Podcast
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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Comparison: A Toxic Parenting Trap
It’s easy. It’s so easy to slip into comparing our kids to other kids. And usually we’re doing it with good intent. Maybe we want them to feel better about themselves. Maybe we want to help them build confidence in their own abilities or gifts. But is comparison really the best thing to use to…
Celebrating Your Child’s Neurodiversity
Homeschooling neurodiverse children comes with its share of challenges, and also benefits. If we’re going to help our children to recognize their unique strengths while also supporting their special needs, we’re going to have to embrace their neurodiversity and celebrate it! Neurodiverse Kids Know They Are Different Often times it doesn’t take long for our…
Homeschooling Your Neurodiverse Kid
You have neurodiverse kids. They are gifted. They are twice exceptional. They have anxiety, perfectionism, or sensory processing disorder. They are on the autism spectrum. They have a mix of neurodiversity. I am right there with you and I want you to know that It is possible to thrive as a homeschooler. I believe with…
Parenting in the Moment with Your Child
One of my favorite tips to share with homeschooling families and families of differently-wired kiddos is the importance of parenting in the moment – being fully present with our kiddos…even if you’re a mom who’s juggling all the plates and has laundry spilling over in the living room! Intentional Parenting And Homeschooling The best part…
Create a Custom Homeschool
Many of us homeschool moms began this homeschooling journey in the first place because we knew our quirky and differently-wired kiddos needed something unique to support their academic success. Maybe traditional school wasn’t a good fit for your students. Certainly one of the main benefits of homeschooling is the opportunity to tailor your schedule and…
Knowing If Your Child is Gifted
So you have a bright learner. Maybe he has a vivid imagination. Maybe he scores well on achievement tests. Maybe you notice exceptionally early cognitive abilities or strong interests. But there’s a difference between bright kids and gifted kids. Let’s talk about how to identify gifted learners. All Gifted Students Are Not The Same Something…