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Heartfelt Connections: Deepening Parental Prayers for Special Needs Blessings
Join us for a moving conversation as co-host Stephanie Buckwalter from Empowering Homeschool Conversations sits down with Jenn Soehnlin, a devoted mother of two precious boys with special needs. Jenn shares her heartfelt journey of faith, the power of praying Scripture, and the unique challenges and blessings of special needs parenting. In this episode, you'll discover how to deepen your own prayers and find strength in faith while navigating the beautiful, complex world of special needs parenting. Jenn, author of Embracing This Special Life and On the Same Page with God, opens up about her experiences, offering encouragement and insights for every parent walking a similar path. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation will touch your heart and lift your spirit. Tune in, grab a cup of coffee, and be inspired by the power of prayer and connection. 🌟 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today! 🌟 To connect with Jenn, visit:https://embracing.life/ Other resources mentioned by Jenn in this episode: Scripture-Based Prayers for Special Needs Parents: https://embracing.life/category/Specialneeds Embracing This Special Life https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-This-Special-Life-Learning/dp/1723938181/ On the Same Page with God https://www.amazon.com/Same-Page-God-Embracing-Scripture/dp/B0D91FC8KG/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.leilanimelendez.com/ https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Navigating Social Challenges: Six Strategies for Supporting Individuals with Autism
by Dyana Robbins Managing anxiety and sensory overload presents a core challenge for those with autism and their caregivers. These two obstacles can significantly limit social engagement and the ability to navigate social environments successfully. Below are six strategies that have worked for my family and others to help those affected by autism develop resilience in difficult situations. When successful, these interventions can open up a world of greater involvement and connectedness. 1. Identify and List Contributing Factors Identifying factors contributing to autistic social difficulties may seem straightforward, but this first step is often challenging for families. Sometimes, the stress of the difficulties or their frequency makes it hard to think through these factors. Other times, it seems impossible to determine the triggers. To begin, try writing them down, keeping a journal, and asking for others' observations. These simple steps can help caregivers start identifying these factors. Once you have developed a list, it becomes easier to clarify and organize the factors contributing to specific problems. 2. Determine the Threshold for Each Difficulty Individuals affected by autism can become overwhelmed when their tolerance threshold is exceeded. Where that threshold lies varies by activity, stimulus, and individual differences. For example, a person who seems overwhelmed by the wind may be able to tolerate a gentle breeze around buildings but not at parks where it blows leaves around or causes tablecloths and awnings to flap. Likewise, that person might enjoy the sensation of a gentle breeze when they are well-rested and relaxed but be unable to handle it when tired and stressed. As best you can, note the limits you observe. The key in making these observations is to learn how much the person can tolerate before experiencing a meltdown. 3. Develop a Plan for Success in Challenging Environments Borrowing heavily from systematic desensitization principles, I have found success in helping others adapt to and even overcome challenging environments. This involves the following components: Allowing exposure to the stressors, but not to the point of overwhelming your loved one Repeated, short exposures to the stressors without long periods between times (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly library visits or grocery store trips) until they have achieved mastery Providing education and problem-solving, if appropriate, to equip them for the challenge (outside of the stressful environment) Encouraging the individual repeatedly before and during the stressful exposure, reinforcing their ability to handle the situation Assuring the individual that you will leave as soon as they have tried their tools and/or their threshold has been met Gradually extending the time in those situations as improvement is demonstrated Reducing other stressful situations while targeting one 4. Solicit Their Involvement/Agreement If Possible Even if your child is nonverbal, talking with them about your love and concern for them in these situations is vital. Framing the plan you have developed as a tool to help them achieve greater social skill navigation goes a long way in garnering their cooperation. Discussing their struggle and your desire to help them with it demonstrates respect for them and encourages a teamwork dynamic. 5. Start by Targeting the Most Troublesome Barrier In most families, one issue rises above the rest. If possible, I recommend working on that one barrier first to build momentum for success and quickly reduce familial stress. Whether it’s sitting in church or being in groups of other children, get focused and marshal your energies to tackle it first. Let the other challenges take a backseat so you can work together on this one goal. 6. Give Grace, Understanding, and Compassion to One Another This process will not be easy. You will need to rely on encouragement and support from others as you grapple with these challenges. Your family will also need to practice patience, giving grace for unmet goals and do-overs as you all adapt. For our family, having the prayers and help of friends while we tackled the hardest problems carried us through. During that time, a couple of verses that encouraged me greatly were Genesis 33:13-14. In these verses, Jacob is leading his family and herds on a long journey. They are stressed, tired, and overwhelmed. Jacob refuses to drive them too hard on the road but chooses to travel at the pace his family is setting. As you move forward in tackling issues with your child, I encourage you to let your loved one set the pace. Challenge and support them. Then, celebrate as the struggle gives way to greater confidence, skills, involvement, and hope.
