5 Signs a Homeschooled Child Isn’t Being Taught Well

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Choosing to educate your child at home is an exciting endeavor and can be a wonderful experience for both you and them. Every child learns differently, and homeschooling allows us to cater specifically to the needs of our children. Even so, it’s not uncommon to wonder if your child is getting what they need and if you’re teaching your child well.

The following are 5 signs that a homeschooled child isn’t being taught well:

They lack motivation.
They are bored.
They are not asking questions.
They don’t know how to find answers.
They’re not making any progress.

This article will discuss each of these five signs, why they might be happening, and what you can do to best support your homeschooling child. It’s important to remember, however, that just because a child is exhibiting one or more of these signs doesn’t mean you’re a bad teacher; it just means you need to spend some time connecting and finding the approach that works well for you and your child. Keep reading to learn more.

1. They Lack Motivation

Do you feel like you’re practically begging your child to get their work done? Is it like pulling teeth just to accomplish one small task? You might be battling a lack of motivation. When a child is unmotivated to learn, it can be challenging to get through to them about anything.

To figure out how to motivate your student, first, you need to figure out why they’re having such a hard time motivating themselves. Often, a lack of motivation can actually come from being overwhelmed.

If a child feels like there’s too much pressure on their shoulders, they may choose not to try because they think they’re not able to meet your expectations.

Evaluate your expectations and the workload you’ve given your child. Is it too much? Take some things off your student’s plate and observe whether or not that makes a difference in their drive to learn.
Give your child positive affirmations. Everyone needs encouragement. When your child does something well, make sure to verbalize that to them! A pat on the back and a “good job!” can make all the difference in the world when it comes to motivation.
Set goals and offer rewards. What motivates your child? Do they love one-on-one time? Gifts? Experiences? Don’t be afraid to ask your student for input here! Sit down together, set some goals, and settle on an incentive. By involving your child in these decisions, you’re helping them take ownership of their own goals.

2. They Are Bored

“Mom, I’m bored!” “This is so boring!” Does this sound familiar? It’s tough to get a child to engage in a lesson when they’re bored. What causes this kind of boredom? Is it just a phase that our kids go through? Here are a few things you might want to consider:

Is your curriculum the appropriate level for your child? Sometimes a child can fall into boredom because they don’t have enough of a challenge. Try assessing your child’s skills and see if their workload is just too easy for them. Leveling up or adding an extra degree of difficulty might bring them out of their boredom slump.
What is your child’s learning style? The learning styles are visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic. Do you know which one your child falls under? If your child is a kinesthetic (hands-on) learner and you spend a lot of time lecturing, that might be the reason they are losing interest. Try adding an activity that supports the lesson, like building a model, trying a new science experiment, or using math manipulatives.
Are you following the same routine every day? While having a consistent routine is important, it’s healthy to mix it up occasionally and keep things interesting. If your child is bored doing the same thing every day, skip the math book and cook a meal together or play a game instead!

Additionally, don’t be afraid to go outside the home to learn. Homeschooling doesn’t necessarily mean that all learning must take place inside the child’s home. Visit a museum; go to a concert or an art gallery; take part in local career and college fairs.

As your child gets older, it may also be a good idea to find a community mentor that works in a field in which your child is interested.

3. They Are Not Asking Questions

Asking questions is one of the most critical tools in the toolbox when it comes to learning. If your child is going through the motions, checking off boxes, but has no desire to ask questions or know more about what they are learning, they might need some support in learning how to ask questions.

I want my children to be lifelong question-askers. When they’re asking questions, it means they’re interested, they want to learn more, and they’re seeking to understand fully.

To encourage your child to ask questions, here are a few suggestions:

Whenever they ask you a question, answer it. Keep in mind that you may not always know the answer, and that’s okay. Google it, pull out the encyclopedia, or call an expert. Working together to find the answer shows them that you see their question as valid and important.
Ask your child questions. Monkey see monkey do, right? It’s essential to model your expectations for your children. If you’re asking questions, that’ll encourage them to do the same.
There are no bad questions. Make it a safe space for your child to wonder, ask, and consider. Sometimes the strangest questions can open up the door for wonderful, thought-provoking conversations!

4. They Don’t Know How To Find Answers

A child who doesn’t know how to find the answers to the questions they seek is at a considerable disadvantage. Part of the responsibility of homeschooling a child is teaching them how to be a lifelong learner. If a child doesn’t know where to start when seeking the answers to their own questions, it can be very frustrating for them.

To support your child’s development of independent learning skills, here are some tools they need to be taught how to use:

An index: Spend some time looking in the back of your reference books together and show them how to locate people, places, events, or ideas in the alphabetical list.
Web search: Siri and Alexa don’t know everything. Your child should know how to pull up a web browser and do a simple search in order to learn more about a subject they’re interested in. (Be sure you also show them how to distinguish between informative sources and internet garbage.)
Library catalog: This may seem like an ancient idea, but I firmly believe everyone should know how to use a library catalog. Keep in mind that most libraries have switched to an electronic version, which allows you to not only look up books but place them on hold and, in some cases, schedule curbside pickup too!
Call an expert: Sometimes, to find the answers we’re looking for, it’s best to ask an expert or someone who has experience with the subject at hand. Reaching out to another person in this way will also help your student to build their social skills.

When your children are very young, it’s natural for them to need a lot of assistance finding answers. In fact, there are probably going to be many times where you just give them the answer and move on with your day.

As your child gets older, however, it’ll become more and more critical that they learn to use these investigative tools well so that they can find their own answers and, most importantly, learn how to learn independently.

5. They’re Not Making Any Progress

Children don’t grow on charts. We homeschool because we know this. Children learn at their own pace, on their own time, and in their own way. Because we homeschool, we’re able to support the unique needs of each child so that they can progress in a way that’s healthy for them.

That being said, what happens when we see no progress at all? What if you’ve tried everything you can think of, and you haven’t seemed to have a breakthrough? In these instances, it can be very easy to get discouraged as a homeschool teacher and wonder if you’re teaching your child well.

We all go through tough seasons. Sometimes, it can be challenging to ask for help; but that might be precisely what you need! Consider hiring a tutor to support your struggling student. There are helpful, certified tutors available for nearly any subject.

Hiring out help might be a difficult idea to consider. However, if the subject your child is struggling with is one you lack skills or knowledge in, a specialized tutor can provide the instruction that you’re not able to give.

Conclusion

Don’t be discouraged if you suspect your homeschooled child isn’t being taught well. Try some new ideas, change things up and be sure to adjust your teaching style to match their learning style.

Homeschool is a learning process for everyone – the teacher included! If you take the time to connect with your student, ask what’s working for them and what isn’t, and make changes together, you’re sure to succeed.