Encourage Your Student!

National Day of Encouragement: 12 Ways to Encourage Your Student

Sometimes homeschool parents might feel like we need encouragement to keep going. Let’s not forget that our students (often our children or grandchildren) probably do too! Since September 12 is National Day of Encouragement in the US, it’s a great time to put extra thought into how we can encourage our students.

Here are 12 ideas to get you started.

1. Write a note

Whether it’s a short “I love you!” or “I’m proud of you!” or a meaningful verse like Joshua 1:9, a little note tucked in a lunch box going to co-op or on their desk could be just the thing to warm your child’s heart.

2. Give a hug

A hug, a fist bump, a shoulder squeeze – can mean the world to someone.

3. Make a treat

Does your child have a favorite treat that you make? Have it ready for the next study session or to celebrate the completion of a project or test.

4. Do a chore

What would your child say if they were having a crazy-busy, stressed-out day and found out that you took out the garbage for them and aren’t giving them a hard time about it? Might just put a smile on their face!

5. Invite a friend

Sometimes nothing can cheer you up like a good friend. So invite one of your child’s friends over for dinner, to play with your child or even to do science together. 😊

Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Ephesians 6:21b-22

6. Speak well

How do you feel when you hear someone speaking well of you to others? Proud, thankful, blessed, encouraged? Your child might feel the same way when they hear you telling their grandparents or one of your friends about the latest kind thing they did, their science project success or how they create beautiful mosaics.

7. Give a gift

It could be small and homemade. It could be big and expensive. What matters most is that it comes with love and thought. If your child is one of those people who is truly blessed by a good gift, consider giving this a try.

8. Visit a favorite place

Does your child love to go to a particular park? A museum? The zoo? A lake? Go there together.

9. Pursue an interest

It can be so encouraging to have someone come alongside you in something you love! If your student wants to learn more about pottery, take a class together. Is English literature their thing? Read one of their favorite books yourself. Are they fascinated by the stars? Plan a stargazing night together.

Need a little encouragement yourself? There's more than a few ideas here that you can do for yourself!
Or look for the tired homeschool mom or dad in your circle of friends you can take a few minutes to encourage!

10. Share a story

Especially if your student is struggling with learning something new or a particular situation, it could be encouraging to know they are not alone. Share a story from your own life (or someone else’s in history or the present) where you struggled too and, hopefully, how you can see God working in it now.

11. Do a favorite thing

Does your child count the days until the next time they can fish? Consider fishing with them. Do they love to run? Run with them. Do they spend their free time in the kitchen? Make a special recipe together. Is listening to music how they unwind? Find an event or listen to favorite songs together. Do they grin at the mention of playing board games? Play a game together.

12. Pray

Last but definitely not least, pray for your student. Pray with them and / or by yourself. Pray that they will be encouraged. Pray that they will know God’s love like these verses in Ephesians say,

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-17

And as another Scripture says, “…encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) May that be true of us!

We hope these ideas can be a source of encouragement for your homeschool today and throughout the year!

Until next time,
Science Shepherd

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.