Not all homeschool art curriculums are made equal. Not all homeschoolers are the same. Every homeschool parent goes through the pain and frustration of switching curriculums hand over hand before really finding the one that sticks. Art curriculums can be one of the most frustrating and difficult subjects to tackle when it comes to teaching kids. There are a million and one different ways you can learn art and let’s face it, you don’t have time to test them all.<\/p>\n
So here’s a good 4 step strategy for finding the best, most effective homeschool art curriculum for your child.<\/p>\n
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As a homeschooling parent, it is your duty to learn the ins and outs of your child’s brain. You must always be taking notes, making inferences, testing theories with their learning. Like a school teacher, you can’t teach your kids if you don’t know how they learn best. So take the time to observe and dissect their most effective learning styles<\/a>. And remember, each of your kids is unique. Don’t assume they all learn the same way because we all know…they don’t.<\/p>\n If you truly struggle to understand your child, how they learn and what’s going on inside their teenage brain, I’ve listed some ways to start spotting your child’s learning style. These will get you on the right track, but you still have to do the work of making observations and digging deeper into their personalities. As you read these common indicators think of your child\/children and if you see any of these traits or behaviors in them. And remember, your child can learn multiple different ways but there will always be one prominent learning style they are great at. That one learning style is the one you want to engage in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Visual<\/strong> – Your child prefers learning with images and pictures.<\/p>\n Auditory<\/strong> –\u00a0Your child prefers learning with sounds\u00a0and music.<\/p>\n Verbal<\/strong> – Your child prefers learning with words in speech and writing.<\/p>\n Physical<\/strong> – Your child prefers learning with his hands and body.<\/p>\n Logical<\/strong> – Your child prefers learning with logic and reasoning.<\/p>\n Social (Interpersonal)<\/strong> – Your child prefers to learn in groups with other people.<\/p>\n Solitary (Intrapersonal)<\/strong> – Your child prefers to learn alone.<\/p>\n If you still can’t clearly see one of these as your child’s learning style it’s ok. Some of us do more assuming about our children than actual discovery. As you continue through your journey of finding your child a homeschool art curriculum you will better learn about them. Until then, you’ll have to resort to the old fashion way of doing things. Ask your child. Take each of those points and turn them into a question and voila! You have a comprehensive, 2-minute quiz to identify your child’s learning style. And who knows your kids better than your children themselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Or you can take this quick and easy\u00a020 question quiz.<\/em> Here.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that you know your child’s learning style you should be throwing a mini-party in your head or maybe even a real party. Either way that’s a lot farther than most parents choose to go with their children, so yes, you’re literally one step ahead of the game. However, everything isn’t rainbows and butterflies just yet. You still have to learn more about their learning style and find the best art curriculum to complement their style.<\/p>\n Most of the learning styles seem pretty straight forward. If my child is a visual learner he just needs video or picture lessons. And yes that is true. However, some of the learning styles can leave you a little more puzzled to figure out such as teaching art, a visual subject, with an auditory learning style. Impossible! Well, I’m going to give you a clear way to teach art to each of these learning styles, even auditory. If you’re curious or have multiple children you homeschool, read them all. Otherwise, feel free to jump down to your child’s learning style to get ideas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Visual<\/strong> – You hit the jackpot! Chances are your child will love art no matter how you teach it.<\/p>\n Auditory<\/strong> –\u00a0You can do this! Just keep an open mind when teaching art and let your child guide you both to success.<\/p>\n Verbal<\/strong> – Easy peasy! Your child loves to read and write even if it is about art.<\/p>\n Physical<\/strong> – You gotta get dirty! Your child will love getting hands-on to learn art.<\/p>\n Logical<\/strong> –\u00a0It’s not rocket science! Make sure to explain the technique, logic, and beauty of art.<\/p>\n Social (Interpersonal)<\/strong> –\u00a0Make it a party! Throw some art parties and be the cool mom.<\/p>\n Solitary (Intrapersonal)<\/strong> –\u00a0Just let it happen! Sit back and let your child tell you what he or she likes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are a ton of art lessons, guides, and courses for free all over the web. You wouldn’t buy a house before taking a look at it. So don’t commit to a learning style or homeschool art curriculum until you’ve tested the waters with promising results. Be cheap. That means YouTube art lessons, Google searching free art curriculums, borrowing friends art curriculums, creating your own curriculum<\/a>, and anything else that costs $0. It’s not as hard as it looks. Once you’ve figured out what works best(which means your child enjoys it AND it’s effective) then and only then can you commit to your homeschool art curriculum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the time comes, and it always comes, you will have to pay up to take your child’s art learning to the next step. You have to be willing to spend some dollars and make an investment into your child’s future. You’re the difference between your child being the world’s next great art prodigy and just another kid that studied art at one point in their life. So put on your big girl pants, swallow your pride and make the commitment. It will be for the best.<\/p>\nCommon indicators of your child’s learning style.<\/h4>\n
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Be thorough: find art curriculums and lessons that complement their style<\/h3>\n
Ways to teach art based on learning style<\/h4>\n
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Be cheap: browse free art lessons and curriculums.<\/h3>\n
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Be committed: make the investment to their creative future.<\/h3>\n