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7 Essential Tips for Building Social Skills in Preschoolers
By Sherry Martin Social skills play a crucial role in a child’s life, even before they enter elementary school. If these skills aren't developed during the early years, it could negatively affect their success in school and life. Often, parents think that teaching social skills requires elaborate playdates, the perfect preschool, and expensive toys and games. But that's not the case. As a loving and sensitive parent, you are your child’s ideal social tutor. In fact, too much time with peers at this early age can sometimes contribute to negative social behaviors (as noted in an article from ParentingScience.com). The three essential areas of social skills for preschoolers are self-control, communication, and empathy. Here are seven recommendations to help your preschooler develop these skills. 7 Parent-Focused Preschool Social Skill Building Recommendations 1. Making Contact From infancy, connecting with your child through touch, eye contact, and talking is crucial. Games like peek-a-boo, reciting nursery rhymes, and laughing together are not just fun; they’re essential to the bonding process. As your child’s first human connection, you set the foundation for their social development. Eye contact is particularly important as it is one of the first ways an infant connects with others. If your child has difficulty with eye contact, especially if they have special needs, focus on gently encouraging this skill with positive reinforcement (e.g., “I love it when you look at me, Timmy! Thank you!”). Modeling good social skills and accepting your child fully is vital. 2. Realizing Emotions As your preschooler grows, it’s important to teach them about emotions. Allow your child to express their feelings, even if they are intense. When they are calm, use that time to discuss their feelings and how they could have handled the situation better. Share your own emotions with your child (e.g., “When you don’t listen to me while I’m talking, it makes me feel sad”). This helps your child understand that everyone experiences emotions. Draw simple faces showing different emotions and recall times when they felt that way. Using a hand mirror, have your child show you what happiness, sadness, or surprise looks like. This fun game teaches them to recognize and interpret social cues. 3. Discussing Social Experiences Make it a habit to talk about your child’s social experiences. This keeps you informed and provides opportunities to address any social challenges they may face. Use these discussions to teach better ways to handle situations. Show interest in their social world and teach them basic social manners like saying “please” and “thank you.” If you make a mistake, use it as a teaching moment (e.g., “Oh no, I forgot to thank Daddy for washing the car!”). 4. Limiting Bad Influences Be mindful of your child’s social environment by avoiding negative influences and being alert to signs of bullying or peer rejection. The preschool years are the easiest time to control these situations. Carefully select TV programs, movies, and other entertainment, especially those aimed at older children. 5. Practicing by Pretending Encourage pretend play with older children and adults. Pretend play is not only fun but also a powerful tool for learning social skills. Through role-playing, children can learn social etiquette, like placing a napkin on their lap or passing the potatoes. Be creative, and use this as a teaching tool! 6. Explaining Expectations Always explain the reasons behind rules and your expectations for behavior. Let your child know the consequences of misbehavior ahead of time. Understanding what is expected and the outcomes of not meeting those expectations helps your child develop better self-control and cooperation. Remember to follow through with the consequences. 7. Showing Love Maintain a close, loving relationship with your child and model positive, warm, and loving emotions at home. There may be setbacks, and you might need to apologize at times, but the key is to demonstrate a “can-do” attitude. My favorite saying when I make a mistake is, “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Having children is a joyful experience, full of learning and growth for both of you. None of us would want to miss out on this incredible journey! This gift from God is what makes life worth living. I wish you many wonderful moments with your little ones!
