Introduction to My ADHD-Friendly Homeschool Learning Plan
As many of us ADHDers know, impulse buying is often a part of our experience—whether it’s a new book, shiny homeschooling resource, or the latest educational trend. We might end up with stacks of books, excited by the potential, but overwhelmed by how to actually use them. Sound familiar? If you’re like me, you’ve probably collected a library of homeschooling books but have struggled to make sense of it all and turn those pages into practical, everyday learning.
That’s why I’ve created this ADHD-friendly homeschool learning plan: to help us break down the process and make it manageable without feeling stressed or bogged down. This isn’t about rushing through everything or trying to do it all at once. It’s about creating a simple, flexible system that works for our ADHD brains, allowing us to learn at our own pace and apply what we learn in a way that fits our lifestyle.
If you’re ready to make sense of those books and turn them into actionable ideas, check out the plan below. Together, we can finally make learning for both for ourselves and our children: exciting and attainable.
Purpose: To help you absorb homeschooling book content in a manageable, flexible way without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 1: Break Books into Categories
Group the books into categories based on their themes. This will help you focus on one topic at a time without jumping back and forth between unrelated ideas.
- Homeschooling Philosophy & Strategies
- The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
- Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart
- Becoming Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart
- The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment
- Organizing & Planning
- Plan Your Year by Pam Barnhill
- Better Together by Pam Barnhill
- The Four-Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson
- Strength-Based & Growth-Oriented Learning
- Strength-Based Learning by Shawna Wingert
- The Homeschool Advantage by Colleen Kessler
- The Growth Mindset Coach by Annie Brock & Heather Hundley
- Project-Based & Creative Learning
- Project-Based Homeschooling by Lori McWilliam Pickert
- Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
- Emotional Intelligence & Discipline
- Emotional Intelligence by Kanoy
- Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen
Step 2: Break Down Your Learning Process into Small, Manageable Chunks
Goal: Focus on one book category at a time, allowing flexibility to move at your own pace. No need to rush!
- 1. Read a Little Each Day Start small: Aim to read just 10-15 minutes per day from one book.
Daily Target: One chapter or section per day is enough.
Use a bookmark to easily mark where you stopped each time so you can pick up right where you left off. - 2. Actionable Takeaways After each reading session, write down key points:
- Top 3 Ideas: What are the 3 most important things you learned from that section?
- Action Steps: Choose 1-2 simple action steps you can apply right away in your homeschool routine.
This is where you can turn what you’ve read into real actions that will help you move forward.
- 3. Weekly Reflection At the end of each week, spend 5-10 minutes reflecting on your progress:
- What worked well? What ideas were easy to implement?
- What could be tweaked? Where do you need more clarity or adjustments?
- Jot down insights or ideas that could be applied next week, whether in your homeschool plan or a different area of your life.
Step 3: Flexible Schedule & Time Frame
This schedule is flexible, so you can take as much time as you need per book category, depending on your energy, focus, and interest.
- 1-2 Weeks per Category (Ideal for ADHD brains) Focus on 1 category for 1-2 weeks.
For example, read the homeschooling philosophy books for 1-2 weeks and take time to integrate the ideas.
If you feel inspired, you can spend extra time on any book if something really stands out to you.
Step 4: Monthly Recap (Simple Check-in)
Goal: Once a month, review what you’ve learned without pressure.
- Highlight the most useful points: Focus on the concepts that resonated the most with you.
- Choose 1-2 actions to focus on for the following month.
- Adjust the plan if needed, based on what’s working or what you feel like revisiting. Keep it simple and flexible!
Step 5: Create a Simple Notebook for Notes & Ideas
Keep a dedicated notebook for each book or category. This will be your space for jotting down insights, actionable steps, and reflections.
- Keep it short and sweet: No need for long paragraphs. Bullet points or short sentences are perfect.
- Write down simple reflections and actionable steps after each reading session. This will help you stay organized and motivated.
Step 6: Keep the Plan Flexible
Since ADHD brains thrive on flexibility, don’t stress about sticking to the plan perfectly.
- Shift gears if you need a break from one topic and go to something else that feels easier or more exciting.
- Don’t worry if you don’t finish a book in a set amount of time—just go at your own pace.
- It’s okay to skip sections you’re not ready for and come back to them later.
Additional Tips to Stay ADHD-Friendly:
- Visual Reminders: Use sticky notes or reminders to keep track of where you are.
- Timers: If you’re struggling to focus, set a timer for 10-15 minutes to read, then take a break.
- Accountability: If you want extra motivation, consider sharing your progress with a friend or homeschooling community, even just once a month.
Printable Plan Summary
- Categories to Read:
- Philosophy & Strategies
- Organizing & Planning
- Strength-Based Learning
- Project-Based & Creative Learning
- Emotional Intelligence & Discipline
- Daily Goals:
- 10-15 minutes of reading
- 1 chapter/section at a time
- Write 3 takeaways and 1-2 action steps
- Weekly Reflection:
- Spend 5-10 minutes reviewing insights and ideas
- Adjust the plan if needed
- Monthly Recap:
- Focus on the most impactful ideas
- Choose 1-2 actions to focus on for next month
This ADHD-friendly approach keeps things simple, flexible, and manageable while still allowing you to engage with and implement the important concepts in each book.
Disclaimer: The books listed in this plan are secular resources, and some may contain surface-level references to Christian perspectives. Feel free to substitute the book titles with similar ones you already own or prefer. I recommend gearing up your Islamic filter to align the insights with Islamic values.
