I am not a teacher. I’ve heard many parents say they can’t home school because they don’t have teaching skills. Perhaps this protracted musing from a home school mom who dares to challenge preconceived notions will persuade the doubting parent to consider a new perspective.
We are not teachers in the traditional sense. “Teacher” is an inaccurate and misleading label for a parent who home schools. I think a more accurate label is “education assistant.” The difference between the school and home settings is worth examining because it can help define a more realistic and workable role for the home school parent. The comparison may even prompt a skeptical parent to consider the feasibility of home school.
School teacher vs. homeschool parent. There are differences between a teacher at school and a parent who home schools. A trained teacher knows a lot about the particular subject she teaches. A parent, on the other hand, is not an expert on every subject her student learns. A teacher knows how to manage a large classroom of students with a variety needs. A parent, in contrast, can work with her children one at a time. These differences call for different approaches.
She’s not a real teacher. She’s Mom!
Parents don’t have to learn the material in advance. If a parent were to teach like a schoolteacher, she would have to learn all the material for four or more subjects in advance and then teach it. That would be burdensome and time-consuming especially if there are multiple children. Plus, the children probably would not enjoy being lectured to by a parent in a formal way. Too stuffy for the home! Furthermore, the child knows the parent is not an expert on any particular curriculum. She’s not a “real” teacher. She’s Mom!
You can’t know it all. If the parent takes the authoritative role and makes mistakes, the child is going to judge. Watch the teacher eat crow! I know from experience that mistakes are inevitable even if I know the material well. Trying to assume the role of a traditional teacher is a lot of pressure. The notion that a parent should mimic the traditional schoolteacher needs to be put in the diaper pail. I readily admit to my kids that I don’t know all the material inside a book but that I am willing to learn new things. Because each of us is learning, we accept mistakes as a human norm. We can model for our kids how to own mistakes. And we can learn how to be more understanding when our kids make mistakes.
The notion that a parent should mimic the traditional schoolteacher needs to be put in the diaper pail.
A more realistic role. I prefer to view my role as an education assistant – not an expert teacher. This view relieves the pressure and expectations we place on ourselves. I help my kids learn by learning with them. We read through the material together and discuss it. I invite them to do a lot of talking – something they can’t do in school. Oral quizzing is my go-to technique.
We read through the material together and discuss it.
Homeschool books are designed for self-teaching. Unlike textbooks in the traditional schools, homeschool books are designed for students to self-tech. They are designed for parents to easily comprehend the material too. Once I figured that out, I left the “teaching” up to the authors who wrote the curriculum. Read my post No Time to Homeschool.
What I can teach. I’ve made it through eight years of college and learned how to study efficiently and effectively. I can share and practice those methods with my kids. Reason and logic gained though life experiences and education are other skills I can teach my kids. Most importantly I can share the wisdom and values that we treasure as a family. Leaving that to the employees of government schools is a little questionable these days.
Closing thoughts. I have seen many parents with no teaching experience provide an education that rivals and even surpasses that of the public school system. It can be done by anyone who is willing to dedicate a portion of her life to the betterment of her children. Talking with parents who have had homeschool success has helped me tremendously.
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Musing: a period of reflection or thought. As such this post reflects my thoughts, opinions, and experiences on the topic. The choice to home school and the methods you choose are yours to determine.