The kids have been back to school a couple of weeks now. I find myself agonizing even more over germs, safety, teaching methods, and most of all, preserving my children’s innocence. I always toyed with the idea of homeschooling, back before Nate entered Pre-K. While most in my family gave me funny looks, my husband was and is supportive and understanding. However, I questioned, then and now, my ability and my patience. I have never been one to think that homeschooled children are unsocial, or weird. In fact, I believe they are more mature, responsible, passionate, sensitive, careful, and respectful. Who doesn’t want that? My main concern has always been the education level of those who taught their kids. While most are qualified, many are not.
The public school system, which has certification and licensure requirements, though less so with the private schools, which set their own teacher qualifications criteria, the qualifications for homeschooling are not much more than being a parent. In addition, parents - like all other members of the general population -not specially trained in instruction, may be better or worse teachers, with greater or less knowledge about any particular subject area. Although parents can bring a wealth of specialized information about and understanding of their child to the teaching situation, teaching is not just about the child: it is also about the subject area and the process of acquiring the knowledge of and mindset for each subject area and ability to perform the processes and tasks associated with it.
The skills of parenting and instructing are not exactly the same. Teachers not only have some subject area expertise, knowledge of child development and the needs of students with various learning styles, but they also have training in assisting children with special needs, such as learning disabilities. Teachers are required to undergo continuing education, that is, professional development in their fields, even after they receive a teaching license. (While I have elaborated, I do recognize that bad professional instructors do exist. The difference to me is a child will have that teacher for one year not the course of their entire education.)
Off my soapbox now and back to my point.
Before they entered public school, I taught both Nate and Kira reading, writing, and simple math and now I am beginning the same journey for Kyla. The difference? I am now following a curriculum. I have challenged myself. If I can effectively teach Ms. Sass, then I know I can do this homeschool thing. I enjoy the pleasures and the challenges of educating them. I demand to be an active participant in their education. I want to slow down just enough to allow them to fully take in what they are learning, to care about it, and to enjoy it by relating it to the greater spectrum of knowledge, thereby making learning relevant. I want them to gain greater values, greater freedom, and greater satisfaction with their family and their life. While the idea is overwhelming, stressful, and causes maybe a slight panic attack; the moment that understanding flashes on Kyla's face makes it all worthwhile. (And I will admit...makes me a proud Momma!) Stay tuned and I will let you know how it goes!!
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