Homeschooling through High School

So many parents feel unqualified and uncertain about homeschooling their children through high school. They will often put their children into the system to feel more satisfied that their children are well-prepared for college, to have an official transcript and an official diploma. Many parents put their children into the system for sports opportunities. Some put their children into the system for life’s lessons to be learned in a group setting – such as learning to deal with peer pressure, getting along with same-age peers, or “real” classroom experience.

Parents do what they feel is best for their child and their family. I have a tremendous respect for those decisions. Parenting is the most difficult job I've known and I have had some very difficult jobs. Saving lives in the ER as a nurse has nothing on raising up children!

To encourage those who have discerned for their child and family that keeping their child home for high school is what is best for them, I thought I would share our daughter’s experience.

There is hardly a week that passes that my homeschooled through high school graduate, Kiera, doesn’t thank me for keeping her home for her K-12 education. She supplies me with so many reasons why she is grateful...I find myself grateful too.

Good, quality education. Kiera feels she got a great education from a Christian perspective. It is quite apparent, now that she is in college, that she was well-prepared for college. She did well on the college entrance exam. She is making the Dean’s list at school which says so much about how well she was prepared.

Life-long love of learning. Kiera still loves to learn. As she was finishing our homeschool high school, she took a few courses at our local community college. What struck her most there about the environment and students was the apathy apparent everywhere. No one was excited about what was being offered to them. They sat there like rocks without contributing or asking questions.

Kiera is excited about the world of academics and all the opportunities that come with the college environment. Her professors enjoy her because she is curious and contributes in the classroom. This young adult learns and has fun!

Self-discipline. As soon as Kiera reached the stage of reading to learn (about 4th grade if I remember right) she began to assume more responsibility for her education. By the time she got to the high school years, my role had greatly diminished. Now in college, she has all the responsibility and is handling it well.

Organization and focus. Her room is a mess but her schedule is not. She maps out her week – what needs to be read, written and studied for and sticks to the schedule. A life skill that is invaluable and learned as a lifestyle at home. Kiera is greatly focused on her goals and the path she must take to reach them

Self-actualization. In the system, children spend most of their primary and secondary education doing what others tell them to do and be. Kiera knows who she is and what she is capable of doing. She delights in being a child of God, seeking His will in her life and being obedient to Him.

Family. Kiera feels so blessed to have so much family time. Not only with her immediate family but with extended family as well. Our homeschooling lifestyle lends itself to building and staying close with those who live far away. If she had been required to stick to a structured school year, she would hardly know her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She knows a depth of family experience that few know today because of the nature of our mobile society.

Social Skills. Homeschooled children are well-known for their ability to talk to people of all ages – not just individuals their own age. This ability has taken Kiera to many places she would not know otherwise and relationships that have been quite valuable throughout her life would not have been accessible without her wonderful social skills.

Life Skills. Kiera is very pleased with her ability to cook, clean, care for her sibling etc. I think when it is time for her to manage her own home, she will be able to function quite well.

Time and balance. As a homeschooled student, Kiera began her day at 6:00-6:30 a.m. and finished was finished with her daily work before noon. There was no homework that went unfinished before she finished her daily work. The rest of her day was hers to do with as she pleased. Time filled with contributions to our home and family life, volunteer work, books, creative writing, hobbies and friends. There were no long evenings laboring over school work. She learned to structure her work time as well as her free time. She has been given a model that will lead to a healthy, balanced, enjoyable lifestyle as an adult and to pattern her own family’s lifestyle after when the time comes.

Well-rounded person with a wide variety of interests. Because of our homeschooling lifestyle, Kiera has had the time to explore a wide variety of interests leading to a well-rounded individual. Her interests have not been influenced by the popular culture but are what she has truly finds interesting. We have had many opportunities, because of the nature of homeschooling, to travel and explore the world – experiences she may have not known if we had to stick to a structured school year.

If you are called to keep your child at home through high school, there is no need to fear. If God leads you there, He will provide what you need to get the job done to fulfill His will for your child and family. A leap of faith for many, but many are the positive outcomes.

You may wonder if Kiera wants to homeschool her own children when the time comes. I think that is the ultimate question that displays how the individual views their own homeschooling experience.

Feel free to ask her. I must say, it is so good to know that my investment in this child has been received with such a grateful heart.

My Sabbatical from Blogging...

