Encouragement for Homeschool Mothers

Encouragement for homeschool moms comes from many sources.  Knowing of other mother's who cherished this role is encouraging, especially when they are from years past.  Moses had a mother who homeschooled him until he was twelve years old.  What precious years those must have been for her, as she knew that her time with him was short and so all that she taught to him was of great importance. 

The book, Patriarchs and Prophets, shares stories and illustrations of Old Testament individuals and how God touched their lives.  This quote on page 244 shares about Moses and his mother:

"She kept the boy as long as she could, but was obligated to give him up when he was about twelve years old.  From his humble cabin home he was taken to the royal palace, to the daughter of the Pharaoh, and he became her son.  Yet even here he did not lose the impressions received in childhood.  The lessons learned at his mother's side could not be forgotten.  They were a shield from the pride, the infidelity, and the vice that flourished amid the splendor of the court...."

"The whole future life of Moses, the great mission which he fulfilled as the leader of Israel, testifies to the importance of the work of a Christian mother.  There is no other work that can equal this.  Parents should direct the instruction and training of their children while very young, to the end that they may be Christians.  They are placed in our care to be trained, not as heirs to the throne of an earthly empire, but as kings unto God, to reign through unending ages."

John Holt, Advocate of Home Education

 

John Holt (1923 – 1985) is best known as an educator and proponent of homeschooling. His views were considered radical and progressive. He once commented that “…the things I’m supposed to know so much about I never learned in schools”. During his lifetime, he studied children of all ages and worked as a fifth grade teacher. He found that babies and toddlers were bold and adventurous, but that by the time they reached ten years of age they became self-protecting, timid, and fearful. His research led him to believe that this was caused by fear, most of which was as a result of school experiences. He believed that children feared being ridiculed by their teacher and classmates and of having wrong answers to questions asked in school. He thought this trait was made worse by children being forced to study things that they had no interest in. It was his belief that the educational process be made much friendlier for children. He authored many books. His first, published in 1964, was called How Children Fail and it was very controversial. In it he said that he believed children failed academically because of schools, not despite of them. He believed that schools actually short circuited the learning process. His ideas about the educational process got many parents thinking and after some time families started to contact him, telling him that they were schooling their children at home. This started a relationship between him and the families of a budding homeschool movement. He started a newsletter called Growing Without Schooling in 1977 which focused on homeschooling. His philosophy of education is aptly voiced in his statement that “I don’t see homeschooling as some kind of answer to badness of schools. I think that the home is the proper base for the exploration of the world which we call learning or education. Home would be the best base no matter how good the schools were.” He was an advocate for educational reform until his death.

A Home School

The tutorial system has never been excelled in education.  And the home has been its coziest nest.  Many of the great geniuses of the ages were largely schooled at home.  In fact, no one has ever improved on the reasonably well-managed home school.

Dr. Raymond Moore ~ Home Grown Kids, p. 20

Simplify: What Matter's Most

Although it is usually easier said than done, simplifying our lives can be a real stress-buster.  And who doesn’t need to bust a little stress?  Perhaps I’ve watched too many episodes of The Waltons, but it appears that in past times, life was a lot simpler.  Not necessarily easier, but simpler.  I sometimes wonder how it could have been that way, considering more manual labor was required for daily duties due to a lack of our modern tools and conveniences.  You’d think the stress level would have been higher and that the work would never end.  Yet they’d often still have time for simple recreation at the end of the day.  I’ve heard my own parents and grandparents tell about this very thing, calling those days gone by “the good ole days.”

So, if people who have lived in both eras verify that we have left behind the simpler life and replaced it with a more hectic existence, then why do we continue in it?  Well, it would appear that we don’t have much choice.  After all, we don’t live in John Boy’s world.  We work for busy people, we worship with busy people, and we live with busy people. Still, there are ways that we can simplify our lives and maybe even resurrect some of the elements of the “good ole days” without living on an island.

•    Commit to family mealtime.  You already know it’s a good idea. So make at least one meal in your day be a family meal, no matter what.  You may not be popular at first because habits are hard to break.  But stick to it.  You can be as simple or creative as you like, but make a couple of steadfast rules.  First, no television.  Second, no phones.  Contrary to popular belief, the world will not cease to turn if you exercise the power button on these gadgets.  What will happen, though, is an increase of ability to focus on one topic at a time.  The dinner table is one place that multi-tasking is not necessary and should not even be welcome. So take advantage of this chance to simplify.

•    Don’t be afraid of silence.   Our daily lives are full of so much static that it is almost awkward to sit in silence, even with those we are closest to.  Recognize that silence is not a sign of distance.  Silence is simply a lack of noise.  And that’s a good thing!  Try doing your tasks around the house without having to have the TV or radio on “for noise.”  Where did we ever get the crazy idea that we need “noise” in the background in order to get our work done?  Or music in order to do homework?  By now, our brains are actually conditioned to this practice, and like other addictions, it does seem that we need it.  But that habit can be changed and silence can become golden once again.

