One thing I am consistently reminded of in helping out homeschoolers is that parents don't really put enough time into creating a curriculum that fits a child's learning personality. Kids don't pop out of the womb completely blank slate. they have personalities that develop. As such, parents should home test their children with psychological testing tools, including the latest DSM tests, enneagram tests, etc to find out how a child perceives the world. Regular standardized testing helps as well. I help out several parents in my spare time tutoring kids and have redesigned curriculum that by and large, were not challenging enough because the parents didn't know the subjects well enough to administer them!!!!!!
Constant stimulus from an early age: classical/baroque music, TV shows that highlight learning, lots and lots of reading. Science Fiction is great. Also great emphasis should be on developing reading skills even earlier than you thought. Without question I endorse nearly every speed reading technique out there. I use a combination of various reading methods, including Howard Berg's method and PhotoReading, which I endorse heavily. I am not a shill mind you. Not affiliated with them in any way. Just came across the method at the public library. Been using it for since college and I couldn't live without it. My kids WILL LEARN photoreading when the time comes.
Also, I've been teaching kids vedic math principles. Helps kids from arithmetic thru calculus 1 so your kids can learn to do math at light speed too.
People approach math all wrong. Here in the US math is approached like a chore. Survivalism is great for kids in that they learn the necessity for math from day one. From ration requirements to engineering a house, math is used.
I teach my kids heavily with the history of mathematics. I regale them with tales of Archimedes and Da Vinci when we talk about trebuchets and mirrors that burn.
Your 12 year old wants to drive to the mall right? Well explain to them that they have 4 years to save up money and calculate how much that has to be to drive a car. Explain to them that you are willing to help them build their car.. a diesel k5 blazer that they can trick out, paint, haul kids around in, etc. IF they are willing to save to buy it and learn how to rewire it, learn how to do body work. Then, when they want to buy something else, pay them back for it and use it as your BOV!!!
Of course they can make a little money on the side contracting with local restaurants to get rid of their fry grease so they can refine it themselves and run biodiesel.... which leads them to a real world chemistry lesson.
In short if homeschool fails... it is most often that the parents have not done their homework... not the kids.
Blade Guru