Picture this scene: It’s another day of homeschooling. My homeschooler wakes up and drags his feet as he comes downstairs for breakfast. He begs for a day off from school, even though he knows it won’t happen. I often catch him staring out a window, or I hear him complaining about his schoolwork. He has uncharacteristic outbursts and slams his book around from time to time. It takes a lot of effort to get him to finish his work.
Does this sound familiar?
We’ve likely all had this experience at some point in our homeschooling journey. If this is a consistent pattern, however, you might have a reluctant learner. That may sound concerning, but it’s not as uncommon as you might think. Many kids are reluctant learners at some stage in their education.The question on your mind might be, “What does this mean?” or “How do I homeschool a child who is reluctant to learn?”
This article will give you helpful tips for using your BJU Press curriculum to overcome this challenge.
Understanding Reluctance in Learning
Reluctant learners often feel unsure or unmotivated. They show little interest in learning and get easily distracted. Some reluctant learners may act out in uncharacteristic ways. For example, your child might have more behavioral problems during learning time. Some reluctant learners get anxious about learning, while others may seem bored.
Why are some children reluctant learners? There are different reasons, but most have to do with the way a child learns or their personality. For example, some children learn better when they work alone. But social learners may prefer learning with friends or siblings. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners all need different strategies to engage them. Perfectionist students can feel overwhelmed. Their fear of failure often leads to reluctance.
Whatever the cause of a child’s reluctance to learn, we must engage that child with love and care. Remember that children need our patience and gentle guidance. We must show our homeschoolers the steady, loving care of Christ in what we say and do. Through nurturing and support, a child can grow from a reluctant learner to a remarkable leader.
Making the Most of BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
Finding ways to engage your child every day can be a challenge. I’ve found that the key is to make the most of your curriculum. BJU Press lessons offer structure while also providing you with flexibility and engaging materials to meet your child’s needs.
Take advantage of the engaging audio-visual resources in your curriculum. For example, songs and videos can bring the content to life in a fun, engaging format. My friend struggled to teach her reluctant learner the alphabet, so she began using the songs and videos in the BJU Press curriculum. A dreaded lesson transformed into a fun activity that her child looked forward to each day with all the provided visual tools like maps, charts, illustrations, photos, and graphic organizers. These resources help to engage visual learners.
BJU Press Homeschool provides meaningful and interactive lessons. Its materials teach students to apply critical-thinking skills and a biblical worldview to real-life situations. For example, you might have trouble motivating your reluctant learners in high school. Try sparking their interest with projects and assignments that touch other areas of their lives. For younger students, use review games, writing activities, and hands-on projects to grab their attention.
BJU Press Homeschool materials can help reluctant learners become independent and motivated students. Reviewing skills, concepts, and terms gives students many chances to retain what they’ve learned. Many lessons also provide ideas for differentiated instruction to help you meet your child’s individual needs. You can even adapt materials for students with special needs or other learning challenges.
Strategies for Teaching Reluctant Learners
You are the key to meeting your homeschooler’s unique learning needs. Let’s dive into some helpful teaching strategies for reluctant learners.
Break lessons into smaller chunks.
· Review important material from previous lessons. You can play a game, make a visual aid together, or watch a video.
· Introduce new ideas step-by-step. Avoid dumping new information all at once. Progress from simpler ideas to more complex ones.
· Use plenty of interactive activities. Get your child involved in each part of the lesson. Discuss a key idea together, make a poster to keep track of new ideas, or allow your child to demonstrate a new skill.
· Incorporate brain breaks. At certain points in the lesson, take a quick reset by doing a short, fun activity that is not related to school.
Use positive reinforcement.
· Praise progress, not perfection. Making mistakes and fixing them is a necessary part of learning. Celebrate small victories each day.
· Encourage intrinsic motivation. Help your child grow to enjoy the learning process itself by giving plenty of verbal praise.
· Reward the completion of goals. Set clear goals for completing schoolwork. Agree on a reward for each milestone reached. Consider using intangible rewards such as extra free time or a fun field trip.
Personalize learning.
· Give creative assignment options. Create a podcast about a topic from history. Explore science concepts and math skills through cooking.
· Use differentiated instruction to meet your child’s unique needs. If your child needs extra help, try using visuals, audio, or hands-on tools in teaching. If your child has already mastered the material, plan enrichment activities, like special projects or research opportunities, to prevent boredom.
· Focus on hobbies and interests. Let your students pick topics they enjoy for writing or research assignments. Plan activities involving your children’s favorite Bible stories. Find books about hobbies your children enjoy to help them to develop a passion for reading.
Incorporating a Biblical Approach
Education is more than gaining knowledge. It is about understanding and fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. We must persevere in helping our children grow into their full potential to the glory of God. As Galatians 6:9 tells us, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Remember to pray for wisdom and patience each day. Understanding and meeting your child’s learning needs can be stressful and confusing. Christ knows our struggles and will help us navigate these challenges in life. Here are some Bible verses for you and your homeschooler to remember on tough homeschooling days:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” —Proverbs 3:5–6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” —Proverbs 22:6
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” —Philippians 4:13
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” —James 1:12
Building a Positive Learning Environment
Reluctant learners need a helpful and supportive environment. Here are some tips for setting your child up for success:
· Create a safe and nurturing space. Set up your child’s learning space to promote a quiet, welcoming environment. You might try incorporating open spaces and plenty of lamp light into the area.
· Establish a consistent routine. A predictable daily routine can help to calm reluctant learners. It makes them feel more secure and encourages them to cooperate. Consider posting a schedule for each day in a visual format. Warn your child about changes to a routine well in advance.
· Model a love for learning. Weave learning into as many non-academic activities as possible. Start your day with a Bible study or have a family book club after school. Explore educational topics outside of your curriculum by going on family field trips. Share with your child when you learn a new skill or try a new activity.
Homeschooling a reluctant learner is a unique journey for everyone, but you are not alone. So many of us experience the same challenges and worries. Remember that God has equipped you for this task. If you seek wisdom from Him, He will give it to you (James 1:5).
With creativity, patience, and prayer, you can boost your child’s confidence and love of learning. BJU Press Homeschool exists to support you in this worthwhile journey.
Do you teach a reluctant learner? How has BJU Press Homeschool helped you in your homeschooling journey? Share your experiences with us!
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