August 24, 2010
Homeschooling | 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.
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6 Comments on Homeschooling | The Areas Of Focus In Homeschooling Programs »
July 1, 2011
mza2012 @ 2:52 am:
Wow, I know exactly how you feel. I started homeschooling in high school and the same situation happened to me. A lot of my “friends” thought I was becoming an anti-social recluse or something. It was actually pretty funny at first because we would all make the typical “dorky homeschooler” jokes together. But then, I noticed that they started to believe that I actually was anti-social. They stopped hanging out with me, wouldn't call, etc. It hurt at first, but I realized that this was a way to weed out all those people who weren't really my friend. I agree that in situations like this, self-esteem is the first thing to get affected. But knowing how to differentiate between fake friends and real ones made me a better “people reader” if you will and it also helped me not to run after people who aren’t worth it.
July 2, 2011
Richard Head @ 1:21 pm:
Fashion Magazine Editor, huh…
If you don't want to seem "goody goody", go find an attractive guy who already has a girlfriend and let him impregnate you. This will surely get you up in the "naughty naughty" rankings. Besides, I heard that all fashion magazine editors are knocked up before getting into highschool. Oh, don't worry. You'll have an abortion. It's not like you're going to have the baby ruin your life. Good luck, superstar.
pfft.
July 11, 2011
Nissim Ziv @ 4:49 am:
If you are looking for pursuing an Online Degree, thinking of enrolling a distance education college and still the various accreditation agencies seem to confuse you, this article will surely be of help to you. Read about – DETC Accredited School – Pros and Cons and Online Degree accredited by DETC – How should you handle this?
August 1, 2011
lilMissAdvice @ 8:31 am:
Yea i ano what you mean i was home schooled and only started school last year, on the first day you want to be yourself! Friendly open and im sure you'll be fine. Just smile alot and be friendly not shy not bitchy but not like reali goody-goody. P.S. keep your hair the way it is, im sure its fine!
best of luck! Crita xx
August 23, 2011
Nissim Ziv @ 6:47 pm:
DETC: What is DETC Online Accreditation? –
September 30, 2011
Organized Chaos @ 11:33 pm:
You need to find an "umbrella school" as someone already mentioned. Some schools, such as Clonlara or North Atlantic Regional School allow you to use whatever curriculum you choose.
The Farm School that was mentioned sounds like a great option!!