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One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is the freedom to teach your child in ways that work for their brain. Learning doesn't have to mean sitting at the kitchen table with a workbook and pencil for hours. In fact, some of the most meaningful learning happens when children can see it, say it, touch it, build it, and move with it. Multisensory teaching intentionally engages more than one sense or mode of action during learning. It can be especially helpful when teaching foundational skills in reading, spelling, writing, and math—and it doesn't require expensive materials or a complicated homeschool setup. Using multisensory spelling and reading supports is fun for students to build. Here are my top three ways parents can bring more multisensory learning into their homeschool day. ✋ 1. Get It Off the Worksheet My first suggestion is simple: take learning off the paper whenever you can. If your child is learning spelling words, let them build the words with magnetic letters, letter tiles, or blocks. Have them say each sound as they move the letters into place. Practice handwriting on a whiteboard, chalkboard, or even with a paintbrush and water outside. Math is perfect for hands-on learning. Use LEGO bricks, buttons, coins, beans, measuring cups, dice, playing cards, or small toys to physically represent numbers and operations. Instead of only solving 8 + 5 on paper, let your child build 8, add 5 more, and physically see what happens. You don't need fancy homeschool supplies. Look around your house—you probably already have dozens of things that can become learning tools! 🗣️ 2. Have Your Child Say and Explain the Learning One of my favorite questions to ask a student is: “Tell me how you knew that.” Talking about learning is powerful. When your child is reading or spelling, have them say sounds aloud, blend sounds together, identify syllables, or explain a spelling pattern they notice. When working on math, ask them to talk you through how they solved the problem rather than simply giving you the answer. Try questions like: “What do you notice?” “Can you show me?” “Why do you think that worked?” “Can you teach it back to me?” You may be surprised by how much you learn about your child's thinking when you give them the opportunity to explain it. And remember—you don't always have to immediately correct an incorrect answer. Sometimes asking, “Can you show me how you got there?” helps a child discover the mistake independently. Adding place value magnet mats where kids can place Skittles, gum, beans, counting bears and use wipe-off markers to build the numbers. 🏃 3. Add Movement to Your Homeschool Day Kids were made to move—and homeschooling gives us a wonderful opportunity to let them! Put spelling words on cards around the room and have your child walk to each one. Practice math facts while tossing a ball back and forth. Write vocabulary words with sidewalk chalk. Make a number line on the floor and physically jump forward and backward for addition and subtraction. Take learning outside whenever you can. Measure the garden. Count chickens. Sort leaves. Estimate distances. Read under a tree. Write vocabulary words in chalk. Search for shapes, patterns, fractions, or examples of science in the world around you. Movement doesn't have to be something children earn after finishing schoolwork. Sometimes movement can actually become part of the learning. using wipe-boards to explain complex topics while talking through the concept-helps support learning 🌱 Keep It Simple Multisensory instruction doesn't mean you need to turn every homeschool lesson into an elaborate Pinterest project. Start small. See it. Say it. Hear it. Touch it. Build it. Move it. Choose one lesson tomorrow and ask yourself, “How could my child interact with this idea in one more way?” That little shift can make learning feel completely different. And while multisensory activities can be wonderful, especially for children who learn differently, they work best alongside explicit, systematic instruction and a strong curriculum. Hands-on activities should support good teaching—not replace it. At My Learning Farm, this is something I love helping homeschool families discover: learning can be structured and evidence-based while still being joyful, creative, hands-on, and individualized. Sometimes the smallest change in how we teach can make a tremendous difference in how a child experiences learning. 🌻

The learning doesn't have to end when you leave the farm. One of my greatest joys is watching children build connections with animals while asking questions, discovering new facts, and falling in love with the world around them. I wanted to create a way for families to continue that experience at home, which is why I created the My Learning Farm Coloring Books! These aren't just coloring books. They're a chance to bring the farm home with you. Inside, you'll meet many of the beloved animals that children know from visiting My Learning Farm—from our donkeys and alpacas to sheep, goats, chickens, horses, and more. Each page includes fun facts and educational information so children can learn while they color. It's the perfect combination of creativity, science, literacy, and hands-on learning. Whether your child loves animals, enjoys art, or simply needs a quiet afternoon activity, these coloring books encourage learning in a relaxed and meaningful way. They're wonderful for: Homeschool families Classroom enrichment Road trips Rainy days Gifts for animal-loving children Farm Day memories At just $10 each, they're an affordable way to continue the My Learning Farm experience at home. Porch Pick-Up Available Ready to bring the farm home? Coloring Books: $10 each 📍 Porch pick-up available 📱 Text me to reserve your copy: 916-215-1232 💚 Venmo: @Sara-Mattia Please include your name in the memo so I know who your coloring books belong to! Thank you for supporting My Learning Farm. Every coloring book helps spread a love of animals, learning, and the joy that happens when education comes alive.

