Educating Your Adopted Child
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
It's that time of year again! School supplies line the store shelves. Yellow school buses are getting ready. Teachers are meeting. Excitement is in the year. After teaching in the elementary school for over twenty years, I still feel the thrill of a new school year.
But for many of our children including those who have been adopted school does not bring thoughts of challenge and success. Instead just the mention of school brings on waves of emotional upset as a result of previous experiences and frustration.
So how are you educating your adopted child this year? Public? Private? Homeschooling? What is the best way? In truth there is no best way to educate your child. The key is to know your child and to educate him in an environment where he will thrive.
Our family has experienced all of these choices. For some years, we had only one option and that was to use the public school system. The teachers are skilled and the school was close to our home. Both of my girls did well in their years of being educated at the public school. My oldest daughter also went to a private school for four years. There she had a smaller number of students in her class and more individualized help which enhanced her learning. She also made many friends as the whole class moved together to the new grade together.
When my oldest child faced the middle school years and private school was no longer an option we decided to try homeschooling. We agreed to do it for one year with the goal that we both enjoy the year. That one year became four years and we still are enjoying homeschooling. Matter of fact my youngest begged to be homeschooled this year too. It works for well for us giving us time to be together, flexibility and the ability to instill an appreciation for learning. Yes, even though I work full time as a licensed counselor and coach I am still able to homeschool my two daughters in 3rd and 10th grade.
So how will you be educating your adopted child this year? Know your child and choose what works best for them.
Stay tuned for next weeks blog when we will offer Laura Christianson's book "The Adoption Decision" for free to the first one to leave a comment. It might just be you!
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