Nurturing Creativity: How Parents Can Empower Unique Learners at Home

Limited public access until 3/27/25 - Get a Navigator Membership for just pennies a day to open searchable content in hundreds of articles just like this one, so you can access expert advice any time day or night during on your homeschooling journey. By Peggy Ployhar As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, it's not just the flowers that start to bloom—so does the restlessness in our children. With summer on the horizon, many kids begin to lose focus, itching for a break from the same old school routine. If you’ve noticed your child staring longingly out the window or finding any excuse to cut lessons short, now is the perfect time to shake things up with hands-on, outdoor learning. Because I have lived most of my life in cold northern states, spring has always meant one thing to me—getting outside! After months of bundling up and waiting for the thaw, I couldn’t wait to finally enjoy the fresh air and the outdoor hobbies I had only dreamed about all winter. And I know I’m not alone! So, in the spirit of embracing the change in seasons and keeping our kids engaged in meaningful learning, I’ve gathered some fantastic outdoor activities. These activities will not only provide a much-needed break from the usual schoolwork but also capitalize on the incredible learning opportunities that nature provides. Whether your family loves gardening, science, exploring, or art, these free and fun activities will help you make the most of the great outdoors. Gardening An Introduction to Plants for Kids – Multi-sensory activities, field trip ideas, and videos to keep kids learning about plants for weeks. Getting Your Hands Dirty Gardening Unit – A full unit study covering everything from seeds to literature about gardening, plus learning about critters that help gardens grow. Spring Dandelion Unit Study – Notebooking, experiments, art projects, and even recipes to explore the often-overlooked dandelion. Easy Seed Science Activities – Ten hands-on experiments to see how seeds grow and learn about plant life cycles. Insect Studies Ant Unit Study – Books, videos, art, and projects focused on the fascinating world of ants. Grasshoppers and Cricket Study – A blend of literature and science to learn about these jumping insects. Animal Studies Montessori-Inspired Bird Unit – Hands-on bird-themed learning activities for multiple levels. Frog Unit Study – Learn about frogs while incorporating language arts, math, science, and even character lessons. Exploring & Adventure Survival-Themed Books & Unit Studies for Tweens and Teens – A great list of books with unit studies to inspire outdoor learning and adventure. Nature Walks & Scavenger Hunts – Over 30 creative ways to explore, hike, and engage with the natural world. Nature & The Arts Art & Nature Study with Beatrix Potter – Study nature through the eyes of Beatrix Potter while engaging with her literature and artwork. Claude Monet Unit Study – Explore Monet’s impressionist style and how nature influenced his artwork. Spring is the perfect time to get outside and embrace new learning opportunities while giving kids the break they need from the usual indoor routine. Whether you’re observing insects, painting like Monet, or going on a scavenger hunt, the fresh air and hands-on activities will make learning feel like an adventure rather than a task. For more inspiration on incorporating the great outdoors into your homeschooling, check out our latest podcast episode, Embracing Nature’s Classroom in Homeschooling, at LifeAudio or on your favorite podcast platform. Looking for more content like this? Get a Navigator Membership for just pennies a day to open searchable content in hundreds of articles just like this one, so you can access expert advice like that offered in this article any time day or night during on your homeschooling journey.

By Cheryl Swope, M.Ed. All children benefit from hearing good stories. Stories convey messages that shape our understanding of the world, inspire hope, and offer reassurance. For children facing significant challenges or differences, the right stories can be particularly powerful, helping them see their worth, resilience, and unique gifts. Compelling Different Abilities Some children with special needs connect best with simple picture books. Choosing these books with care allows us to communicate meaningful lessons in an accessible way. In Frederick by Leo Lionni, we meet a little mouse who cannot contribute to his family in the usual way—through physical labor. He lacks strength, leadership, and obvious skills. Yet, in their time of need, Frederick shares his poetry, warming the hearts of his family with his small but meaningful gift. My poetic daughter, who faces her own challenges, deeply appreciates this book. It reminds us that every child has something valuable to offer. Compelled Beyond Circumstances A compelling story can elevate our minds beyond present struggles. By connecting us to shared human experiences of frailty and redemption, literature reminds us that we are never truly alone. Older or higher-functioning children may appreciate deeper narratives. My son, a young man with autism, learning disabilities, and schizophrenia, sometimes wonders about his purpose in the world. When he read A Wrinkle in Time, he encouraged me to read it too. In the book, Meg, the main character, is bright in mathematics but struggles socially. She feels like an outsider and questions her worth: "I think I'm a biological mistake." "I hate being an oddball." "I try to pretend, but it isn’t any help." Her mother reassures her: "Your development has to go at its own pace. It just doesn’t happen to go at the usual pace." Later, Meg receives another message of encouragement: "My child, do not despair. Do you think we would have brought you here if there were no hope? We are asking you to do a difficult thing, but we are confident that you can do it." As the story unfolds, Meg learns that love and loyalty can push her beyond despair into courageous action. Her friend Calvin, who has always felt like an outsider, finds a sense of belonging with Meg and her family, exclaiming, "Isn't it wonderful? I'm not alone anymore!" Looking for More Good Stories? For literature recommendations categorized by a child's ability, see Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child. For curated read-aloud sets, explore these fiction and non-fiction selections. To find a special-needs curriculum centered on great literature, check out the new Simply Classical Special-Needs Curriculum.