Petite.net - Homeschooling

Homeschooling

We also keep a homeschool weblog to chronicle things we've done each month.

We decided to homeschool when our first child, Florence, was just a wee baby. Some people we met were homeschooling, and this prompted me to research it a bit. What I found was the perfect fit for us, and both Darren and I were excited about the possibilities of our child's education.

Of course, Flo has grown up quite a bit, and started her first "official" school year in the Fall of 2004, here in Maryland. We've come to know first hand what the process of homeschooling is really like, and all the challenges and rewards that come with it. What we love most is the flexibility homeschooling affords us, and the fact that we can work at our child's own pace.

We realize homeschooling is not for everyone, and certainly acknowledge that there are many ways to get a well-rounded education. We feel fortunate to have the time and energy to devote to our children during these years, and have been overwhelmed by the amount of support, activities and resources available to homeschoolers in our area, and around the country.

Upon deciding to take the plunge into homeschooling here in Maryland, we had to decide whether we wanted to submit regular reviews to the board of education here in our county, or if we wanted to participate in an umbrella program. An umbrella program is essentially a church affiliated group, given permission by the state to oversee their own education program on the basis of religious freedom.

However, many umbrella programs have no religious requirement for their members, and simply provide academic review services. We found such a program with New Creation Academy, which provides reviews directly to members, or offers a support group option, in which members can form their own group and facilitate the review process themselves. We chose this support group option. We then formed our own group called The Potomac Home Learning Circle.

Since we've decided to homeschool, two of the most common responses I get from my peers are "I could never do that. I wouldn't have the patience to teach my own child." and "What about socialization?" As for my opinion regarding these statements? Well, let me tell you...

Firstly, as for one's ability to teach their own children, I think most of us are socialized to believe that educating our children is someone else's responsibility. It often doesn't even occur to parents that they could effectively provide their children with all the knowledge they need to eventually go out into the world and be effective members of society. Or, furthermore, that this process wouldn't involve simulating a classroom environment in the home, but can happen naturally, just by taking advantage of everyday opportunities and resources. We want to provide our children with the tools to do anything they want in life. We don't believe these tools come in the form of any specific curriculum or classroom setting, but from the ability of the child to have the resourcefulness to seek out and accomplish the goals they set for themselves.

Next, we have the issue of socialization. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "socialization" can be defined as "the adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture." This may be great, if the surrounding culture embodies characteristics we wish to have our children adopt. We just happen to be of the mind-set that our children can interpret and define their surrounding culture, without the filter of institutionalized education. Okay, so I know when people say "socialization," they generally mean the opportunity to interact with their peers, not the process of being culturally brainwashed by educational institutions. That's a reasonable concern.

Maybe fifty years ago, homeschoolers didn't have the networks they have today, and homeschooling could have been an isolating experience. However, today, with just a little effort, homeschooling parents can find a multitude of opportunities for their children to engage in activities with their peers. Flo has taken gymnastics, music, art, soccer, swimming and participates in at least a couple weekly playgroups. Equally important, we try to ensure that she has plenty of opportunity to interact with adults and encounter other types of social situations, in which she has to practice using her communication skills, manners and common sense. So, for us, the potential lack of socialization with homeschooling, as opposed to a "traditional" schooling situation is a non-issue.

Homeschooling is much like life. You find things that work, and things that don't. I'm sure we'll learn as much as our children as we continue on this journey. So far we've learned to just not take things too seriously, and to just provide a safe and stimulating environment in which our children can learn.