Home schooling is not something most people just dive into. When one starts to think and consider the idea they start by researching and asking a ton of questions. Most home school moms would agree that there are a few statements and questions we have heard over and over again during our home schooling journey: Skeptics, concerned family members and people genuinely interested in learning more always claim and ask, "I could never teach my own children!" "I wouldn't know how to teach them." "What about socialization?" I just want to take a few minutes and just respond to these questions and share my heart.. For those on the fence maybe I can help encourage you to take the leap of faith and dive in putting aside any fears you may have.
1.I could never teach my own children.
The truth is when you first start trying to sit down and teach your children there will be adjustment period.And its not just for them! lol It takes time to figure it out what works for you and what works for them and get your groove going. It does take time to teach your children to listen and pay attention to you during school time. But the key is to keep at it, not give up and make it fun. And don't put too much pressure on yourself! If you only get in 15 minutes the first day think of it as a victory, and when a few weeks pass and you did the whole school day you will know you are succeeding. I look for progress not perfection. If my children are learning then they are growing. Learning is more than just workbooks, textbooks and tests. Learning happens through experience. Create a rich environment for your children to play in that will help stimulate their minds, help them learn and create opportunities for conversation. And take some of the pressure off of yourself!! Have faith that children like to learn and will learn all they need to know in due time!
I have taken a Montessori approach to our play/school room. I buy toys that facilitate play ie: cash register and fake money, play food and a kitchen set, puzzles,books, instruments, lacing toys, games like checkers, dice, toy animals and dinosaurs, sorting toys, play clock, magnet set, counting blocks, leggos, and there are some other things over there. They both love the school room. They don't realize they are learning because children learn through play.
For example I just realized the other day that my two year old can count to 13 and I have never officially taught her. I find opportunities to count with her, but not based on any sort of curriculum. She naturally picked it up herself through life and play. She was sitting at the table counting her crayons while I was doing a lesson with Tripp. When I heard her I stopped in shock and praised her! I was so excited to see the proof that children will naturally learn!
2. I don't know how to teach my children.
This kind of goes off of Number 1. First of all you do not have to have a degree to know how to teach your own children. You already teach them every day whether you mean to or not! Teaching is simply presenting information and facts on a topic while coaching children to learn and comprehend what is being presented. You don't have to know everything, I learn as I go. And I share with my son when I learn a new fact. It makes it exciting for both of us to learn together! There is no real technique other than trial and error. Maybe you like to sit at the kitchen table, in the living room or like a desk and white board. There is always room for change and no two days have to be the same. Unless that is how you operate!
There are also many curriculums, videos, conferences, books and groups to help guide you so you know you are teaching your children what they need to know. Putting yourself around other home school moms will help give you the peer support that is important on a journey like this! It is important to communicate with others so you know you are not alone.
Also remember that leading by example is the best way we can teach our kids. Enjoy the process,get messy and paint with them, slither on the floor when you're pretending to be a snake, be in awe of the erupting volcano pumpkin when doing a science project. Get on their level. Be present, be patient, be kind and admit when you make mistakes. Be honest with your children and show them how to pray and have a relationship with God. Be the person you want them to be!
3. What about socialization??
This one gets under my skin honestly... because I always want to say...well... what about it??
If I am home all day with my three children they won't socialize? I mean I guess I find that silly, because even if we never left the house my children and I would still talk to one another. While having conversation with them they would learn how to socialize. Having multiple children also gives opportunities for socializing as children with siblings have to learn to share their parents, attention, space, toys etc. They learn to look out for one another and care for one another. They have to learn how to play together and get along, just like children in school do.
There is also the opportunity to join home school groups, go on field trips, visit the park, play sports and do all the other things that kids do. The truth is if you put your children around other kids they will make friends any where they go. Children are not very judgmental. They see someone else their size and they want to go play!
My over all point is to not worry so much. God asks us in His word, what will worrying do? It cannot add a day or solve a problem. All it does is waste our energy. If you are being called to home school, just try it with faith that God will guide and direct your steps. He will help you figure it all out once you say Yes! You will be capable, not because of your abilities, or lack there of, but because His abilities and unfailing love!
For example I just realized the other day that my two year old can count to 13 and I have never officially taught her. I find opportunities to count with her, but not based on any sort of curriculum. She naturally picked it up herself through life and play. She was sitting at the table counting her crayons while I was doing a lesson with Tripp. When I heard her I stopped in shock and praised her! I was so excited to see the proof that children will naturally learn!
2. I don't know how to teach my children.
This kind of goes off of Number 1. First of all you do not have to have a degree to know how to teach your own children. You already teach them every day whether you mean to or not! Teaching is simply presenting information and facts on a topic while coaching children to learn and comprehend what is being presented. You don't have to know everything, I learn as I go. And I share with my son when I learn a new fact. It makes it exciting for both of us to learn together! There is no real technique other than trial and error. Maybe you like to sit at the kitchen table, in the living room or like a desk and white board. There is always room for change and no two days have to be the same. Unless that is how you operate!
There are also many curriculums, videos, conferences, books and groups to help guide you so you know you are teaching your children what they need to know. Putting yourself around other home school moms will help give you the peer support that is important on a journey like this! It is important to communicate with others so you know you are not alone.
3. What about socialization??
This one gets under my skin honestly... because I always want to say...well... what about it??
If I am home all day with my three children they won't socialize? I mean I guess I find that silly, because even if we never left the house my children and I would still talk to one another. While having conversation with them they would learn how to socialize. Having multiple children also gives opportunities for socializing as children with siblings have to learn to share their parents, attention, space, toys etc. They learn to look out for one another and care for one another. They have to learn how to play together and get along, just like children in school do.
There is also the opportunity to join home school groups, go on field trips, visit the park, play sports and do all the other things that kids do. The truth is if you put your children around other kids they will make friends any where they go. Children are not very judgmental. They see someone else their size and they want to go play!
My over all point is to not worry so much. God asks us in His word, what will worrying do? It cannot add a day or solve a problem. All it does is waste our energy. If you are being called to home school, just try it with faith that God will guide and direct your steps. He will help you figure it all out once you say Yes! You will be capable, not because of your abilities, or lack there of, but because His abilities and unfailing love!
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