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Embracing the Freedom of Homeschooling for Children with Special Needs
By Jennifer Cullimore I often speak with parents who are interested in homeschooling but feel overwhelmed about where to begin. Many of these parents have children with significant intellectual, behavioral, physical, and emotional special needs. These parents have been lifelong advocates for their children, navigating countless doctor appointments, therapies, IEP meetings, and accommodations to help their child succeed. When we dig deeper into their concerns, it becomes clear that their hesitation isn’t due to a lack of ability to teach their child. Instead, they’re unsure how to recreate a "public school at home." The Secret to Homeschooling: Letting Go of the Public School Model Here’s a big secret: You don’t have to recreate public school at home! Read that sentence again—it's liberating. You are not responsible for transforming your home into a traditional classroom. In our homeschool, the world is our classroom. Many of us were educated in a conventional school setting, so we tend to picture education as desks in neat rows, textbooks, workbooks, and standardized tests. However, as homeschoolers, we are free to let go of these constraints. We have the privilege of teaching our children in a way that suits their learning style and pace. Thinking Outside the Box: Creative Homeschooling Options I have two children with various special needs, including Down Syndrome, Apraxia, Sensory Integration Disorder, and Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder. To educate them, I use a wide range of resources. We don’t cover every subject every day, but here’s a glimpse of what we incorporate: Math: Numicon Math Touch Math Rod and Staff Teachers Pay Teachers Lakeshore Learning Resources Sometimes, we practice math by counting, adding, and subtracting as we go about our daily activities. Math is everywhere—cooking, shopping, and even around the house. English/Reading: This year, we’re focusing on creating a language-rich environment through read-aloud books. We’ve selected a few hundred books covering various topics and small units. We love Read Aloud Revival For phonics and sight words, I’ve created my own books We use traditional curricula like Abeka We also explore creative curricula like Happy Phonics Science/Social Studies: We’re learning a lot through our read-aloud books. Nature walks and journaling are also part of our plan this year. My girls love videos and tend to remember things better with catchy songs. Their favorites include: Rachel and the Treeschoolers Sid the Science Kid The Magic School Bus Liberty Kids For Social Studies, I purchased a curriculum that they haven’t quite taken to yet, but I’m hopeful. We also use map puzzles for geography and some educational iPad apps. Sign Language: We love Signing Time! One of my daughters uses it for communication, while my other daughter is learning it as a second language. Occupational Therapy: We do OT at home with activities like working with clay, painting, push-pin work, and coloring. This year, we’re introducing felt sewing and embroidery. My girls enjoy watching me crochet, and they want to learn, so we might give that a try too. Last year was a monumental year for fine motor skills. I rediscovered my love for coloring, and the girls joined in. They won’t do handwriting worksheets for more than 15 minutes, but they’ll color with me for 3-4 hours straight. Physical Education: They play outside, run, swing, and jump on the trampoline. We explore different parks when the weather is nice, and they love it. We incorporate many skills and goals through everyday activities like shopping, cleaning, running errands, and socializing with friends. Life is about learning. If you look at your daily activities, you’ll find that your children are learning so much from you. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box, try something natural, fun, and child-led, and watch your children blossom.
