Adjusting Curriculum for Special Needs Students
Many homeschooling moms have special needs students at home. Special needs can cover a variety of disabilities. This means a standard curriculum may not fit your child’s needs. Here are some ways you can adjust your curriculum for your special needs student.
Homeschooling moms know that not every child learns the same. While we’d love for learning to be super easy, it’s not always that way, especially for special needs students. Many homeschooling moms have special needs students at home. Special needs can cover a variety of learning disabilities or even physical disabilities. There may come a time when you need to adjust or customize your child’s curriculum. Here’s my advice to you…
#1. It’s okay to adjust curriculum
Just as a teacher would in a public or private school, some students need their curriculum adjusted to fit them. Don’t ever think for a second that you’re watering down your child’s education because you’re not. In fact, you’re boosting their education. By adjusting the curriculum to fit them, you’re giving them a tailor-made, customized individual plan.
#2. Trial and error is pretty common
When adjusting your child’s curriculum, you may notice some things don’t work. It’s okay to play around with what works or what doesn’t work. In fact, you may discover your child really hates reading out loud to you. However, they adore listening to audiobooks. Don’t be afraid to stop something if it’s not working.
#3. The adjustment could help your child learn more
Think about it, sometimes homeschooling curriculum can be hard for the parent to understand. There should never be an ounce of guilt whenever you decide to add or take something away from your child’s curriculum to help them understand what’s being taught. Small adjustments can make a big difference in your child’s education. You’re not watering it down, you’re customizing their curriculum to make it work for them and for your family.
#4. Lower your expectations a little bit
As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. We, as parents, look at the big picture in homeschooling our children and forget it takes time for our kids to process concepts. Think about the way your special needs child thinks and works; you can’t expect them to conquer their entire book in one day. Take it a little bit at a time and lower your expectations a bit. At the end of the day, your child is learning, even if it’s not “how” you thought they would learn.
#5. Celebrate the small wins.
Although you may be going through the days, feeling as though no progress is being made, it is. As you adjust the curriculum for your special needs students, celebrate those small wins. Maybe they did their work without complaining? Maybe they could hold their pencil by themselves for the first time this year? You may even be celebrating the fact that no tears were shed by the parent or the child today. Celebrate those small wins with a hug and some delicious ice cream. Those small wins matter because they’re adding up to be big wins.
Adjusting the curriculum for special needs students is okay! Homeschooling your special needs child is possible. By making small or big changes to their curriculum, you’re helping them with their education in more ways than you ever thought possible.
