This week's episode is in response to a question I got from a listener regarding how we make a Charlotte Mason style exam week work for our kids, even if they don't typically "test well." Our family is in the middle of Term 2 exam week, so it's a perfect time to answer!If you aren't familiar with Charlotte Mason's method for examination, I start the episode discussing exams.  I also talk about what Charlotte Mason's exam questions look like for our family and how they are different from the typical tests we all grew up taking in school. And finally I share how I modify questions or my exam giving methods based on what makes sense to accommodate my kids' different learning disabilities such as memory issues and dyslexia so that I can have a true idea of what my kids do know.If you have been considering Charlotte Mason's methods, but exam week seems like more than your child can handle, I hope you'll take a listen!Follow along with me on social media! FacebookInstagram

The Flamingo Feathers podcast is back from a hiatus. As I discuss in the opening of today's podcast, Flamingo Feathers is switching gears just a bit to focus more on Charlotte Mason and how her methods can be implemented for kids who learn differently. (Probably not much of a surprise for regular listeners!)Also, please note that we are currently working on migrating our website over to a new host, so things are a little glitchy right now. We'll resume regular podcast show notes once that is finished.Today's guest is Dr. Kelly Frindell from In House Test Prep.  She has been teaching students how to smartly take the ACT or SAT. Kelly also has quite a bit of experience in helping students who desire to go to college but have test taking challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, and anxiety learn how to take the tests well and improve their scores so they can go to college. Be sure to check out her website for more information!You can follow Flamingo Feathers on social media:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FlamingoFeathers/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flamingofeathers_beth/Contact Beth at beth@flamingo-feathers.com

Welcome back to the Flamingo Feathers Podcast!! If you are homeschooling a child with learning disabilities or special needs, you are in the right spot! It's great to be back with a new season for you. We're kicking off this season with my top tips to help new and seasoned homeschool moms alike start the school year off with success (and not throw the whole family into a tailspin)!If your homeschool is anything like mine, those first few weeks of homeschooling can be a little rocky as everyone gets used to their new books and rhythms of the day. (Throw in some kids who don't like a lot of change, and it can be disastrous if you aren't careful!)  So these tips will help you navigate the first days back to school and set your family on solid footing.You can find all the past episodes of Flamingo Feathers and other materials on the website at www.flamingo-feathers.com.You can also find Flamingo Feathers on Facebook and Instagram.

"Seeing where he came from, going to college with a 1.9 GPA, and I think he got whatever they give you on the ACT for putting your name on it....and then he has two PhD's. So I think as a homeschool mom it has helped me to relax and to feel like I don't have to make sure that my kids have learned every single thing because if they want to learn it, they will learn it. The learning doesn't stop when they leave our house." My guests on this episode are Dr. Michael Gotcher and his wife Nheree Gotcher. Michael discusses his struggles with dyslexia and how he learned to find accommodations that contributed to his academic and professional success.  He also shares the programs and apps that he has found most useful.  Whether your child has dyslexia or a different special needs or learning disabilities, you will get practical tips and encouragement for your homeschool. You can find out more about Dr. Michael Gotcher at his website or on his Facebook page.Follow Flamingo Feathers on Facebook and Instagram.You can find the show notes for this episode here.

Thank you for leaving a kind rating and review. You help this podcast connect with other special needs homeschooling moms just like you!Some people call it a variety show. I'm going to call it a layer cake. Because that is way more fun!This episode of the podcast has three mini-episodes. First you'll hear from guest Shelly Moorehouse, who shares some expert tips on vacationing safely and sanely with kids who have special needs. Then you will hear from Cindy La Joy and Natalie Vecchione, authors of Blazing New Homeschool Trails: Educating and Launching Teens with Developmental Disabilities as they share the story behind their new book.Finally, you'll hear from me as I share more about my love for all things Charlotte Mason and what I am hoping to accomplish with character training this year in my homeschool.You can find the full show notes for this episode at www.flamingo-feathers.com/32Follow me on Facebook here and on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth.

I've made it no secret that my family is switching to fully embrace Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy. In just a short period of time, I've seen a huge shift already.  That is why I was so excited to do this interview with Kim Scarbrough.Kim is a veteran homeschool mom and adoptive mom.  Kim understands the world of neurodiversity, as she has children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, FASD, giftedness, and more. She has always taught her kids using Charlotte Mason's methods and has learned to follow the spirit of CM philosophy while adapting the methods for her kids' unique learning needs.In this episode, Kim will share her about her special needs homeschooling journey and give practical ideas on how she has modified Charlotte Mason's methods such as narration, in order to give her students a rich feast of ideas.Follow Flamingo Feathers on Instagram @flamingofeathers_bethJoin the Flamingo Feathers community on Facebook here.Interested in sponsoring an episode or being a guest on an upcoming podcast episode? Email Beth for more information about sponsorship opportunities and guest spots.

