How can resources and activities be used to to show we value the indiviuality of a child?

Question

How can resources and activities be used to to show we value the indiviuality of a child?

Answer 1

I agree.  Could you clarify?

Answer 2

Could you provide more details? It's really not clear what you're asking.

Answer 3

Well, If I am understanding the question, you want to make it obvious to the child that you value their individuality.

I plan a large part of my curriculum ahead of time. Before I do this, I sit down with my son and find out what he wants to learn about...what are HIS interests. Then I try to include that in some portion of what we are learning...and the plan activities and field trips around that. He enjoys learning because he feels like he has some say in what he is learning about. It makes him feel special. Plus, he gets to share the activities or special trips, by inviting a couple of his friends to join us.

Answer 4

I think Jo answered very well.

If you child is musical, try unit studies that focus on composers and try to provide the child with books and videos about music and musical instruments. If your daughter loves horses, let her pursue her interest by working at a stable. As a teenager (I wasn't homeschooled, but went to a school for the gifted) I had the chance to explore my love of historic costume and even sew a reproduction dress of the early 1900s. My daughter (5) is VERY active and enjoys lots of hands-on activities, making up stories and music. I've adjusting my teaching methods to include LOTS of songs and outdoor activities and also some simple creative writing.

I think you can let you child express himself and validate his interests and abilities while not allowing his focus to become too narrow  or exclusive at an early age.

Answer 5

I'm homeschooling several different children that are of various ages, and who learn differently.  They're their own unique selves and have different interest as every person does.  I often integrate this and put it into account when planning lessons.  For instances I have two out of the three of my children that are extremely kinesthetic learners, meaning they learn better working hands-on, and so we do a lot of hands-on stuff.  I have a visual learner who prefers graphs, diagrams, and pictures and so I purchased a chalk board and use it to visually demonstrate what I'm lecturing.  I have one child that loves reading medical books and memorizing facts, so I have gone out and bought software, and books to encourage their learning and interest.

I think taking time shows that you value your child, and working with various ways of doing things until you find what works for them definitely shows you value them.  Simple things such as adding counters to those that do hands-on, or drawing pictures to the visual, and lecturing to those that are auditory are ways to show your child you care, and when you're homeschooling you get the opportunity to cater to their individuality.