7 Suggestions for Homeschooling ADHD/ADD Children - Guest Post
Question: "How does homeschooling work for a child with ADD or ADHD? I've seen enough to know mangy struggle even more with homework then school because home just has a lot more distractions immediately available given it's the child's home. Probably even more relevant to more people would be the issue of different children just having very difference brains and skills. There are those that excel at the type of learning typically taught whether public or homeschooling. There are those like my sister who seemed to never need any help with anything, always had amazing grades, worked really hard, and succeeded amazingly. There are plenty of kids who are incredibly intelligent, proficient in other areas, but struggle with academic pursuits. Do these type of circumstances make much difference in the success of homeschooling from your perspective?"
I asked my friend, Vinna, to write a guest post, since she has experience homeschooling children with ADD/ADHD. Thank you so much Vinna!
Like any other children, ADD or ADHD children love to learn but they learn differently. Homeschooling children with ADD or ADHD can be challenging but if we learn to tap into their creative mind, we will have won a battle on many fronts. They are children who love to explore, have an innate curiosity and thrive with an active curriculum. Also, they are children with unlimited energy, which can be a double-edge sword.
From my personal experiences, these are some of things which have worked for our family:
1. Before starting any homework, make sure to have some physical activities (mini-trampolines are great). Studies have shown physical activities help children with ADHD to stay focused on a task and to be attentive.
2. ADHD children are great visual learners. Provide lots of visual aids during lessons and their daily schedule. Always include a visual when giving instructions. Keep Verbalization simple and minimum.
3. They crave hands-on learning and games. (legos, paints, play dough and sensory bins).
4. Use a kitchen timer to help transition from one activity to another. Visual timers help ADHD children to learn the concept of time and to provide an understanding on limited time per activity.
5. Children with ADHD have a short attention span, make sure to take small breaks during a lesson. Keep lessons short and simple.
6. While doing homework, children can use a balance ball to sit on. Balance balls are simply amazing. Children with ADHD like to fidgit and the ability to move a little with the balance ball helps them to be focused and attentive.
7. Involve lots of movements throughout the day. For example, while reading-out loud allow them to play, jump or color books while you are reading to them. We have a saying in our home during reading-out loud "Mouths closed, hands busy." I am always amazeed at how much information they can retain during this activity.
About Vinna Chintaram
Vinna Chintaram is a mother of three, and is passionate about her heritage. She collects, preserves, and compiles the conversion stories of Latter-Day Saints from all over the world. She is from Mauritus and is passionate about integrating the Latter-Day Saint faith with the cultures of the world. Homeschooling her children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, and one with mild Autism, she would love to personally answer any other questions...so if you'd like to contact Vinna, please email me at alyssadani@gmail.com.