Have you ever wanted to just drop everything and travel long term with your kids? Roadschooling is a growing trend among homeschoolers, and for good reason, as it provides once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities.  But is it possible to roadschool when you have kids with special needs?My guest for this episode is Shelly Moorehouse, of Family Adventure For All. She is an experienced roadschooler and special needs mama who helps homeschool families learn how to become full time roadschoolers--whether they have special needs kids or not. You can view the full show notes, including lists of recommendations mentioned in the episode and the coupon code for a discount on Shelly's E-book,  at http://www.flamingo-feathers.com/30.Shelly and all the resources from Family Adventure For All can be found at familyadventureforall.com.

When I talk to moms with kids who have Down syndrome, I frequently get the same two questions:1. Is it possible to teach my kids to read and write?2. Am I actually able to homeschool my child? Do I have what it takes, or would they be better off in public school?This episode seeks to answer both of those questions. My guest on this episode is Terry Brown. She is an expert when it comes to educating learners with Down syndrome. And she is the creator of the So Happy to Learn curriculum--a comprehensive reading, writing, art, and math curriculum written especially for how people with Down syndrome learn. Even if you do not have a child with Down syndrome, you will find some great nuggets of encouragement in this episode!The show notes and information on the So Happy to Learn curriculum are found on the show notes for this episode: http://www.flamingo-feathers.com/29Connect with me by leaving a review, question or comment by emailing me at beth@flamingo-feathers.com.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, let's talk about making our marriages a priority--even with busy schedules as special needs homeschoolers! It's been a weird year and I know regular dates sometimes just haven't been possible.  Not to mention, with my homeschooling schedule and having kids with special needs, it isn't always super easy to sneak away for a few hours. Can you relate? In this episode you'll get some ideas for creative date nights that you can do even if you don't have a babysitter!The full show notes can be found at http://www.flamingo-feathers.com/28Find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flamingofeathersLove what you hear? Please leave a rating and review so Flamingo Feathers can reach a bigger audience!

The dreary days of January and February often find homeschooling moms who are weary and ready to throw in the proverbial towel.  Do you ever wonder if you are going to make it through the year? In this episode, you will find encouragement and some practical tips for self-care and self-stewardship to help sustain you and help you finish your homeschool year strong!Full show notes can be found at http://www.flamingo-feathers.com/27.Listening on Apple podcasts? Please help this podcast grow by leaving a rating and review!If you have a comment, question, tip, or word of encouragement that you would like to have shared on the podcast, please email me at beth@flamingo-feathers.com.

There's nothing wrong with switching things up in the middle of your homeschool year. In this first episode of Season 2, I share why our family is not just changing homeschool curriculum, but also how we approach everything as we delve into Charlotte Mason's educational method.  This is an off-the-cuff episode that will hopefully encourage you to reconsider your family's needs in the middle of the school year and fearlessly change gears mid year if you need to do so. You can find all the links mentioned in this episode at http://www.flamingo-feathers.com/26

My guest, Natalie Vecchione, shares her experience and wisdom on how to best homeschool in states that have a lot of laws and regulations surrounding homeschooling. Natalie has lived experience with homeschooling in New York state, which is one of the most highly regulated states for homeschoolers. She shares her best tips and advice for record keeping and interacting with the local school district. If you live in a state with homeschool regulation, whether it is minimally regulated or highly regulated, you'll get some great ideas and encouragement!*Please note that this episode is not a substitute for legal advice. It's just a mom like you sharing her experiences.You can find out more about Natalie's podcast, FASD Hope at fasdhope.com.Get the complete show notes for this episode on the Flamingo Feathers website.

How can a Charlotte Mason education benefit a child with special needs or learning disabilities?This is the second installment in the Homeschooling Philosophy Series. My guests Emily Kiser, Liz Cottrill, and Nicole Williams, hosts of the A Delectable Education podcast share their wealth of knowledge and passion for Charlotte Mason's educational method and philosophy. All three are intimately acquainted with various special needs such as dyslexia, visual impairments, and reactive attachment disorder. This is definitely a must-listen episode if you have ever wondered if Charlotte Mason's methods would help your child.Full show notes can be found on the Flamingo Feathers website.