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Ready, Set, Homeschool: Mental Prep for Moms of Diverse Learners
In this enriching episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, four of our dedicated hosts, experienced special education homeschooling moms, come together for an insightful and helpful discussion on a critical back to homeschool topic: Ready, Set, Homeschool: Mental Prep for Moms of Diverse Learners From the unique challenges of homeschooling children with special needs to the emotional toll it can take on the moms who juggle it all, our hosts dive deep into the realities faced by many mothers who home educate children with learning challenges. This episode is packed with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and spiritual insights aimed at fostering emotional well-being. Join us as we share advice, give you our personal tips, and overall provide a comforting reminder that you are not alone on this journey. Our conversation is designed to empower and equip you to thrive as a special needs homeschooling mom. Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.leilanimelendez.com/ https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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All is His: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Homeschooling
By Cheryl Swope, M.Ed Homeschooling can be challenging. Parenting itself is a struggle, as we and our children wrestle daily to do what is good and right. Adding homeschooling to the mix often feels like piling more weight onto our already burdened shoulders. Our own shortcomings, the relentless temptations of the world, and spiritual attacks can make our purpose feel fragile and our efforts fruitless. Yet, as redeemed children of Christ, we bring our children to the waters of baptism and choose to educate them at home, nurturing them to become thoughtful, service-minded, academically strong, and eternally secure in Christ Jesus. Looking back now that my children are young adults, I realize one simple truth that could have made this journey less daunting: All is His. Doubts In our family's homeschool journey, from infancy through high school, some days were smooth and even idyllic, but many days were filled with doubt. My mind often echoed with concerns: "Am I hindering my child?" "Is there a better way to teach this?" "Are my children picking up my bad habits? My husband's?" "How will I guide my son to become the adult I envision?" "How will I meet my daughter’s needs and still teach her effectively?" "How do I fulfill my other vocations as daughter, friend, neighbor, worker, and congregation member?" "Am I ever doing enough? How do I know?" What I wish I had known is captured in this simple reminder: All is His. Luther writes, "All things that have being—obviously also all of our wisdom and abilities—derive not from themselves, but they both have their beginning from Him, are preserved through Him, and must continue in Him" (LW 78:15). As Paul says in Acts 17:28, "In Him we live and move and have our being." What does this mean? Nothing happens by chance or accident. Everything comes from and through His divine counsel and good pleasure. He cares for us as His people and sheep; He rules us, gives us good things, helps us in danger, and preserves us (LW 78:15). I taught this to my children, yet I did not always grasp this truth for myself. Mysteries The mysteries of God offer comfort to the believer, and His Word, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals His power, which is far beyond our own. More than omnipotence alone, it is the very mercy of God, through the person and work of Christ Jesus, that sustains us. By the working of the Holy Spirit, we believe. He holds all things together. This is a comfort to me, which is why I've been meditating on Colossians 1:17: "And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." We may worry excessively or think we accomplish much on our own, "yet for us, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Corinthians 8:6). If this knowledge seems too abstract for everyday life, Martin Luther explains these great mysteries in small details: "Who can ever learn or explain how it happens that a leaf grows out of a tree, or a grain becomes a root, or through wood and kernel, a cherry grows from a blossom?" (LW 78:16). Similarly, in the Small Catechism's explanation of the First Article, God "has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have" (emphasis added). Luther, a master of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric, was a proponent of what we now call Christian classical education. He skillfully uses details and the word all to underscore the certainty of God's promises. Luther continues his First Article explanation by saying, "He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil" (emphasis added). This is a vital reminder as we instruct our children. All Is His He does all of this. He has given; He also gives. He richly and daily provides; He defends. (I do not do this. We do not do this. He does this.) And He does this because He loves us in Christ and because He is good. "All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me" (Small Catechism, First Article). In those doubt-filled and prideful moments when we rely on our abilities, we only make things worse. We feed our doubts and nurture our pride. However, when we pray and commend our children, their education, lives, and all things to His care, we can trust that He gives us all we need. He already has given us all we need in Christ, and He will continue to do so. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). As we confess our lack of trust, fear, and pride, we find forgiveness in Christ. Jesus died for even this. On earth, Jesus alone trusted God in all His ways and always prayed, "Thy will be done." Just as our Savior comes to our children, He also comes to us. He prays for us even now. All is His, given to us. We can see this clearly when we confess the Apostles' Creed. While theologians today may debate the Third Article of sanctification, our pastors faithfully bring to us, through Word, water, bread, and cup, the Gospel of Christ as confessed in the Second Article of redemption. As loved, forgiven, redeemed, and daily cared-for parents, we can reclaim the proclamation of the First Article promises of creation. "He causes all created things to serve the uses and necessities of life. These include the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens, day and night, air, fire, water, earth, and whatever it bears and produces. . . . So we learn from this article that none of us owns for himself, nor can preserve, his life nor anything that is here listed or can be listed. This is true no matter how small and unimportant a thing it might be" (LC II 14, 16). He gives all. So even today, as we teach, raise, and love our children, we remember, know, and trust this truth: All is His.
