Help! My Homeschooled Child is Falling Behind!

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Are you concerned your homeschooled child is falling behind? Are you afraid they aren’t where they need to be academically? Here’s what to do! 

As homeschool moms, we often worry that our children aren’t where they are “supposed” to be. We tend to be concerned that we’re not doing enough, or our kids are not keeping up with their peers. I so often get this question from new homeschool moms or see it in Facebook groups.

So what do you do if you think your homeschooled child is falling behind?

Realize the timing might not be right-  I’m going to start off here with a story. When my middle son was in 2nd grade we came to the chapter on time in his math book. So I tried to teach him how to tell time, a concept that to me, as an adult, seemed super easy to learn…. Well it wasn’t. There was frustration, there were tears, and it was in that moment I asked myself “Why am I pushing this?”  Really, is my child going to benefit more from me fighting to make him learn this or from me stepping back and trying it another time? So we skipped that chapter, moved on, and didn’t worry about it. The next year when we came to telling time in a review I approached it again, this time it clicked and in 15 minutes he mastered what the previous year was the source of huge frustration!

My point here is this. We have these markers, places that our kids “should” be. It starts in infancy, when they should be sitting, crawling etc. As we move into the school years we tend to still look for those and know that in certain grades kids learn certain things. Which for the most part is true. But sometimes just a little more time is all they need to “get it.” So I encourage you, if your child is struggling with something, don’t push, don’t force it, move on to something else and circle back, chances are with just a few weeks or months they’ll be ready. It may not be that your homeschooled child is falling behind but just that they aren’t ready yet!

Homeschool isn’t public school- they don’t have to keep up-

When you are a parent who went to public school and you are transitioning to being a homeschool mom it is easy to have that public school mentality, we have to be where the book says or we’re behind. The awesome thing about homeschooling is that there is no need to keep up with anyone! Your child doesn’t have to be exactly where their peers are because they are getting an individualized education.  We have always worked to mastery in my house. I don’t give tests then move on, we work on something til they get it. Sometimes things take waaayyyy longer than I expect them to, and other times things that I think will be difficult they breeze through. It all evens out though, so if you’re stuck for a while on one subject that’s ok! Chances are you’ll make up for that time somewhere else! Often if our homeschooled child is falling behind they move on to something else and speed through it! It all evens out!

** Related Post- 10 Reasons Why You Should Homeschool 

Try a different approach-  Each child has a different way of learning and sometimes it takes awhile to figure out how to best suit your child. Often I see people married to the pricey curriculum they’ve purchased and when their child falls behind they keep trying to make it work. Sometimes though you have to turn what you’re doing on top of its head and try something different. Is your child bored? Find something fun for them to do. Are they not interested? Let them learn about something they love! When my boys were learning to read we had comic books, Minecraft books, and I even turned on subtitles while they watched tv. There is always a different approach that might help! You may look to a friend or family member to help too! I know with my oldest son my husband could teach him math way better than I could, something about the way he explained it made more sense then the way I did! So before you worry too much that your child isn’t getting it try approaching it a different way! 

**Related Post –5 {Educational} Ways to Use a Fidget Spinner in Your Homeschool 

Ask a professional if you’re really concerned-  There is a certain element of trusting your gut when it comes to homeschooling. There are times where your child is just not ready, being particularly uncooperative, or needs a different approach, but there are also real issues that can come up with learning. Learning disabilities come in so many shapes and sizes it’s hard to tell when you’re a mom when to be really concerned. Maybe you’ve waited and they’re still not getting it. Maybe they are way below their grade level in one certain subject, whatever the scenario if your gut tells you there is something wrong seek help. You can always find a fellow homeschool mom, or maybe a teacher friend who could give you some insight. You can even call your local school to find resources to help if need be. If a problem is persistent, you’ve tried many different avenues and your child still seems to be struggling it may be time to ask for help!

The most important thing to remember while homeschooling is that it is a journey. Just like any journey there will be parts that are smooth sailing, and parts that are up hill and rough terrain. What’s important is remembering that it is all about your child, doing what is best for them, and making their education fun, exciting, and individualized so they can learn! Don’t get frustrated your homeschooled child is falling behind, chances are they will catch up soon!

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