Homeschool Talks: Ideas And Inspiration For Your Homeschool

Join Anita Gibson (HSLDA High School Consultant) and Amber O’Neal Johnston (blogger, speaker, and homeschool Mom) for a conversation about building positive identities and empathy in your kids through homeschooling. They’ll discuss incorporating your own and other heritages into your homeschooling, ideas for how to do so, and Amber’s experience in her own homeschooling using books as roots and branches.

In this episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason talks with Dr. Peter Gray—an education researcher, writer, and professor of psychology. “The amount of knowledge and the number of different skills that are important in our culture today increases exponentially. It’s huge! No person can learn more than a tiny sliver of it, right? So why should everybody be learning the same sliver?” — Dr. Peter Gray

Are you wondering how you can customize your child’s learning environment to enable them to thrive? In this episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Special Needs Consultant Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville and Franchesca Tucker, a parent of a teen with ADHD, will unfold some of the misconceptions and stigmas about ADHD, discuss how the brain functions in terms of helping you to understand your child, and leave you with some really good strategies that will help you to support your children at home.

On today’s episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Special Needs Consultant Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville is talking with a behavior analyst and a therapy professional about managing and supporting challenging behavior at home—to bring out the best in everyone. During the conversation, they offer tips for creating new routines during stressful times, staying mentally healthy at home, and implementing at-home therapy strategies.

Are you finding yourself in a season where you and your family are being stretched—or maybe even stressed—more than ever before? Then you’ll gain a lot from our conversation with Laurie Hesler, a marriage and family and art therapist with more than 36 years in the field. She has a lot of practical, encouraging advice to support you during this time. So join us on this week’s Homeschool Talks!

Losing the familiar structure of their days, missing their friends, and picking up on your concerns—even if just on an emotional wavelength—all of these can be difficult for our children. Are they feeling unsettled, or even traumatized? Listen in as Candice Dugger describes practical ways you can provide reassurance and healing for your children through safety, structure, and support.

How do you deal with school closings when your child has autism and communication challenges? Today on Homeschool Talks, join HSLDA educational consultants LaNissir James and Dr. Rochelle Somerville, along with guest Keisha Berry, as they provide reassurance and practical tips and resources for helping your child at home.

Are you struggling with keeping your kids’ schooling going now that they are home from public school? Do you feel like you’ve been thrust into the role of Chief Technology Officer—a role you definitely didn’t ask for? We can relate. On today’s episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Consultant Program Manager Heather Frommack checks in with Media Relations Director Sandra Kim on how her family is figuring out this whole school-at-home thing! She shares the challenges, frustrations, and the surprising joys they are experiencing during this “great pause.”

No more sports, 4-H, dance, or music class—not to mention co-ops, science clubs, and more! Just because you’re already homeschooling doesn’t mean the structure of your family’s days and weeks hasn’t been turned upside down because of COVID-19. Maybe it’s unsettling and challenging—both for you and your kids. Join HSLDA educational consultants LaNissir James, Kristy Horner, and Heather Frommack for an honest conversation—and some real Homeschool Talk!

Was your child receiving special services through the public school, but now you’re suddenly schooling at home? Are you wondering how you can help your child continue learning and flourishing? Join HSLDA educational consultants Kristy Horner, Faith Berens, and Dr. Carol Brown for a conversation about special needs services—with a twist!

Are your kids feeling restless, bored, and frustrated right now? Are YOU feeling restless, bored, and frustrated? These are the symptoms—and the diagnosis is cabin fever! Join HSLDA educational consultants LaNissir James, Vicki Bentley, Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, and Krisa Winn for ideas on how to combat cabin fever. (Note: The resource for this program is available for download at hslda.org/combatcabinfever.)

When he was just 15 years old, Richard Lorenzen founded a public relations business. Now, he is often described as one of the most influential millennial entrepreneurs in the United States. Not only has he been featured on Forbes and TEDx, but he’s also shared his entrepreneur and policy insights at the United Nations, as well as universities and corporate conferences around the world. Join us on today’s episode of Homeschool Talks as this homeschool grad shares his journey.

Imagine you’re a first-time homeschooling mom. Now fast forward six months. Does your homeschool journey look different? That’s one of the questions we’re asking Sarah Grinnell on today’s episode of Homeschool Talks! Join us as she shares her perspective on how her approach to teaching her kids has changed—or stayed the same!—since she began homeschooling last year.

With its many details and steps, pottery-making can be a challenging craft. And yet, homeschool grad and small business owner Talia Olmstead approaches this art with care and quality as she combines function and beauty through her pottery business. Join us on today’s episode of Homeschool Talks: Exploring the Arts as Talia shares tips for creating a workplace that inspires creativity, and her passion for creating timeless beauty by finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Recently, HSLDA has been getting questions about the federal bill, H.R. 1434—The Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act. What is this bill? How does it affect homeschooling? And why is HSLDA supporting it? Join HSLDA’s Jim Mason and Sandra Kim to answer these questions and more—on today’s episode of Homeschool Talks.

It happens more often than it should. You get a letter requesting the expected homeschooling forms. But wait—what’s this? An added request for an in-person meeting, a birth certificate, a fill-in-the-blank. Unfortunately, districts don’t always follow the law. Why does this happen—and why is it important to push back?

What is it like to transition from 15 years in the corporate world to homeschooling? Well, that’s a great question for new homeschooling mom Sarah Grinnell! Join us on Homeschool Talks as Sarah shares her experience as a first-time homeschooler who is learning the exciting but sometimes crazy dance of homeschool life.

Pursuing ballet requires dedication, persistence, and finesse! Not only did Caitlin Hopwood become a professional ballerina as a teenager, but by 21, she was also a business owner of her own boutique. Listen to today’s episode of Homeschool Talks to learn more about the art of ballet and Caitlin’s homeschool experience.

What would you do if you saw three moose sparring in a river? If you were Isaac Spotts, you’d jump in the water and start taking award-winning pictures! Join us this week on Homeschool Talks as we hear from Isaac, a talented wildlife photographer and recent homeschool grad, whose photography has not only been recognized by National Geographic editors but also displayed at the Smithsonian Exhibition.

One of the great benefits of homeschooling is the ability it gives students to follow their interests. For homeschool graduate and artist Joseph Philips, his passion for leatherworking inspired him to start his own small business where he shares his projects and custom designs with others. Listen to this week’s episode of Homeschool Talks to learn more about the skill of leatherworking and explore the benefits of creating and appreciating art.