The Areas of Focus in Homeschooling Programs

Many parents seem worried about their children, as they fear that they are not doing enough for their growth. Many parents do not find joy in the homeschooling experience, as they are tied to the cultural models of education defined by textbooks, classrooms, workbooks, testing and grading and the age-old norms.

Textbooks and formal curriculum are simply artificial means of education, as they hold back the children from expressing themselves. Formal school education creates the impression that children gain maximum knowledge through conventional modes of education. Conventional education actually dilutes the joy for learning of the child and thus turns education into a tedious and boring task.

Children love to read and being read to and they learn through their own understanding and ideas and also through real life. They love exploring new things and learning on their own. Homeschooling mainly consists of five areas of studies.

. Discipleship- In this area, we start by studying the words of God to gain wisdom. We must inculcate love towards God and ensure that the knowledge of his words is embedded in the heart of the child.

. Disciplined- The basics such as math and language and art are taught, as the children learn foundational learning skills and competencies.

. Discussion- We usually devote a lot of our time to reading history and literature to our children. We should nourish the mind of the child with the best in living schools and also fine arts.

. Discovery- We should always direct our children towards natural learning, such as studying nature, science, creative art and all their personal preferences among the subjects offered. The basic goal of a parent should be to stimulate the child towards creating opportunities for creativity, curiosity and discovery.

. Optional studies- We should ensure the development of the child according to his preferences and ability, by focusing on his natural aptitude and life skills and community development.

A home should be a place of warmth, where children learn freely and naturally, as they play. Education is the natural outgrowth of the discipleship relation between children and their parents. This is what a home centered learning model tries to capture.

Great deal of freedom is achieved by knowing that what you do adjusts to a pattern that is already existent. Nature designs children to be receptive to learning and has designed the home to provide that learning environment .In the same way, nature designs parents as guides. Freedom and joy flows naturally when we follow and cooperate with nature.

There should be no distinction between home and schools. We should learn to live and learn simultaneously. This should be the environment in every home.

Most parents forget that the very essence of learning is based on what they grasp and what the requirement. Many parents force children to learn what they want them to and then they think that they are providing their children with the best education. In this way, the children end up miserable, being forced to live up to the expectations of their parents.