My husband and I are about to have our first child (in June). I know that it will be a while before he or she starts schooling, but we want our children to be home schooled and since this is our first time we were wondering if there was anyone who had some experience and would like to share some tips and advice.
Homeschooling
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J
Homeschooling can be very good.
Reformation Heritage Books <-- pretty good resource
https://www.accsedu.org/What_is_classical_Christian_education.ihtml?id=435036 <--- something to investigate
The Well-Trained Mind | A Guide to Classical Education at Home <--- click
Reformation Heritage Books <-- pretty good resource
https://www.accsedu.org/What_is_classical_Christian_education.ihtml?id=435036 <--- something to investigate
The Well-Trained Mind | A Guide to Classical Education at Home <--- click
Some of my questions about home schooling goes beyond how to best do it, to questions about if it is truly a good idea. My teacher daughter says no, that mothers can not do as good a job as people who spend years training.
Home schooling seems to me to be a wonderful idea. My daughter feels that our schools do not interfere with what God wants children to learn, I do. I see humanism taught, and the schools idea of tolerance is not the same as God's. We are to love and not judge, but we are to judge pagan religions and pagan ways of living, just not people. My little neighbor was warned never to speak of God at school, so he is never to mention a main force in his life.
I think children learn better if they are made to stay with a subject until they truly learn it, and are not made to be bored by hearing something over and over that they know about. That takes one on one teaching. On the other hand, competition that spurs a child on is built in with the classroom, it has to be created at homeschooling.
Christians live in a world apart from worldly people, and worldly people are in the majority, now. A child needs to learn to cope with this and it comes naturally in public school. Sometimes a sheltered child gets lost when he must go out in the world.
There are lots of things to think about in regard to homeschooling.
Home schooling seems to me to be a wonderful idea. My daughter feels that our schools do not interfere with what God wants children to learn, I do. I see humanism taught, and the schools idea of tolerance is not the same as God's. We are to love and not judge, but we are to judge pagan religions and pagan ways of living, just not people. My little neighbor was warned never to speak of God at school, so he is never to mention a main force in his life.
I think children learn better if they are made to stay with a subject until they truly learn it, and are not made to be bored by hearing something over and over that they know about. That takes one on one teaching. On the other hand, competition that spurs a child on is built in with the classroom, it has to be created at homeschooling.
Christians live in a world apart from worldly people, and worldly people are in the majority, now. A child needs to learn to cope with this and it comes naturally in public school. Sometimes a sheltered child gets lost when he must go out in the world.
There are lots of things to think about in regard to homeschooling.
Homeschooling can be the most influential choice a parent can make in their child's life. However - just like with all facets of life - there are right ways to go about it, and wrong ways to go about it. Some parents just aren't quite cut out to homeschool their kids, and might do more harm than good in the long run. Any amount of desired success though definitely requires the leading of the Holy Spirit, a single mind between the husband and wife, and healthy doses of tenacity, creativity, and wisdom.
B
I was home schooled by parents who were way more educated than local teachers. There are definitely people who are not cut out to homeschool - if your commitment changes with every whim of a persons opinion - don't.
Other than that, there is so much home schooling material to do the job very well and home schoolers often take college classes way before finishing high school. Do your research, find out which materials and curriculum works best for you and delve in!
I found that my mother and I would often learn together some of the material that even she didn't know. If there is a subject that your child is struggling with and you are as well, then you have several options.
One is to hire a tutor and another, take your child to classes on the subject either offered for homeschooling students in similar situations or for adults.
For instance when I learned spanish, in addition to working with a great curriculum I also took college classes.
Connect with other home schooling families and you will find all sorts of resources to fit every issue you encounter and also allow for socializing of your child. Please don't let them stay by themselves all the time!
Another outside activity home schooling families often do is frequent trips to the library with other kids.
There are so many resources of education opened up to you. Have fun with it!
Other than that, there is so much home schooling material to do the job very well and home schoolers often take college classes way before finishing high school. Do your research, find out which materials and curriculum works best for you and delve in!
I found that my mother and I would often learn together some of the material that even she didn't know. If there is a subject that your child is struggling with and you are as well, then you have several options.
One is to hire a tutor and another, take your child to classes on the subject either offered for homeschooling students in similar situations or for adults.
For instance when I learned spanish, in addition to working with a great curriculum I also took college classes.
Connect with other home schooling families and you will find all sorts of resources to fit every issue you encounter and also allow for socializing of your child. Please don't let them stay by themselves all the time!
