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Homeschool Methods & Philosophies – Some Gentle Advice for Newer Homeschoolers
- This topic has 11 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 2 months ago by
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My suggestion to all newer homeschoolers is to simply read books to your kids for a while and spend time reading up on different homeschooling methods to determine which path you want to take. Ideally, go to the source to learn about the method and then decide. If you can narrow your focus to what’s in line with the philosophy you choose, then your job will be much, much easier. You will have a firm grasp on what you choose to do and it will be easier to form long range goals and plans and work toward them. There are many methods of homeschooling – CM, classical, textbook, unit study, unschooling, Montessori, eclectic – they have all been effective for many families. But looking at it all is overwhelming. Narrowing your focus will be so helpful to you in the longterm.
A true CM education is more than a booklist, it’s more than nature study, it’s a complete paradigm shift in what you think education is. Is it for everyone? No, nothing is one size fits all. It is a beautiful, cohesive, natural method that truly is about spreading the feast before your children and letting them take what they are ready for.
Blessings,
Christie
Well said, Christie. If I could add one thing to that it would be: Have confidence in your abilities to love on and instruct your children. So often, it is easy to doubt oneself, especially in the beginning, because you are treading on unfamiliar ground. Yes, that is true at first as far as the literal formal teaching part goes; but our children are not unfamiliar to us. We know them better and love them more than anyone, therefore we are automatically the most qualified to educate them at home. Don’t let any one method, book, or curriculum rule your homeschool. The curriculum or method you choose does not make you a homeschooler; you CAN homeschool and allow the curricula and books to guide you, to mature you, to season you, and to teach you. But the books themselves are not, in my opinion, what defines a successful homeschool.
Hope everyone has a blessed day,
Lindsey
Thank you for this advice, ladies. I am new to homeschooling and will be “officially” starting this fall. My two biggest fears are what you mentioned: lack of confidence in myself to teach them (even though I have been confident being their mother since their birth) and fear that i won’t be teaching the “right” things. Part of my problem is that my oldest son (6) will be coming from a public school experience and we will all need to unlearn and relearn what school looks like.
Thanks, again, for the advice and vote of confidence. I KNOW I can do this!
Mandy
Well said, Christie. As I look back over eight years of homeschooling the one thing I have NO regrets about is reading books to my girls. I may regret buying ‘that’ spelling curriculum or not covering ‘that’ math concept, but I don’t regret the wonderful books we’ve read. I’ve seen the results in their vocabulary, writing, critical thinking skills and on and on.
Mandy, you CAN do it!
Anyway, all that Christie said is so true. I wish I had heard this advice when I first started home educating.
Thank you for the advice and encouragement! I am also new to homeschooling and my kids are very young (4 and 2). Like everything in parenting, it seems daunting when you look ahead ten years, but if you take it a day at time it can be smooth and fun. My kids are so little I try to just focus on habit forming, reading good books, and having fun playing. I’ll admit though that I’m nervous about taking the big leap and bypassing Kindergarten registration next year. My mother and sister are Kindergarten teachers so it can be tough to forge ahead on a path untraveled by many family or friends.
I’m so thankful I found this website early in my kids’ schooling years. The knowledge and support is invaluable. Thank you to you all!
I think someone spam tagged my post. Weird!
Yes, a spammer jumped in and posted along with some tags. We’ve cleaned it up now and I’m going to take the liberty of removing the references to the spam topic from everyone’s reactions so it doesn’t look like it was successful to the spammer.
Great topic…I agree with JennyMN…you will never regret reading great books with your children. Yes, I have beaten myself up over changing curriculum mid-year, math programs ump-teenth times, but never the great books!
This is our 13th year, and to all newcomers, one thing I am seeing now is that even though I changed my mind about so many different things over the course of our homeschooling journey, it has all added up to make up a wonderful, varied, richly rewarding experience. We’re in the homestretch with our oldest in 12th grade next year and I see the fruit of our labors in how well-rounded she is.
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