5 Ingredients to Our Homeschool Educational Philosophy

When I first began homeschooling, I didn't know much of how I wanted to proceed. But as I researched, meditated, and prayed, I realized there were a few ideas that I knew for sure would be integral to what we did on a daily basis. These would be guiding principles I would refer to when I wanted to remind myself of what it was I was doing. I wrote them out, journaled about it, and learned what the research has said about it. So here they are; the 5 guiding components that make up my educational philosophy. These are the key ingredients that I feel is needed to nurture the mind, body, and soul of my children.

Spiritual Education

Spiritual education includes having a knowledge of God and His immense love and interest in my children's daily lives.  I desire above all things that they are wise and they gain their wisdom from their relationship with their Creator.  I encourage my children to have a meaningful devotional time with Jesus every morning.  Along with that, our Bible lessons from Sonlight education ministry and our family devotionals form the foundation of how they make their choices throughout the day.

Practical Life

This includes being diligent with chores, personal hygiene, financial literacy, and social prowess. It also includes wisdom on how to conduct themselves among family, friends and strangers. An understanding of the wider culture is important in how they make decisions and treat others. 

Service Learning/Missionary Training

This includes doing something kind for others such as writing letters, baking cookies, making meals, singing for someone, or just being creative in how to be a blessing to someone. It also includes doing something meaningful for missionary workers overseas and learning what it means to be a missionary here in the states.

Character Development/Emotional Intelligence

Many of the above components all develop character qualities such as responsibility, diligence, and hard work. In addition to that, I want them to master the 5 aspects of emotional intelligence:  

1. Being aware of their emotions 
2. Managing their emotions, 
3. Being a aware of others' emotions, 
4. Understanding how to manage other's
   
5. Motivating themselves to accomplish their goals
   

Outdoor/Nature Learning/Art/Awe/Beauty

The great outdoors is an amazing source of beauty and enjoyment. Nature is considered to be God's second book beyond the Bible because, like the Bible, it testifies to God's amazing power. Our little family lives among nature for this very reason. My children can look out and see the beauty of God among his creation. Along with nature, beauty found in being creative with music and art are vital ingredients in our home school education.  When it comes to nature, such activities can include:

1. Taking nature walk
2. Observing nature outdoors
   
3. Reading about something different
   
4. Looking at picture books
5. Going on outings to natural places
6. Watching a documentary about it 

 And when it comes to awe and beauty, it can include things like: 

1. Playing an instrument
2. Singing a song
3. Writing a story
4. Creating something useful
5. Drawing a picture
6. Writing a new song
   

 

Overall, these core ideas have served us well and I see how it is bearing fruit. Our conversations are rich, our interactions are meaningful, their understanding of big questions of life are present, and they have a spiritual compass that guides them daily. As we spend more time in their academic subjects, I can see how these core components have helped them along the way. I am thankful for God imparting this wisdom in my soul about this. I am so thankful. I am so blessed. I am grateful...