66: Cultivating Independent Thinkers, with Natalie Burns

66: Cultivating Independent Thinkers, with Natalie Burns

critical thinking high school middle school natalie burns


 

Get Natalie’s free guide ➡️ The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Your Homeschooler Critical Thinking

 

How Homeschooling Lends Itself to Raising Independent, Critical Thinkers

In this episode of the Homeschool Our Way Podcast, I sat down with Natalie Burns, founder of Homeschool Teaching Simplified, to discuss how homeschooling creates an ideal environment for raising independent, critical thinkers. Natalie shared that as children grow, their needs evolve—from requiring more hands-on guidance in kindergarten to demanding more autonomy by the time they reach middle and high school. The key, according to Natalie, is for parents to gradually release control, allowing children to take on more responsibility as they mature.


Natalie emphasized that one of the unique advantages of homeschooling is the ability to tailor this process to each child’s needs. By giving children the freedom to take charge of their learning, they develop the critical thinking skills necessary to approach challenges independently. This fosters resilience and growth, even when they stumble along the way.


For parents feeling unsure about teaching higher-level subjects, Natalie reminds us that it’s okay to outsource certain areas of learning. Homeschooling doesn't mean doing it all alone; it means curating the best educational experience for your child, with the help of experts when needed. This flexibility allows children to flourish as they explore their passions and hone the problem-solving skills they'll need in the real world.


Ultimately, Natalie believes that homeschooling’s personalized approach sets children up to be confident, independent learners—and I wholehearted agree! It's what we ALL want for our kids' future. ♥️

 

Stay tuned for part 2 with Natalie (episode #67)!

 


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Check out Natalie’s podcast!➡️Assured: How to Homeschool and Not Get Burned Out By It


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