Is it over? How do you return from 9 months without making a post with significant content? I guess you just jump right in...

I think putting together my ebook, Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome met a personal goal of mine - to share what I have learned on this journey. It has been my ministry for over a decade to share and mentor others on a similar path. I know there is much more to come on this journey. More that isn't shared freely in the blogosphere. There are very few bloggers with teens or adults with Down syndrome sharing their journeys.

Over the last 9 months we have traveled extensively and met many wonderful people. Reagan has a way of attracting the most incredible people into our lives. She exudes an unconditional love for others - she blesses and we are all blessed. She has matured so much in the last year. She is quite independent and even a little sassy. I have to say her adolescence has been fairly easy but then both of my girls have been easy as far as our relationships go. The closeness we enjoy as a homeschooling family and the mutual respect for each other made what are usually difficult times in a family just an age and a stage.

In the fall, my oldest left for college. Kiera is attending a small Christian school near Chicago as a biology major. She has adjusted quite well to life at college - even made the Dean's list! I am so proud of this young lady! Homeschooled through high school and a success in the competitive world of college!

Reagan misses her sister dearly. As hard as it is for me to let go, it has been much more difficult for Reagan. The tears still flow freely and frequently - she knows things will never be the same...

Our local homeschooling children with special needs support group. Special Needs, Unique Challenges, has become more active. We have been trying to meet monthly for a mom's night out this school year. The weather has interfered greatly this winter though. We have had the snowiest winter I can recall!

We are serving two small rural churches. Our parish families have blessed us immensely. Until now, I had not known a parish family so united in their love for the Lord that it is almost palpable. The serve the Lord and each other...and love my family. Here, we do not just go to church - we belong. If you have a child with special needs, you know how rare this is!

We have a new Bishop with exciting plans for the future. While our buildings and property are being threatened with lawsuits from The Episcopal Church, our Bishop has a vision for our future. A future where buildings and property are only things. The mission of the church will continue on without those things if necessary.

I have been named Diocesan Coordinator for those with special needs. A coordinator grows ministry within our Diocese. I am busy at work trying to define this new ministry and set goals for our team. It is a very exciting time for me. At times, anxiety creeps in. Am I the right person for this job? Do I have the skills to grow this ministry? Do I have the time and energy? But then I remember - God doesn't call the equipped, He equips those who are called!

Reagan will have surgery soon. She will have a new pacemaker put in. This pacemaker will pace both her ventricles - an added safety measure since she has no underlying heart rhythm. Complete heart block was a complication from her original open heart surgery, repair of AVSD, as an infant.

A brief update on a snowy day. My life is much fuller than I can describe in this space. Blizzard warning here - expecting 20 inches of snow with white-out conditions. I don't expect to be plowed out until Friday. Really. And I don't mind. I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer. The generator has had a recent tune-up. I have a pile of books waiting for me along with a nice warm blanket.

So, let the snow fall and the wind blow. I'm going to enjoy this day!

This is quite an honor...

I've been nominated for Best Special Needs Homeschool Blog 2010!

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Getting Out the Vote for Life

Have you voted yet?



I voted by absentee ballot a few weeks ago knowing I would be out of town on election day.

If you are interested in supporting pro-life issues consider supporting Americans United for Life.

I voted for life - all life is precious!

More Alike than Different - NDSC

October is Down syndrome awareness month!

DownsEd Conference in Atlanta

The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta is hosting a DownsEd conference next month - September 9 - 11. It is not to late to register!

Here is the brochure and registration info.

DownsEd has been instrumental in bringing up-to-date research into Down syndrome to professionals and families in a easily understood format. These events are so informative and inspirational - especially for homeschooling families. Do take advantage of this opportunity if you can!

My New E-book - Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome

A compilation of years of research on how children with Down syndrome learn and part of a much larger project.

Just click on the button to view for free. I would love to hear feedback from you!

Homeschooling and Down Syndrome - The Reluctant (???) Learner

Part Two - The Child

In trying to discern what difficulties there might be in the learning environment which might result in reluctance or resistance, I always ask myself or might ask you the following questions:

Health

Are they feeling well? A child who is not feeling well is not receptive to learning. A child who does not get sufficient sleep will not be receptive to learning.

Are their eyes and ears healthy? Vision and hearing problems are common with Down syndrome and a great impediment to learning. Attention to these potential problems is needed with annual (minimum) physical exams.

