by Natalie L. Komitsky
Just as we have different styles of clothing, there is also a wide array of styles when it comes to educating our children. In this article, we will explore the practical and philosophical aspects of homeschooling and choosing resources.
1. One of the issues that needs to be addressed relates to a range of possibilities that can be described as the practical aspects, or schedule of your homeschool.
a. On one end of the spectrum is what we call ‘school at home’ in which a room is set aside in the home as a classroom, usually with a standard classroom set-up with desks and perhaps a whiteboard. The family follows a time-specific agenda where the primary educator offers instruction and assistance for the lessons in a set order and format.
b. On the other end of the spectrum is what is called ‘unschooling’ or a ‘relaxed’ approach. These families rely on the child’s natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge to drive his or her learning. There are no preplanned lessons but instead an array of educational resources that are readily available for the moment when a related question arises. Although this may seem radical, children do learn quite a bit with this approach when the parents provide ample support and resources to stimulate and encourage learning.
c. In the middle, where most families fall, is an eclectic approach. A key benefit of homeschool is flexibility. You are free to extend a topic longer than planned in response to a peak in the child’s interest. It does not pose a problem to set aside a math concept until a later date when the child’s frustration is overwhelming. You can do projects and use resources that best fit your family’s needs without having to stick to a set agenda that had been intended for the convenience of a teacher who is leading a classroom of 20 or more students.
2. Next, it will help to review a few of the learning philosophies that dominate the homeschool community. They are often referred to as approaches, methods, or styles. A few of them include: Montessori, Charlotte Mason, Classical, and Waldorf. These and many more are summarized in “Homeschooling Your Child Step-by-Step: 100 Simple Solutions to Homeschooling Toughest Problems” by Laura Maery and Joan M. Zielinski as well as several online sources.
3. Related to these methods is your child’s learning style. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences analyzes the many different ways we perceive the world and absorb information. It is important to give this some consideration when planning how you will homeschool so that your chosen approach will be successful with your child.
4. The next step is to choose resources. Make sure that you keep the guidelines that you established in steps 1-5 in mind when deciding what to use. I strongly suggest that before you purchase anything, that you get in touch with other homeschool families, ideally in your area but there are an abundance of homeschool support groups online. Try to look at the resources that other families have used and ask for their feedback about them. You can also check homeschoolreviews dot com and customer reviews on Amazon dot com.
And in conclusion, go with your gut, and trust that it will all work out. If you find that something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to scrap it and start over. The goal is to make learning an exciting part of your family experience. Surround yourself with positive voices who will help you find new ways to overcome obstacles, making your new learning lifestyle the best decision you’ve ever made.
As a wordsmith, Natalie L. Komitsky optimizes the effectiveness of text to impact readers with substance and style through exceptional research, writing, editing, and project management. For more information, or to get in touch, visit: www.nkomitsky.com
Just as we have different styles of clothing, there is also a wide array of styles when it comes to educating our children. In this article, we will explore the practical and philosophical aspects of homeschooling and choosing resources.
1. One of the issues that needs to be addressed relates to a range of possibilities that can be described as the practical aspects, or schedule of your homeschool.
a. On one end of the spectrum is what we call ‘school at home’ in which a room is set aside in the home as a classroom, usually with a standard classroom set-up with desks and perhaps a whiteboard. The family follows a time-specific agenda where the primary educator offers instruction and assistance for the lessons in a set order and format.
b. On the other end of the spectrum is what is called ‘unschooling’ or a ‘relaxed’ approach. These families rely on the child’s natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge to drive his or her learning. There are no preplanned lessons but instead an array of educational resources that are readily available for the moment when a related question arises. Although this may seem radical, children do learn quite a bit with this approach when the parents provide ample support and resources to stimulate and encourage learning.
c. In the middle, where most families fall, is an eclectic approach. A key benefit of homeschool is flexibility. You are free to extend a topic longer than planned in response to a peak in the child’s interest. It does not pose a problem to set aside a math concept until a later date when the child’s frustration is overwhelming. You can do projects and use resources that best fit your family’s needs without having to stick to a set agenda that had been intended for the convenience of a teacher who is leading a classroom of 20 or more students.
2. Next, it will help to review a few of the learning philosophies that dominate the homeschool community. They are often referred to as approaches, methods, or styles. A few of them include: Montessori, Charlotte Mason, Classical, and Waldorf. These and many more are summarized in “Homeschooling Your Child Step-by-Step: 100 Simple Solutions to Homeschooling Toughest Problems” by Laura Maery and Joan M. Zielinski as well as several online sources.
3. Related to these methods is your child’s learning style. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences analyzes the many different ways we perceive the world and absorb information. It is important to give this some consideration when planning how you will homeschool so that your chosen approach will be successful with your child.
4. The next step is to choose resources. Make sure that you keep the guidelines that you established in steps 1-5 in mind when deciding what to use. I strongly suggest that before you purchase anything, that you get in touch with other homeschool families, ideally in your area but there are an abundance of homeschool support groups online. Try to look at the resources that other families have used and ask for their feedback about them. You can also check homeschoolreviews dot com and customer reviews on Amazon dot com.
And in conclusion, go with your gut, and trust that it will all work out. If you find that something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to scrap it and start over. The goal is to make learning an exciting part of your family experience. Surround yourself with positive voices who will help you find new ways to overcome obstacles, making your new learning lifestyle the best decision you’ve ever made.
As a wordsmith, Natalie L. Komitsky optimizes the effectiveness of text to impact readers with substance and style through exceptional research, writing, editing, and project management. For more information, or to get in touch, visit: www.nkomitsky.com
