Are you a homeschooling parent looking for ADHD learning strategies that you can implement in your child's lesson plans? If yes, then you're in the right place!

There is already plenty of information online on how teachers can help and support their ADHD students in a classroom setting. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information for homeschooling parents. While some information may overlap, some strategies wouldn't work well at school, and vice versa at home.

That's why I've put together this comprehensive guide for homeschooling parents who have a child with ADHD or even ADD. I hope this will help to give parents the confidence and the tools they need for the best possible educational experience for their child.

First and foremost, we need to understand how kids with ADHD or ADD learn the best. Understanding this will make it easier for parents to provide the tools and strategies required for their child to learn.

How Do Kids With ADHD Learn Best?

Kid's with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or ADD (attention deficit disorder) tend to learn differently than other kids.

For example, where some kids are okay sitting at a desk for extended periods, relatively speaking, kids with ADHD or ADD cannot do this. Instead, these kids need frequent breaks and the ability to move around as they tend to have a short attention span.

They may also benefit from a more visual approach to learning, such as using pictures and diagrams to explain concepts.
Each of the ADHD learning strategies shared in this blog post will help your child learn more effectively and make homeschooling a better experience for everyone.

Why ADHD Students Struggle In A Classroom Environment

If your child has ever attended school with traditional classrooms, you probably already know that they may struggle in this environment and why. But if you don't, here is a list of some of the most common reasons these students struggle.

Reason #1 - Lack Of Stimulation

In a traditional classroom environment, students are usually expected to sit still for extended periods, listen to a lecture, or do repetitive work. This is not an ideal learning environment for kids with ADHD, who need a more stimulating environment to be able to focus.

Reason #2 - Too Many Distractions

Classrooms can often include many distractions, such as other students talking, noise from outside the room, or a teacher who moves around and sometimes speaks quickly to cover a lot of material in a limited time. This can be overwhelming for ADHD and ADD students, who need more breaks and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Reason #3 - Not Enough Variety In The Learning Materials

Kids with ADHD or ADD often need various learning materials to keep their attention and focus. This can include things like visuals, games, and activities. Traditional classrooms may not provide these materials, leading to difficulty in paying attention and focusing on the curriculum.

Reason #4 - Not Enough Time To Learn The Materials

Furthermore, students with ADHD typically need extra time to learn the materials. In a traditional classroom, this can be difficult to accommodate due to the amount of material that needs to be covered in a limited amount of time.

As classrooms are structured in a way that does not allow for this kind of learning style, ADHD students can feel overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the pace of the class. Ultimately, these factors can make it difficult for ADHD students to excel in classroom environments.

How Homeschooling Can Help Kids With ADHD Thrive

Parents can create an environment specifically tailored to their child's learning style in a homeschooling environment.

While this is good for any kid, it can be especially beneficial for children with ADHD or ADD, as it allows parents to focus on their needs.

For one, your kid won't be stuck at a desk every day.

Depending on their age and needs, you can structure your day however you'd like. This may include various activities such as playing outside, reading books, or working on puzzles.

You can also provide a more interactive learning experience by including materials such as visuals, games, and activities. These can keep your child engaged and focused on the material you are teaching.

Finally, since homeschooling allows for more flexible hours, parents can customize the length and intensity of their lessons to fit their child's needs. This allows your child to take breaks as needed or even break up the day into shorter chunks of time if it works better for them.

How Learning Outside Helps Students With ADHD

Learning outside can provide many benefits for students with ADHD. For one, it provides a stimulating environment that can help keep their attention and focus. Being in nature or an open-air space can help create a more relaxed atmosphere and provide mental breaks throughout the day.

The physical activity that comes with learning outside can also be beneficial, as research shows that exercise can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Exercise helps to improve concentration and focus, as well as increase dopamine levels in the brain, which helps to improve mood and reduce stress. Additionally, being outside allows children to get some much-needed Vitamin D from direct sunlight, which is vital for healthy brain development.

Finally, learning outside allows students to engage with their surroundings and safely explore their environment. This can help build problem-solving skills, practice critical thinking, and hone their observational abilities - all essential skills for academic success.