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Strategic Homeschooling: Assessing Last Year and Planning Ahead for Diverse Needs
🔍 Are you ready to level up your homeschooling strategy? Join Peggy Ployhar on Empowering Homeschool Conversations as she dives deep with team co-host Annie Yorty in an insightful interview on "Strategic Homeschooling: Assessing Last Year and Planning Ahead for Diverse Needs." Discover practical tips, tools, and insights to help you evaluate your past year and plan effectively for the future, ensuring your child’s unique needs are met every step of the way. Don't miss out on this empowering conversation that will transform your homeschooling journey! 🎓✨ Annie Yorty is a wife, mother, writer, and speaker who brings hope and encouragement to those navigating tough times. Her life, filled with unexpected twists, has deepened her reliance on God’s presence and purpose. Annie's advocacy journey began with the birth of her first child, who has Down syndrome. She finds joy in helping others discover their needs and sources of support. Her advocacy spans parenting, disability support, global missions, homeschooling, Bible teaching, Multiple Sclerosis awareness, and mentoring. Annie has inspired audiences across four continents and contributes to various blogs and online magazines, including Crosswalk. Her book, "From Ignorance to Bliss: God’s Heart Revealed Through Down Syndrome," shares the hope she found through her parenting journey. To connect with Annie, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Understanding the Four Learning Gates: Making Learning Easier for Struggling Learners
By Dianne Craft, MA, CNHP from Child Diagnostics Are you working with a bright, hardworking child or teenager who seems to struggle more than they should with learning? This might be the child who doesn't respond to the same curriculum, materials, or teaching strategies that have worked well for your other children. Perhaps you're on your fourth reading or phonics program, your third math curriculum, and your fourth spelling approach. If this is your first child or student facing such challenges, you might now notice younger siblings or other students calling out answers from across the room, while this child continues to struggle. That's when you realize, "Something isn't right." You start wondering if this child has a processing issue, a learning disability, or Dyslexia. It's confusing because, orally, this child is so capable, loves listening to stories, and excels in many areas. What could be going on? According to Dr. Mel Levine, MD, in his book One Mind at a Time, all learning requires energy, which he refers to as "battery energy." I find this term very fitting, as it vividly describes what we observe in struggling learners. This child is using far too much battery energy to write, remember sight words, or grasp phonics for reading. We watch as their "battery" drains before our eyes. The pressing question is: why does this child have to work so hard at tasks that shouldn’t require so much effort? This energy drain often occurs because one or more of the Four Learning Gates are blocked. We can think of these learning gates as pathways for processing information. Children who learn with ease appear "smart" because they have no significant blocks in these pathways. In contrast, our struggling learner may face multiple blocks. When we talk about a blocked learning gate, we're referring to a processing skill that hasn't yet transferred to the automatic brain hemisphere, meaning the child must concentrate intensely on the task. Exploring the Four Learning Gates As you consider the characteristics of a struggling learner, remember that many children may display one or two of these traits without experiencing significant learning difficulties. Conversely, a child doesn't need to exhibit all of these characteristics to struggle. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a child to have all four learning gates blocked. 1. Visual Processing Gate The act of moving the eyes from left to right across a page is not an innate ability. For instance, in Israel, people read right to left, and in Japan, they read in columns. We teach this left-to-right movement when a child is first learning to read by having them track with their finger across the page. After some practice, this process should transfer to the child's automatic hemisphere. How do we know if this process hasn't transferred and is consuming too much energy? Here are some characteristics to watch for: Reading reversals (e.g., "on" becomes "no"; "was" becomes "saw" after age seven). Skipping small words but managing longer ones. Starting to read smoothly, but soon struggling. Older children who can read but tire easily, often yawning shortly after beginning. 2. Writing Processing Gate When a child's visual/spatial skills or writing ability hasn't transferred to the automatic hemisphere, they might appear "sloppy, lazy, or unmotivated." Their papers may be poorly spaced, or they may avoid writing altogether. This is the most common blocked learning gate in gifted children, who seem "allergic to a pencil." Translating thoughts into writing, or even copying text, requires an immense amount of battery energy for this child. Characteristics of this blocked gate include: Frequent or occasional letter reversals after age seven (even if infrequent). Laborious copying. Poor spacing in math papers. Excellent oral storytelling, but minimal writing. Preferring mental math to avoid writing. 