Focus on your child's strengths and passions to support lifelong learning
This book provides parents with practical tools to teach and engage their children at home. By focusing on their children's strengths and passions, rather than on their limitations, parents can foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime. All children have passions, talents, and interests that can be promoted and developed, supporting their achievement and wellbeing. In this book, readers will gain a deeper understanding of how to shift their mindset from focusing on deficits to tapping into a child's strengths. Whether their child has a passion for reading, sports, theater, or anything else, this book will help parents focus on the passions of their homeschooled child.
This versatile book will encourage both new and experienced homeschooling parents, caregivers, and educators. It describes strengths-based and child-focused educational practices and offers clear instructions for using them inside any home, with any age learner. The book features anecdotes from homeschooling parents and children from around the world, and it will help parents spark a love of learning that will last a lifetime!
Discover how a strengths-based approach to homeschooling can help your kids thrive Learn how to foster your children's social, cognitive, and creative development at home Get practical tools for enriching childhood and creating a homeschool you'll love Build a deeper connection with your children by fostering a shared love of learning
This conversational and informative book is essential reading for homeschool parents. It inspires parents to empower their children to approach life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and confidence.
By:
Colleen Kessler
Foreword by:
Sarah MacKenzie
Imprint: Sybex Inc.,U.S.
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 226mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 15mm
Weight: 295g
ISBN: 9781394205738
ISBN 10: 1394205732
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 12 July 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Acknowledgments xiii About the Author xv Author’s Note xvii Foreword xix Introduction xxi Chapter 1 Why Homeschool? 1 The Gift 3 Cognitive Advantages 4 Mental and Physical Health Advantages 7 Social-Emotional Advantages 10 Try This! 13 Chapter 2 Exploring Strengths 15 A Strengths-Based Learning Approach 17 Rooted in Positive Psychology 20 Cultivating Resilience and Gratitude 22 Helping Neurodivergent Kiddos 25 Finding Our Children’s Strengths 28 Try This! 31 Chapter 3 Finding Wonder 33 Following Interests and Rabbit Trails 36 Transitioning Beyond the Home 38 The Power of Self-Direction 43 What If My Child Isn’t Interested in Anything? 45 Try This! 50 Chapter 4 A Love of Learning 53 What About Curriculum? 54 Crafting a Unique Learning Experience 57 A Literature-Rich Home 59 Simplifying to Foster a Climate of Learning 62 Try This! 65 Chapter 5 Play Matters 67 The Purpose of Play 68 Child-Directed Play 70 Emotional Resilience Through Play 73 Play-Based Learning 75 Gameschooling 79 Try This! 84 Chapter 6 Six Key Learning Skills 87 Why Learn About the 6 Cs? 89 Collaboration 90 Communication 94 Content 97 Critical Thinking 102 Creativity 105 Confidence 109 Try This! 112 Chapter 7 Can Creativity Be Taught? 115 Elements of Creativity 119 The Power of Questions 121 Setting the Stage 128 Try This! 135 Chapter 8 Embracing Adventure 137 Experiences Big and Small 139 Keeping It Simple and Purposeful 141 Trusting the Process 142 Nurturing Resilience and Imagination 145 Try This! 149 Chapter 9 The Family Team 153 Growing Relationships 155 Recognizing and Supporting Differences 158 Being a Family Team 161 Nurturing Through Shared Experiences 163 Try This! 167 Chapter 10 The Most Important Thing 169 Connection, Connection, Connection 171 Active Engagement 173 Connecting with Older Kids 175 A Soft Place to Land 176 Being Their Person 179 Try This! 181 Chapter 11 Start Now 183 You’ve Got This! 185 Know the Laws 186 Know Your Why 187 Know Your Kids 188 The Need to Deschool 188 Try This! 193 Chapter 12 Final Thoughts 195 Additional Resources 201 Index 205
COLLEEN KESSLER, M.Ed., is an award-winning educator, educational coach, consultant, and advocate for the needs of differently-wired children and their families. She spent 10+ years in the traditional classroom, where she worked with gifted students and developed programs that focused on students’ passions. After leaving the classroom, Colleen had her own twice-exceptional kiddos and began homeschooling them. Since then, Colleen has founded Raising Lifelong Learners—a website and podcast where she shares tools, stories, and advice on homeschooling and teaching neurodivergent children.
