There are certain challenges that are common to most or all homeschool parents and their children, especially in the “early years” of home educating. And there are key considerations, pieces of philosophy, and practices that significantly enhance home educators’ success, attitudes, and joy. Dr. Ray will present to you some of the nuggets that he and his wife have gleaned from the home education of their eight children (now ages 30s to 19), and from years of research and learning from thousands of parents and families from around the world.

Every person is made in the image of God and therefore has a natural capacity for developing and exercising Christ-like empathy. Like all character qualities and skills, this capacity can be deliberately cultivated. As children grow in empathy and compassion, they can enjoy more positive friendships, more fulfilling and durable marriages, and a more compelling witness for Christ.

These “Triple D” neurologically based learning challenges affect reading, handwriting, spelling, composition, and sometimes math? You may have the diagnosis and understand what is happening in your child’s brain, but the question remains, how do I teach my child? Beth Mora will present educational life hacks that will help your student thrive in all subjects areas.

Do you have a little one who looks right through you and says, “No!”? Have a teenager who defies you or rolls his eyes? Have a child who refuses to go places? Kirk will show you how to stop a meltdown in public without losing it yourself! Turn emotional power struggles into opportunities to build trust and teach self-discipline.

Outsiders are quick to point out why we should not be homeschooling our teens, but Linda is here to provide fresh motivation and incentive for why we should. If you have ever wondered what the benefits are of homeschooling through high school, or if there even are benefits, or why it is important to finish the course, then this is the message for you!

In spite of what professional educators might tell you, homeschooling works. Even parents with a high school education help their children excel with home-based education. Educators have talked for centuries about using state-run education to liberate people. Could it be that parent-led, home-based education is the only deep and lasting way to free individuals from control (even tyranny)? One of the world’s leading homeschool researchers makes this engaging and fact-filled presentation as he reviews research on homeschooling and documents the findings of his own multiple studies.

Why can my gifted student calculate geometric ratios but he can’t find his shoes? One moment you’re conversing with your student about the research on genetics and the next moment he’s arguing with you that his Superman cape can sustain flight because it has super powers. Gifted children often experience what’s called “asynchronous development.” How do you meet the developmental and academic needs of a gifted learner? Beth Mora will address this in detail from experience with her two academically gifted children.

Many think that good readers will naturally become good writers. Others think that writing talent is just that a natural ability. Both are myths. What are the two most critical things you can do as a parent to develop a high level of writing aptitude, from a young age and into high school? You will hear the two easy but unbelievably powerful things you can do to build language patterns and nurture competent communicators in your family.

Examine the lives of 7,306 adults who were homeschooled and focus on adults’ general demographics: attitudes toward their own home-education experience, and success in life: success evaluated with respect to civic, social, educational, employment, worldview traits, performance in college, and in occupations. Many are _normal._ Though they are remarkably different than the general U.S. population. The findings of research defuse many of the long-held criticisms of those who doubted homeschooling’s benefits. And the findings will likely be a great encouragement to those parents and advocates of home-based education over the past two decades.

It is NOT your job to be the sheriff and break up every sibling squabble. Your children must learn how to resolve conflict on their own. Learn practical, stress-free strategies that work. (Your kids whine, “That’s not fair” and “He’s looking at me!” You want your kids off their video games without being asked (or pleading, “Hold on, I just need to save it, I just need to get to the next level!”).

Explore the Biblical basis for missions and how families can practically make an impact.  Missions is not a divine afterthought but the central theme through scripture. Understanding the foundational implications of missions and understand the purpose for which we are created. See what God is doing around the world in our generation!