Laying the Lonliness of Learning Difference Bare There is a side to raising children who learn differently that people don’t always see. It can be incredibly lonely. It is sitting through evaluations and hearing about skill gaps, scores, deficits, and areas of concern while knowing that none of those numbers come close to describing the incredible child sitting beside you. It is knowing something is wrong long before you have the language to explain exactly what it is. I remember telling teachers that something wasn’t right. I knew my children were capable. I knew they were bright. But I also knew that learning was harder for them than it should have been. So we tried more intervention. We practiced more. We waited. We evaluated. We tried something else. And sometimes, while the adults were busy trying to figure out what was happening, my children were the ones paying the emotional price. Raising my kids has been the BEST experience of my life and they have shaped everything I do in my life-I am eternally grateful for all they have taught me! There were tears. There were skills that simply weren’t developing despite tremendous effort. There was damage to self-esteem and growing anxiety. There was counseling, private evaluations, school assessments, accommodations, and yearly IEP meetings, absence to due anxiety, homeschooling and more support from professionals and caring adults. There were also plenty of tears from me. Sometimes you hold it together through the meetings, ask your questions, advocate for what your child needs, walk to the car—and then finally fall apart. Back-to-school nights and teacher meetings were different, too. While other parents were introducing themselves and looking around the classroom, I was finding a quiet moment to pull a teacher aside and talk about an IEP. Before school even started, I was often sending emails explaining my child, their learning differences, what had worked, what had not worked, and what they might need. I wasn’t doing those things because my children couldn’t learn. They absolutely could. They simply learned differently. I wanted the people teaching them to understand that difference and recognize the capable, creative, funny, wonderful human being behind the paperwork. For a long time, I was searching. Searching for the right intervention. Searching for better instruction. Searching for answers. Searching for someone who understood what I was experiencing as a parent. More than anything, I wanted someone to look at my children and say, “I see what you see. They can do this. We just need to find the way that works for them.” It has been a long road. At times, it has been an incredibly hard and lonely road. But there have also been parts of the journey that have been so beautiful. I have watched my children grow into themselves. I have watched them discover their strengths, develop confidence, learn to advocate for themselves, and find the things they love. I have watched them begin to understand that learning differently never meant they were less capable. My "kids" are young adults now-but they will always be my "babies" and I will always support them in every way I can. Those experiences are at the heart of why I created My Learning Farm. Everything I do here is shaped by what I needed as a parent during those years. My hope is that compassion, understanding, patience, love, and joy come through in every part of My Learning Farm—from specialized academic instruction and homeschool consultations to our classes, summer programs, and support for families navigating special education. Of course, I want children to make academic progress. I want them to become stronger readers, writers, spellers, mathematicians, and learners. But I also want to protect something equally important along the way: their confidence. I want children to know that struggling with a skill does not mean they aren't smart. Needing explicit instruction does not mean they have failed. Taking a different path does not make that path less valuable. I want My Learning Farm to be a place where a child can struggle without feeling ashamed. A place where we can say, “That didn’t work. Let’s try another way.” A place where effort is noticed, small victories are celebrated, and children have room to discover what they are capable of doing. I want parents to feel that same sense of safety and understanding. When a parent tells me that homework takes hours, their child cries over reading, spelling never seems to stick, or they are worried about an upcoming IEP meeting, I understand that there is usually much more behind those words. There may be years of worry, frustration, appointments, emails, meetings, evaluations, and sleepless nights behind that one conversation. Because I have been that mom. And I am still that mom. My children's journeys have shaped everything I do—the difficult chapters and the beautiful ones, the evaluations and the victories, the tears and the celebrations. They are why I kept learning, asking questions, seeking training, and searching for better ways to teach children who learn differently. Ava and Ryker are the heart of My Learning Farm. In so many ways, My Learning Farm is my love letter to them. It grew from everything their journeys taught me about perseverance, compassion, advocacy, confidence, and the importance of truly seeing a child for who they are—not simply for what they can or cannot do on a particular assessment. And now that love extends to every child who walks onto the farm and every parent who arrives carrying questions, worries, hopes, and dreams for their child. If you are walking this road right now, I hope you find people who see the whole child; I am eternally grateful to the village of people who have wrapped around my children and I. I hope you find instruction that meets your child where they are while still believing deeply in where they can go. And I hope your child discovers that learning differently is simply that—different. At My Learning Farm, we will keep growing skills. We will keep building confidence. We will keep finding different ways when the first way doesn't work. And we will keep making room for understanding, heart, love, and a whole lot of joy. 🌱💛

