Many people undertake to start with homeschooling, but it might look daunting at first – after all, we would like to do things right, and ultimately succeed. There are so many questions to be answered. I put together some things to consider when you start out:
- Determine the reason you homeschool
- Determine your style and consider your curriculum:
- Support
- Legal backup
- Extracurricular
This will help you in situations when people question why you homeschool, and will keep you going when things become rough. Satan’s greatest weapon is DOUBT, and if he can let you start doubting your motives or abilities, the battle is half won for him already, and you’ll loose ground very quickly (cf. Eph 4:27).
Are you going to “take it easy” with homeschooling regarding your schedule, or are you looking for something more formal? Knowing your family and what will work for you make a big difference in your approach.
Some people HAVE to have a schedule worked out in detail in order to get through planned work, while others take it as it comes. Some people can put together their own curriculum, and others buy a curriculum put together by professionals. Some curricula are literature-based (they let the kids learn through reading a lot of books relevant to the subject studied), and other curricula only cover the minimum requirements of the educational department.
Decide whether you’re interested in official tests and report cards, informal assessments, or not at all, and then you can start fishing for a curriculum.
Arm yourself with as much information as you possibly can, from as many sources as you possibly can, and only then make a decision. Don’t ever be afraid of asking assistance from others (especially if it comes to fields you know very little of but would like to expose your children to, such as art or music, etc.).
Once you’ve decided what you’re going to do, don’t let others (even other homeschoolers) bother you about your choice. There were times I was almost hysterical because I listened too much to how others had a problem with the curriculum I used and how good theirs was. Not all families are the same, so the curriculum that works for some, won’t necessarily work for others. It is all about what suits your family, your children, your lifestyle and what you can manage and do. You have to enjoy what you do, because it makes learning fun and instill a love for learning in your kids. If you do find that a curriculum is too stressful, then find another. But if it works for you, give it your best and enjoy it (Col 3:23)!
Hook up with as many other homeschool families as you can. When things get rough, it is always a blessing to have others around who understand your situation and can support you.
Also consider joining an online support group like the Tuisonderwys Yahoo group (it is bilingual) or the Homeschooling in South Africa Facebook Group. If you have any doubts or questions, you can post it on the forum, and there are usually many replies from homeschoolers all over which can just make the difference for you at the moment you need it most.
It is easy for people (especially those who don’t have a clue what homeschooling is about) to criticize, and the heat can sometimes become intense. They will let you know that you’re doing your children an injustice keeping them out of public school, that you’re withholding good things from them, that things will eventually not work out and that it would then be too late, the damage would be done and the kids wouldn’t be on standard with their peers. They will express their concern for (particularly) socialization of the children, sports participation, group activities, etc. and ultimately they will question your ability to teach your children (especially if you are (like me) not a qualified teacher). They will also throw another stick in the fire – what if… what if you become ill and cannot teach your children; what if you cannot afford homeschooling anymore… etc.
Just always remember that it is about you and your family, and what is best for your children. Others have nothing to do with the way you deem best to teach and train your children. If you do everything out of love, there will be no area of concern (1 Cor 13).
There are also support groups in almost every area. We have a Homeschool Co-op in our town on Fridays (hosted by a homeschooling mom) where homeschool families get together generally for music and art appreciation, outings, and free play. You can go to this website to see the listed support groups in South Africa.
There are many activities your children can participate in (karate, tennis, gholf, gymnastics, ballet, wrestling, chess, swimming, athletics, cricket, etc.), where they will also meet other children in their age-group – and they don’t need to belong to a public school to participate. Schools are in general not keen to allow homeschooled children to participate in their sports activities, because they feel that homeschooled kids will take the place of a paid school member and that it is unfair (private schools might be more open to this, though).
For further support, join the Pestalozzi Trust (see below) and attend a workshop – take your spouse, parents, and in-laws, so that they can all hear that every child is an individual, and that no two children are cut out exactly the same and will therefore not learn, grow or be trained in the same way.
You can always make use of an educational psychologist (every 3- 5 years) to give you assurance that you’re doing things “right”.
Ultimately, the best support system we can have is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. So best hook up with Him, grow in your relationship and faith in Him, and He will carry you through and resolve the issues at hand for you.
As you grow more into the lifestyle of home education, your confidence will grow in your decision in educating your children.
Read up about all the legal issues of homeschooling (if you’re in South Africa, click on this link – it covers what you need to know).
Consider joining an institution like the Pestalozzi Trust. Leendert and Karin van Oostrum “founded the Association for Home Schooling in 1992, at a time when home schooling was almost completely repressed by the previous government, to promote home schooling in South Africa. After 1994, provision was made in the law for home schooling, and the Association helped formulate the relevant sections of the SA Schools Act, in 1996, when home schooling became legal in South Africa.
“The Pestalozzi Trust originated from the Association, and was established in order to be able to defend homeschoolers’ rights in the media, in society and in the courts. One of the main reasons why they founded the Pestalozzi Trust Legal Defense Fund for Home Schooling in 1998 was to counter the massive amount of misinformation on home schooling and on the legality of home schooling spread amongst homeschoolers.
“Members of the Trust can homeschool legally and without fear, since they are correctly informed of their rights and obligations as far as the law and curriculum is concerned (they are advised on how to organize their homeschooling so as to avoid conflict with authorities), and need not rely on rumours. In case of conflict with the Education Department, Police, Welfare, or any other Government agency, the Trust can support its members.” (The Pestalozzi Trust is funded exclusively from the contributions of its members, and therefore will not use the members’ funds to defend non-members).
You can contact the office of the Pestalozzi Trust at 012 330 1337 or visit their website www.pestalozzi.org. Go to “Legal Issues” on the sidebar menu to download the information documentation in English or Afrikaans.
Find some extracurricular activities for your kids to take part of, and will suit your homeschool schedule. You can go to the “LINKS & INFO” page on my website to see some of the listed extra classes and activities in South Africa.
Just remember that children differ from one another, and so do their interests. Even though you’re there to guide (and sometimes nudge) your children into activities, you should do it with love to the benefit of the child. If the child is not willing to participate in some activity, find the reason why and resolve that first before expecting your child to do something he’s going to eventually hate you for.
Enough about the serious stuff… What do I need to start our first day of school?
