New to Homeschooling – Step Four: Know Your Child

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Ask yourself these questions.

• Does your child love to get dirty and explore the world around him?
• Is she a child who loves to sit down and listen as you read a story?
• Is he an analytical thinker, who tends to question what is happening around him?
• Is she one who can connect events and experiences to lessons in life?
• Does he seem to thrive when able to create with his hands?
• Does she naturally “get it” the first time she hears it?

These kinds of questions can help to define the best kind of learning approach for your child. A hands-on learner will not be content to sit and fill out worksheets or listen to you explain concepts. A student who has strong auditory skills will thrive with a curriculum that uses interesting stories to teach about history, science or literature.

A student who needs to hear or try something several times before she is able to grasp it will need a mastery curriculum with a lot of repetition and review, while a student who seems to “get it” right away should focus on a curriculum that provides ample opportunity for critical thinking.

Knowing your child’s academic level is also critical to a successful program.

Many parents make the mistake of simply purchasing curriculum that is aligned to their child’s chronological grade level. However, in many cases, that math course is too difficult because the right foundations have not been laid or that English course is too easy because your child is an accelerated learner.

Testing your child to determine his or her actual academic level will ensure that your program will be a successful one.

That is why Bridgeway Academy tests each student upon enrollment to determine the best academic level for that child. This information combined with a detailed survey and parent interview provide the basis for designing a program that will work effectively for each student.

If you prefer to design your own program, contact Curriculum Express (610-266-9148) to order a diagnostic placement test that will help you to identify your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.

Homeschooling quick links > Top 10 Important Steps for those New to Homeschooling

Make the Commitment – Know the Law – Know Yourself – Know Your Child – Find a
Homeschool Support Network – Explore Your Child’s Interests – Organized Homeschool – Commit to Homeschooling – Become Your Favorite Teacher – Get Ready to Learn – Back to New to Homeschooling List