One of the most common questions I hear from families is, “Does my child need academic support, or do they need an IEP?” This is such an important question because while individualized academic support and special education services can both help students, they serve different purposes. As parents, we often know when something feels harder than it should. Maybe homework takes hours, reading ends in tears, math facts never seem to stick, spelling feels impossible, or your child is working harder than their classmates but not making the same progress. These struggles are signs that your child may need additional support—but understanding what type of support can feel overwhelming. At My Learning Farm, I believe the first step is understanding how your child learns best and what support will help them grow with confidence. What Is Academic Support? Academic support is more than helping a child complete homework or practice skills they are already learning in school. True academic support looks at the why behind the struggle and provides instruction designed around the individual learner. At My Learning Farm, academic support means: Understanding your child's strengths and challenges Identifying skill gaps and areas of need Providing explicit, evidence-based instruction Building foundational reading, writing, spelling, and math skills Teaching students strategies that help them become more independent learners Supporting executive functioning, organization, and confidence Many students who come to My Learning Farm are bright, capable, and hardworking. They simply need instruction delivered in a way that matches how their brain learns. When Might Academic Support Be the Right Choice? Individualized academic support may benefit students who: Need to strengthen foundational reading, writing, spelling, or math skills Have gaps in learning due to previous struggles or inconsistent instruction Need a more explicit, structured, multisensory approach Are struggling to make progress with traditional classroom instruction Need support building confidence and independence Need help developing executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, and task completion Need instruction at their own pace instead of keeping up with a classroom timeline At My Learning Farm, we do not simply provide more worksheets or more practice. We focus on skill development, understanding, and growth. A child struggling to read may not need to “just read more.” They may need structured literacy instruction that explicitly teaches the building blocks of reading. A child struggling with math facts may not need endless flashcards. They may need a multisensory approach that builds number sense, understanding, and automaticity. Sometimes the question is not “How can we make my child work harder?” but rather “How can we teach my child in a way that works better for them?” What Is an IEP? An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document created through the public school system for students who qualify for special education services. An IEP is designed for students who have a disability that impacts their ability to access education and who require specialized instruction, accommodations, related services, or other supports. An IEP may be appropriate when a child: Has a diagnosed learning disability such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or another area of need Continues to struggle despite classroom interventions and support Requires specialized instruction through the school system Needs accommodations such as extended time, assistive technology, or classroom supports Has difficulty accessing grade-level learning without additional services An IEP is not a label that limits a child. When developed thoughtfully, it is a roadmap that helps a team understand a student's learning needs and provide appropriate support. Academic Support and an IEP Can Work Together Families sometimes wonder, “Do we choose academic support or pursue an IEP?” The answer is often: both may be beneficial. Many students benefit from a combination of: School-based special education services through an IEP Individualized academic instruction outside of school Targeted intervention in areas of need Support building confidence and independence At My Learning Farm, I also support families navigating the educational journey through assessments, homeschool consultations, and educational advocacy. I help parents better understand learning profiles, review educational information, prepare questions, and make informed decisions about next steps. The Biggest Question: Is My Child Making Progress? One of the most important things to consider is progress. Ask yourself: Is my child making steady progress with their current support? Are they learning new skills, or are they continuing to struggle with the same challenges? Does my child need a different approach, not just more practice? Is the gap between my child and their peers growing? Is school affecting their confidence, motivation, or emotional well-being? Parents are often the first to notice when something is not clicking. You know your child's personality, effort, frustration level, and strengths better than anyone. If your child is creative, curious, and capable—but school feels unusually difficult—it may be time to look deeper. Learning differences do not define a child's future. With the right instruction, the right support, and a team of people who believe in them, children can make incredible progress. Helping Children Bloom at My Learning Farm At My Learning Farm, my goal is to help families understand how their child learns best and create a path where students can grow academically and emotionally. Through individualized academic support, evidence-based reading, writing, spelling, and math instruction, assessments, homeschool consultations, and educational advocacy, I help families find the tools their children need to succeed. Every child has their own learning journey. Some children need targeted skill support.Some children need specialized instruction.Some children need advocacy and a team working together. The first step is understanding what your child needs to bloom. 🌱 My Learning FarmIndividualized academic support for reading, writing, spelling, math, homeschool consultations, assessments, and educational advocacy. www.mylearningfarm.com

