7 Ways to Raise a Lifelong Learner

During the homeschool journey with children who have unique learning needs, it's not uncommon to feel like you're treading water or getting nowhere. Standard educational and developmental milestones may seem out of reach, but deep down, we know our children can and do make progress. Sometimes, it just takes thinking outside the box. Our SPED Homeschool team members shared their personal stories and creative methods for helping their children achieve realistic and meaningful goals. Dawn Spence: Tailoring Goals to Interests and Learning Styles Focus on Strengths and Motivators When setting goals for my children, I begin by identifying their individual talents and interests. My son, for example, thrives with an external motivator. If he knows there’s a reward at the end—like watching the Narnia movie after reading the book—he’s more likely to stay focused and finish. Creative Expression for a Visual Learner My daughter, who has dyslexia and a strong artistic ability, benefits from incorporating creativity into academics. She illustrates vocabulary words and draws out math problems, which allows her to engage in lessons more deeply—even when the content is challenging. Hands-On Learning for Complex Needs My youngest daughter has multiple learning issues. I use hands-on tools like Play-Doh, puzzles, and games to make abstract concepts tangible. I also break larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Meeting her where she is makes all the difference. Cammie Arn: Turning Everyday Life Into Learning Opportunities Think Outside the Classroom I’ve learned that learning happens everywhere—especially outside the traditional classroom. Reading museum signs? That’s reading and history. Growing a garden? That’s science, problem-solving, and even culinary skills if you cook with what you grow. Reading a novel? Let the child pick the book—it increases engagement and retention. Maximize Community Resources We love visiting museums and using scavenger hunts to make visits interactive. Many offer sensory-friendly hours and free educator materials. Local Parks and Wildlife agencies are another treasure trove, offering unit studies on everything from conservation to plant ID. Libraries can also surprise you—they often offer public classes in gardening, computers, and more. Tip: Download our free museum guide and checklist to help make your next visit smoother and more educational. Amy Vickrey: Fostering Independence with Gentle Flexibility Start with Structure, Then Allow Freedom My 7-year-old (with autism) and 3-year-old (with developmental delays) both benefit from a structured, yet flexible, environment. Visuals like checklists and labeled bins help guide them. I also give them freedom to make small decisions—like organizing their own supplies—to build ownership. Motivation Through Encouragement and Rewards I praise their efforts often and keep corrections light. I use rewards to build habits, starting with frequent encouragement and slowly increasing expectations. For bigger behavior issues (like leaving dirty socks around!), I introduced a money system. My son earned money for good choices and paid a "fine" for negative ones. Once he met his goal—buying a movie—the behavior improved and the system faded away naturally. Peggy Ployhar: Individualized Approaches for Unique Challenges Slow and Steady for Literacy Growth My oldest son struggled with reading and writing, so we took a “slow and steady” approach using IEW curriculum. By trusting the process and focusing on small wins, he gradually built confidence and skill. I share more in my article Slow and Steady: The Key to Homeschooling Success. Reframing Math for Better Comprehension My middle son had difficulty with the abstract nature of math. I tailored word problems using language he understood—replacing unfamiliar contexts with ones involving superheroes or favorite topics. We also used the hands-on Patty Paper curriculum for geometry, then shifted to practical math (like stewardship and logic) for high school. Unstructured Creativity for Artistic Growth With my youngest, I faced the challenge of nurturing her art skills without “teaching” them directly. She created an illustrated magazine using a writing curriculum that gave her content and deadlines while leaving the creative direction up to her. The result was a polished, original project that reflected both her artistic and academic growth. Tracy Glockle: Empowering Learners Through Choice and Control Letting Go to Reduce Stress Last summer, I was struggling to motivate my daughter, who has anxiety around learning. I read Self-Reg by Dr. Stuart Shanker, which changed everything. By giving her more control over her school schedule—even if it meant slower progress—I saw her stress melt away and motivation increase. Creative Alternatives to Traditional Writing Writing was a big stressor, so I allowed her to create display boards on topics she loved instead of writing papers. She ended up writing more—strong, detailed paragraphs—without anxiety. Giving her autonomy made all the difference in how she approached learning. Every Child, Every Goal, A Unique Path Our children, with their wide range of abilities, also have incredible gifts and dreams. As parents and educators, our role is to meet them where they are and guide them forward creatively, patiently, and persistently. With a few outside-the-box strategies, realistic expectations, and lots of love, we can help them achieve their goals—and celebrate every step along the way.