3. Auditory Processing Gate A common misconception about auditory processing is, "My child has an auditory processing problem because they can't remember three directions at once." This is more likely an attention issue. For instance, if you asked the child to "Go into the kitchen and get a candy bar, a glass of chocolate milk, and a dish of ice cream," they'd probably remember it all. A child with an auditory processing problem typically struggles with reading. Common characteristics of this blocked gate include: Difficulty retaining phonics sounds, despite repeated practice. Trouble memorizing sight words; even alphabet letter names may be hard to learn. Repeatedly sounding out the same word in a story. Difficulty sequencing sounds, such as the months of the year or skip counting. Tendency to guess words. Lack of phonetic pattern in spelling; may miss consonants (e.g., "Thursday" becomes "Tuesday"). 4. Focus/Attention Gate This can be the most challenging blocked learning gate to identify. A child may seem to have no memory or a true learning disability, but what’s really happening is that they’re expending too much battery energy to stay focused during instruction or while completing tasks. The child might appear attentive, giving good eye contact, yet in their mind, they’re "two doors down, playing with a friend, or in the dinosaur village." Characteristics of a child struggling with focus/attention include: Inconsistent performance from one day to the next. Needing someone to sit with them to finish work. Frequently forgetting previously learned material, giving the impression of a memory problem. Impulsive behavior, often getting upset when things don’t go as planned. Sensory processing issues (e.g., sensitivity to tags on shirts, loud noises, transitions, certain foods, etc.). Empowering Parents and Educators Rest assured, you don’t need to be an expert or professional to make learning easier for your child or student. On my website, I have numerous articles where I discuss each learning gate in detail and share the strategies and corrections I developed while teaching special education. You’ll find that it’s not difficult to implement these strategies. It simply requires some tools, techniques, and approaches that you may not be familiar with right now. Remember, learning doesn’t have to be so hard for your child.
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Parenting with Heart: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Parenthood
Join host Leilani Melendez in an eye-opening episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations as she sits down with Aaron Brewster to dive deep into the emotional intricacies of parenthood. In "Parenting with Heart: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Parenthood," Aaron shares profound insights and practical advice on how to connect with your children on a deeper level, manage the emotional ups and downs of parenting, and foster a nurturing environment at home. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just starting your journey, this conversation will equip you with the tools to parent with empathy and understanding. Don’t miss this empowering discussion!   Aaron Brewster is the president of Evermind Ministries, chief editor for Striving for Eternity, and a member of the Christian Podcast Network. He is an ACBC-certified biblical counselor, writer, preacher, and conference speaker. In addition, he’s the host of the Truth.Love.Parent. podcast and The Celebration of God podcast. Aaron counsels and speaks on a wide range of topics, but he specializes in the areas of family, discipleship, education, and worship, as well as training the next generation of biblical counselors. To connect with Aaron, visit:https://strivingforeternity.org/about/our-team/ambrewster/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests on Empowering Homeschool Conversations are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the host(s) or the show's producers. While we aim to provide a platform for diverse perspectives, we do not endorse or agree with all opinions shared during the broadcast. We encourage our audience to consider the information presented and make informed decisions that align with their own values and beliefs. Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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The Phonics Debate: When Traditional Methods Fall Short
