Encouraging a Struggling Learner: Homeschool Tips that Work
When I started teaching my oldest, I found a reading program that I really, really liked. It made sense to me and he picked it up easily, so I figured it was “the” program to use for the other four as well. I promptly bought four more copies, even though my youngest wouldn’t be starting to read for another 10 years. (This is where the laughing emoji would be if this were social media.)
Fast forward two years, to the time I started teaching my second to read. Suddenly, I found myself encouraging a struggling learner. The program didn’t work for him, because he didn’t learn the same way his older brother did. (Spoiler alert! The first three boys each had a different learning style!)
Encouraging a Struggling Learner
One of the biggest blessings of homeschooling is the freedom to meet your child right where they are. But what happens when your child struggles with a particular subject? It can be discouraging — both for you and for them. The good news is, there are many ways to adjust, adapt, and support your child so they can thrive in learning.
Let’s break down some practical steps you can take if you notice your child hitting a roadblock in one area of their education.
Step 1: Rule Out Processing Issues
Before switching curriculum or changing teaching styles, it’s important to make sure there are no physical or processing challenges standing in your child’s way. Sometimes a simple test can uncover an issue that explains the struggle.
Check for:
- Vision problems – Poor eyesight can make reading, writing, or even math difficult.
- Hearing loss – If your child can’t fully hear instructions, they may miss important information.
- Dyslexia or other learning differences – These don’t mean your child isn’t smart! It just means they may need a different approach.
If you suspect one of these issues, schedule an evaluation. Addressing the root cause can make an enormous difference.
Step 2: Rethink the Teaching Method
Sometimes the problem isn’t the child — it’s the way the subject is being presented. Every child learns differently, and what worked beautifully for one child may fall flat with another.
In my own homeschool journey, I saw this firsthand with math:
- One child was perfectly content picking up a math book, reading the instructions, and working through the problems independently.
- Two others needed the accountability and interaction of a math class in a co-op setting.
- Another child did best with a DVD-based math program, where the teacher’s style clicked for her. (We tried switching programs once, but the teaching style didn’t connect — so back we went!)
- My last child was much like the first, happy to figure things out on their own with a textbook.
This reinforced a valuable lesson I had learned from that reading program so many years ago: the curriculum is a tool. If it’s not working, you’re free to change it.
Step 3: Consider Learning Styles
Every child has a unique way of processing information. Understanding how your child learns best can save you both a lot of frustration.
Need help figuring out your child’s learning style? Download our Learning Styles Checklist — a practical resource to help you discover what works best for your child.
The three primary learning styles are:
- Visual learners – Learn best by seeing. They benefit from charts, diagrams, pictures, and written instructions.
- Auditory learners – Learn best by hearing. They thrive with read-alouds, lectures, discussions, or songs.
- Kinesthetic learners – Learn best by doing. They need hands-on activities, movement, and real-life applications.
If one program isn’t working, try another that caters to a different learning style. For example:
- A visual learner struggling in math may do better with a program heavy on visuals and color-coded explanations.
- An auditory learner may benefit from lessons on video or even math songs.
- A kinesthetic learner may thrive with manipulatives, experiments, or real-world math practice.
Step 4: Stay Encouraging and Prayerful
Above all, remember this: encouraging a struggling learner starts with seeing their God-given strengths. Struggling in one subject does not define your child — God created each child with unique gifts and abilities. Your role as a homeschooling parent isn’t just to cover academics, but to shepherd your child’s heart and help them discover how they learn best.
- Celebrate their strengths — maybe they struggle with math, but shine in reading, art, or music.
- Pray for wisdom — ask the Lord to guide you in choosing the right resources and methods.
- Encourage your child — let them know it’s okay to struggle, and that effort matters more than speed.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to encouraging a struggling learner, don’t panic. Homeschooling gives you the freedom to guide, adapt, and support your child’s learning journey. Instead:
- Rule out vision, hearing, or processing issues.
- Reevaluate your teaching methods and curriculum.
- Identify their learning style and adjust accordingly.
- Encourage them, celebrate their unique gifts, and lean on God’s guidance.
Homeschooling gives you the flexibility to tailor learning to your child’s needs. Struggles are not failures — they are opportunities to discover how God has uniquely wired your child to learn.
Want more help figuring out your child’s learning style? Download our Learning Styles Checklist — a practical resource to help you discover what works best for your child.
Just Starting?
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