Back-to-School Perspective in Homeschooling
The Fall is the time when the homeschoolers get back into the flow of things. The “back-to-school” time can be rejuvenating for home educators and they are likely to try something new such as an addition of a new subject or moving to the curriculum’s next level. The whirlwind of activities like curriculum, scheduled events, practices and educational endeavours pass so quickly that it is difficult to understand when half of the year is gone. It is like raising a family, where unlike the days, the years pass away quickly.
It is advisable for you to evaluate those things that you want to accomplish this year in your homeschool. You need to decide the ultimate goals for the family and children and find out whether your daily tasks accomplish those goals. This is required so that you do not miss the “important” and deal with only the “urgent.” Some principles are helpful in keeping you on track, throughout the journey of homeschooling. One such principle is that your “destination” is determined by the path or direction of your daily walk. These back-to-school perspectives are useful in keeping you focussed on what is important in your homeschool and your family and kids:
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Instead of getting the academic work accomplished, investing quality time and delighting in children is considered to be more important.
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Like doing school is important, knowing when to take a break is equally important.
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Against the disrupted family time’s liability, the benefits of extra-curricular activities, sports and lessons must be weighted. The spirit of the child is more important than his or her getting through the concept that is being taught to her.
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The intention of education is to provide children knowledge and make them competent enough to contribute and function in society. Therefore, learning everyday work like cooking, fixing computer problems, running a household, navigating the political process, repairing vehicle, managing money, performing basic first aid and demonstrating employable skill are as significant parts of the curriculum as Science, History, Math and English.
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The child is more important than the schedule.
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The depth of knowledge and its applications are more important for children than writing correct answers on test or meeting public school standards.
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In comparison to results, initiative and diligence are considered to be more important.
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Learning need not be fun always but you should take initiative to make it, whenever possible.
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In homeschooling, steps can be taken by children at different times and paces, therefore when they have problem in understanding a concept, a break should be taken and you should come back to it later.
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Discipline is considered to be critical in the learning process. Therefore, children should behave appropriately, in order to learn effectively. Thinking about matters in terms of the future can prevent the worrying about small frustrations and focus on truly important things.
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Unless the children are persons of character, no matter how knowledgeable they are, it will not benefit them.
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Since each child is different and unique, efforts should be taken to build on their uniqueness instead of comparing them with each other or trying to mould them, in a specific manner.
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The comparison of your child with anyone else can be destructive and damaging. Instead of gauging the progress of the child with others’ progress, their own unique journey must be recognized.
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An important part of your homeschool should be reading aloud, even if the kids are capable of reading on their own.
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What the children see in you is valued by them. To inculcate the good qualities in them, you must spend time demonstrating and teaching them to be truthful, compassionate, responsible, determined, self-controlled, discerning, patient and grateful.
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Those who want to instil a love for learning in them, the spark of interest shown by the child is important than following the schedule or plan.
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Nutrition, stress level, rest and exercises are considered to be significant factors to judge how well the child is capable of learning. Forcing your child through academics, when he or she is hungry, tired, upset or fidgety will only damage their spirit and it will be frustrating for you.
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Who the children are is more important than what they do or learn.
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Instead of praising their abilities, looks or intelligence, their character must be praised. What needs to be praised is what they will be more of and what will they want to do.
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Since time passes swiftly, the worries and frustrations of today’s homeschool will disappear in a few years, when the kids will be grown ups. Therefore, every day your focus should be on the person rather than on the content, efforts taken rather the results, character rather than competence and faith rather than control and on the big picture rather than small details.