By Jan Bedell, PhD, M.ND from Brain Sprints As parents, we all want our children to read well so they can engage with God’s Word and navigate life with greater ease. Reading is foundational to learning, and many of us make it our mission to ensure our children become proficient readers. This is an admirable goal, but the path to achieving it may not be as straightforward as we think. The Truth About Phonics I’m about to say something that may surprise you: Phonics might not be the best method for teaching your child to read. Shocking, right? I was just as surprised when I first heard it. After all, I had spent five years diligently trying to teach my daughter with special needs to read using phonics. Before my own attempts, both public and private schools had also tried to teach her to read using phonics, but she struggled. Although she was a phonogram champion—knowing the sounds of all 70 phonograms, including tricky ones like "ough"—she couldn’t blend those sounds into words beyond three letters. The experience was confusing and extremely frustrating. After years of struggle, I discovered that my daughter had low auditory processing skills, meaning she couldn’t hold the phonograms in her short-term memory long enough to blend them into words. We found ourselves stuck in an endless loop of sounding out the same word repeatedly, often with little success. By the time she reached the end of a sentence, she had no idea what she had read. It was a wake-up call for me. The Auditory Processing Disconnect For some children, learning to read using phonics is easy, but for others, like my daughter, it can be a significant challenge. When children have low sequential auditory processing abilities—meaning they struggle to hold a series of items in consecutive order in short-term memory—phonics often fails. Phonics is an auditory learning system that requires a child to hold all the pieces of a word and the associated rules together in their brain long enough to articulate the word correctly. For children with strong auditory sequential processing, phonics is fantastic. But for those with low auditory abilities, it can be a nightmare. When auditory processing is low, and words become longer and more complex, the child can lose track by the end of the word and start guessing. Developmental issues with the eyes can also contribute to reading difficulties. For more insights into these challenges, listen to Podcast #17 - Make Reading Easier, available at www.BrainCoachTips.com. This podcast will also guide you on how to improve your child's auditory processing abilities, making phonics more effective in the future. Brain Coach Tips for Reading Success Assess Auditory Processing: Determine if your child struggles with low sequential auditory processing by ordering a Free Auditory Processing Test Kit. Your child should have a strong 5-digit span and ideally be working on a 6-digit span before phonics becomes effective. Engage in Auditory Processing Activities: Spend two minutes, twice a day, on auditory processing activities (instructions included in your free kit). This may be the best investment of your homeschooling time, as the benefits extend beyond just phonics. Echo Reading: Read to your child, having them follow along word by word. Then, have your child read the same sentence or paragraph immediately after you. This may feel like cheating, but here’s a revelation: we are all sight readers! Once we know a word, we don’t sound it out again. Try reading the statement at the end of this article titled "Phonics vs. Sight Reading" and see if you rely on phonics. Support, Don’t Struggle: Don’t let your child struggle unnecessarily. If they don’t know a word, tell them or sound it out for them. This support fosters confidence and keeps the reading experience positive. Incorporate Audiobooks: Have your child listen to audiobooks daily and read aloud for at least an hour each day. This practice will help develop auditory processing skills. Combine Sight Words with Phonics: While building auditory processing levels, teach your child sight words. Then, as their processing skills improve, reintroduce phonics. This blended approach offers the best of both worlds, leading to a happier and more successful reader. By understanding the strengths and challenges of your child’s learning abilities, you can tailor your approach to reading. Phonics may not always be the answer, but with the right strategies, every child can find success in reading.   To connect with Jan and her team, visit Brain Sprints
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Looking Ahead: Exploring Independence for Young Adults
In this episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, host Stephanie Buckwalter welcomes Mary Underwood, author and blogger at What Empty Nest, whose mission is to encourage, equip, and empower parents of young adults with disabilities entering adulthood. Together, they explore the journey towards independence for young adults with disabilities, offering practical advice, personal stories, and valuable insights. Tune in to discover how to support and guide your young adult in achieving greater independence and success as they transition into adulthood. Mary Underwood has been involved in the special needs community for over a decade as well as having friends and family who are walking this journey with their young adult. She is an author and blogger at What Empty Nest where her mission is to encourage, equip and empower parents of young adults with disabilities who are entering adulthood. To connect with Mary, visit:https://whatemptynest.com/ Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/ To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit: https://annieyorty.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWithEve https://elarplearning.com/ https://solimaracademy.com/ Join our mission to empower homeschool families!: https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.