Developing Confidence in Differently Wired Kids

01/29/25 • 23 min

This week, we wrap up our series on the 6 Cs of Homeschooling Success from Colleen's new book, The Homeschool Advantage. In this final episode, we dive deep into the power of Confidence and how to nurture it in our kiddos.

Key Takeaways:

Encourage the Willingness to Try:

Confidence begins with the courage to take risks and step out of comfort zones.
Emphasizing the effort over instant understanding encourages kids to keep trying new things.

Develop Persistence and Grit:

- Persistence, or "grit," is crucial for sticking with long-term goals even when facing challenges.
- Providing a safe space for failure and growth helps build resilient, capable adults.

Model Confidence Through Action:

- Our kids are always watching us; showing how we handle setbacks and take risks teaches them valuable lessons.
- Praising effort over intelligence and asking reflective questions help them learn from mistakes and build self-belief.

Dive into this episode to learn more about fostering confidence in your homeschool journey!

Get the Book

For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don’t forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It’s a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math

Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter @ColleenKessler, Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners, Instagram @ColleenKessler

Key Takeaways:

Encourage the Willingness to Try:

Confidence begins with the courage to take risks and step out of comfort zones.
Emphasizing the effort over instant understanding encourages kids to keep trying new things.

Develop Persistence and Grit:

- Persistence, or "grit," is crucial for sticking with long-term goals even when facing challenges.
- Providing a safe space for failure and growth helps build resilient, capable adults.

Model Confidence Through Action:

- Our kids are always watching us; showing how we handle setbacks and take risks teaches them valuable lessons.
- Praising effort over intelligence and asking reflective questions help them learn from mistakes and build self-belief.

Dive into this episode to learn more about fostering confidence in your homeschool journey!

Get the Book

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math

Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter @ColleenKessler, Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners, Instagram @ColleenKessler

Previous Episode

Embracing Creativity in Homeschooling

In this week's episode, we dive deep into a favorite topic—creativity. This episode is all about how to nurture and develop creativity in your children, teaching them to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to everyday problems.

Here's a snapshot of what to expect in this episode:

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Creativity: Creativity extends beyond just the arts and can be applied in science, business, and problem-solving.
Nurturing Creativity: It's important to create an environment at home that supports and encourages creative thinking.
Creative Thinking in Action: Creativity impacts children's perceptions of themselves positively as creative individuals.

Listen to the episode now and explore how you can cultivate a culture of creativity within your homeschool.

Get the Book

For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don’t forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It's a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math

Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter @ColleenKessler, Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners, Instagram @ColleenKessler

Next Episode

Understanding Asynchrony in Gifted Children

In this week's episode, we talk about the Columbus Group's definition of giftedness as asynchronous development—a combination of advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity that requires modifications in parenting and teaching.

This unique development makes our children particularly vulnerable, demanding that we think outside the box.

So, what does this mean for us as homeschooling parents? It means we have the opportunity to enrich our children's learning experiences far beyond what a traditional school setting can offer. We can customize education to meet our children's individual needs and foster a love for learning that embraces their strengths and supports their weaknesses.

Key Takeaways:

Adjust Your Expectations: Embrace the fact that your child will excel in some areas and may need additional support in others. Celebrate their unique strengths and work on shoring up their weaknesses using their interests.
Customize Education: Instead of relying on boxed curricula, consider using placement tests and mixing different curriculum options to suit your child's diverse learning levels.
Find Intellectual Peers: Intellectual peers are crucial for gifted kids. Seek opportunities for your child to interact with others who share similar interests or intellectual abilities, whether through online classes, gifted programs, or local meetups.
Support Emotional Growth: Help your child learn emotional regulation skills and teach them how to manage frustration, using their passions to tackle areas of struggle.
Enhance Executive Function Skills: Structure your child’s day with checklists or planners and break tasks into small, manageable steps. Celebrate progress over perfection.
Parenting a gifted child isn't always easy, but remember—you are not alone, and your efforts are creating a nurturing environment where your child can thrive.

Get the Book

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math