Motivation

Is motivation a factor? Children with Down syndrome are known to have motivational issues when compared to typically developing children of the same age. From the time that our children with Down syndrome are born, they work hard to learn the skills they need – harder and longer than typically developing children. They are familiar with failure and need to be supported in learning with errorless teaching/learning to feel successful.

Is the child bored? Young learners with Down syndrome thrive on material given at a fast pace in an engaging manner. Keep it FUN!

Is the work provided close to the child’s developmental level? Working closely to his/her developmental level will make her feel successful and involved...and motivate her to come back for more!

Attention

Are attention deficits a contributing factor? Attention deficits are common in young learners with Ds. Incrementally increasing time and attention to task is worth the time and effort inside and outside of formal schooling is well worth the time and effort.

Is it hard for the child to sit still for learning? Alternate seat work with fine and gross motor activities. Keep any seat work meaningful. Lessons should be fairly short and fast paced. Keep the fun factor high!

Combining physical movement with learning can be quite helpful and enjoyable.
A friend of mine did “ball school” when her son with Down syndrome was young. He practiced sight word reading while bouncing a ball. This markedly increased his ability to learn new words.

Learning Profile

Children with Down syndrome have a known profile of strengths and weaknesses to consider in the homeschooling environment.

Am I teaching to my child’s learning strengths? Children with Down syndrome are primarily visual learners. Therefore, material presented should be accompanied by a visual aid.

What about processing deficits? Children with Down syndrome frequently have auditory processing difficulties. This makes learning by listening difficult. Again, visual cues are of the utmost importance.

Am I using language the child understands? As parents, we have a greater understanding of the words our children understand. We know they understand far more than they can express. New vocabulary should be specifically taught and clearly defined.

The Learning Environment

Are their any distractions? Is the house free from noises from the television, radio or adults or other children talking? Children with Down syndrome are easily distracted by noise and even visual stimuli.

The Learning Table

Learning does not necessarily happen at a table. In fact, much does not but I will refer to lesson time as work done at the table.

Is the work meaningful? Am I building on what the child knows – scaffolding new skills on top of what has been consolidated?

Is what they are working on to easy or to hard? Early learners with Down syndrome should be working close to where they are functioning on the developmental scale you are using – again, building on skills they already have.

Am I breaking down the task/concept in to smaller bits so that the child can understand the task/concept? With many concepts/skills, we have had to break them down into smaller steps and spend extra time on them. Breaking down skills/concepts gives meaning to the task as each step is mastered.

Am I providing enough repetition for the mastery of skills and concepts? Frequent input and plenty of review are the keys to consolidation of learning.

Am I giving them enough practice at new skills and concepts? Often a wide variety of materials, rotated throughout the week to reinforce new skills/concepts are necessary to consolidate learning.

Am I taking into consideration the child’s interests? In bringing the child’s interests into the learning environment, the most mundane of tasks takes on interest.
Is the curriculum a good fit? Concept oriented materials with a hands-on, visual approach works best for the early learner with Down syndrome.

Challenging Behaviors

Are behaviors getting in the way of learning? Often times, challenging or inappropriate behaviors are clues that you need to switch gears. Change the subject. Change the venue. Go for a walk but keep the child engaged!

Normal childhood naughtiness or the avoidance behaviors (cute but socially inappropriate behaviors) common to children with Down syndrome can disrupt the learning environment. Think about positive behavioural approaches vs. the more common parenting approaches which include punishments that are ineffective.

Sometimes behavior challenges are of a more serious nature. If so, those behaviors can be the greatest obstacle to learning a child with Down syndrome faces. If necessary, seek professional support.

Previous Learning Experiences

What previous learning experiences has the child had? Has the child been removed from the system recently? Was their previous learning environment traumatic? You wouldn’t believe the stories I’ve heard from families who have removed their child from the public school system.

The general rule of thumb for homeschooling families is that the child will need a month for every year in the system or adjust (some say recover) to homeschooling. I think it is safe to say a child with cognitive impairments will take longer.

In Closing

What seems to be reluctance or resistance on the part of the learner with Down syndrome can be the result of many complex issues – none of which are insurmountable. Persistence on you part will pay huge dividends!

Part One

Unbelievable

A Florida abortion provider loses his license for killing the wrong twin. After the healthy twin is killed, the baby boy with Down syndrome is terminated.

Tragic