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What is the BEST home education advice you have ever been given?
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I’m getting ready to start up home educating again with my 2 little ones after a break of several years since my older kids graduated. I was thinking about all the things I want to do the same, and the things I want to do differently and thinking about how to distill that experience into something I can *use* to really make things great this time around.
One gem that was shared with me that keeps resurfacing is “Start slow, then ease up”. Which made me want to ask you all, what is the best home education advice you have ever been given?
Some of the best advice I got was from Jessica Hulcy (Konos author). She was talking about how you have to have a mission/purpose/goal for your homeschool. Then, you pick things for your homeschool that fit with your vision. I think right now there are so many options for homeschooling…different curriculums, co-ops, etc that it is easy to get side tracked from what is important to me. This has helped me filter through all the good options and pick what is best for my family.
Two that we frequently remind each other of on this forum:
“Gaps happen – and it’s okay”. We will NOT be able to instill all knowledge into our children, no matter how hard we try. That is why we work so hard to nurture the love of learning – so that they will be life-long learners and won’t turn their backs on learning, reading and gaining knowledge the minute they are “out of school”.
“It is okay to substitute a book in a curriculum – it will not destry your child’s education or your school life.” There are lots of books out there, and I have discovered that sometimes my substituted book was by far better than the recommended one.
Teach the Child – not the curriculum
(for AO) – Think of the weeks as modules, not weeks… Finish the one module (week) before starting the next. (especially in a house of young kids!)
You are making more progress than you think!
They are doing just fine (from my dh when I get all worried about what we aren’t getting done…)
For Elementary kids – There is a lot of time still, they are still so young.
(I still have a hard time with this) – Don’t Curriculum Jump! It can cause problems. YET, conversly – If the curriculum really isn’t working for you – change it!
Two things I try to remember every day are:
Don’t compare because you’ll never measure up in your own eyes. Comparison is such a tool of the enemy to cause us to feel guilty, inadequate, and lacking. When I don’t compare myself to other homeschooling moms, then the only standard I have to live up to is God’s standard for me. This takes so much pressure off and totally eliminates the feelings of inadequacy and comparison many of us find in ourselves. If I know I am giving my best effort to pass along the knowledge I can to my children AND I’m loving them in the process, then I will consider myself a sucessful homeschool teacher, regardless of what other moms might be using in their homes or what PS teachers are doing in their classrooms.
The days are long, but the years are short. I read that on one of the threads on this forum, and it has stuck with me ever since. So true. It’s important to enjoy everything, even the unpleasant things and bad days, for in the blink of an eye, we’ll look up and they’ll be adults. I have purposed in my heart to enjoy every age and stage and not wish for such-and-such stage to pass quickly or whatever.
Teach the child not the curriculum – Sonya Shafer
I have just started this year but this makes so much sense. The curriculum is just a guide and you need to do what works best for you and your child.
Character first cirriculum will follow – Heidi St John
One year at a time, one kid at a time.
Basically evaluate what is best for each kid each year. You can always choose to do something different if that is best for your family.
Find one or two homeschooling mamas that share your vision for homeschooling (or are pretty similar) for feedback, encouragement, friends for your kids. vs trying to fit into a big homeschool co-op, getting too busy, hearing all the available resources and losing focus of our vision for our family. Still praying this one into my life.
I was told by several veterans how they wished they had stopped worrying and trusted God more. I try to stay in the Word and do just that! I wish you much success!!
There is no perfect homeschool, homeschool teacher/mom. So, we should stop trying to live up to an unrealistic expectation of what we think someone else is like. Every Mom thinks she isn’t doing her kids justice. Even the ones whom we seem to think have it all together.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all, without reproach.”
“Teach the child, not the curriculum.” — I thought this was a Ruth Beechick quote. ??
“If your curriculum seems overwhelming, it IS overwhelming.” — another Ruth Beechick.
Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Embarking on my 21st year of home educating, and thinking that I need at least 21 more to fine-tune my method…..
At my very first homeschool conference, someone from HSLDA said that my goal as a Christian should be to “raise kids who will go to heaven, not Harvard.” That has helped me put all that curriculum, time, grade level, etc. drama into perspective. (Not that there’s anything wrong with Harvard, lest any smarty pants be offended. It’s just not my goal).
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