Another outside activity home schooling families often do is frequent trips to the library with other kids.
There are so many resources of education opened up to you. Have fun with it!
U
Many home schoolers surpass their peers in grades, extra cirricular activites. Colleges and universities will often seek out home schooled students as they tend to have better grades, work hard, be more motivated and mature. Also more well rounded as people.
Of course, this varies from parent to parent. Some parents goal is only to isolate their children from 'evil' more than give an education. Homeschooling can be better than regular school. First they get more attention and help, because there aren't 20-40 other people vying for help as well. They don't get 'left behind' if they struggle on a topic, they can move at a pace that is comfortable with the, so no getting bored if its too slow, or getting lost if its too fast.
Also, it does limit the influence of peers, because they don't spend 8+ hours a day in hostile, dangerous, sexually charged atmosphere of teens. They don't have the government influence of teaching evolution, abortion and gay rights.
Because they have less wasted time in the day (such as time between classes, getting to and from school, homework) they have more time to do other things such as sports, or other activities.
You talk about 'competition'. I don't think education is a time when a child needs to be worried about competition. Its a time when a child needs to feel at ease and comfortable so they can focus on their work and goals, and not on if they're keeping up with the kid next to them. All that does is create pressure and stress kids out, or in some cases, may cause them to give up because they may feel inadequate, or less intelligent if they are struggling in an area no one else is.
When done properly, public education can't hold a candle to home schooling. But of course it all depends on the parent.
Of course, this varies from parent to parent. Some parents goal is only to isolate their children from 'evil' more than give an education. Homeschooling can be better than regular school. First they get more attention and help, because there aren't 20-40 other people vying for help as well. They don't get 'left behind' if they struggle on a topic, they can move at a pace that is comfortable with the, so no getting bored if its too slow, or getting lost if its too fast.
Also, it does limit the influence of peers, because they don't spend 8+ hours a day in hostile, dangerous, sexually charged atmosphere of teens. They don't have the government influence of teaching evolution, abortion and gay rights.
Because they have less wasted time in the day (such as time between classes, getting to and from school, homework) they have more time to do other things such as sports, or other activities.
You talk about 'competition'. I don't think education is a time when a child needs to be worried about competition. Its a time when a child needs to feel at ease and comfortable so they can focus on their work and goals, and not on if they're keeping up with the kid next to them. All that does is create pressure and stress kids out, or in some cases, may cause them to give up because they may feel inadequate, or less intelligent if they are struggling in an area no one else is.
When done properly, public education can't hold a candle to home schooling. But of course it all depends on the parent.
P
warning right up front: we homeschooled all six of our children, beginning when the oldest was in third grade, and the rest all throughout their schooling years (pre-college)
So, clearly I have my own perspective on it, and I think it's a good thing to do.
But I also don't think it's for absolutely every believing parent, and would never condemn those who don't teach at home.
My advice?
Pray.
Join HSLDA, and don't let the membership lapse.
Find the local group of Christian homeschoolers---they're everywhere, and there are a myriad of activities from which to choose. Almost all have sports groups, art classes, and some will say, 'You teach English and I'll teach science'.
Also, mom to mom support is crucial.
Your children have to know you mean business.
When you say an assignment is due, it's due.
If you discipline them properly in the first few years, this shouldn't be a problem.
I have a good friend whose master's degree is in education.
Though she got it many years ago (she's my age) even then teachers
were trained more in 'crowd control' than anything else, according to Beth.
Neither my husband nor I were extremely well educated, yet our firstborn
won a National Merit Scholarship, and all have been to college (save the last, who's still in high school).
All our children have close to 4.0 averages; all make the Dean's List every semester.
Educating children is more about teaching them how to learn
than it is giving them facts (to a very large degree).
Homeschool curricula teacher's manuals practically tell you when to breathe in and out!
I honestly think a high school graduate can educate their children through sixth grade
with very little trouble, and now that I've done it six times, I can say I have a solid grade school education. (lol)
After that, you may need help with maths and sciences, but you'd be surprised the resources the Lord will bring your way.
I actually learned high school algebra and geometry in order to teach them (to today's standards, which are tougher than when I was in school),
but God was good to have us know a doctor (fellow homeschooler) to aid us with the advanced sciences.
(He's also got a doctorate in computer science, so he helped with maths when we got stuck.)
As always, God will provide a way to get His will done.
He is ever faithful.
Congratulations on your little girl. ♥
My husband always said, "You can't have too many dollies."
