The Raising Lifelong Learners podcast helps parents — especially homeschooling parents — encourage their differently-wired kids to learn, explore passions, cultivate creativity, and become fascinated by the world around them. Join host Colleen Kessler — educational consultant, gifted specialist, author, and speaker — for interviews, audioblogs, tips, and encouragement to help your differently-wired kiddos become lifelong learners — children who know that they can find the answers to anything they want to know if they can just view their world with play, passion, and fascination.

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Building Strong Family Bonds | A Conversation with Andee Martineau

Parenting can be challenging. Add neurodivergence to the mix, and the usual bumps of the journey can feel like mountain ranges. But don’t worry; we’ve got some empowering insights and practical advice to share with you. Let’s explore how creating visual prompts, secure attachment, and a connection-based approach can transform your homeschooling experience. Imagine your […]
LISTEN HERE Building Strong Family Bonds | A Conversation with Andee Martineau

Embracing Child-Focused Learning | A Guide for Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children

As homeschooling parents, we’re always looking for ways to better support our children’s unique learning needs. For neurodivergent kids, particularly those who are gifted or twice-exceptional, incorporating self-directed learning can be a game-changer.  Self-directed learning is a child-centered approach that allows students to take ownership of their education. The focus is on curiosity, exploration, problem-solving, […]
LISTEN HERE Embracing Child-Focused Learning | A Guide for Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children

Supporting Neurodivergent Kids in Homeschooling: A Conversation with Amy Bodkin

Tackling the responsibility of homeschooling a neurodivergent child can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many parents face the challenge of figuring out how to tailor education to fit the unique needs and strengths of each child. The good news is that you don’t have to go at it alone, and there are strategies that can make the […]
LISTEN HERE Supporting Neurodivergent Kids in Homeschooling: A Conversation with Amy Bodkin

The Importance of Happiness in Homeschooling | A Guide for Parents

We often consider our children’s test scores, curriculum, and social interactions. But today, we’re going to explore why happiness is just as crucial, if not more so, in raising lifelong learners.     Positive psychology, introduced by the visionary psychologist Martin Seligman in the late 1990s, flips the script on traditional psychology. Instead of zeroing […]
LISTEN HERE The Importance of Happiness in Homeschooling | A Guide for Parents