This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend The Run For A Million and watch some incredible athletes compete in the Reining Challenge, Cutting Horse Challenge, Youth Reining Challenge, Youth Cow Horse Challenge, and Breakaway Roping Showcase. The horses were beautiful, the horsemanship was incredible, and the competition was exciting—but what stayed with me most wasn't who won. It was the grit, determination, and hard work behind every ride. Behind every competitor are countless hours that no one sees. Early mornings, long days, mistakes, disappointments, practice after practice, and probably plenty of moments when things simply didn't go as planned. Yet they keep showing up, keep learning, keep practicing, and keep reaching toward their goals. Watching these competitors reminded me so much of the students I work with at My Learning Farm. For a child who struggles with reading, writing, spelling, or math, learning can sometimes feel like training for a big competition. They may watch another student do something easily while they have to work twice as hard. They may practice a skill over and over and still struggle to remember it. They may become frustrated or discouraged—and then they try again. That is grit. 🌱 Grit Doesn't Mean "Just Try Harder" I think sometimes we misunderstand grit. Grit isn't about telling a child who is struggling to simply "try harder." Children need the right instruction, meaningful support, achievable goals, and people who believe in them. When we give children the tools they need to experience success, we help them develop the confidence to keep going when something is difficult. We can also help children understand that mistakes are part of learning. Progress isn't always a giant leap forward. More often, it's one small step followed by another and another. Learning to recognize those little victories helps children see that their hard work is making a difference. ❤️ Keep Reaching One of the greatest gifts we can give children is the understanding that struggling with something today does not determine what they will be capable of tomorrow. At My Learning Farm, I get to watch those moments happen—the word a student finally decodes, the paragraph they didn't think they could write, the multiplication fact that finally sticks, or that wonderful moment when a child realizes, "I can do hard things." Whether you're sitting in a classroom, working at the kitchen table, practicing in an arena, or learning here on the farm, growth takes time. Keep practicing. Keep learning. Keep showing up. Keep reaching toward the things you love. Because sometimes the most important victory isn't the ribbon, the buckle, the grade, or the finish line. It's becoming the kind of person who keeps going when the road gets hard. 🌱🐴❤️

My Learning Farm Is Proud to Sponsor High School Rodeo One of my absolute favorite parts of My Learning Farm is getting to watch students grow—not just while they are sitting at my learning table, but long after they leave it. This year, My Learning Farm is incredibly proud to sponsor High School Rodeo and support a former My Learning Farm student as they pursue something they LOVE. 🐴🤠. And truly, this is what it is all about for me. 🌱 Success Looks Different for Every Child At My Learning Farm, we spend a lot of time building reading, writing, spelling, and math skills. But underneath all of that academic instruction, we are building something even bigger: confidence. I want students to discover that they are capable. I want them to recognize their strengths, work through challenges, and eventually find the places where they absolutely shine. Sometimes that happens with a book. Sometimes it happens while solving a math problem. And sometimes…it happens on the back of a horse in a rodeo arena. 🐴❤️ 🤠 From My Learning Farm to High School Rodeo There is something incredibly special about seeing a former student grow up and pursue a passion with determination. High School Rodeo requires commitment, responsibility, courage, perseverance, time management, and a tremendous amount of hard work. Those are skills that reach far beyond academics—and they are exactly the kinds of qualities I hope My Learning Farm students carry with them into the world. Being able to sponsor a former student feels a little like watching a seed we once helped nurture continue growing somewhere new. 🌱 ❤️ This Is Why I Do What I Do I LOVE hearing from former students. I love seeing their graduation pictures, hearing about their accomplishments, learning about their jobs and college plans, and discovering the activities that have captured their hearts. Most of all, I love seeing them THRIVE. A child's story is so much bigger than a reading level, spelling test, math score, diagnosis, IEP, or report card. Our kids are artists, athletes, animal lovers, builders, entrepreneurs, helpers, dreamers, problem-solvers—and yes, sometimes rodeo competitors! At My Learning Farm, my hope has always been to help children build the skills and confidence they need to discover what they are capable of. So when I get the opportunity to cheer on a former student doing something they truly love, you can bet I will be cheering loudly from the sidelines. My Learning Farm is proud to support High School Rodeo—and even prouder to watch one of our former students ride into their next adventure. 🐴🌱❤️ Keep learning. Keep growing. And keep doing what you love.

