One of the unintended consequences of the pandemic and its policies has been the explosion of families choosing to homeschool their children.
While pandemic measures have eased, homeschooling still remains a popular option. Many parents discovered benefits to their children and families that they now don’t want to give up. Still, others have become more aware of unsavory issues in public schools. As its popularity continues to grow, other parents are taking note and thinking that this could be the best choice for their families as well.
For those just about to step out on the journey of homeschooling their kids, it can seem a daunting or scary proposition. For them, lessons learned from more experienced homeschooling parents are invaluable. I asked Jodi Mockabee, a blogger, curriculum creator, and homeschooling mother of five, for her advice for new homeschoolers. Here’s what she said:
The Epoch Times: What have you found to be the greatest benefits of homeschooling?
Jodi Mockabee: We were not prepared for how efficient homeschooling would be. I started noticing how unnecessary repetition was in certain subjects and how other subjects overlapped with each other. We were able to come up with a system that exposed the children to truth, goodness, and beauty through good literature, while simultaneously allowing ample time to explore the outdoors, play sports, and visit interesting places. The greatest benefit has been that it has given us more time: More time together, more time for rest, more time for play, and more time to create.
The Epoch Times: For the parent just about to embark on their first year of homeschooling, what are the key steps you’d recommend they take to kick off the new year?
Ms. Mockabee: I would encourage a new parent to read about different homeschooling philosophies prior to starting the year. Two books I would recommend for a new homeschooler are “The Call of the Wild and Free” by Ainsley Arment and “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Macaulay.
Both books will introduce you to an entirely new view of education that is hope-filled and exciting. After reading those books, I came up with a few goals for the year. Keep the expectations realistic. If you make too long of a list, it will feel like it’s not possible. I rarely write down more than five goals. Sometimes, a goal can be as simple as laughing together more; other times, there can be an educational goal such as mastering long division for a specific child.
Setting a few goals can help you from going wayward and will keep you placing one foot in front of the other on the academic journey—while also giving space to experience life together.
After setting the goals, I would recommend becoming a student of each child. Meet with each child and find out what they’re looking forward to or what his or her concerns are. Oftentimes, I will choose literature based on different children’s interests so that each child is actively engaged during our reading time.
I will also purchase a few items to strew around throughout the year that may inspire a child without telling him or her. For example, one year I bought a compass and map of a nearby national forest. I just left it by the wood stove for someone to find. The child who discovered it has become quite the outdoorsman! Another time, I left out a rock collection with a book on rocks. Rather than introducing it to the children, I let them discover it on their own. After they found it, they spent hours identifying rocks and learning together about geology. They’re constantly teaching me about rocks on our hikes. These are small actions that can ultimately open up large passions and interests.
The Epoch Times: How does homeschooling differ for the elementary years versus the middle and high school years?
Ms. Mockabee: We have children in all three levels of academia, and I can honestly say that not too much changes—aside from the amount of writing and the added activities, such as having a part-time job or participating in high school sports. Of course, each child progresses with math and independent reading, but we are usually together for read-aloud time; the younger children end up participating and listening to higher-level books, such as “Plutarch’s Lives” and “Beowulf.”
I do start to outsource some classes in high school as we take advantage of dual enrollment programs at local colleges. Rather than my high schooler taking Calculus in high school, he is taking it in college. This earns him credits toward his high school diploma and college degree simultaneously. It’s quite an efficient system! In our state, homeschoolers can participate in public school sports and activities without attending classes, so we really take advantage of all available options.
The Epoch Times: What are some common mistakes new homeschooling parents make?
Ms. Mockabee: A lot of new homeschoolers make the mistake of trying to replicate the classroom in their own home. Not just by decor, but also by creating the same systematic model. They move through multiple subjects throughout the day, pushing the child to finish quickly so that they can check a box. Learning is hard work. It takes time and concentration, interest, and interaction.
One of the benefits of homeschooling is that you can provide those things to a child if you break out of the traditional, systematic model. Learn alongside your child, knowing that any time spent researching, discovering, reading, and experiencing is time well spent. It doesn’t have to look like sitting at a desk filling in the blanks of a science workbook.
The Epoch Times: What’s the best homeschooling advice you’ve ever received?
Ms. Mockabee: I cling to the words of Charlotte Mason, a British educator, who taught at the turn of the 20th century. One of her quotes is, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” Her teachings have really helped me understand the nature of education. It is not just about academics; it’s also about character development and equipping our children to be mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy.
The Epoch Times: What do you wish you had known when you were just beginning to homeschool?
Ms. Mockabee: I wish I would have had more confidence in the early years. I spent a lot of time worrying that I would fail my children and feeling like homeschooling was one big experiment. Sometimes, I still feel that way.
But now that I have several years under my belt, I have come to discover that all children will have educational holes in at least one area—regardless of where they were schooled. So instead of focusing on what I am “not” doing, I try to make sure that what we “are” doing is quality-filled and tends to the needs of the whole child.
The Epoch Times: What strategies or tools have worked best for you in your homeschool?
Ms. Mockabee: We have specific habits in our household that we call “daily disciplines.” These are daily tasks that include physical exercise, household duties, and independent academic work. Most of these disciplines are done before we even join together for breakfast. This starts the day off productively.
We then gather together for what we refer to as “Morning Collective.” This is the time when I read aloud from several classical books and we discuss big ideas and concepts. It always proves to me how capable children are of understanding sophisticated language and humanity. These conversations are the heart of our homeschool.
While the disciplines create production, our Morning Collective time expands their worldview. Both are tools that have contributed significantly to our homeschooling.
The Epoch Times: If you could only offer one piece of advice to the parents about to begin their first year as homeschoolers, what would it be?
Ms. Mockabee: Know that falling into a rhythm that fits your family will take time. Don’t put pressure on yourself or your children to instantly love homeschooling. It took us almost a year to find the right kind of method. We ended up getting rid of all of the curricula that I had originally purchased, aside from math, and replacing it with classical literature. We started writing about what we had read and even added illustrations to our work every day. I never even knew that was an option!
We have thrived ever since then and have years of books filled with illustrated documentation of the books we have read. The children still review them.
But discovering that rhythm took time, so give yourself a little grace as you navigate a whole new path for your family.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
