What a time we are living in! The consideration of homeschooling as an option for education has probably never been more intriguing than it is now. The idea of educating a child at home, for many, is an incredibly daunting prospect. How do you sort through the plethora of resources at your disposal? How do you simplify the wide range of advice, curriculums, schedules, and options that come along with alternative methods of schooling?
Well, I am here to help keep things simple. Often we end up complicating home education by the pressure we feel to have all of our ducks perfectly in a row, attempting to create a flawlessly functioning “school” within our own houses. When it comes down to it, I find that real learning is education, not schooling. This idea prompts us to ask the question: “How is true education different from a typical day at school?” We are used to bell schedules, study halls, quick lunch breaks, and loads of homework. But if you're here, you have obviously questioned if this method of schooling is really the best way.
Anyone who has children knows that no two children, even if raised within the same home, are the same. Likes and dislikes, interests and aspirations, strengths and weaknesses all vary greatly from child to child. In my years of working in education I have found that one of the most undeniable truths of learning is that every child has their own very unique style of learning. Since no two children are alike in the way that they process information, a universal, impersonal, bureaucratic form of education is often far from the most successful route. (I would recommend checking out the book Weapons for Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto. While not a manual for homeschooling, it is an inside look at government schooling from a thirty year veteran of institutionalized public schooling that will validate your decision to educate your children yourself.)
What would it be like to live in a world where you could have a flexible enough education plan to focus on teaching topics that actually pique your student's interest? This is where the benefits of homeschooling truly shine. Of course, I am in no way undermining the importance of studying math, English, history, and science. However, I am strongly advocating for not being constrained by a single curriculum, for listening to your child's dreams and desires, and then coming up with a flexible plan for them that allows space not only for academic advancement, but also space for creativity and exploration. When you are in charge of your child's education, you have the luxury and the freedom to help your child discover who he/she wants to become.
Home education does NOT mean doing everything by yourself. Get into community as a homeschool parent. There are many tutorials and businesses that exist to make your life much easier, such as the business that I run (link here). In addition to receiving feedback from homeschool veterans and other parents, make sure you also receive feedback from your children. This only promotes growth and confidence in them as well as offering you insight into the best ways to set them up for success.
Educating from home should not be a scary, unattainable task. It instead should be a freeing journey, an opportunity to create a life-giving educational environment that does not stifle imagination and fun. Continue to be confident in your ability to make learning all that it should be, even through a worldwide pandemic. You've got this!
Mary Lee Bunch Associates is an educational consulting company owned and operated by Scott and Wendy Sherman, who homeschooled their own two girls before working for Mary Lee Bunch and continuing her business and legacy upon her untimely passing in 2013. We offer subject tutoring, test prep, and a homeschool tutorial. Our specialty is individualized education for all ages.
Well, I am here to help keep things simple. Often we end up complicating home education by the pressure we feel to have all of our ducks perfectly in a row, attempting to create a flawlessly functioning “school” within our own houses. When it comes down to it, I find that real learning is education, not schooling. This idea prompts us to ask the question: “How is true education different from a typical day at school?” We are used to bell schedules, study halls, quick lunch breaks, and loads of homework. But if you're here, you have obviously questioned if this method of schooling is really the best way.
Anyone who has children knows that no two children, even if raised within the same home, are the same. Likes and dislikes, interests and aspirations, strengths and weaknesses all vary greatly from child to child. In my years of working in education I have found that one of the most undeniable truths of learning is that every child has their own very unique style of learning. Since no two children are alike in the way that they process information, a universal, impersonal, bureaucratic form of education is often far from the most successful route. (I would recommend checking out the book Weapons for Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto. While not a manual for homeschooling, it is an inside look at government schooling from a thirty year veteran of institutionalized public schooling that will validate your decision to educate your children yourself.)
What would it be like to live in a world where you could have a flexible enough education plan to focus on teaching topics that actually pique your student's interest? This is where the benefits of homeschooling truly shine. Of course, I am in no way undermining the importance of studying math, English, history, and science. However, I am strongly advocating for not being constrained by a single curriculum, for listening to your child's dreams and desires, and then coming up with a flexible plan for them that allows space not only for academic advancement, but also space for creativity and exploration. When you are in charge of your child's education, you have the luxury and the freedom to help your child discover who he/she wants to become.
Home education does NOT mean doing everything by yourself. Get into community as a homeschool parent. There are many tutorials and businesses that exist to make your life much easier, such as the business that I run (link here). In addition to receiving feedback from homeschool veterans and other parents, make sure you also receive feedback from your children. This only promotes growth and confidence in them as well as offering you insight into the best ways to set them up for success.
Educating from home should not be a scary, unattainable task. It instead should be a freeing journey, an opportunity to create a life-giving educational environment that does not stifle imagination and fun. Continue to be confident in your ability to make learning all that it should be, even through a worldwide pandemic. You've got this!
Mary Lee Bunch Associates is an educational consulting company owned and operated by Scott and Wendy Sherman, who homeschooled their own two girls before working for Mary Lee Bunch and continuing her business and legacy upon her untimely passing in 2013. We offer subject tutoring, test prep, and a homeschool tutorial. Our specialty is individualized education for all ages.
