10 Ideas to Uncover Your Home Schooled Teen’s Interests

“Hey Mom. Did I take chemistry?”
“Yes, honey, you took it last year.”
“I did? Are you sure, ’cause I don’t remember it”

The above conversation took place while a friend’s daughter, who did high school from home, was filling out a lengthy college application. The mom and I chuckled as she related it to me saying, “Guess that was time well spent.”

We all know that not everything in life is fun and we do well to impart this truth to our kids as we home school them. No matter how much we may enjoy something, there will be aspects of it that we don’t enjoy, but, oh well…that’s life!

Having said that, let’s consider the other side of the coin – courses designed or chosen specifically because they appeal to the interest(s) of our child. After all isn’t the freedom to decide what to study one of the major advantages to home education!?

Studying a subject that is of natural interest usually lends itself to more enthusiasm, more self-initiative and better retention. However, as our kids reach high school age interests often change. Determining what those interests are can be a puzzle, both for the parent and the teen.

If you can relate, here are 10 ideas to help you find those “hidden” interests as you home school. Don’t jump at the obvious; dig to determine if there is an underlying thread or threads. What presents itself at face value, may only be a sign of the deeper attraction.

Above all else, pray! Seek Wisdom to uncover the Designer’s design for your teen that will help you “set the course” as you home school high school. (For ease of writing, I will alternate between “he” and “she”.)

Give your teen a piece of paper and ask him “If money were no object, and you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?” Have him list the activities that first come to mind.
What kinds of TV programs does she choose to watch? What kinds of music does she like to listen to? What types of books or magazines does she enjoy reading?
What topics do people (of any age) seek his advice on? Are there any topics for which he seems to be the “go to” person?
Does your she gravitate toward children or babies? Does her interaction come naturally?
Take him to a large bookstore and give him $20 dollars (if the budget doesn’t allow, use a pretend $20). Giving him all the time he needs, let him loose to choose books, magazines, music….whatever interests him. Talk about his choices. What exactly was the appeal? (Remember not to jump to the obvious – ask questions)
Consider any hobbies she is or has been involved in or has expressed interest in.
What does he do in his “free time”? Does he prefer being indoors? Outdoors?
Has she ever won any awards, trophies or recognition for something? What was it?
Does he volunteer any where? Why? What does he like about it? What doesn’t he like?
Pay attention during “natural” conversations noticing any topic that lights up her face or makes her conversation and body language become more animated.

As you go through this process, talk to others who know your child well – siblings, friends, grandparents, etc. What interests have they observed. What can they imagine your teen doing after graduation?

As you continue homeschooling through high school (or even if you’re just beginning) having a handle on your teen’s interests can help you determine what direction to head them in..

Consider this quote written by a shipmate of Ernest Shackleton, the expedition leader of the ship Endurance, written when Shackleton was young:

“When he was on the subject that…. appealed to his imagination, his voice changed to a deep vibrant tone, his features worked, his eyes shone, and his whole body seemed to have received an increase of vitality…. Shackleton on these occasions… was not even the same man who perhaps ten minutes earlier was spouting lines from Keats or Browning….”

Sometimes, the God-given bent is easily discovered, sometimes not. Sometimes you may be surprised to find it’s something entirely different than you expected. Keep digging and praying.

Let me know if these ideas help you in uncovering your homeschooled teen’s interests, or any ways you have used to find your teen’s bent as you do high school from home.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 4th, 2009 at 9:40 am and is filed under Home Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.