• Physical environment.  Many families eagerly set up desks or even “classrooms” in their homes, but does this fit your learner’s sensory needs?  Perhaps they prefer lying down or lounging in a beanbag while reading, or concentrate better with dim lighting.  For some, an open window or even learning outside can better provide what they need.   Sound, lighting, temperature, and movement are all important factors to consider when setting up the physical learning space. 

• Intellectual environment. Gifted programs often fail to meet our high ability learner’s cognitive needs, both because of flaws in identification as well as insufficient services.  Advanced learners also have needs beyond faster-paced or more “rigorous” curriculum.  Homeschooling provides learners the opportunity to match learning to student’s readiness level, and better enables asynchronous learning levels as needed.  Individualized learning also provides youth more ability to learn to mastery, explore passions, and veer off to deep dive in areas of interest.  It also enables students to study areas not typically accessible in classroom learning, and to explore learning for its own sake without constant assessments. Mentors and individualized instructors are excellent partners in students’ intellectual growth.     

• Emotional environment.  Again, many families moved to the homeschool model because their children were not feeling happy or successful in their prior schooling.  A key component of homeschooling is building a love of learning around the child’s natural curiosity.  Creating emotional safety is paramount, limiting or removing emotional triggers such as red marks, grades, or penalties for not meeting learning goals.  Even 504s, IEPs, and special services that may have pulled twice-exceptional students from class in front of their peers may have harmed self-efficacy.  Rebuilding psychological safety can include naturally meeting their learning levels appropriately in each subject, providing novel and fun learning activities that match their strengths and interests, and surrounding them with mentors or peers who positively support every aspect of them, not just rewarding achievement.  Classes or peer learning opportunities should be chosen with care around the child’s emotional needs (i.e., the ability to turn a camera off or text rather than voicing responses).  Mindfulness activities, such as breathwork or mindful walks, can also help develop self-regulation.

• Creative environment.  Another advantage of homeschooling is that it offers extended time for authentic and personally meaningful learning projects where learners can explore and develop their creativity.  Many individualized learners enjoy exploring music, art, theater, dance–all important learning opportunities that are often relegated to after school activities.  Learners can also learn more through hands-on projects that support creative expression and divergent thinking.  Child-led learning and self discovery are invaluable creative pursuits that thrive in this learning space. 

• Social environment. Positive social interaction also plays a crucial role in learners’ sense of belonging.  Some learners experience harmful social experiences such as peer pressure, isolation, anxiety, and feeling misunderstood in typical age-peer environments. While homeschoolers frequently hear inquiries about the “social” aspect of their learning model, homeschoolers are rarely at home unless by choice.   They may find their peers in smaller group settings such as co-ops, one on one relationships with mentors, or even online with learners outside their geographic area. Some learners find social fulfillment in just one or two group activities or play dates a week, whereas others may thrive in having the extra time (without evening homework) for typical youth activities including daily sports practices.  Many gifted learners also have social needs that differ from traditional expectations. As parents, we are also sometimes slow to recognize that today’s generation is much more comfortable interacting with their friends via online gaming or Discord conversations, and that physical proximity is not always required for healthy social interaction.

Recognizing and supporting our learners’ “non-negotiables” in their learning environment facilitates the realization of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Joyful learning also provides motivation, wellness, and contentment.  When we recognize and support what our children need to thrive, we are able to provide our families with the best of all learning models.