11 ADHD Learning Strategies For Homeschool Families

Set A Flexible Schedule

One of the most significant benefits of an at-home learning environment is that your child's learning is not restricted to a specific schedule. This allows you to create a learning schedule that works for your family and fits your child's needs.

For example, if your kid has trouble focusing in the morning, you can structure your school day to start later and pick up as their energy levels increase.

Use Visual Aids In Your Lesson Plan

To effectively teach a child with ADHD or ADD, you must find ways to keep them mentally engaged and focused. There are better ways to do that than reading and worksheets. Instead, use visual cues or aids as often as you can.

Visuals typically include maps, diagrams, pictures, videos, etc. It can also involve using items around your house, such as toys or other objects.

Set Up A Visual Timer

Children with ADHD or ADD often benefit from having a visual timer. This can help them transition easily between tasks or activities and track how long they spend on each task.

Visual timers can be anything from clocks to sand timers to apps. Find something that works for your family and use it often!

Focus On One Thing At A Time

When teaching your child, it can be tempting to try and cover multiple topics in one lesson. However, this can overwhelm children with ADHD or ADD. Instead, focus on teaching concepts in smaller chunks.

For example, if you are teaching math, avoid covering multiple topics in one lesson. Instead, focus on just one concept. Once your child has mastered that concept, you can move on to the next one. Taking this approach will also help empower your child, as they can focus on one thing and become successful at it.

You may also find a lot of non-essential information in our curriculums. If it will help your child stay focused, focus on the most critical information first. You can always come back to the other stuff at a later time.

Another helpful strategy is teaching them how to chunk down large projects so they can focus on one element at a time. Not only does this teach them valuable life skills that they can use later in life, but it will also help them improve their studies.

Play Games

It's important to remember that not all learning happens from reading a textbook or watching a video. Your child can get a lot of hands-on learning from other activities, such as playing games.

For example, Rory's Story Cubes can be used to tell stories and practice communication skills. And Catan Junior can help with math and problem-solving skills. Those are just a couple of examples of board games you could play, but anything with an element of math, science, or strategy can be beneficial.

Take A Short Break As Needed

Short breaks throughout the day are essential for any child, especially those with ADHD or ADD. Give their brain time to reset and refocus, so they can return to the material feeling more alert and energized.

Be sure to tell your child the expectations at the beginning of each break so it's not open-ended. To do this, you could set a timer or have a specific activity to complete before returning to schoolwork. Even short ten to fifteen-minute brain breaks can help your child get a chance to move around and rest.

You can also give different break types different names. For example, a movement break could mean going outside for physical activity. A brain break could mean stepping away from the learning material for fifteen minutes to use the washroom, drink, have a snack, do deep breathing exercises, etc. You could also incorporate activity breaks into your daily routine to do a hands-on learning activity.

Set Up A Distraction-Free Learning Environment

It can be difficult for your child to focus if there are distractions present. To make things easier, try to create an environment that is as distraction-free as possible. You could include setting up a quiet place, turning off the television, putting away toys, not allowing younger children to play in that space, etc.

It's also a good idea to designate a specific area for schoolwork, if possible. That way, when your child goes to that spot, they know it's time to focus on their studies.

Have Different Chairs Available For Your Child To Sit In

If your child needs help staying focused, try switching chairs. This can help them stay alert and engaged as they move around. You could even have your child switch chairs every 15 minutes, depending on how long they can stay focused.

You can use a chair from your dining room table, a computer chair, a wiggle seat or yoga ball chair, a bean bag chair, or even a rocking chair. Just make sure it's comfortable and the right size for your child.

Get A Standing Desk

Yes, standing desks are becoming all the rage right now, but they genuinely can be an excellent tool for homeschooling children with ADHD or ADD. Having the option to stand while working can help your child stay focused, especially if they squirm or fidget.

While standing, they can lean against the desk, stand on a balance board, take steps forward and backward, and shift their weight around. While in the sitting position, it can easily be paired with a variety of different chairs.

Doing this will help your child stay more focused on the task and learning materials.

