By Rachel Dunham

For the last ten years, I have used Abeka to homeschool my children and it’s been incredibly easy to tailor Abeka to fit each child’s needs. Over those years, we have used both the parent-led curriculum and Abeka Academy. Many times, we have mixed and matched each program depending on our needs each year and which program works best for each child.

Homeschooling multiple children can come with its challenges, so it’s easy to use Abeka Academy for some and do parent-led for others. Last year, we largely used the parent-led curriculum for my kids, but used the Abeka Academy streaming option for my son’s Language Arts and Arithmetic classes. This flexibility allowed me to focus on one child (one-on-one) while the other did his Abeka Academy lessons. Sometimes, when you’re homeschooling multiple grades, it can feel like a balancing act. Abeka’s multiple curriculum options make it easier to figure out what works best for you, your child, and your whole family.

Deciding what option works best for your child may seem intimidating at first. Ask yourself these questions about each of your children:

• Are they capable of working independently?
• Will they require extra attention in certain subjects?
• Can they stay focused and engaged throughout video lessons?
• Will it benefit them to learn from a video teacher?

I also ask myself these questions while preparing for the next school year:

• How can we improve our experience from last year?
• How can I better manage our schedule throughout the day?
• What worked last year?
• Do I need some extra help teaching multiple children?

If you know your child can work independently, Abeka Academy is a great option. Abeka Academy allows for your child to be taught in a classroom setting via video. Many children successfully learn this way. This allows them some independence while also allowing you to monitor their grades and progress. Plus, being right there to help with any questions is great. You can be as hands-on or hands-off as you would like.

If you really want to be hands-on and work one-on-one with your child, parent-led is an excellent option. Throughout the years, I have used the parent-led curriculum for each of my children. Parent-led can be tailored to the needs of the child, and children can also work independently. As my children and I gained confidence in our homeschool journey, we all grew in our own ways, allowing us to adjust as needed.

We have loved using Abeka these last ten years and will continue through our homeschool journey. It’s so unique to be able to mix, match and tailor the curriculum. You know your family best, and you know the best option for you and your child. Remember, if it’s not working, change it up!