Learning at home is becoming more and more popular, especially for gifted students and their families. Gifted students are like snowflakes… each one is different and learns in a unique way which makes learning at home appealing to families.
Some gifted kids love school and are great at keeping themselves motivated. Some gifted kids like to learn what they are interested in and nothing else. Some gifted kids struggle to find internal motivation and don’t see the point in “busy work”.
How can parents support their gifted student’s learning at home without constant struggle?
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1- Communicate
Talk with your student about what is expected from teachers and you while learning at home. While no-one loves busy work, present it like practice for their favorite sport or other activity.
In class, I often remind my students that athletes don’t just show up to the game ready to play. There are a lot of repetitive drills during their practice time to ensure they have the skills needed when game time comes.
Gifted students often have a deep interest in topics outside school. Present learning at home as practice time for building skills they need to dive deep into their topic of choice.
2- Schedule Together
Instagram is full of beautiful, detailed schedules to help parents wanting to support learning at home or transitioning to homeschool. While they are helpful, they can also be overwhelming. Sit down with your kid(s) and create a schedule together.
Create something simple that allows for flexibility and differences between kids. Your child may love math but despise reading, so you may suggest they tackle what they don’t like first and enjoy what they love as a reward. If you don’t have specific assignments to complete, try a choice board full of easy enrichment opportunities.
What ever your schedule, know it’s not set in stone. Revisit what you’ve created every few days and change things that just aren’t working.
3- Done is Done
Much like working at home adults need boundaries, learning at home kids need boundaries, too. Try to keep a schedule similar to a school or work day. Once everything is finished, they have free time.
Keep in mind many gifted students will work through their assignments quickly because they may have already mastered the skill. When they finish, review the assignment with them or provide a next step to encourage them to take the content deeper.
Even if it seems easy, gifted students will hit a wall of struggle. Give them space to be done with the assignment.
Learning at Home Parent Support Guide
