After several years of filling out school registration forms, my husband and I now have what you might call our philosophy of education. It reads as follows:
We feel it is our responsibility to provide our children with a Christ-centered education. Luke 2:52 states that, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” We feel a complete education focuses on four aspects: spiritual, mental, physical and emotional. True education will find a balance among all four elements of a child’s development. A “well-educated” person will be able to take the truths of Scripture and apply them to all areas of life. Our goal is to help our children develop a Christian world view in order to evaluate what the world is presenting through the filter of God’s Word. We desire our children to show evidence of love as commanded in Matthew 22:37-39 and 1 Corinthians 13 as well as the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Proverbs 22:5 tells us to “train a child in the way he should go.” We look at this as teaching our children in the path, or way, that is right for them according to the individual needs of each child. Our greatest desire is for our children to reach their full potential in Christ.
Having formulated that philosophy, we feel that at this time we can best achieve these goals through the establishment of a home school program in our home. So we have chosen to home school both kids next year. As I have been contemplating this new adventure, I wrote out some specific things I think homeschooling will allow to occur in our home.
Discipleship. Homeschooling will allow many opportunities for one-on-one discipleship. During the day we can address character issues as they arise. I can help my children recognize areas of improvement as well as encourage them when they make good, positive choices. I can teach them from a Christian worldview; help them see what they are learning through the filter of Scripture. In addition to teaching character, I also plan to begin teaching them how to study the Bible inductively and how to begin to apply what they are learning to their personal lives.
Tying the heartstrings. This was a phrase I read in a book awhile back. I look forward to the opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with both of my children. I want to know their hearts; to understand what motivates them and what holds them back. I want to share in the joys of their accomplishments and be there to help them through the challenges. I want a relationship with them that will be long lasting so that when they grow up they will WANT to come home and spend time with me. As we enter the teenage years, I especially want to have a strong connection with my girl. That was a difficult time for me and I want to be able to guide her through it with wisdom that she is open to hearing.
Education. Of course this is a factor. It’s not the #1 on the list, but it is a reason. Having been a teacher, I understand the need for the entire class to go at the same pace. Those who struggle lag behind, those who are advanced get bored. By working one-on-one with my kids, they will be able to learn at their own pace. We can take our time where needed, set aside something that is too frustrating and revisit it later, or move ahead when things are grasped more quickly. Also, homeschooling allows me to teach to their strengths; they can learn in the style that suits them best. I love the flexibility offered by this type of setting.
Opportunities. We won’t be confined to the “classroom”. We can go out and see and do the things we’re studying. There is a world out there to explore. We won’t have to spend the afternoons doing homework, we can go for nature walks, visit museums and the library or just enjoy one another's company at home while relaxing. The kids can actually participate in sports or music lessons because our time will be more flexible. There are lots of field trips offered with our homeschool group as well that will not only be educational in nature, but social as well.
Socialization. Yes, this is what most people bring up as a negative in home schooling. But really, I think most homeschoolers have the opposite problem of being too social. It’s easy to get carried away with the flexibility and jump into every opportunity under the sun. We are very guarded with our time. I know our limits and I like to keep everyone in a good mood so when we are together, we can actually enjoy one another’s company. But there will be Friday school, park days, field trips, church and more time to see the grandparents. I like that the kids can relate well to a variety of ages - both young and old. This is a benefit to the home schooling world.
Creativity. This is more for me I think. I enjoyed teaching and I like that I can bring my organizational and creative skills to the task of homeschooling my children. I have always found curriculum to be a jumping off point. I like to find interesting ways to bring the textbook to life. When I was finally able to do this with my son this past year, it really brought a brightness to our school time. I like that the kids and I can come up with creative ways to show what they are learning.
Choice of curriculum and structure. There are many different philosophies of education out there and numerous curriculums to choose from. The beauty of homeschooling is that each family can choose what suits the needs of both mother and child best. We have chosen to take an academic approach to homeschooling. This may be in part because my husband and I are educators, but I also feel it lends itself well to our children’s way of learning. They both do well with the structure and routine of an academic curriculum. The kids have always been interested in learning, reading, and educational activities. Before our son began kindergarten, he would sit down (on his own) and work through page after page of a workbook I had laying around. When we started schooling officially, I had to tear the pages out of his workbooks because he wanted to keep going. Homeschooling offers each parent the choice of instruction style and curriculum - a great benefit!
This is something I have felt “called” to do since our kids were small. We decided it best to send our daughter to school for her first three years of elementary school. But we have now re-evaluated and determined it’s time to “circle the wagons” and bring her home. Our son was not ready for the structure of school. And after having been home for his kindergarten year, we feel he is better suited to learn at home - going at his own pace instead of that of the classroom.
I am not naive and know that having both kids home will be challenging. But I am looking forward to the opportunity of being the one to teach my children this next year. The shift in priorities and focus won’t always be easy, but I am trusting that the benefits to our children and our family as a whole will be worth the personal sacrifice and trials that lay ahead. And I know that I can do “all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
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