First parents need to decide where their children will be educated: public school, charter school, private school, parochial school, or homeschool.
In our state, parents choosing to homeschool, then have three legal options: report to their local school, report directly to the state as an independent school, or report to an umbrella school.
After these choices, parents then have to decide on method and materials. There are many styles, including traditional, unschooling, classical, principle, and more. Generally, each style has a multitude of curriculum and resources.
How does a parent navigate these educational opportunities, especially when each one claims to be the best?
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ~ James 1:5 ESV
By the time our oldest was two, going on three, we were exploring educational choices. We had heard about homeschooling, but had serious reservations. After spending time in prayer and exploring each option, we fell assured that despite our honest concerns, God was leading our family to homeschool.
How we were to homeschool, remained a mystery. In the beginning I felt like I was being tossed in the waves. Each approach, method, and material seemed the best. Glossy, multicolored catalogs filled our mailbox daily and screamed for attention. Each choice was considered carefully.
Why when we earnestly sought His will on the overall major educational decision, did we seek our own wisdom for the details?
How I wish we had come to a place of dependence on the details much sooner! Heartache and frustration would have been spared. Hours of trying to make ourselves fit into someone else's definition would not have been wasted. For many years later, we have come to whole heartily believe that each family and each child within that family is unique. No one child, nor family for that matter, can be 'put into a box.' So, we stopped trying. We found freedom in homeschool choices and curriculum. We pick what works for us and leave behind what doesn't.
Tomorrow, I'll share specifically about the homeschool approaches that work for our family.
However, today, if I could just encourage every parent to embrace the available educational choices and freedoms, choosing what style of schooling works best for your family. Please don't allow another, or another's choice, to define you.
~ Dorie |
Wise words! I am fortunate to live where there are really no rules for homeschoolers. No need to register, or choose, or even document what we do. {Which makes me a little nervous}
ReplyDeleteI am going to use a cirriculum for Sophie's preschool this year, just to test the waters and see how it goes.
i have one heading to 4th grade and one to 2nd and am still on the fence about homeschooling. anxious for your post tomorrow
ReplyDeleteAurie, I have heard of states with minimal or no set requirements. Our state isn't as strict as others, but I sure do appreciate our umbrella school which offers us accountability and community.
ReplyDeleteMom of M&Ms, we too were 'on the fence' about homeschooling before we started. Educational choices are not easy decisions, and I'll be praying for wisdom for your family.