Home-school adjustments – Oh, she's HSP, like me!

 

AHA!

The first few days of teaching home-school were a bit puzzling at first. Aja would be stubborn and cranky every morning as I launched into those required lessons full force. Then, almost like a switch had turned on, she'd be peaceful and happy in the afternoon, as we worked on the subjects that were more fun and relaxing. Now, of course, all students prefer fun activities, but her aversion to structure was especially strong, as were her emotional reactions to small struggles.

It only took me a few days of this to realize that she's HSP, a highly sensitive person, just like me. No wonder she shuts down when faced with highly structured activities. So naturally, I did some research and found some more effective methods for teaching highly sensitive children or HSC's as they are called.

I have to back up off her a bit, for one thing. Giving her some learning choices, chilling on the tight schedule and such should help. She'll still be learning the same things, just in a different way.

Oh, I know. It may sound terribly neglectful. It's actually just the opposite, though. Neglecting her would be teaching her the same way that everyone else is taught. Because she's not everyone else, she's herself. And she's very obviously an HSC.

Now, folks, I'm not going to give you the whole spiel on HSC's and HSP's. Feel free to look it up if you're curious. That's not the point of this post. The point is that every child is different. They all learn differently too.

What in the world do conventional teachers do with a classroom of kids who all learn differently? Teaching one individual child is enough of a challenge for me.

I'm so very glad I was able to figure out Aja's differences before we both shut down from an overdose of regimentation.

As is, we had a nice talk and we are both looking forward to a new, exciting, less structured, less demanding schedule that allows us both to learn/teach more effectively. Because I'm HSP too, you know? I wouldn't have lasted long with an unbending curriculum anyway.

Tomorrow is going to be an awesome school day filled with fun learning games, exercises, experiments, projects and assignments designed just for HSC's like Aja. We're both incredibly excited to scratch the old curriculum. I'm betting that the new plan suits us both and brings about better results and attitudes. It's inevitable.

And all because the HSP in me recognizes, respects and acknowledges the HSC in Aja.

Isn't it great what can be accomplished with a little understanding and empathy?