What is Education?

It seems that there are many different definitions of what qualifies as an education.  I have been thinking about this very topic lately.  Once a person homeschools for awhile, their view of what an education consists changes.

For the first several years of homeschooling, it was all about curriculum and methods.  Did I want a traditional method?  Charlotte Mason?  Computer-based?  Literature based?  The different companies alone could fill a nervous homeschool mom with overwhelming anxiety. 

Sonlight, Saxon, Abeka, Bob Jones, Alpha Omega, Heart of Dakota, My Father's World, Apologia, School of Tomorrow, Queen's Homeschool, Easy Peasy Homeschool, Singapore, Teaching Textbooks, Konos, Math U See, Lifepac, Horizons, Weaver, Answers in Genesis, Life of Fred, Christian Liberty, Christian Light Publications, and on and on...

Eventually you discover what works for one kid.  Then the next kid begins school and the same things don't always work for this unique creature. Some children need hands-on lessons to start.  Some need hands-on lessons forever.  Some read everything they can.  Others dutifully read because it's assigned, but learn much more from documentaries and visual lessons.  

I have done a very huge mixture over the years.  I've scraped together my own lessons using library books and the Internet.  I've spent thousands in a year on the all-in-one, Planned for me, miniature library of grab their attention books instead of the "boring" texts.  I've gotten burnt out by the planning it all myself and, surprisingly, didn't enjoy the read, read, read, uber-expensive lit-based programs.  

Charlotte Mason is great, but not always practical with children aged itty to nearly grown.  The "boring" texts are only sometimes boring.  The literature-based programs often require books that are not all that great or just overwhelm a mom trying to keep up with multiple ages and read alouds. 

I wouldn't trade one lesson I've learned on this journey. 

My view of education has changed over the years.  Not every lesson has to be "fun" or engaging.  Some things a child might just have to learn because it's necessary.  It's okay to use textbooks and workbooks.  The child won't die of boredom or be uneducated if you do!  Reading aloud to your child is probably one of the best educational tips I could ever give, no matter how old the child is. I read to my high schoolers all the time!  

Education, to me, is a variety of things.  It's a preparation.  My goal is to teach them about the Lord so they know, and to train them to serve Him.  However, the ultimate decision to follow Christ has to come from their choices.  It has to be their faith, made from their hearts and minds, or they will falter when tested.  I spend a lot of time in prayer for my children and their walk with the Lord.

Academics are necessary, but learning how to learn is most important.  They won't remember all the dates of wars or or how to use the advanced math unless it's something they are using in their daily lives; but they will remember how to find out answers.  

Skills are important.  My daughters changed a tire last week when one of my daughters hit something sharp.  They did it on their own.  They can type, file taxes, speak a little Spanish, and cook.  A couple are great with sewing. A couple love photography. A couple are incredibly artistic.  All of them can sing (that may be more talent than skill). A couple can garden.  Learning skills is vital and can absolutely be beneficial.

Experiences are important.  Living fully, enjoying traveling and meeting new people... That is a whole education in itself.  While I can live vicariously through characters in books, there is something deep about seeing places for yourself.  Both of my older daughters have traveled a bit.  My younger daughters are beginning to sign up for missions trips.  One daughter is a total homebody that needs encouragement to travel because she would rather stay in her comfort zone.  

I know what education isn't.  It isn't standardized tests, though we will encounter them.  It isn't filling a child with information like a cup of water so they can regurgitate mindless facts.

Education is learning about God in ALL of life. Bit's learning about His creation and His order and His works through all of time.  It's learning how to serve Him and how to reach out to others with His live.  It's learning to follow the path He places us before us.  

I believe no education is ever wasted.  God will use our education, experiences, and skills for His purposes and Glory.  

So many homeschool moms get caught up in methods and curricula.  I confess that I've done the same.  But now, seven years later, I find my home filled with a massive eclectic collection of materials, with a few tried and true things that are perfect for us. 

I had to experiment to get to this point.  I'm glad I did.  I read blogs and articles that told me this year's ago, but until I saw it for myself, I couldn't relax and believe it. I had this compulsion to try this and that, to read everything I could about whatever I was trying at the time.  Charlotte Mason?  Read nearly all of her material and spent a fortune on ink printing out her books before I bought my Nook.  Unit Studies?  I own or have tried most of them.  They are so great!  But the workload got to me.  Plus, my kids weren't nearly as excited about the topics as I was.  Now we only do them as a break from our regular studies.  They are great in moderation for us.  

Many families do Unit Studies full-time and love them. Others are dedicated to Charlotte Mason or Literature-based.  I'm not here to judge.  Great!  Do what works for you and your children.  

I jumped around... A lot!  That should have been detrimental to the education of my children due to the lack of consistency year to year.  But, in a strange way, it taught my children different methods to learn.  They learned to find the key points with the traditional methods.  They learned narration with Charlotte Mason.  They learned how they learn best, and now can adapt what is before them into what works best for them

I wouldn't trade homeschooling for anything.  I love spending time with my daughters. I love watching them learn.  I love getting to share experiences with them as they grow.  I look forward to continuing our journey.  Two of my daughters are grown, graduated, and on their own.  Two of my daughters are in high school in our homeschool.  And then, my little one, is in second grade.  My journey has a way to go, and I'm excited to see what  the Lord has in store.