I’m excited to share that the My Learning Farm website has a fresh new look! 🌱🐴📚 As My Learning Farm continues to grow, I wanted the website to grow right along with it. My goal was simple: make it easier for parents and families to quickly understand how My Learning Farm can support their child and find the programs and resources they need. Whether your child is struggling with reading, writing, spelling, or math, you’re navigating homeschooling, or you’re simply looking for a place where your child can learn, build confidence, and feel successful, I hope the new website makes finding that support a little easier. You can now explore information about: 📚 1:1 Specialized Academic Instruction in reading, writing, spelling, and math 🌻 My Learning Farm READS! 🐴 Farm Classes & Hands-On Learning ✖️➗ Multiply & Divide 🌱 Growing Futures 🏡 Homeschool Consultations 🎓 Educational Consultations & Coaching 📝 Academic Assessments ☀️ Summer Programs 📅 Upcoming classes, events, registration opportunities, and more! Most importantly, I wanted the website to reflect the heart of My Learning Farm—a place where we meet children where they are, celebrate their strengths, provide explicit and individualized instruction, and help them grow in both skills and confidence. I’d love for you to take a little stroll around the new site and tell me what you think! Is it easier to find what you’re looking for? Is there something you’d love to see added? Parent and community feedback helps My Learning Farm continue to grow. 🌻 👉 Check out the new look to My Learning Farm website:www.mylearningfarm.com Thank you to all of the families who continue to trust me with their kiddos. I’m so grateful for this growing little farm community and excited for everything ahead! ❤️🐴📚🌱 Ms. Sara & all the farm friends

"I know they know the answer." "They can tell me everything they learned, but when it's time to write… nothing happens." "It's like their brain freezes the moment they pick up a pencil." If you've ever said these words, you're not alone. One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is that their child has wonderful ideas, can explain them beautifully out loud, but struggles to get even a few sentences onto paper. The good news? This often has very little to do with intelligence. In fact, many incredibly bright children struggle with written expression. Writing Is One of the Most Complex Things We Ask Children to Do When we think about writing, we often picture a child simply putting words on paper. But the brain is actually juggling many tasks at once. A child must: Remember the assignment. Organize their thoughts. Decide what comes first. Think of vocabulary. Form complete sentences. Remember spelling patterns. Use correct punctuation and capitalization. Form letters or type accurately. Keep their place on the page. Reread and edit their work. For some children, that's like asking them to spin ten plates at the same time. Executive Function Plays a Huge Role Strong writing depends on strong executive functioning skills. Executive function helps us: Plan before we begin. Organize ideas logically. Start tasks without becoming overwhelmed. Hold information in working memory. Stay focused. Monitor our work. Revise and improve what we've written. When executive functioning is still developing—or when a child has ADHD or another learning difference—writing can feel exhausting before the first sentence is even written. Many children know exactly what they want to say. They simply can't organize all of the moving pieces quickly enough. It Could Be Dysgraphia Sometimes the struggle goes beyond executive functioning. A child may have dysgraphia, a learning difference that affects written expression. Dysgraphia is much more than "messy handwriting." Children with dysgraphia may struggle to: Organize ideas into writing. Remember spelling while composing. Write complete sentences. Produce written work that reflects what they know. Form letters efficiently. Write fluently without becoming mentally exhausted. Many parents tell me, "If I ask my child the question verbally, they know everything." That observation is incredibly important. Often, the gap isn't between what a child knows and what they've learned. It's between what they know and what they're able to communicate through writing. More Practice Isn't Always the Answer When writing is difficult, it's tempting to simply assign more writing. But just as struggling readers benefit from explicit reading instruction, struggling writers benefit from explicit writing instruction. Children need to be directly taught how to: Brainstorm ideas. Plan before writing. Organize paragraphs. Write topic and closing sentences. Add details and examples. Revise and edit step by step. Writing should be broken into manageable pieces with lots of modeling, guided practice, and encouragement. Confidence grows when children experience success—not frustration. Assistive Technology Can Be Life-Changing One of the greatest gifts we can give some students is permission to use tools