their peers. Seeing a grade on an official report card also provides incentive for some children. For homeschoolers, however, it's different. Sometimes homeschooled students don't see the necessity for doing their best when it's just for Mom or Dad. If this is the case in your family, try providing some motivation. Find something that your child is willing to work for and see if that will help them to get focused and do their best. Don't think of it as bribing your child, but do consider rewarding your student for his/her hard work.
Consider their level. Many homeschool curriculums are skill or knowledge-based rather than grade specific. For this reason, it's possible that your student maybe at a different level than what his/her grade specifies. Don't be alarmed if this is the case. One of the beauties of homeschooling is that you can teach your child at his/her level, whether high, low or average. You can determine your student's level by administering a placement test. These are usually provided by the publisher of your curriculum. Children who are behind can often catch up quickly with the individualized instruction homeschooling offers.
Consider a new curriculum. Different publishers communicate in different ways. Perhaps the curriculum you are using is not a good learning style for your student. Find other homeschoolers in your area to find out what curriculum they use and what they think of it. There are numerous co-ops and support groups in the Dallas area, and they can be a great source of help to struggling homeschoolers and their parents. A quick internet search will also lead you to numerous forums and discussions where homeschooling parents discuss and review curriculum. It's likely someone else has been in the same boat you are in, and they may have the answer you're looking for.
Get professional help. Sometimes you just can't do it all. Consider hiring a tutor to help your student in their areas of difficulty. There are tutoring placement services online that can connect you with an experienced tutor. You might also be able to find a college student at a local university who would like to earn a little extra money by tutoring.
If your student is struggling, don't give up. It doesn't mean homeschooling isn't for you. You may just need to make a small change in what you're doing. These simple suggestions can mean big changes for your homeschooler.
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