Writing Your Philosophy of Education
Understanding why you want to teach your children is an important part of the homeschool decision. The answer to the question “Why?” is your philosophy of home education.
Writing your home education philosophy will give you a better understanding of what it is you want to impart to your children. Writing your philosophy may also help you understand why particular methods and curriculum aren’t working. Please don’t feel that you have failed your children when what you are using is not working. Look at your philosophy, make changes accordingly, and move forward.
While writing your philosophy, both husband and wife should work together, sharing their opinions and ideas. This is not a quick-study project, as it may take several weeks or months. If you’ve already started homeschooling, don’t stop just because you don’t yet have a written statement of why you are doing it. While your children are doing their schoolwork, you can be doing your homework about home education.
When someone questions your decision to teach your children at home, you will be able to answer questions, without questioning yourself. It is also helpful to have this philosophy handy for those days when you are wondering why you are doing this.
Read your philosophy to children once in awhile so when they wonder why you have chosen this course of action, they will understand and learn the godly principles behind raising children.
Questions to answer to begin developing your philosophy of education.
It is a good idea to find Scripture references to support your beliefs.
1. What is your worldview?
This is your framework that helps you understand society and your place in it, and helps you with critical decisions. It is your picture of the world and how you respond to it. Your worldview is the foundation of your philosophy of life, which now includes home education.
2. What is your belief about God?
Do you believe in God? Describe God as you understand Him. This is a good study question for the entire family. If you have trouble with this, seek advice from a trusted Christian.
3. What is your belief about humans?
Do you believe humans were created or that they evolved? What is mankind’s relationship to God? Are humans inherently good or evil?
4. What do you believe about God’s Word?
Do you think it is completely true without error? Or, a series of mythological stories?
5. What is your definition of education?
This is your concept of what education means. Try not to think in the traditional terms of education, i.e.: classrooms, test, lesson plans. Start with a standard definition from a dictionary (the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary of American English Language is highly recommended for this purpose.) What does the Bible say about teaching children?
6. What are wisdom and knowledge?
Start with the dictionary definition. Include what God has to say about wisdom and knowledge. Determine how these concepts fit into your home education experience.
7. What is your belief about parental responsibility? About children?
Once you have an education philosophy, you may want to apply the answers to these
(Contributed by Susan K. Stewart c. 2006)
Excerpt from An Introduction to Home Education by Susan Beatty and Karen Woodfin Middleton.