Music in your homeschool
by Kathy Kuhl Make time for music? If you’re homeschooling a child with learning challenges, you may think you’ve got more urgent business. Maybe not. Music opens minds Music can stir hearts, inspire, and open minds—and mouths. This nine-year-old boy’s awestruck reaction to hearing Mozart last week got me thinking. Ronan Mattin has autism and […]
Getting started homeschooling with special needs? Here’s help!
by Kathy Kuhl Homeschooling intimidated me. Starting to homeschool a child with learning challenges or special needs sounded even harder. But there’s new help this June. I’m privileged to play a part. Expanded special needs track at HEAV There’s an expanded special needs track at the June convention of the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) in […]
Setbacks? 3 Tips to resetting goals when reality messes with your plans
By Kathy Kuhl As your homeschool continues, disappointments and setbacks are inevitable. For those in the chillier climates, the cold, damp, and ice can settle into our spirits. We may be tempted to give up. Anyone could do a better job, we groan. Should I put this child in school, some wonder—though they may not […]
The Myth of Learning Styles
by Kathy Kuhl “If you teach to your children’s learning styles, they’ll learn better,” they told me. But what if you can’t tell how your child learns best? That was my problem. Learning Styles: Popular Theories One of the most popular theories of learning styles is based on the idea that people prefer different way […]
A Homeschooler’s Perspective: Two Very Different Learners
By Kathy Kuhl Last month, I had coffee with a homeschooler I hadn’t seen in years. We met to talk about what she had learned homeschooling two exceptional, dynamic, and wildly different children. To preserve her their privacy, I’ll call the mother “Ann.” Doctor suggested her daughter be institutionalized I knew that Ann was […]
When Family Objects to Homeschool
By Kathy Kuhl Last week, I posted research showing how effective homeschooling can be for students with learning challenges. You may find it helps relatives understand why you homeschool—or why you want to. But caring for and educating children is an emotional issue. Your relatives’ concerns about homeschool likely come out of a deep concern […]
What the Research Says about Homeschooling Kids with Learning Disabilities
By Kathy Kuhl If you homeschool a child with learning differences, you’ve probably been told it’s a bad idea. “You don’t have the training.” “Leave it to the experts.” Some of you even have spouses or ex-spouses who object to your homeschooling. But there is reputable research to support the choice to homeschool students with […]
Leaders Joining Forces to Support Homeschoolers
by Kathy Kuhl After two homeschool leader conferences in seven days, my head and heart are full. During these conferences I’ve met state, national, even international homeschool leaders. I’ve brainstormed with others who help homeschooling parents of kids with challenges. Wow! What a privilege. National Leaders Conference The Home School Legal Defense Association […]
SPED Homeschool: Resources for Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
By Kathy Kuhl Last spring a friend told me about SPED Homeschool, a nonprofit and website serving the homeschooling special needs community. (SPED is short for Special Education.) Since the friend was Cheryl Swope, I paid attention. You may have heard me give workshops with Cheryl. (My review of her excellent book is in the […]
Prep for a New Homeschool Year
by Kathy Kuhl You’ve got your new notebooks, new planner, pencils, books, and new curriculum. The homeschool year is about to begin. It’s an exciting time, isn’t it? I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the promise of new books, notebooks, and planners. It’s a new beginning! So, think you’re ready? No? (It’s […]