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Often when people meet us they comment favourably on our children and ask which school they attend.When we reply that our kids are home educated, most people are surprised, but may not be too clear as to what we mean by home education.
In recent years a growing number of parents in Britain have opted to educate their children at home. Many who have taken this decision are Christians. It is impossible to determine how many parents are educating their children at home, since no central records are kept by the Department for Education. However, a recent report into home education stated that over 50,000 children are now being taught in this way.
God has given to parents the responsibility for the education of their children. Deuteronomy 4:9-14 and 6:6-9 state that parents, and particularly fathers, are to teach their children a biblical perspective on life and to love the Lord. Other passages in Deuteronomy speak in a similar fashion, such as 6:20-25: 11:19 and 32:46.These parental responsibilities also undergird the whole book of Proverbs, where the writer frequently urges the reader to 'learn what I teach you my son...' (Proverbs 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1,7; 6:1 etc.). "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching." (Proverbs 1:8)
Of course, this does not mean that parents cannot share this responsibility with others. However, all parents should be involved in and support their children's education, whether that is in a school or at home.
Parents are allowed to educate their children at home instead of school if they choose to do so. Under English law, it is education that is compulsory, not schooling.
Benefits and blessings of Home Education - one family's experience We have four children. The oldest is now ten, the youngest two. As parents our aim is to help each child reach his/her full potential in every way, spiritually and academically. So why have we taken the decision to educate our children at home?
Joanna says, "The Lord led us to educate at home through hearing the experience of some of our Christian friends who were involved in home education. In my experience of God's leading in my life I see His wisdom best after I have obeyed. This has been true with the decision to teach our children at home. Here are just a few of the blessings".
Every household differs. In our family we spend time reading the Bible and praying at breakfast, then we learn a scripture and practise the times tables. We usually work around the dining room table and read aloud in the lounge. In a typical day, the children help with easy household jobs such as clearing the table, hanging up their laundry to dry and putting it away. This teaches them faithfulness and service to others which will be helpful in their adult lives and work. After that we teach other subjects e.g. Maths, English, Handwriting, Reading, History, French, Geography, Science, Music, Physical Education, Character, Logic, Latin. When children are young, many families do academic work in the mornings only.
God has blessed our family greatly by leading us into home education. It is a serious commitment and not the easy option, but we are called to make disciples of all nations, not least our own children.
For many parents the desire for academic success is not of primary importance. When asked "Does it work?" they will refer to the joys of being closely involved in the development of their children, of being knit together as a family, of the absence of any generational animosity within the family, and the joy of watching as their children commit themselves to the Lord and grow into young people who are able to stand among their peers and be different. Many have successfully prepared children for GCEs and GCSEs, seeing them progress to university.
Home schooling is a serious commitment that requires much thought and should not be entered into lightly. Here are some of the things that you should consider:
