I realize that when you have six children, they will probably all learn best slightly differently. Honestly, I've never taught to any of my kids' learning differences. Or given them much thought. I expect all of my kids to learn to listen, even if it doesn't come naturally. I expect them to all learn from reading, even though some struggle with this more than others. I am NOT a visual person. At all. (As in I miss most of what goes on around me including what people look like and what they're wearing.) I can't even relate to visual people. And I have a terrible time teaching visual learners. I'm pretty sure I have at least one visual learner. Thus, my problem.
Do you take into account your children's learning differences when you teach them? If you have a child who learns differently from you, do you attempt to teach him his way or convert him to your way? It may be a simple thing for someone like my husband, who is a visual person, to suggest I draw things for my visual learners, allowing them to "see" what I'm trying to teach them. One problem, I don't draw. In one sense I do "see" things, I just "see" them in my mind, not on paper or screen. I look at a math problem and I "see" the answer, or how to find the answer. I read between the lines in the textbook or story. I do books. I don't do pictures.
I love my children. I love the idea of homeschooling. Most of the time I love homeschooling my children. But, there is one child in particular, who shall remain nameless, I'm having a hard time helping, teaching, tutoring, whatever you want to call it. And yes, I have been VERY tempted to put her in school. Mainly because I want a different kind of relationship with her, one that's not so filled with frustration. I don't particularly enjoy banging my head against the wall and that's what homeschooling this child is beginning to feel like. I fantasize about being the mom who picks her child up from school and takes her home to a house filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies. We have a snack and she tells me all about school. But then I'd have to help her with her homework. Perhaps I would just be trading the morning's frustrations for afternoon frustrations.
I would love to hear from anyone who is NOT a visual learner, who has learned to teach a visual learner. I don't want to fail this child, who shall continue to remain nameless : ). I want her to succeed.
Celee, I have felt exactly the same way about one of mine in recent weeks and am considering enrolling him in as many paid classes next year as we can afford. Let's pray for each other! A little advice for the visual learner- try graphic organizers. Here's a link to some ideas. http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
ReplyDeleteI also make a lot of charts and word lists that I post around the house. Not elaborate...just with colored Sharpies and poster board or construction paper. We put up an inexpensive dry erase board, and visual kid and I write a lot of info there, too. That seems to be the key- giving him lots of visual reminders and representations that help him organize and rehearse info.
I'm not a visual learner, but I have children who are (or are tactile learners).
ReplyDeleteOne day I was talking about my dilemma when my father said, "Kimberly, they need to learn to learn via words because, 'faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God'" That has stuck with me.
So, while we do take into consideration our children's learning strengths and weaknesses (and shape letters of clay and draw pictures), we all push toward a better understanding of words, since that is the form that God chose for His revelation.
I'm not sure that this is one of my strengths, but if you'd like to talk more about it, feel free to email me.
I'm loving all the pictures of the kids in your recent posts.
I set up our homeschool with my goals in mind and how I think we can best make it work. We have four kids and are expecting two more through adoption this year, so I've been thinking alot about how to teach my group while keeping my sanity and feeling joyfull throughout the day. I think homeschooling is very challenging and it has huge rewards. Our homeschool is a mix of literature based learning, notebooking (history), textbooks, and memory work we recite together. I guess I don't accomodate my kids individual learning styles but I do adjust their work load if I see they need extra practice on a concept.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps and praying for your homeschool.
I am not sure what my leaning style is . Or what my kids' learning styles are. Ha! I never thought about that. I am going to think about it though. I guess it is safe to say that I am not acommodating anyone, but maybe we all have the same learning style, and that is why it hasn't been an issue.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up! You and the unnamed child can figure this out! :)
I completely understand ~ my daughter is a visual learner & I'm not at all. She is so very different from our eldest son (who is just like me), so teaching her has been such a challenge. I'm glad it's not just me.
ReplyDeleteRenata:)