Homeschool math is a struggle for at least half of teaching households.  But does it have to be that way?

The truth is that all kids can enjoy math.  Learning is fun.  It may sound sill to your kids now, but have them think about this.  Do they enjoy video games?  Of course they do… but why do they enjoy them?  Because it’s a challenge.  Everyone enjoys overcoming a challenge.  How do I get to that next level?  How can I beat this bad guy or get through this maze?

Well, obviously you have to learn how to do it. The learning is fun.  Math can be the same way.  When your kids start to get it, when it starts to click they get the same exhilarating feeling of beating a level.  Then it’s on to the next challenge.

But as parent, it’s your job to help them learn the best way possible.  And to do that, you have to determine what kind of learner they are.

There are three kinds of learners, and this is especially true for Homeschool math:

1. Auditory.  For this type of student, listening to an explanation goes the furthest towards creating comprehension.
2. Visual.  Those who learn by observing.  Sometimes, just seeing it done once or twice will make it “click” for this type of Homeschool math student.
3. Kinesthetic.  This type of student needs to touch and practice in order to learn.

We can look to the Bible to see examples how this is done.

All of the great profits and teachers, both Old Testament and New, taught to all three types of learners.

First they spoke to large crowds for those who only needed to hear the logic of their teachings.  But there were those that needed more.

That’s where the miracles came into play.  Miracles taught to those who learned by sight and feel.  Think of the impression it made to see Moses part the Red Seas.

Think of the lessons learned by the crowd of 5000 who ate from the same 5 loaves and two fish…

Everyone learned first hand and in three different ways.  They saw, they heard, they felt.

And they left happier, wiser, and I believe every one of them would say they enjoyed the experience.

But How Does This Apply to Homeschool Math?

Homeschool math teachers can incorporate all three very easily into their lessons and can gauge which are the most effective with their child.  Which type of learner does your child appear to be?

All homeschool math curriculum comes with some type of explanation.  Read the text out loud to your child and tell them to stop you when you say something they don’t understand.

When they stop you, try explaining the problem in a different way.

You’ll be able to see it in their eyes when it “clicks.”  If you find that it clicks fairly often this way, your child is probably an auditory learner.

If it doesn’t seem to click, try demonstrating a practice problem for them on the white board (or just a piece of paper).  Explain each step and the reason for it carefully. If it clicks this way most often, they’re probably a visual learner.

And if that doesn’t work sit with your child as he does a practice problem.  Walk them step by step through the solution but have him or her do all the writing.  If you see it “click” most often using this technique, your child is probably a kinesthetic learner.

When you find out what kind of learner your child is, you’ll find that Homeschool math isn’t so frustrating any more because you’ll know exactly which type of instruction to try first when your kids are having difficulty.