One of the biggest questions in the mind of a new homeschooling parent is: “What does my child NEED to know?”
I’ve heard so many new homeschoolers these days ask what the public school requirements are for certain grade levels - so they are sure to teach the “right” things at home.
Guess what? You are a homeschooler now. YOU decide what your child needs to know.
The question of what our children need to know, and are we teaching them the right things looms large at different points in time for ALL homeschoolers. Don’t we all wonder if my child is “up to speed” with children their age? Will have the body of knowledge necessary for some magical assimilation into adulthood?
We’ve been conditioned by our society to believe teaching children - and deciding upon the body of knowledge they need to know - is best left to the experts.
We are used to looking to SOMEONE ELSE to tell us what our children need to know.
I understand if you are a person with traditional school experience (which is pretty much all of us) then this statement might be controversial.
But parents, the truth is this: YOU are the authority on your child. YOU get to decide what (and how) they learn.
Our family lives in Georgia, which is a homeschool friendly state. I realize other states may be more prescriptive about what children learn - but for the sake of argument I’m going to assume everyone reading this lives in my neighborhood.
Children Grow and Mature at Different Rates
Comparing your children to other children their age, or using resources that tell you what your “5th grader should know” is pointless.
Each child is a unique creation of God, and they will develop at their own pace.
One of my children read fluently in the second grade. The other read fluently by the time they turned five. Guess what? They are 19 and 15 now and I can tell you it all evens out in the wash!
I’ve been there, trust me. I tried to shove a requisite amount of sight words down my Kindergartener’s throat, and the only thing achieved was frustration and a wounded relationship.
Please honor your child by not holding them to any developmental benchmarks!
Each Child’s Life in the World Will Be Unique
Our children are God’s workmanship.
As with their development, there is also a unique plan for their life, and homeschooling allows us to listen to God’s voice and nurture that plan.
As a homeschooler you now have the world as your oyster - if you see a particular talent or passion your child possesses, you are free to go in that direction with your child.
Do you remember my 10 tips for homeschooling? Tip #4 encourages you to write your reasons for homeschooling to help you remember your WHY. One of our reasons for homeschooling is to nurture and support our children’s God-given gifts and abilities.
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
(but do your research)
YOU are the best authority when it comes to what your child should learn.
Trust yourself to make educational decisions for your children.
Research curricula, homeschool methods, and different methods of delivery (online classes, textbooks, interest-led learning).
Are you able to seek out a homeschool mentor that is farther along the journey than you? Are there particular online voices you trust (be careful here, because at this point in time there are MANY homeschool experts out there!) Feel free to join my private Facebook group, Equipping Homegrown Learners. This is a great place to ask questions and gain support.
God has given you these children to raise. You are an authority on what makes them tick. Now go homeschool them!
It’s Good To Look to Resources as a Guide
By all means, look to trusted resources as a guide. Gather information. Do research. Pursue your job as a home educator with excellence.
I have found some extremely helpful resources over the years:
The Well Trained Mind - A Guide to Classical Education at Home
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School
Consider A Box Curriculum
Our first full year of homeschooling I was getting my feet wet. Even though I had been a public school teacher, I didn’t feel equipped to teach my OWN children. (Isn’t that sad? I know now how flawed that thinking was.)
One of the best decisions I made, however, was to purchase a box curriculum. While it did adhere to a particular grade level, the curriculum was full of beautiful living books, a solid math curriculum, and more.
If you want to have all of your boxes checked, this might be a great place to start:
I know there are more - but the three I recommended are solid Christian resources I am familiar with.
Over time, I’ve gained the confidence to piece together curriculum and branch out a lot more with my kids.
You will, too.
Remember - Rome wasn’t built in a day. And you aren’t going to become a homeschool expert in a day, either.
Give yourself (and your kiddos!) lots of grace, and enjoy this very precious time that’s been given to you.
