When God seeded the idea to home educate our children into our hearts, we did not have a living, breathing example to emulate. I could not ask anybody for advice, because we did not know any Christian home educators. Classical education, Charlotte Mason and unschooling all meant nothing to me. I hit the internet and started my research. Although Christian home education is a growing movement in the UK, it is common for families to begin their home educating journey in isolation from other home educators. Such was the case with us. 

Looking back, I can identify several steps in the process that grounded us and helped us set the course. For the Christian who believes that home education is the right path for their family and has turned to google for advice on how to begin, here are a few pointers:

1. Seek a Biblical Worldview on Education

Freedom to home educate in the UK is currently a common grace, enjoyed by believers and unbelievers alike. Nevertheless, the difference in philosophies between the Christian and non-Christian could not be further apart. The Christian recognises that, ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (Proverbs 9:10)  and that in Christ ‘are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,’ (Colossians 2:3). To learn maths, grammar and science without reference to Christ is a comment on Christ since no subject can be taught in isolation of our Creator.

My early mothering years were spent studying the commands to bring our children up in the Lord and to teach our children God’s law (Deuteronomy 6:7). I was particularly built up by the talks and sermons of Voddie Baucham and would recommend that all home educating newbies give them a listen.

 

2. Gain Insight Into the Different Methodologies of Home Education

As with all walks of life, there are differing philosophies and approaches to achieving a goal. Christian home education is no different. It is worthwhile gaining at least a brief idea of the major approaches to home education before hunkering down behind one way of thinking. Here is a whistle-stop tour of the main approaches that I am aware of. My own particular biases are evident. 

Classical Education

This is the methodology we have chosen for our family. It is described in books such as ‘The Well-Trained Mind‘ by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer, ‘The Core‘ by Leigh Bortins, ‘Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning‘ by Douglas Wilson and a Dorothy Sayers’ essay entitled, ‘The Lost Tools of Learning‘. A classical education places a high value on learning. It tracks somewhat the related concepts in scripture of knowledge, understanding and wisdom by following the natural pattern of a child’s development. 

Early years are known as the ‘Grammar Stage’ and focus on memorisation. Around the ages of nine or ten, a child enters the ‘Logic Stage’ whereby he begins to ask more questions and to gain understanding of the facts that he knows. Finally, the child enters the ‘Rhetoric Stage’ at the ages of thirteen or fourteen, where he applies his understanding to write and speak about his own original ideas. 

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason lived from 1842-1923. She was a British educator and much of what she writes overlaps with classical education. Children learn through what she calls ‘living books’, rather than by reading dry textbooks. After reading the book, the child is asked to narrate back to the parent a summary of what has been read in order to make sure the content of the book rests firmly in his mind.

Charlotte Mason placed a high value on cultivating good habits in children. I recommend reading the first book of her home education series ‘Parents and Children’ to get a feel for her method.

National Curriculum

Some parents choose to follow the National Curriculum at home, at least for a short period of time. This method is probably for the more nervous home educator, who is undecided as to whether or not home education is the right path. While I can understand why parents follow the National Curriculum, this method can be slightly self-defeating. The reason for this is that many of the joys of home education come through freedom from the National Curriculum and the textbooks which accompany it. In the UK today, we really have an embarrassment of riches, in terms of the outstanding curricula available to home educating families. 

If you do decide to follow the National Curriculum, I do recommend supplementing this with the outstanding ‘Mystery of History’ curriculum, so that you and your child can appreciate learning the story of the world chronologically and note the hand of God across the years. 

 

Unschooling

As a Christian, I have always been extremely unsettled by the concept of ‘unschooling’ and I think believers need to be cautious of this philosophy. One of the problems is that it is extremely difficult to pin down an exact definition. If you think you have an idea of what unschooling is, then an unschooler will probably tell you that you have not understood it. One underlying concept that unschoolers would probably agree to, is that it is supposed to be ‘child-centred’ (are we not supposed to be ‘Christ-centred’?)

Since it is difficult to critique a definition that does not exist, I would urge you to consider discussions you have about unschooling in the light of these biblical truths:

1. The doctrine of original sin. Does this methodology acknowledge that a child is born in sin?

2. The commandment to ‘train our children’. ‘Training’ is an active verb. Does this methodology make room for a parent to actively train a child (even if a child does not with to be trained?)

3. The Bible’s teaching on creation and the special creation of man. Does this methodology find its in evolutionary philosophy?

The reality is that while many people chose one philosophy and stick to it, many also mix and match. The important point is that we ‘test everything and hold on to what is good’.

3. Baby Steps.

The excited mother who hits day one of home education with a full curricula planned will probably want to give up by ten o’clock! Home education is a lifestyle that parents and children need to grow accustomed to. Depending on the age of your child, I suggest you pick one subject and begin there. A good choice might be phonics or maths. Begin after breakfast when everybody is up and dressed (or at a time that suits you). Do the same things for a few days and once the habit is formed, add something else.

4. Walk Closely With the Lord

The Christian home educator is heavily dependent on the Creator. We need wisdom above all things. Each of our families are designed differently and over the years, we will be faced with literally hundreds of decisions about curricula, friendships, how to plan our day and much more. If we are not walking closely with the Lord, we will be walking in our own strength, and working in our own strength is how the world works. Make use of the means of grace available to us: worshipping with other believers, reading God’s word and prayer. If we hold on to the Lord, his promises and commands, by his grace he will guide us as we seek to give our children a truly Christian education at home.