•    Try non-electronic recreation.  Play some games that actually involve conversation and interaction.  My family claims to not enjoy table games, but I find that whenever I persuade them to play with me, they end up enjoying it.  You might even be so bold as to take a technology fast for a while when it comes to recreation.  Once again, the withdrawal symptoms may rear their ugly heads.  But that is validation that the need to simplify is evident.  The more withdrawal, the more the need to simplify.

•    Get organized.  Okay, this is definitely easier said than done, especially for some personality types.  Still, everyone can improve.  I find that making a list of what I need to get accomplished in a certain amount of time is very helpful to me.  One might expect that making a “to do” list might actually be causing more stress by having to try to get everything accomplished.  But I find that it has the opposite effect.  It keeps me on task and focused, which ends up giving me time to spare.  With that time, I can then do something relaxing or uplifting.

Once you have a mindset of how to simplify your life, you will come up with your own ideas.  Perhaps you even have some relationships that need to be simplified.  Pray about it and ask God for guidance in leading you to a productive, but simpler existence.

copyright@gwensimmons2010

Implementing the Moore Formula

 

The Moore Formula recommends a relaxed and natural style for homeschooling. Dr. Raymond Moore was an advocate of the homeschool, and discouraged teaching by the creation of a school at home. His approach incorporates children into the daily tasks of life, with a great deal of interaction between parent and child all day long. Learning tasks are selected purposefully, but approached casually and with fun. Basic skills are integrated and reinforced through games, verbal interaction with the parent, and by application. Academics are limited to one or two hours a day, even at the upper grade levels. According to Moore, “much of the day is framed around the children’s interests with work and service that builds genuine golden-rule citizens and successful entrepreneurs” [Home School Burnout p. 13].  His method encourages that children be allowed to grow as naturally as possible, with a guidance and discipline that promotes discipleship and self-control. [Ibid p. 13] His method incorporates a four-point formula which can be used by anyone dealing with the education of children. This informal approach to learning involves having the child spend as little time in formal education as possible. This includes eliminating conventional homework. Instead, children are encouraged to work with parents in family industries and in church or with non-school organizations like 4-H, Scouts, or hospital volunteers. Family time, playing games and learning skill building which capitalizes on writing, singing, and learning math facts, is encouraged as a positive and happy time. Programs like Math-It and Winston Grammar are helpful tools for accomplishing this. Scary? Yes, but possible? Absolutely! It has been proven over and over again that children not only learn and keep up with their peers by this approach, but thrive and surpass them in the long run. Additionally, children who’s parents approach learning by this approach do not suffer from educational burn-out and apathy. The Moore approach can be used successfully not only in the early elementary years, but through all through elementary and high school years. It is sometimes difficult for parents to break out of the box of traditional educational expectations, but once done success is key!

The Alphabet of Christian Experience

The development of character is an important facet of creating a child who is whole and emotionally healthy.  As a homeschool parent, it is important to not only help the child develop intellect through study, and a work ethic by giving opportunities for both useful and gainful employment, but an altruistic spirit by creating opportunities for service to others. Children from tots to teens can purposefully serve others, bringing joy to others lives, and growing beautiful hearts at the same time.  Service to others should be a family focus and an part of every homeschool plan.  Dr. Raymond Moore, sometimes called the grandfather of homeschooling, says that “when united with the heart, the head and hand move out in selfless service to others.  There is no discipline formula that can match this experience of work and service”  [Home School Burnout p. 135].

Implementing work and service into a homeschool program is sometimes called the ‘study, work, and service’ formula.  Applying the ‘study, work, and service’ method of home education can require that a parent-teacher think outside of the box.  Most people think of schoolwork, textbooks, copywork, and the three R’s when they think of a homeschool curriculum.  But, the development of the intellectual is only one facet of education.  When combined with work and service, the academic aspects of homeschooling become one-third of a whole.  In the beginning it takes effort and concentration to figure out exactly how to apply ‘study, work and service’.  It is generally recommended that each aspect receive equal time. Planning purposefully to achieve this goal is essential, although there is room for an ebb and flow in scheduling.   Over time it becomes easier and how it is applied becomes natural and unique to each family.

  

Writer, E. White, speaks of service to others as being a meaningful experience.  She says that “a company of believers. . .may do a work in the home, the neighborhood, the church, and even in ‘the regions beyond’, whose results will be as far-reaching as eternity.”  A few paragraphs later, she applies this principle specifically to the young, saying that “it is because this work is neglected that so many young disciples never advance beyond the mere alphabet of Christian experience”  [Desire of Ages p. 640].  How appropriate that she compares service to the alphabet of Christian experience.  Just as study teaches children the alphabet of academics, Christ’s alphabet reaches farther and deeper, shaping hearts and hands for eternity.

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister — so should we, by example and instruction.  Everyone is needed, both young and old.  Together as families we can develop a finishing spirit and see a job well done.