Have Sensory Toys Nearby

Sometimes, children with ADHD or ADD may need to take a sensory break. This can help them refocus and re-energize without losing their train of thought or getting overwhelmed.

To help with this, have some sensory toys, such as a stress ball, a swinging chair, or even a fidget spinner.

Whatever helps your child focus better and feel more relaxed is the right choice.

Incorporate Their Interests

Trying to keep a child focused on something that doesn't interest them is like trying to herd cats. So, try to incorporate their interests into the curriculum as much as possible. Doing this will make your life much easier, too, trust me!

For example, if your child loves cars, you can use that to teach them about science or even math. If they like video games, try designing a lesson plan around game development or computer coding.

It doesn't have to be complicated – the idea is to find a way to make learning fun and engaging for your child.

With these ADHD learning strategies, homeschooling parents can feel more confident in their ability to help their children with ADHD or ADD thrive. But it doesn't end there.

In addition to these simple strategies, there are some other things you can do as a parent to help your child thrive in their pursuit of knowledge.

5 Other Things Parents Can Do To Support Their Child With Homeschooling

Open Communication

Regarding your child's education, neither you nor your child has to take a backseat. Your child will do much better if you can devise a plan that works for both of you. This can also help to build a strong relationship between yourself and your child, encouraging the likely hood of a more successful learning outcome.

This means openly communicating and discussing what's working, what isn't, and what small changes you can try. Doing this together will help you both get on the same page, so your child can learn efficiently.

Encourage Curiosity

Encouraging curiosity is vital when homeschooling a child with ADHD or ADD. Yes, specific materials and topics need to be covered, but there should also be room for exploration and discovery.

This can help keep your child engaged and motivated to learn more. Asking questions, brainstorming great ideas, and having them do research can all be great ways to encourage curiosity in your child.

Stay Organized

Organizational skills are essential. There are a few ways you can stay organized to help your child get the best results.

The first step to being organized is to have a plan ready for each day and stick to it as closely as possible. Effective time management will help your child know what to expect and make it easier for them to stay focused on their school work. If your child responds well to a routine, it can even help to have a daily schedule that includes other things apart from their schoolwork, such as cooking time, time for physical activity, alone time, and so on.

Additionally, ensure you have all the needed materials before starting each lesson. This helps you stay on track and keeps your child from getting overwhelmed with information.

It can also be helpful to keep your child's learning space organized. Having all the materials and supplies your child needs within reach can help them stay on task. Plus, it will minimize distraction which is always a nice bonus!

Plan Hands-On Educational Activities

Hands-on learning activities are a great way to keep children with ADHD or ADD engaged. It can help them retain information even more.

Hands-on learning engages their senses; touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. This can include any number of activities, such as:

Drawing or painting
Playing music
Cooking or baking
Building a model car
Flying a kite
Writing stories

The possibilities are endless! And you'd be surprised at how much your child can learn through these activities.

Encourage Physical Activity

Children with ADHD or ADD often benefit from physical exercise before, during, and after their studies. Not only does it help them stay focused, but it can also help them release stress.

If it's a cold winter day and your child is stuck inside, consider doing some exercise together, such as yoga or stretching. Plenty of online exercise classes are available for your child in the comfort of their home.

It is, however, better if they can do something outside. Suppose you have access to a backyard or park; set aside time for your child to run around and get some fresh air. Joining team sports or other physical activities can also be a great way to get your child's energy out.

As you can see, there are many ADHD strategies you can use to help your child stay focused and engaged while they learn. Things like breaking tasks into smaller steps, avoiding distractions, providing frequent breaks throughout the day, using visuals to explain concepts, and doing hands-on activities such as drawing or playing music can all help your child with ADHD or ADD thrive.

What's even better is that it is relatively easy to do. With some planning and creativity, you can create the perfect learning environment for your child.

So, if you're a homeschooling parent with an ADHD or ADD child, don't worry - you got this! With these different strategies, your child will surely become an engaged and successful learner in no time!

11 Foolproof ADHD Learning Strategies That Work With Homeschool Kids

How Do Kids With ADHD Learn Best?