(we have 5 girls )
love,
ellie
So, clearly I have my own perspective on it, and I think it's a good thing to do.
But I also don't think it's for absolutely every believing parent, and would never condemn those who don't teach at home.
My advice?
Pray.
Join HSLDA, and don't let the membership lapse.
Find the local group of Christian homeschoolers---they're everywhere, and there are a myriad of activities from which to choose. Almost all have sports groups, art classes, and some will say, 'You teach English and I'll teach science'.
Also, mom to mom support is crucial.
Your children have to know you mean business.
When you say an assignment is due, it's due.
If you discipline them properly in the first few years, this shouldn't be a problem.
I have a good friend whose master's degree is in education.
Though she got it many years ago (she's my age) even then teachers
were trained more in 'crowd control' than anything else, according to Beth.
Neither my husband nor I were extremely well educated, yet our firstborn
won a National Merit Scholarship, and all have been to college (save the last, who's still in high school).
All our children have close to 4.0 averages; all make the Dean's List every semester.
Educating children is more about teaching them how to learn
than it is giving them facts (to a very large degree).
Homeschool curricula teacher's manuals practically tell you when to breathe in and out!
I honestly think a high school graduate can educate their children through sixth grade
with very little trouble, and now that I've done it six times, I can say I have a solid grade school education. (lol)
After that, you may need help with maths and sciences, but you'd be surprised the resources the Lord will bring your way.
I actually learned high school algebra and geometry in order to teach them (to today's standards, which are tougher than when I was in school),
but God was good to have us know a doctor (fellow homeschooler) to aid us with the advanced sciences.
(He's also got a doctorate in computer science, so he helped with maths when we got stuck.)
As always, God will provide a way to get His will done.
He is ever faithful.
Congratulations on your little girl. ♥
My husband always said, "You can't have too many dollies."
(we have 5 girls
)love,
ellie
K
I can't wait to one day homeschool my children. If you felt lead to do so, please do. I went to school to be a teacher, but my dream is to be home with my children. If you love the Lord and are committed to teach your children at home, then you are perfectly capable; the Lord will help you through it
As others have shared there are many homeschooling groups out there that are great for support and will help your children get to know others. There are always those that say that children who are home-schooled are behind socially and I think if done right this won't happen. Keep your children informed and around family and they will be just fine.
My suggestion would be to pray about it. Start budgeting for it now, so that you are able to get materials you'd like to have. Every tiny bit helps.
As a teacher, I'm in the schools and I went through the school systems as a student and I don't ever want to put my kids through it. There is a lot of wasted time, lots of unsupervised time, bad morals, and most schools are taking God out of them. I prefer to know what my children are learning. I prefer them to know all about God and this world we live in.
God bless and Congratulations on the new baby Thinking about her future shows that you are going to be a great mommy.
As others have shared there are many homeschooling groups out there that are great for support and will help your children get to know others. There are always those that say that children who are home-schooled are behind socially and I think if done right this won't happen. Keep your children informed and around family and they will be just fine.
My suggestion would be to pray about it. Start budgeting for it now, so that you are able to get materials you'd like to have. Every tiny bit helps.
As a teacher, I'm in the schools and I went through the school systems as a student and I don't ever want to put my kids through it. There is a lot of wasted time, lots of unsupervised time, bad morals, and most schools are taking God out of them. I prefer to know what my children are learning. I prefer them to know all about God and this world we live in.
God bless and Congratulations on the new baby
Thinking about her future shows that you are going to be a great mommy. Thank you all very much. We will most certainly be doing home schooling, no doubts there. Having read all of the great advice, we have and will pray about it and look at all angles. I do intend on setting up the curriculum early.
Thank you very much, again. If there is any more knowledge that anyone can give us we are like sponges!
PS- we don't know the sex of the baby yet. (I think it's a girl). we want to find out the old fashioned way.
Thank you very much, again. If there is any more knowledge that anyone can give us we are like sponges!
PS- we don't know the sex of the baby yet. (I think it's a girl). we want to find out the old fashioned way.
J
I am a teacher but I don't have anything against homeschooling some right. However I do believe many parents are just not cut out for it. It's one thing to guard your children, but it can be taken to a dangerous extreme. I believe the best option is to find a homeschooling group. Many groups meet together weekly for a class or project. Moms get together and choose subjects to teach to small groups of kids. This set up provides accountability to both parents and kids and helps children to develop normal social lives.
Also search out a good curriculum that teaches perspectives. You cannot shelter your kids from difference. You can only help build them a foundations so they don't side with a lie.
