From the beginning, I noticed a striking difference between my two oldest children—my oldest, a daughter, and my second child, a son. While my daughter would sit attentively, absorbing each word as I read or taught, my son seemed to have endless energy, doing backflips off the couch. Despite his constant motion, he could recite nearly everything I said with remarkable accuracy. This taught me that he needed movement to learn, while my daughter thrived in a more traditional, still learning environment. My deep dive into the learning differences between boys and girls is a topic I plan to explore further in a future blog. Today, however, I want to focus on creating a homeschool environment that supports children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or who might show similar traits. I understand that labeling can be a sensitive subject, and my aim here isn’t to debate its usefulness. Rather, I want to acknowledge that differences in learning styles exist—some of which are gender-related, while others are unique to each child. I use the term “ADHD” in this post to ensure that parents seeking relevant strategies can find and apply the information effectively.
For children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or those who show these traits, homeschooling offers the flexibility to adapt teaching methods and routines to support their focus, creativity, and energy. Here’s a guide on how to create a supportive homeschool environment for children with ADHD.
Understanding ADHD in the Homeschool Setting
Children with ADHD often face challenges with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These can make traditional classroom settings difficult, but homeschooling allows you to adapt and adjust the learning environment to fit your child’s needs. By understanding how ADHD affects learning, you can create a structure that plays to your child’s strengths while offering the support they need. I have employed all of these strategies in my homeschool which includes three rambunctious boys.
Strategies for Teaching Children with ADHD
- Incorporate Movement into Learning
- Many children with ADHD benefit from being able to move while they learn. Incorporating activities that allow for movement can help them focus better.
- Try using standing desks, exercise balls, or movement breaks during study time. For example, after 15-20 minutes of focused learning, allow for a 5-minute movement break to jump on a mini-trampoline, do some stretches, or dance to a song.
- Incorporating kinesthetic learning activities, such as hands-on projects, building models, or using manipulatives in math, can also keep children with ADHD engaged.
- Allow children to have fidget toys, clay, legos, or drawing supplies while learning. Keeping their bodies moving improves their concentration and ability to focus.
- Use a Structured but Flexible Routine
- Children with ADHD thrive with routines that are predictable but flexible. Creating a daily schedule helps them understand what to expect, reducing anxiety and creating a sense of stability.
- Break down the day into short, manageable blocks of time, focusing on one subject or task at a time.
- Incorporating visual schedules or timers can help children understand how much time is left for each activity, making transitions smoother.
- Utilize Multisensory Learning Techniques
- Multisensory learning involves using more than one sense (sight, sound, touch) in the learning process. This can be especially beneficial for children with ADHD as it keeps them engaged in multiple ways.
- Examples include using sandpaper letters for tactile writing practice, songs or rhymes for memorizing facts, and movement while listening and learning.
- Incorporate audiobooks and podcasts as alternatives to traditional reading to keep children engaged while allowing them to move around as they listen.
Accommodations to Support Learning
- Create a Distraction-Free Learning Space
- Set up a specific area for learning that minimizes distractions. This space doesn’t need to be elaborate—just a quiet corner with a comfortable desk, good lighting, and materials within reach.
- Use noise-canceling headphones if background noise is a problem, or play soft instrumental music to create a calming environment.
- A visual boundary, like a trifold display board, can help minimize distractions if your child needs more focus during independent work.
- Modify Instructions and Assignments
- Provide short, clear instructions one step at a time rather than overwhelming your child with long lists of tasks.
- Chunk assignments into smaller parts and allow breaks between each part to make tasks feel less daunting.
- Use checklists or task cards to help children with ADHD keep track of what they’ve completed and what they need to do next. Checking off completed tasks provides a sense of accomplishment.
- Incorporate Interests into Lessons
- If your child is passionate about a particular subject, like dinosaurs, space, or art, use those interests to teach other subjects. For example, use space themes to teach math or read stories about dinosaurs for reading time.
- Interest-based learning helps maintain focus and makes learning more enjoyable, keeping your child engaged longer.
- Provide Positive Reinforcement
- Focus on celebrating effort rather than just the outcome, such as praising your child for concentrating for 15 minutes or for completing a difficult task.
Self-Care for Homeschool Moms
Homeschooling a child with ADHD can be challenging, so it’s essential to remember to care for yourself as well. Reach out to local or online homeschool support groups, connect with other parents of children with ADHD, and set aside time for self-care. Your well-being is crucial to maintaining the patience and energy needed for homeschooling.
In Conclusion
Homeschooling a child with ADHD or similar characteristics is an opportunity to create a learning environment that truly meets your child’s unique needs. By incorporating movement, using flexible routines, and making learning engaging, you can help your child thrive academically while building their confidence and independence. With the right strategies and a lot of love, homeschooling can be a wonderful experience for both you and your child.
