In the last post, Making Homeschool Learning Meaningful: Engagement & Real-World Connections, I explored how hands-on projects and real-world experiences can spark motivation and make learning meaningful. In this fourth post in the Best Classroom Practices You Can Use at Home series, I’ll share strategies that help parents support lasting learning in homeschooling by adding variety, engaging multiple senses, and keeping lessons dynamic.
During my early years as an elementary classroom teacher, I had the privilege of working with many neurodivergent students—children with ADHD, dyslexia, and other unique learning profiles. These beautiful minds taught me some of my most valuable lessons as an educator. I saw firsthand how strategies like the ones I’m about to share could completely change their learning experience. Suddenly, abstract ideas came to life. Students who once felt frustrated found access to knowledge in new ways, and their confidence and enthusiasm soared as they began to see their own possibilities.
That experience convinced me of something I still believe today: these strategies aren’t just for neurodivergent learners. Every child benefits when we teach with variety, because every child has unique strengths, preferences, and ways of connecting to information. Variety in teaching supports lasting learning by engaging multiple senses and approaches.
Multi-Sensory Instruction
Learning is most effective when multiple senses are engaged. Encourage your child to see it, hear it, and do it:
- Draw a diagram (visual)
- Explain it out loud (auditory)
- Build a model or act it out (kinesthetic)
Benefits: Multi-sensory instruction enhances memory, supports different learning styles, and is especially effective for literacy and math development. For children with dyslexia, using multiple pathways reduces frustration and helps reading “click.” For kids with ADHD, the movement and variety can sustain focus and reduce inattention.
Use of Manipulatives
Hands-on tools—like math blocks, letter tiles, or science kits—turn abstract concepts into something children can touch and explore.
Benefits: Manipulatives promote problem-solving, conceptual understanding, and independence. They also ground learning for children who struggle with working memory or attention, making abstract concepts concrete. For neurodivergent learners, the tactile engagement can be a game-changer.
Storytelling & Literature
Stories are one of the oldest and most effective teaching methods. You can use picture books, audiobooks, or even personal stories to bring subjects to life.
Benefits: Storytelling builds imagination, empathy, and comprehension. For students with ADHD, stories can capture attention spans more effectively than direct instruction. For children with dyslexia or other language-based challenges, audiobooks and oral storytelling create access to rich vocabulary and complex ideas without the barrier of decoding text.
Technology Integration (Balanced)
Technology offers incredible opportunities: educational apps, virtual museum tours, interactive maps, and online simulations. The key is balance—pair digital tools with human interaction and hands-on experiences.
Benefits: Thoughtful tech use increases engagement, broadens access to resources, and prepares children for a digital world. For dyslexic learners, tools like text-to-speech or audiobooks remove barriers to reading. For ADHD learners, interactive apps can channel energy into productive exploration. Balanced with offline learning, tech supports equity and adaptability.
Key Takeaways
- Variety in teaching makes learning stick by engaging multiple senses and approaches.
- Strategies like manipulatives, storytelling, and technology not only benefit all learners but also level the playing field for children with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences.
- Mixing teaching methods keeps lessons fresh, builds confidence, and ensures you are effectively supporting lasting learning in homeschooling.
Let’s Stay Connected
If you’d like extra support, I work 1:1 with parents through my Parent Coaching Services and also offer workshops on creating thriving homeschool experiences. I’d love to help you make homeschooling not just workable—but joyful and engaging for your family.
References
Willingham, D. T. (2017). “Do Manipulatives Help Students Learn?” American Educator, 41(3), 25–31. Full Text
Fujita, R. (2024). “The Effectiveness of Multisensory Approaches in Teaching Reading to Children with Dyslexia.” International Journal of Literacy and Education, 4(2), 22–25. Full Text