So you’ve decided that you don’t want to use the standard textbook/workbook approach in homeschooling your children.

So what are you going to do? You want your children to enjoy learning and, better yet, you want them to learn how to be self-directed learners. One question that always comes up when discussing self-directed learning is “how do you evaluate if your child is really learning?”

Bettina Langerfeldt of www.FreedomPioneer.com is an expert on how to do self-directed learning. She says there are 7 signs or signals you should look for to see if your child is truly learning.

7 Signals That Show Self-Directed Learning Is Happening

1. Learning is individualized.

2. It’s fun.

3. It’s based on real life.

4. Learning is actively being pursued which means a true product is being created, not an artificial product like a completed workbook.

5. The child has a passion for what he’s learning. Passion is an inner drive to accomplish something. (You know, they have that “glow of delight.”)

6. Learning must be focused–they need to have a vision for what they’re doing.

7. The learner will show growth (or develop fruit) as he advances one season to another.