Over the years, I have been told by so many moms, “I could never homeschool my kids!”, or “I don’t know how in the world you do it!”. See, we have five kids, and I have been homeschooling since my oldest was in the first grade, so about 13 years now. Over the years, moves, struggles, ups and downs, I have learned so much about what it means to not only school my children, but also what is the bottom line when it comes to parenting and schooling.
Now, though, during this social distancing season, it seems as though lots of parents are suddenly panicking as they have been thrust into homeschooling their kids. They feel ill-equipped to do what so many long ago decided they could never do, but right now is a defining moment in global history. Our children will probably tell their grandchildren about that one time we were all stuck at home, quarantined, and fighting off a near invisible enemy-virus.Starting from birth, children are natural learners.
Each one has their own unique style of gathering information, but as they grow, they pick up language, movement, eating habits, communication, social cues, ways of interacting or not interacting with the environment and the people around them. They follow patterns, routines and so on from the main constant in their lives, the guardians. When we, as the adults, have the mindset that only professional daycare workers, teachers or professors are the ones who are responsible for our children’s education, what the children see and learn is to not take responsibility for themselves.
We must change our collective mindset. We need to teach our children how to learn, not just how to ingest information. We teach them by doing in front of them. They watch, they learn, they imitate because it’s an innate thing for them to learn.
Although every household is uniquely different, homeschooling is not necessarily setting up a schoolroom in your house with a desk and a chalk board. It is not always buying tons of curriculum, and it is definitely not attempting to recreate the school environment at home.
Schooling at home is, in-part, living transparent lives in front of our children.
It’s letting them see how we process life and make decisions.
I want to encourage the unsure, new, homeschool parents to take this time as an opportunity to be with your kids. Academics are absolutely important and necessary, but also, just as important, is your presence in the lives of your kids.
Show them what you know, and if you don’t know how, show them how to discover and find out.
While you have to stay at home, teach them to figure out how to cook dinner if you’re used to going out.
Talk to them. Ask questions. Look into their eyes and really listen to them.
Teach them, as you learn yourself, how to deal with fear or anxiety.
Walk with them through the curiosities of life and show them that though you may not always know the answer to every question, you will do your best to always be there for them as they figure it out.
When we stop and realize that we are teaching our children, whether we like it or not, it changes how we see our lifestyle and our relationship with our kids.
Do you know how to find the answer to your questions? Show them how to do the same.
Let them ask questions, no matter how hard, and help them discover their own truths.
This is homeschooling. You can do this.
