As the first quarter of school draws to a close, do you find yourself wondering if your curriculum is doing its job? Here are some common signs that your curriculum isn’t working and what you can do to get back on track.

Is your child bored, struggling to learn, with tears as a common guest in your homeschool? Is your child failing to progress in spite of a true effort on everyone’s part to make it work?

If you answered yes, then it’s time for a change.

A Compass For Changing Your Curriculum

Inside your child’s body is a compass for guiding your curriculum decisions. This handy little instrument is called your child’s learning style. When your curriculum matches your child’s learning style motivation improves, concepts are learned and progress is made.

Sometimes a few tweaks is all it takes to get your child learning again. Other times a new curriculum is needed.

Tips For Adapting Your Current Curriculum

Auditory Learners need to hear and speak. Have your child read aloud to herself or be read aloud to. Have her answer workbook and textbook questions orally before (or instead of) writing them down.

Kinesthetic learners need to move, touch, and experience what they are learning. Have your child draw or create models of what he is learning. Have him explore the structure of a live plant, use manipulatives for math, and act out history.

Visual Picture (Visual Spatial) Learners need pictures and illustrations. Demonstrate or draw examples while teaching. Have your child draw or create models of what she is learning. Have her use graphic organizers for note taking and writing, use manipulatives for math, and read literature for history.

Visual Print Learners need to read and write. Have your child highlight while reading, use flashcards for memorizing information, and create outlines while note taking.

Advice For Purchasing a New Curriculum

If adapting your current curriculum still leaves a trail of tears and lack of learning, it’s time to ditch those, books with no regrets. Changing curriculum is never a waste of time (or money). It’s a learning experience bringing your child closer to a tailored education. Use the tips below to get you started in the right direction.

Auditory Learners – Choose curriculum with audio CD’s, online or DVD lectures, and discussion questions.

Kinesthetic learners – Choose curriculum with manipulatives and hands-on projects.

Visual Picture (Visual Spatial) Learners – Choose curriculum that uses literature, books with pictures and diagrams, manipulatives and hands-on projects.

Visual Print Learners – Choose curriculum with reading and writing assignments.

Making simple changes in the way you teach and the materials you use will make the difference between success and failure for your child.