that reduce barriers. Speech-to-text technology allows children to speak their ideas aloud while the computer types for them. Instead of using all of their mental energy on handwriting, spelling, and letter formation, they can focus on what truly matters: Their ideas. Speech-to-text doesn't replace writing instruction. It removes one obstacle so children can demonstrate their knowledge while continuing to strengthen their writing skills. Many students also benefit from: Individualized graphic organizers Sentence starters Checklists Word prediction software Typing instead of handwriting Audio supports Keyboarding instruction These tools don't give children an unfair advantage—they provide equitable access to learning. Every Child Deserves to Feel Successful I've worked with many students who quietly believed they weren't "good writers." Yet when we sat together and talked, they had incredible stories, creative ideas, fascinating facts, and thoughtful opinions. They weren't lacking ideas. They simply needed the right supports to get those ideas onto paper. With explicit instruction, patient guidance, evidence-based strategies, and appropriate accommodations or assistive technology, children can absolutely become more confident writers. There Is Hope If your child talks your ear off but freezes when it's time to write, trust what you're seeing. Writing struggles are not laziness. They are not a lack of intelligence. And they are certainly not a reflection of your child's potential. Sometimes they're a sign that your child needs a different approach. At My Learning Farm, I use explicit, structured, evidence-based writing instruction tailored to each student's individual needs. Together, we work on executive functioning, planning, paragraph structure, written expression, editing, spelling, and confidence—breaking writing into manageable, achievable steps. When appropriate, we also incorporate assistive technology, including speech-to-text, so students can communicate what they know while continuing to build essential writing skills. Every child has a story worth telling. Sometimes they just need the right tools—and someone who believes in them—to help that story reach the page.

At My Learning Farm, we recognize differences make each child unique, amazing & capable. Children with learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia are often working harder than anyone realizes. Tasks like reading, writing, spelling & math require significant mental effort, even when the results don’t reflect that work. These learning differnces are not laziness—it is a difference in how the brain processes language & mathematical information. When children are asked to “try harder” instead of being taught differently, frustration and self-doubt can grow. Many begin to believe the struggle is a personal failure, when in reality, the instruction simply doesn’t match how they learn. At My Learning Farm, effort is seen, honored, and supported with dyslexia-informed, evidence-based instruction that works. When children receive clear, structured teaching, confidence grows and progress follows. If your child is working hard but still struggling, you’re not imagining it—and there is a better way forward. 🔗 Learning Difference-informed instruction at My Learning Farm:https://www.mylearningfarm.com/services Different brains deserve different support. 🌾📚💛

Imagine your child falling in love with books—not because they have to read them, but because they can't wait to hear what happens next. That's the heart behind My Learning Farm READS! This isn't a traditional reading class where students struggle through chapters independently. Instead, Ms. Sara does all of the reading aloud, allowing every child to fully enjoy an incredible story while building the language, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills that strong readers need. This fall, we'll journey through the beloved classic Charlotte's Web, meeting unforgettable characters, exploring themes of friendship, courage, kindness, and perseverance, and bringing the story to life through hands-on learning. Each Tuesday is filled with laughter, creativity, and meaningful learning as students enjoy: 📚 A captivating read-aloud by Ms. Sara ✏️ Guided written expression activities 📝 Vocabulary and language development 🧠 Reading comprehension and critical thinking 🎨 Crafts and hands-on projects connected to the novel 🎲 Literature-themed games and activities 🌿 Farm-inspired experiences and special animal visitors 💚 A welcoming, encouraging environment where every learner can succeed Give your child the gift of READS! this fall READS! is especially wonderful for students who: Are in Grades 2–6 Love stories but aren't yet confident readers Are reluctant readers or writers Have dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, or other learning differences Need a gentle, engaging bridge into chapter books Learn best through listening, discussion, and hands-on experiences Because students aren't required to read the novel independently, they can focus on understanding the story, building vocabulary, making connections, and developing confidence. Many children who once said they "hate reading" discover that they actually love great stories when the pressure is removed. At My Learning Farm, my goal isn't simply to teach literacy skills—it's to help children discover the joy of books and develop a lifelong love of learning. Stella and I can't wait to teach READS! this fall Fall 2026 READS! Class 📅 Tuesdays- Sept-Nov 🕙 10:00 AM–12:00 PM 👧 Grades 2–6 👥 Maximum of 10 students💲 $600 for the 12-week semester 📦 All books and materials are included. 