Learning with ADHD can be challenging. First, it disrupts your kids’ ability to pay attention or put effort into academics. Moreover, it’s not unusual for them to become restless, fidgety, talkative or disrupt their classes. Statistics indicate that over 50% of children with ADHD experience learning difficulties like dyslexia. While homeschooling children with ADHD can seem difficult, you can achieve it with the right steps. That said, here are the best ways to get the best results.
Don’t use the traditional learning approach
Image Credit
The traditional learning approach requires students to learn for several hours, sit at a desk, etc. While this may work for many kids, it may not be effective for your child with ADHD. Therefore, you may find them losing focus frequently, defeating the purpose of learning. Fortunately, several tips for homeschooling children with ADHD can help you adapt to their learning needs, so feel free to leverage them. You’ll find it helpful to include your kid as you map out their education plan. Also, determine their learning style, academic goals and how to make classes more enjoyable. Researching how the ADHD brain operates can help you create the most suitable learning plan.
Adjust the curriculum when necessary
Even with the best curriculum, your child may not be okay with certain aspects. If this happens, you’ll find it helpful to adjust your current curriculum for effective learning. For instance, when homeschooling children with ADHD resort to oral answers if they have difficulties writing them on paper. Likewise, reading to them or leveraging children’s audio books will work well when they can’t read independently. If your child isn’t adapting to the current curriculum after adjustments, getting a new one will be the best option.
Create room for frequent breaks
Sitting through a lesson for long hours may not work for kids with ADHD, as they can get more fidgety and less interested in learning. However, incorporating frequent breaks can be helpful in this situation. Fortunately, when homeschooling children with ADHD, you can allow frequent breaks in creative ways. For instance, you can encourage them to do physical work like moving around. This way, they can relax and reset their minds, making them more focused when they return to their school work. You’ll also find it helpful to include brain games like Rubix cube, sudoku or crossword puzzles, or fun activities like art. It’s also essential to start the day with movement and schedule 15-20 minutes on schoolwork before giving them a break.
Organise your learning environment
It’s no news that kids with ADHD are easily distracted, which can be detrimental to learning. Psychological researchers indicate that distractions can interfere with their working memory and attention, leading to more shallow and spottier learning. Moreover, they may experience challenges remembering and applying previous knowledge to new situations. Also, their note-taking ability and test performances can diminish. Therefore, it’s essential to organise your learning space and eliminate all distractions. You can begin by keeping your kid away from high-traffic areas like windows, doors, etc. Consequently, avoid placing lots of decorations in your learning area, and avoid placing materials within their reach to avoid distractions.
Cover image by RODNAE Productions