By Amy Vickrey, MSE Some children seem to learn new skills quickly and effortlessly, almost as if they were born knowing them. For other children—especially those with unique learning needs—it’s not so easy. As parents, we push and teach and encourage, and eventually, they might accomplish one step on their own. It can be exhausting! So how do we help our kids develop independence? The key lies in creating routines and gradually teaching each step of the process. Strategies for Teaching Independence in Your Homeschool 1. Break It Down Think about each step in the routine or task you want your child to do and teach one step at a time. By the time you get to the last step, they should be able to complete the task independently. For example, when teaching your child to put away laundry, start with just putting socks in a drawer. Once that becomes a habit, add another category of clothing. 2. Keep It Simple If you want your child to succeed, start with small, manageable tasks. Instead of expecting them to clean their entire room, have them start by putting just the forks away. Gradually increase the responsibility as they grow in confidence. 3. Reward Progress Use positive reinforcement to motivate your child. Start with big rewards for small progress, then slowly increase expectations while decreasing the reward. Eventually, the task will become a habit, and external rewards will no longer be needed. 4. Give It Time Don’t rush the process. Teaching all the steps at once can be overwhelming and may lead to frustration. Instead, focus on mastering one step before introducing the next. Your child may need extra time to internalize each step, and that’s okay! 5. Use Visual Supports Checklists and visual schedules are powerful tools, especially for children who are not yet reading. Walk through the checklist with your child at first. As they gain confidence, encourage them to check their routine on their own. Keep checklists visible—in the bathroom, on doors, in workspaces—to serve as gentle reminders. 6. Incorporate Life Skills into Homeschooling Teaching independence isn’t just about academics. Incorporate therapy, chores, and self-care tasks as part of your homeschool routine. Folding laundry, setting the table, or sorting silverware can double as lessons in math, motor skills, and responsibility. 7. Make It Adaptable As your child grows, so will their routines. Using sheet protectors and wet erase markers (or dry erase crayons) allows you to modify checklists as needed without reprinting them. Laminated schedules work well too. Real-Life Examples of Teaching Independence Recently, I needed my 7-year-old, who has autism, to be more independent. I wanted him to take on responsibilities like putting away laundry and dishes, dressing himself, and following a morning and bedtime routine. Each of these responsibilities involved a series of smaller skills that had to be explicitly taught. For example, when putting away laundry, I first helped him sort his clothes into categories (underwear, socks, shirts, etc.). I labeled his drawers to help him recognize where each item belonged. Over time, I transitioned to handing him sorted piles and letting him put them away on his own. Now, he can even put away his brother’s clothes (though I still do the sorting). For his morning and evening routines, I created checklists outlining each step. Initially, he followed the checklist in a set order, but as he mastered each step, I introduced flexibility—sometimes changing the order of tasks to help him adapt. I also made a visual thermometer guide to help him choose weather-appropriate clothing each day. Now, I’m starting the process with my 3-year-old. He helps by placing his sorted clothes in the correct drawers and learning to sort silverware. It’s a slow process, but I know that the time I invest now will pay off later. Final Thoughts: Celebrate the Small Wins Teaching independence takes patience, persistence, and creativity. Start where your child is developmentally, introduce one step at a time, and gradually build upon each success. Some days will feel like progress, while others may feel like setbacks—but each step forward is a victory. Before you know it, your child will be confidently completing tasks on their own, and you’ll see just how far they’ve come. You’ve got this, and so does your child!