🌻 Only 2 Spots Remain! With our intentionally small class size, READS! fills quickly each semester. If you've been considering enrolling your child, now is the perfect time to reserve one of the final two openings. Learn More 📝 Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-If3v-Zu5WoecK2iiGYoWrXhCjeHW0g-fLfMThP-chKCjmA/viewform 🌻 Learn more about all of My Learning Farm READS!: https://www.mylearningfarm.com/mylearningfarmreads 📚 Learn more about all of My Learning Farm : www.mylearningfarm.com I can't wait to welcome another group of young readers as we laugh, imagine, create, and discover together through the wonderful world of literature. Sometimes all it takes is the right story—and someone to share it with—to help a child fall in love with reading.

As backpacks fill with fresh pencils, crisp notebooks, and new school supplies, parents everywhere are hoping for a successful school year. Most children experience a few first-day jitters, but for some students, back-to-school brings something much bigger—anxiety, frustration, and the fear of struggling all over again. If your child has always worked harder than their classmates but still falls behind in reading, writing, spelling, or math, this school year doesn't have to look like the last one. Here are ten signs that your child may benefit from additional support. 1. Reading Is Still Slow and Laborious By third grade, reading should begin to feel automatic. Students should recognize thousands of familiar words instantly and save "sounding out" for new or challenging vocabulary. If your child is still sounding out nearly every word, avoiding reading aloud, or becoming exhausted after just a few pages, it may point to a foundational reading difficulty rather than a lack of effort. 2. Homework Ends in Tears Schoolwork shouldn't take two or three hours every evening. If homework consistently leads to frustration, arguments, or emotional exhaustion, your child may be working far harder than necessary simply to keep up. 3. Great Ideas Never Make It Onto Paper Many bright children can explain incredible ideas verbally but struggle to organize them in writing. Messy handwriting, incomplete sentences, difficulty getting started, poor spelling, or forgetting ideas before writing them down can all signal a need for explicit writing instruction, executive function support, or assistive technology. 4. Math Facts Never "Stick" Some children understand mathematical concepts beautifully but continue counting on their fingers or struggle to recall basic facts. When foundational skills aren't automatic, higher-level math becomes increasingly difficult. The good news is that these skills can be explicitly taught through evidence-based, multisensory instruction. 5. Your Child Says They're "Stupid" This may be the most heartbreaking sign of all. Children who struggle academically often begin believing they aren't smart. In reality, many simply haven't been taught in a way that matches how their brains learn. Confidence is often the first thing lost—and one of the most important things to rebuild. 6. School Feels Like Constant Survival Does your child come home completely drained? Many students spend the school day working twice as hard as their peers just to keep pace. By the time they get home, they have little energy left for homework, sports, family time, or simply enjoying being a kid. 7. Teachers Say, "They're Trying So Hard" While this comment is meant as encouragement, it can also be an important clue. When everyone notices the tremendous effort but progress remains slow, it's worth asking why learning continues to be so difficult. 8. Your Child Avoids Reading, Writing, or Math Avoidance is rarely laziness. Children naturally avoid activities that make them feel unsuccessful. When a child repeatedly says they hate reading or refuses to write, they're often protecting themselves from repeated failure. 9. You Have a Gut Feeling Something Isn't Right Parents know their children better than anyone. If you've been wondering whether something more is going on—even if report cards look "okay"—it's worth paying attention to that instinct. Early support is always easier than waiting for years of frustration to build. 