I have many friends who were homeschooled, many who were not, and some who got a about of homeschooling. There are a few issues I've seen too often: akward kids who don't know how to live in the world because they've been so sheltered their ability to socialize has been stunted, and kids with a poor level if education because they've been left to teach themselves or taught by people who have no mastery of the subject themselves.
Regardless of how you do it, the teachers need to be qualified or your child will not be educated well. And unfortunately when they finally do reach public school (whenever they do) they will not know how to relate to real people or will be academically behind.
Also search out a good curriculum that teaches perspectives. You cannot shelter your kids from difference. You can only help build them a foundations so they don't side with a lie.
I have many friends who were homeschooled, many who were not, and some who got a about of homeschooling. There are a few issues I've seen too often: akward kids who don't know how to live in the world because they've been so sheltered their ability to socialize has been stunted, and kids with a poor level if education because they've been left to teach themselves or taught by people who have no mastery of the subject themselves.
Regardless of how you do it, the teachers need to be qualified or your child will not be educated well. And unfortunately when they finally do reach public school (whenever they do) they will not know how to relate to real people or will be academically behind.
B
Begin with the time tested school primer... the bible. There used to be a simple Children's bible story bible that had "masters" type artwork as opposed to the cartoon characters of merchandising today. The one I am speaking of is useful for introduction... encourages reverence (masters artwork) and can be used for most reading time as the garden depicts assorted plants, Noah's ark story depicts dozens of animals... thus you can read point to picture and name it to begin teaching a very young child. Making this the PRIMARY BOOK sets the foundation for LATER when you begin spiritual instruction with an actual bible... and the transition will be easy as opposed to trying to get them interested after they have been exposed to dozens of worldly style character books.
Homeschooling through high school is quite a challenge but well worth it if you treat it like a full-time job and understand that you will get little appreciation for it. Though my college age kids now thank me for homeschooling them, they did not while we were in the process...they thought they were being mistreated and deprived.
The homeschooling parent must be VERY disciplined to keep on track. It's very easy to get too relaxed and not get the work done.
Some parents are against yearly testing but I found this was a good experience for my children to learn to take a 'formal' test in a rather intimidating atmosphere (being timed). This is good training for college-bound children.
One of the biggest challenges is to be able to make your children do what you tell them to; and this MUST start in their toddler years. Plus...be very careful of the internet. My kids got involved with social networks where everyone just reinforced each other's negative thinking...what a big pity party. Not to mention the dangers of pornography.
Good luck and good for you in making such a huge commitment to your family.
The homeschooling parent must be VERY disciplined to keep on track. It's very easy to get too relaxed and not get the work done.
Some parents are against yearly testing but I found this was a good experience for my children to learn to take a 'formal' test in a rather intimidating atmosphere (being timed). This is good training for college-bound children.
One of the biggest challenges is to be able to make your children do what you tell them to; and this MUST start in their toddler years. Plus...be very careful of the internet. My kids got involved with social networks where everyone just reinforced each other's negative thinking...what a big pity party. Not to mention the dangers of pornography.
Good luck and good for you in making such a huge commitment to your family
.
K
That is very smart to look up the laws of the state. I hadn't even thought about that. I don't think taking a test every year is necessarily a bad thing, but some kids are just not test takers. Perhaps it will be just based on improvement. I don't think a state should be allowed to deem whether a parent can homeschool or not, with a few small exceptions.
Out of curiosity, did it say whether or not they had to score a certain amount to continue being home schooled?
I personally am against homeschooling any of my future children but I do support your choice to do it to your own. I would just urge you to make sure they get the same amount of socialization as kids schooled in classroom settings. I had a few friends in college who had been homeschooled and once they were in college the freedom got to them and they went crazy with partying and sex and everything else. I mean everyone did to an extent, but they always seemed to be the worst since it was their first real experience in those things.
"Socialization" is the hot topic when debating homeschooling but we had more trouble staying at home and doing the schoolwork...there was so many socializing opportunities that they were actually distracting.
I can hardly condone the idea of introducing children to the 'ways of the world' early in order to try to inoculate them against them later. Human nature hardly ever will respond in that way.
No matter what their background all children will be tested in the real world and many times the testing will be their teacher.
I can hardly condone the idea of introducing children to the 'ways of the world' early in order to try to inoculate them against them later. Human nature hardly ever will respond in that way.
No matter what their background all children will be tested in the real world and many times the testing will be their teacher.