Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • September 2024 When Jessica Turner from Spotsylvania County started homeschooling her two children in August 2023, she found herself navigating a wealth of information. From multiple curricula to diverse homeschooling methods, Turner experienced a challenge many new homeschool parents face: which curriculum is the right fit for us? Selecting the right curriculum can feel daunting and overwhelming for any new homeschool parent, leaving families tempted to quickly dive in. With so much infor- mation at our fingertips, it's hard to know where to even begin. Sarah Blunkosky, founder and integrative learning coach at Learning Heroine LLC (Kinattain) in Fredericksburg, specializes in helping families build a roadmap for home education and understands this challenge well. Her advice? Don't rush into purchasing a curriculum. Personalized Learning: Personalized Learning: Tailoring Your Homeschool to Fit Your Child's Needs WRITTEN BY AMANDA DANAHER Sarah Blunkosky, founder and integrative learning coach at Learning Heroine LLC (Kinattain). The Turner family embraced this approach as the mother of two carefully selected educational materials that aligned not only with her family's educational goals but also with their personal and family values. "I wanted a biblical-based curriculum," Turner explains. "Also, I'm not a teacher by trade, so I wanted something that was open and go, and self-explanatory. This way, there wasn't much les- son planning on my part since I also work part-time." However, the transition to homeschooling wasn't without its challenges. While Turner's daughter, Charlotte, 10, was a textbook student, her son, Levi, 8, struggled to adapt to the new educational method. She says he thrived in a more interactive and dynamic setting, and struggled with the change in routine and expectations. "Getting him to take it seriously even though we're home was a challenge," says Turner. "It was kind of just about me establishing those boundaries at first." However, Turner says she remained open to adjusting her approach based on her children's needs and responses. For instance, she considered switching their language arts curriculum when she noticed her children weren't as engaged as she hoped. The Turner family. "There are so many good math curricula, so many good writing programs. You can freeze with choice," says Blunkosky. "The challenge is a lot of families rush in and drop a lot of money on a program…I think something to remember is that you don't have to buy brand new just because you're new at something." A homeschool parent herself, Blunkosky further suggests parents first consider their child's learning style as well as their parenting methods when first choosing a curriculum. "One kid's capacity to sit still is another kid's torture. So that's something to think about," she explains. "Checking in with what's going on sensory-wise, like whether your child is getting enough movement? Is your child able to soothe themselves?…that's the beauty of homeschooling, as you can cater to each child's individual needs." THE TURNER FAMILY

• Cover