What Personalities are You Teaching at Home? - Part 1

We talked last time about your personality and how it affects your teaching in What Homeschooling Personality are You?. But, what about your children's personalities?

Children are each uniquely made in the image of God. There are certain traits to look for in the personality of each of our children that will help us to adapt our teaching style. Let's take a look!

Sam & Sarah Sanguine

Sam wakes up with a bounce! "Who are we going to see today?" he asks as soon as he sees you. He loves co-op day, field trips, and unexpected company. In fact, he loves anything unexpected, especiallyfun surprises!

Sarah loves hanging out with her friends. Her favorite part of homeschooling is co-ops, homeschool classes, social events, and field trips.The more people involved in an activity, the better!

Because Sam and Sarah love meeting new people, keep school work focused on people rather than facts and dates when you teach them about history, science, Bible, character, or English. They want to know who was involved in the events that happened in the past, what people wore, who married who, what friendships existed, and, especially, what people did back then to have fun. Focus on Bible personalities and their relationships with God, rather than details that don't interest them.

Show them someone obeying or disobeying God, rather than just giving them the commands. Make sure the books you give them to read have well-rounded characters that do interesting things. They love adventures in books and real life. Let them write about people, do interviews, and read their papers aloud to an audience. They love audiences! You might consider drama, improv, skits, musical performances, and team sports for students like Sam and Sarah.

Sanguines like the big picture, rather than picky little details. Showing them how things relate to one another in the grand scheme of things will help them to understand and remember those facts and equations. Removing distractions from a sanguine's study area helps them concentrate better.

Be watchful when it comes to their friendships. Sam and Sarah will talk to anyone who breathes, so be protective. And don't expect to keep any family secrets! My Shine is a sanguine and she constantly take pictures of people and texting from my phone. She often forgets the task at hand, is easily distracted, and worms her way out of punishment with clever jokes or funny stories. She is hilarious! A few months ago, we had a problem where she was constantly sneaking on Facebook instead of doing her school. I have had to teach her to work hard and, then, reward herself with a treat (Facebook, reading a fun book, watching a movie, texting friends, making cookies, or playing volleyball outside).

Cody & Cassie Choleric

"What are we doing today?" Cassie will ask you first thing in the morning. Actually, she often tries to make the plan herself, expecting you and the rest of the family to adhere to her wishes. She is very task-oriented.

My son, Cody, is a born leader. He is a great help when it comes to rounding up the rest of the children to go somewhere or getting the whole family off on a field trip. He can delegate tasks and make sure those he delegates them to get the job done.

My Julianna is a choleric. She was such a blessing to me when we went anywhere. She would organize, delegate, and get us all moving when we were heading out to a field trip or coop. When she went away to college, I was lost. It took me months to get organized again. Just recently I asked her to help me get Jenny Rose ready to go to college. She is a dream for me because she sizes up a situation, decides what needs to be done, chooses who is best suited for the tasks at hand, and delegates. I get lost between where I want to go and getting there, but Julianna is quick and efficient.

My youngest, Jimmy, is also choleric. He has made plans to start his own business this summer (he's 11!) and is cutting some yards now so he can purchase lawn equipment over the next few months. He likes a school schedule, but doesn't mind if things change, as long as he can get all his work done quickly. He is the first one finished each day, not because he has less work, but because he gets up, has a Quiet Time, eats breakfast while he reads the sports section of the paper, and starts his math. While he is working on school, he doesn't like to be interrupted. He takes sports very seriously and has had his share of conflicts with other boys because he is so competitive. He expects everyone else to do what he says. 

Choleric personalities thrive with a flexible schedule, a list of tasks to complete, and something to manage. Put a choleric in charge and you will make him happy!  Be careful, though, they can be bossy and overbearing. Teach them about servanthood and humility. Also, remind them that YOU are the parent and they are still under your authority!

Next time, we will talk about phlegmatic and melancholy personalities! Until then, take time to study your children. God didn't make a mistake when He created each one of your children. They are each unique with a destiny and purpose that no one else can fulfill. It is your privilege to help them grow up and become all that the Lord has called them to be! Walk in this calling with great joy!