Just as growth is a part of life, so is learning. Learning is growing. The ultimate goal of homeschooling is to create an environment that is positive and nurturing, that encourages learning, and enables the child to grow into a successful adult. That is why in the article on Goals and Objectives it is suggested that you ask yourself this question: “What is it I want to see in my children when they are young adults?
If you look up the definition of the word learning, you will find that it includes:
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gaining knowledge of a subject;
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acquiring information by instruction, observation, and experience;
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acquiring a skill;
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coming to know, recognize, and become acquainted with something;
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fixing in the mind; memorizing; and
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acquiring a habit or attitude.
In other words, it’s more than just academics – it’s life preparation. Proverbs 22:6 points to a vital principle for creating a positive learning environment. It advises us to train up a child in the way he should go. In the original language, the phrase “in the way he should go” refers to the child’s individual bents or design. Throughout scripture it is apparent that God has a plan for each person and that each individual is designed in a unique way to fulfill that plan. He motivates us, fits us, equips us, and empowers us to fulfill our design – to the extent that we allow Him to do so.
Putting these ideas together, we find that creating a positive learning environment means:
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we acknowledge that God created each of our children in a wonderfully unique way;
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we understand that He gave them ways of learning that will help them fulfill His will for
their life;
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we recognize the different ways our children learn and respond to training;
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we adjust our training accordingly and as God directs; and
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we do not allow these differences to become an excuse for lack of effort.
What exactly does this training involve? There are different words for teaching and training used
the Bible. They include:
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providing instruction (academics);
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mentoring and passing along skills (life skills);
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instilling values (worldview and character training);
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developing discipline and exercising self-control (relational skills);
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applying understanding (thinking skills);
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providing emotional and spiritual guidance;
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taking care of the body and keeping it under control;
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modeling behaviors; and
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gaining wisdom.
It should be apparent by now that creating a positive learning environment requires commitment.
It requires the involvement of the whole family. And it often requires changes in lifestyle.
From practical experience, there are some things you can do to enhance the learning environment.
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Remember that actions speak louder than words. Do the activities you choose and the ways you
spend your time match what you are trying to create?
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Does the curriculum you use and the homeschooling approach you follow build on what you are trying
to create or work against it?
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Consider what is vital and match your goals to these key elements.
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Before you begin each year, decide what must be mastered, what should be practiced, and what is
extra or supplemental if there is time. Then when interruptions, emergencies, and changes in
plans are necessary, it will be easier to decide what things can be dropped.
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To the extent possible, set up your house in a way that encourages the type of interaction you want.
Invest in quality bookshelves and reading materials to create a library at your fingertips. Put
related learning materials in clear plastic tubs to create “learning centers” for crafts, workbooks,
games, and activities. If you have visual learners, make sure you have space on the walls to hang
posters, bulletin boards, and timelines. If you have hands-on learners, create a space where you
don’t have to worry about making messes, where you can leave projects out that are still in the
works, and store hands-on tools.
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Find out what resources are available in your community and near-by such as libraries, museums,
art institutes, recreational programs, cultural activities, ethnic clubs, parks, nature reserves –
you get the idea. And don’t be surprised if your local library becomes your “home away from home.”
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Find a way of organizing your household that works for your personality type and teaching style.
This system should:
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be maintainable (even if it falls by the wayside from time to time);
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include a way to manage your time and track progress;
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have a record-keeping system that is reasonable and sufficient, yet takes the least amount
of time possible;
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include a schedule or routine that is flexible enough to accommodate differences within the
family, that can serve as a guideline, yet be changed if necessary; and
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divide the workload and chores across the family as much as possible.
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Make sure there is “breathing space” or “margin” in your schedule. Like margins on a page, this refers
to leaving space or time in your life so that it is not crammed with activities and “busyness” – leaving
time to relax, absorb what has been learned, refresh yourself, and be a family.
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Recognize the difference between short-term goals and long-term goals. The tendency today is to
be so focused on the immediate concerns and pressures that we forget what is important in the
long haul.
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Recognize that this is a journey that takes time. Not everything has to be accomplished today or this
year.
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Understand that you cannot teach your children everything they will need in life. No matter how
hard you try, there will be gaps. The key is to teach your children how to learn so they can learn
whatever is needed whenever it is needed.
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Recognize the difference between the process and the product. The means of getting there is
just as important as the end result. The journey is important. You can learn from mistakes –
even when you buy curriculum that doesn’t work for you.
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You can learn together. Many of us recognize short-comings in our own education and wonder how
we can create a positive learning environment for our children when we didn’t have this kind
of training ourselves. You can relearn information and skills that have been forgotten. You can
learn something new along side your children, and model remaining teachable to them.
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Identify each family member’s unique learning style and giftings, and recognize that your
family is unique. This means you shouldn’t compare your family with others; don’t be swayed
by what others are doing or not doing. Stay focused on God’s design for your homeschooling.
What works for others won’t always work for you.
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Understand that you will have your good days and bad days. Don’t try to do it alone. Get
encouragement from others and then pass it along!
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Pray, pray, pray! Don’t neglect your own relationship with the Father, who led you on this path
in the first place. Homeschooling, like parenting, is beyond our limited capabilities. But it is
not beyond His! Don’t fall into the trap of going to the Source when all else fails; start there.
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I found it helpful to spend some quality time in prayer and in the Word each summer. During
that time, God was always faithful to give me a scripture for the year that served as our
theme. He helped me identify the main concerns for each child and then led me to the necessary
resources. Inevitably, we would come across something or an event would occur that “just happened”
to fit our theme.
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Learn to take advantage of the “teachable moments” when they occur and flow with them. If a
topic catches your children’s attention…if the science project you are working on takes more
time…if you get involved in a discussion that takes the rest of the afternoon…if you come across
a question that no one can answer that needs to be researched…if an opportunity opens up to study
or experience something new…by all means, go for it. Chances are your children will learn more
from these experiences than the assignments listed in the lesson plans.
KEY WORDS: home school, homeschool, homeschooling, learning, environment, approach, method
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