10. You Keep Hoping They'll "Catch Up" Many children do mature at different rates. However, persistent struggles in reading, writing, spelling, or math usually improve most when students receive explicit, systematic instruction designed to meet their individual learning needs. Waiting often allows learning gaps to widen. The Good News Children who learn differently can absolutely become confident, successful learners. I've watched students arrive at My Learning Farm convinced they "can't read," "hate writing," or "aren't good at math." With individualized instruction, evidence-based programs, patience, and plenty of encouragement, those same students begin reading novels, writing paragraphs with confidence, mastering multiplication, and believing in themselves again. That's why My Learning Farm exists. Using evidence-based approaches like Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy and Making Math Real®, I provide individualized instruction for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences. Every lesson is designed to meet each child exactly where they are while helping them build the confidence to take the next step. Whether your family is homeschooling, attending public school, or enrolled in a charter school, you don't have to navigate these challenges alone. This school year, don't settle for wondering if your child will eventually catch up. Let's discover how they learn best and give them the tools to thrive. Because every child deserves to experience the joy of learning—and every parent deserves the peace of knowing their child is capable.

One of the most common questions I hear from homeschooling parents is... "How many hours should we be doing school each day?" The answer often surprises families. Many parents begin homeschooling wondering if they need to fill an entire school day with lessons. It's easy to think that more hours automatically means more learning. In reality, homeschooling often allows families to learn in a way that is intentional, flexible, and personalized. Because instruction can be tailored to one child (or a small group of siblings), learning is often accomplished in less time than many parents expect. The goal isn't to spend more hours on school. The goal is to spend meaningful time learning. A General Homeschool Time Guide Every child is unique, but many homeschool families find these daily learning times to be a helpful starting point. More Time Doesn't Always Mean More Learning One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling is flexibility. Some days your child may finish math in twenty minutes because they've mastered the concept. Other days you might spend an hour reading together on the couch, exploring a local nature trail, baking while practicing fractions, tending a garden, visiting a museum, or observing wildlife. Those experiences count as learning, too. Children learn through conversations, hands-on experiences, curiosity, play, exploration, and meaningful real-world activities—not just through worksheets and textbooks. Focus on Mastery, Not the Clock Instead of asking: "Have we done enough hours today?" Try asking: Did my child understand today's lesson? Did they make progress? Did they have opportunities to think, create, read, write, wonder, and solve problems? Are they growing in both confidence and independence? Those questions matter far more than watching the clock. Every Homeschool Looks Different Some children need frequent movement breaks. Some thrive with short lessons spread throughout the day. Others prefer completing academics in the morning and spending afternoons creating, building, reading, helping around the house, volunteering, or exploring their interests. One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is that it can be shaped around your child's unique needs and your family's rhythms. There is no perfect homeschool schedule. There is only the schedule that works best for your family. Feeling Overwhelmed? You Don't Have to Figure It Out Alone. Whether you're just beginning your homeschool journey or simply wondering if you're on the right track, you don't have to navigate it alone. At My Learning Farm, I offer personalized Homeschool Consultations designed to help families create a homeschool plan with confidence. Together we'll discuss: 🌱 Curriculum recommendations based on your child's learning style 📚 Evidence-based teaching approaches for reading, writing, spelling, and math 🏡 California homeschool options, including charter schools and Private School Affidavit (PSA) homeschooling 🧠 Multi-sensory teaching strategies that make learning engaging and effective ⏰ Practical daily schedules that fit your family's lifestyle 🌻 Resources, learning centers, enrichment opportunities, and next steps My goal is to help homeschooling feel less overwhelming and more joyful. With a thoughtful plan, realistic expectations, and the right support, your homeschool can become a place where curiosity grows, confidence blossoms, and learning becomes something your child looks forward to each day. I'd love to help you build a homeschool plan that works for your unique family. Together, we can create a learning journey that is practical, personalized, and filled with opportunities for your child to thrive.