I was double-checking the requirements for homeschool regulations in Kentucky the other day and this is what I found awaiting me at education.ky.gov…
“For a variety of academic and non-academic factors, some parents believe in the benefits of homeschooling their child. While professional educators urge extreme caution to those proceeding with this often overwhelming challenge, it is imperative that parents and guardians opting for a homeschool environment equip themselves with the knowledge, information, contacts and legal obligations pertaining to the establishment and daily operation needed for compliance.”
Not exactly the most welcoming intro is it? I’d probably write it a little differently:
Some parents know the academic and non-academic benefits of homeschooling their children. Having been a professional educator myself, I’d like to encourage those proceeding with this rewarding endeavor that while parents and guardians must stay compliant with the simple and reasonable legal obligations pertaining to the establishment and daily operation of homeschooling you are equipped to home-educate your child. When faced with obstacles we know you will find the help you need in the community of homeschoolers who are ready to assist you with their experience, knowledge and resources. Welcome to homeschooling! You can do it!
Why you CAN homeschool
- You know your child best
- You love your child most
- You are the one most motivated to help your child succeed.
- You know how to learn. You may not know it all and therefore feel ill-equipped to impart it all, but you are responsible for teaching how to learn.
- You are their first teacher. Think of all they have learned from you already!
“An alarming number of parents appear to have little confidence in their ability to “teach” their children. We should help parents understand the overriding importance of incidental teaching in the context of warm, consistent companionship. Such caring is usually the greatest teaching, especially if caring means sharing in the activities of the home.”
Raymond S. Moore, School Can Wait
You may not be “equipped.” But it’s ok. No, it’s actually great!
When I first felt the urge to begin this blogging endeavor I fought it. I told God, “I can’t do this! I’m not equipped!” He revealed to me that my feelings of inadequacy where manifestations of my lack of trust in him. It was my doubt in his power and HIS sufficiency. Did I have the prerequisites to begin blogging? No. I didn’t. But I’m doing it and I’m trusting in him to fill in the gaps, guide me, and assist me. The same is true for homeschooling. You may not have the degree, be well read, or have any experience. But you are enough because God is enough.
2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV
“’…my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
If you had it all together, if you had it all figured out, where is the room for God in that? Where is room for his power to work through you? Where is the growth? The relationship? The dependency on him?
If we were qualified for this we might take credit for the outcome. When our children are grown, capable adults, we will see their growth as the handiwork of God, not our own accomplishment. You see it’s meant to be this way. We are designed to need our creator. We are not all-knowing perfect educators.
Ok, so I can homeschool, but I still won’t do it as well as a professional teacher could.
I’ve been a professional classroom teacher and I’ve witnessed many homeschool situations. I don’t think I did it any better within four walls, under the directives of the government, and a degree hanging up. I know I didn’t.
You can teach as good as a professional educator (or better!)
Individual needs are met.
While teachers are taught to differentiate instruction for the varying levels and learning styles of their students, it’s difficult to meet the individual needs of each student like a mom can. (Classroom size sits around 25.)
Interest-led learning is possible at home.
In a classroom a teacher can’t go off on students’ rabbit trails to uncover passions and the excitement that learning something you love creates. 25 rabbit trails equates to a whole lot of chaos. You, as mom and teacher get to let your child take charge of their education when appropriate.
Students have more one-on-one instruction.
In a classroom a child typically gets around 15 minutes of small group instruction a day. One-on-one instruction would range from 3-5 minutes a day to 3-5 minutes a week. Remember, 25 students. So 2 minutes a piece is just about an hour of the day. A child at home has access to a personal tutor- mom! (or dad!)
“A university degree in elementary education can be one of the biggest handicaps for homeschooling.”
Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing
Interventions occur in a timely manner.
Students in the public school system with learning difficulties are given an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). However the testing and conferencing leading up to implementation can take months. If the plan needs changing, it will take several more months. (There has to be sufficient data to document that what you’re doing isn’t working.) Valuable time and learning opportunities are lost when a child isn’t serviced appropriately. A as mom and teacher you can individualize your child’s education daily! Making necessary changes as soon as you see the need.
You are the expert on your child.
Teachers do have specialized training. However it’s not training that is withheld from average people. If you find yourself needing assistance, there are curriculums that provides coaching for the educator. If you find yourself homeschooling a child with special needs there are courses, trainings, books, and resources that are available to you too. Because you want the best for your child, you will do what it takes to provide what your learner needs and sometimes that means becoming the expert.
Heidi St. John
“Everybody that I know that has their master’s degree in Education has a harder time homeschooling because of having to unlearn things.”
But I’m just not _____________________ enough to teach my kids.
What would you put in that blank? Patient? Creative? Crafty?
When parents heard I was keeping my kids home for preschool they sometimes said, “Oh, I don’t have what it takes to do that.” And then they’d provide their personal reason why. If you are a parent you have what it takes. It doesn’t take any extra skills. Period. So what if you’re not artsy! Education isn’t about YOU being creative and crafty. It’s about your child creating! Your role is to provide support and encouragement. The child down the street may be bringing home fridge-worthy crafts, but that is NOT a requirement for education.
What do you need to homeschool your child?
Discernment
There will be flashy products, tools, and resources- each one promising to fix to a problem you sometimes didn’t even know you had. You can be lured by all the beautiful books and projects (more than you could ever get to) wasting your money in the process.
Blinders
It’s very easy to start comparing your homeschool to someone else’s, your child to his same-age cousin, your child’s workload to the school down the street, and his knowledge to a standardized benchmark. Comparison is a trap. Your time is much better served focusing on your child and his individual needs.
“When you choose to homeschool you choose to throw away the measuring stick.”
Sara Mckenzie
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” -Galatians 1:10, ESV
Guts
It’s not easy going against the grain. It takes strength to be different. You are sure to get opinions you didn’t ask for.
A Community
You are not in this alone. A community (or rather several communities, both online and in-person) will assist you when the going gets tough, providing encouragement, tips, inspiration, and friendship.
Love.
“Remind yourself daily: while education is useful, it’s LOVE that children and the world need. A deeply loved child with only some education will go much further than a well educated child lacking love.”
Vince Gown
This is by no means a complete list. If you are a veteran homeschooler, I’d love for you to leave a comment on what you feel is needed in order to home educate.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” -Matthew 6:33, ESV
If you want to homeschool your preschooler, you can learn how in my FREE course!