Preparation for Homeschooling - Action Steps
Preparation for homeschooling...The origins... The road leading up to the point where a parent starts to homeschool her children typically follows the following winding course: - The seed is planted -
- No two situations are the same, but it usually so happens that one or more situations develop in a parent's life that plant the homeschooling seed in her mind.
- Sometimes it is a article that she reads somewhere.
- sometimes it is a conversation with another homeschooler.
- Sometimes it is a shocking discovery of the weaknesses of the public education system.
Whatever the situation may be, a seed is planted and the preparation for homeschooling has begun.
2. An awakening of interest - - As the seed germinates, the parent's interest in homeschooling is awakened and honed.
- The parent pricks her ears, puts on her blinkers and finds more and more references and information about homeschooling.
- This is the period when the parent frequently searches for items of news that expose the weaknesses of the public school system and glorify homeschooling as an alternative. (follow the following link to a very famous article on this topic).
- During this period the idea is shared with the spouse and other significant members of the extended family.The nature of their responses may put the interest in homeschooling to rest, or may encourage it.
- Christians usually make it a matter of prayer as they search for Divine guidance and confirmation.
- More information is searched for and discovered.
3. The die is cast - - Then,one day, usually for no specific reason, the parent/s makes the decision and preparation for homeschooling becomes more focussed.
- During this period the search for information is intensified.
It is interesting that during this -more formal- phase it is the father who takes the initiative to do the 'theoretical research'. Often he will spend late nights on the internet. Reading, making notes, comparing, etc. Mother, on the other hand, is the one who cannot wait to get started. - It is also during this period that the parent starts to suffer from information overload.
- One of the major problems is that homeschooling information is very often presented in disjointed byte size bits and pieces.
- A multitude of web pages jump into sight and a zillion homeschool related advertisements shout: Buy me!
The net effect usually is utter frustration on the one hand, or the purchasing of a variety of homeschooling resources without really understanding what lies behind, or beneath, the particular program or set of resources.
First, Focus on the Essences Through the years I have listened carefully to the stories of many homeschoolers as they tell of their frustrations in trying to chart their way through the overload of disjointed information. I have also vicariously suffered with homeschoolers as they discovered that homeschooling is not all moonlight and roses like so many proponents seem to claim. At this point my advice is: - Start your search for information by focusing on and searching for the essences of homeschooling.
- Do not at first get stuck in the mud of a multitude of programs and resources.
- I know most of us are in a hurry to get started.
- We furthermore tend to believe that the how to aspects of homeschooling should receive first attention.
- Then follows the purchase of a specific program or curriculum.
Become aware of this trap and steer clear of it! Remember, every practical how to suggestion is embedded in a particular philosophy and can only be meaningfully understood and implemented when one understands its philosophical roots and foundation! - In the following articles I put the blinkers on for you as I present the essences of homeschooling from two different perspectives and challenge you to first think basics.
- When you have a good grasp of the philosophical essence of homeschooling, you will be much better equipped to evaluate and to steer your way through the multitude of options that will come into your homeschoolng radar.
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