Anyone can dance, no matter their physical abilities. That's what my guest Shannon Wrights passionately believes. In fact, Shannon has founded Aspiring Attitudes, a dance studio for people of all abilities.  As she teaches kids and adults alike, she combines her love of dance with her belief that the concept of dance should not be put in a box, and neither should dancers. Shannon has dancers with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other disabilities--as well as neurotypical students. And they all dance side by side in true inclusion.Listen in as Shannon shares about her vision for dance and its amazing benefits for everyone. And this episode is a little different, because we're also going to talk about how you can participate in this vision of making dance accessible to everyone!You can learn more about Aspiring Attitudes at aspiringattitudes.com. The full show notes, as well as information about how to donate are on this week's show notes on the Flamingo Feathers website.Check out our Insta @flamingofeathers_Beth

First, it was fall break. Then my brother got married and we were out of town. Then we got hit by an epic ice storm and lost internet. It's been a hot minute since I've posted a new episode. So here it is!! Thank you for your encouragement and support in this journey.Some homeschool moms may just be trekking along on autopilot. And those new to homeschooling this year may feel like they were just thrown into it without much planning.  No matter how long we've been homeschooling, as special needs homeschooling moms, we will get thrown into the proverbial furnace at some point. And when those hard days come where we feel like quitting, it's important to have a vision statement to remind us of why we homeschool and why we aren't going to quit.Having a vision statement for our homeschool also provides a filter to help us determine what choices are going to be beneficial for our family. Examples would be Do we join a homeschool co-op? Should we go on this trip? Does this curriculum fit our family?While there are no show notes on Flamingo Feathers website for this episode, I encourage you to head over to the website and browse through past episodes. Flamingo Feathers can also be found on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth.Join the Flamingo Feathers Community here.Have you left a review for this podcast yet? If not, I'd love for you to leave a great rating so this podcast can become more visible to other listeners just like you! If your app doesn't take reviews, please email your review to me at beth@flamingo-feathers.com and I'll post it on the website instead.

Natalie Vecchione, founder of FASD Hope is my guest for this episode. She shares her experience with raising and homeschooling her son who has an FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and also has Bipolar Disorder. You're going to learn more about FASD's, plus the wisdom that she has gleaned throughout her years of homeschooling a child with special needs. If you homeschool a child who learns differently or has special needs, this episode will leave you highly encouraged.You can find this week's show notes, including Natalie's extensive list of resources on the Flamingo Feathers website here.Connect with Flamingo Feathers on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth

In the first installment of the Homeschool Philosophy Series, we explore Christian Classical education and how it can benefit our learners with special needs and learning disabilities.My guest for this episode is Cheryl Swope, M.Ed. She is the well known author of Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education For Any Child and is the creator of the Simply Classical curriculum available through Memoria Press.  She is also no stranger to homeschooling children with disabilities, as she is the parent to twins with learning delays and schizophrenia.Join our conversation as we discuss the definition of Christian Classical education as well as how the approach has benefited numerous special needs learners. You will also find all the links and resources mentioned in this episode over on the Flamingo Feathers website. You can join the Flamingo Feathers community on Facebook by clicking here.Follow Flamingo Feathers on Instagram here.You can follow Simply Classical on Instagram here.

A Smorgasbord: A Buffet or Variety of Choices. Well, today's episode is definitely providing the variety! This episode is about all sorts of topics, and at the same nothing at all. Have fun listening! In this episode, I share about changing curriculum midyear, a new curriculum I love for kids with Down syndrome, and special needs homeschooling related topics for upcoming podcast episodes.P.S. When I hear the word Smorgasbord, I always think of the song from the Charlotte's Web movie. Anybody else? Find out more about everything offered by Flamingo Feathers here.

Learning social skills like eye contact, play, and making friends is something that every person needs to do. But for some kids, learning social skills comes easier than for others. And while neurotypical kids can struggle to pick up socially appropriate skills, kids with disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome can tend to struggle with learning some social skills.In this episode, my guest Gayla Martin, a licensed BCBA, shares practical ideas for how homeschoolers can work on developing appropriate social skills so that your child can express himself or herself to the world. It all starts with understanding what motivates us. This will be a fascinating listen!Show notes for this episode, including the recommended books, will be available on the Flamingo Feathers blog on 9/14. For now, enjoy the episode!

Time blocking is a homeschooler's best friend! And if you also have special needs kids with multiple doctors' appointments or therapy appointments each week, you're going to like this style of time management even more!  I think it is the best type of scheduling system for special needs homeschoolers because it compensates well for all those disruptions and objections that I’m sure you’ve thought of when it comes to having a daily schedule.Rigid scheduling like this is good in a lot of environments that have meetings and bells—like a workplace or school—but when you’re home during the day and you’re the only adult around, it just doesn’t always work so well. You’re always one poopy diaper blowout away from derailing your whole day. Listen in and find out how to start time blocking and building your day around routines instead of schedules. The show notes can be found here.Follow me on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth