| Homeschooling your young adolescent carries with | | | | learn to get the job done - and done well. |
| it some of the challenges of puberty but it also is | | | | Encourage your child to do her best, to stretch |
| a time period where some fruits of earlier work | | | | their comfort zone, and to continue until the job is |
| can be harvested. Here are a few points to | | | | well done. |
| consider in homeschooling your 12-14 year old. | | | | Self-Exploration- At this age, it is important to |
| Independence - Take advantage of your child's | | | | give your child time to pursue his own unique |
| growing need for independence and for | | | | interests. Whether that interest is reading or |
| self-expression by having her work on | | | | horseback riding or fashion design or even just |
| independent projects. Provide an assignment book | | | | socializing with with friends. These self-motivated |
| or planner for her that lists independent | | | | interests can be developed into skillful activities for |
| requirements for schoolwork. Ask her to do | | | | high school and may lead to developing career |
| some of her own research to complete these | | | | interests. |
| assignments. With guidance, she can use the | | | | Service to the Community - By about eighth |
| Internet as an effective research tool. | | | | grade, children should begin develop of a stronger |
| She can also read books on an assigned or | | | | sense of community. This is a great time to |
| chosen topic that she selects from your local | | | | stress community service and volunteer projects |
| library. You may still want to guide her with an | | | | in an area that interests your child. You may |
| outline of basic points you want covered, but she | | | | already participate in this kind of thing as a family |
| should be able to produce a rough draft that you | | | | or through your church, but now is the time for |
| can review together for a final draft and | | | | your child to reach out to the greater community |
| presentation. Grammar and spelling can then be | | | | on her own. You might want to have a set |
| part of a self-study program for a vocabulary | | | | amount of time each week or month that is |
| quiz or independent work in grammar worksheets. | | | | devoted to volunteer service. This pattern of |
| Challenge - Your middle school child needs material | | | | service should be continued throughout high |
| both to challenge and inspire them. He needs to | | | | school. This will encourage a move away from the |
| be actively engaged and stirred by examples | | | | ego-centric pattern that the teen years |
| from history and science. Use role models from | | | | developmentally provide. |
| sports or the arts to keep his education alive and | | | | Remember that your middle schooler needs your |
| relevant so he does not become apathetic. He | | | | listening ear and calm presence more now than |
| can compare and contrast examples that inspire | | | | ever before. As he negotiates the paths of |
| him with what he knows and can do in his own | | | | adolescence, your child will need to be allowed to |
| life to reach his goals. | | | | explore and grow. Although it may not always |
| Completion - Your early teen needs to learn to | | | | seem he are listening to you, he will be watching |
| complete and follow through with tasks. Whether | | | | you closely as a role model and will often hear |
| its a house job, a properly corrected draft of a | | | | more than he is willing to admit. Be an inspiring and |
| paper, or completion of a more complex project, | | | | consistent homeschooling presence for your child |
| learning to be responsible for her own work is an | | | | so he will have a sense of eagerness to achieve |
| essential life skill. This will require perseverance and | | | | his personal best as a skillful young adult in the |
| a LOT patience on your part, but she needs to | | | | years ahead. |