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Educational Gaps
Will your kids have education gaps if you homeschool them?
Let me rephrase the question: Do you?
There’s no finish line for learning.
Your kids don’t need to learn every subject to mastery by 18.
Our biggest task is to fuel the desire to learn so that your kids keep wanting to learn for the rest of their lives.
Let me add a caveat—because I can already picture some of the negative reactions. There’s a difference between a gap and a child who hasn’t mastered the fundamentals, like reading, writing, and basic math.
We do want to pay attention to whether or not our child is displaying a learning disability, or if the model of instruction is failing. I do wish I had learned math in a more effective manner. I believe I have the aptitude to learn it. The instruction method failed me. Even so, I have launched a successful business without math acumen.
It’s important to remember the scale of what education is and can be. A quality education isn’t simply the result of pushing your children to follow a curriculum so that you don’t leave anything out. Learning has to be effective (meaningful) if it’s going to last a child’s lifetime.
Gaps are inevitable. The key is to embrace a lifelong learning journey.
This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.
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[Podcast #278] Comics Make You Smart!
Many parents think comics and graphic novels are just a fun diversion, but they are actually a powerful tool for learning.
In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how comics:
- build literacy skills,
- introduce advanced vocabulary,
- and foster a love of reading.
We also discuss how graphic novels bring history and literature to life while encouraging kids to create their own stories.
If you’ve ever wondered whether comics are “real reading,” this episode will change your mind. Tune in now to discover why graphic novels belong in your child’s learning journey!
Show Notes
What if comics aren’t just a tool for building literacy skills—what if they are real literature in their own right?
We’ve all seen children pour over comic books, deeply engaged, laughing at jokes, and even rereading their favorites until the pages are worn. That enthusiasm is not just entertainment—it’s learning in action.
The Power of Visual Literacy
Reading a graphic novel requires a complex interplay of skills. Unlike traditional prose, comics combine text and imagery, encouraging readers to decode meaning from both. Young readers pick up visual cues, interpret body language, and follow non-linear storytelling techniques, all of which strengthen comprehension skills.
Additionally, comics introduce an advanced level of vocabulary in an accessible way. A study found that comic books average more rare words per thousand than adult literature—yes, more than adult books! Comics like Calvin and Hobbes introduce words like “magnitude,” “consequently,” and “hypothetically” in a way that makes kids eager to understand them. Humor, storytelling, and expressive visuals work together to provide context clues that help kids naturally absorb new language.
Expanding Horizons Through Comics
Graphic novels aren’t limited to superhero tales (though those have plenty of merit, too). Many introduce historical events, complex social issues, and diverse cultures in ways that traditional textbooks can’t. Books like March (about the Civil Rights Movement), Persepolis (a memoir about growing up in Iran), and They Called Us Enemy (George Takei’s account of Japanese internment camps) make history come alive in powerful ways.
Even classic literature gets new life in graphic format. Adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, The Odyssey, and other time-honored works help students grasp complex narratives in a more engaging way.
Comics Encourage Creativity
Beyond reading, comics invite kids to create. Whether it’s drawing their own stories or crafting dialogue bubbles, children learn how to sequence events, express emotions visually, and develop their storytelling skills. Even reluctant writers may find that creating comics feels less intimidating than writing long paragraphs.
If your child struggles with traditional book reports, try having them summarize a historical event or scientific process in comic form instead!
Giving Comics a Place on Your Bookshelf
For parents hesitant to embrace graphic novels as part of their child’s learning, consider this: if something gets your child excited about reading, it’s worth celebrating. Comics don’t hinder reading development—they enhance it.
So the next time you see your child curled up with a Bone or Zita the Spacegirl book, know that they’re not just enjoying a story—they’re building skills that will serve them for life.
Resources
- Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com!
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Find our kids’ graphic novel & nonfiction recommendations in the Brave Writer Book Shop: https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/list/podcast-recommendations
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Boomerangs mentioned in this episode:
- https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/book/american-born-chinese
- https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/book/dragon-hoops
- https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/book/march
- https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/book/the-odyssey-a-graphic-novel
- https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/book/romeo-and-juliet-graphic-novel
- https://bravewriter.com/book-shop/book/they-called-us-enemy
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Produced by NOVA
Living Literature: Folktales, Myths, and Storytelling
Use folktales, myths, and storytelling to teach:
- grammar,
- punctuation,
- spelling,
- and literary devices.
Check out the hand-selected literature guides below (picked for you!).
Just scroll to your child’s age, select a title, and go on a literary adventure!
For Ages 8-14
Dart (ages 8–10)
Arrow (ages 11–12)
Boomerang (ages 13–14)
For Littles
Quill (ages 5–7)
Develop pre-literacy skills in reading, writing, and math with your younger children!
Want more recommendations based on setting, time period, or theme?
Check out our handy Search and Sort spreadsheet and dive down the storytelling rabbit hole!
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