Whether a homeschooling family follows a curricular program, has a busy schedule, or tends to live busy daily routines, they may at times lose sight of their larger goals and dreams. In order to stay on track toward true success, sometimes it makes sense to pause periodically and refocus or reevaluate long-term plans or desires.
In other words, take a long view of education and make sure you know what education means to you. Know your educational priorities and keep them in mind. Get that bigger picture in view and really think about what you want for your children, what they want for themselves, and aim toward those goals, so they don't get lost in the day-to-day routines.
In Deschooling Gently (LA: Hunt Press, 2008), Tammy Takahashi provides several ways to determine a personalized conception of education and success. She writes from the perspective of an "out-of-the-box" homeschooling family that approaches education in a personalized, cooperative way.
Self-Discovery as Education
Takahashi wrote: "Life and learning is bigger than curriculum. The tools we use to learn and teach are stepping-stones to get to the big purpose: to live in the world and thrive."
Regardless of educational method, homeschoolers can all benefit from exercises toward self-discovery and cooperation among family members that supports the overall goals of individuals. Takahashi encourages parents to pay attention to their children's special interests and take those interests into serious consideration when planning or designing the children's educations.
Self-Discovery Questions to Define Education and Prioritize Educational Goals
- Do you know what your children find especially interesting?
- What does success mean to you?
- What do you most want for your children?
- What does education mean to you?
- What do children need to learn?
Do days or weeks go by during which you busily follow programs or habitual routines, yet you feel ungrounded or lost with regard to the end game? This feeling may signify that your definition of education and success may need some attention.
Self-discovery exercises include holding regular family meetings, defining family goals, clearly defining education and success, formulating an educational mission statement, and assessing progress and success.
Let Joy Guide You, Not Fear
Plans, dreams, and goals that feel exciting and positive are ones a homeschooler will likely stick to and that will lead to true success in life. Goals that weigh heavily on homeschooling parents and children don't inspire the dedication that positive plans do and they probably don't lead to true success. A difference in outlook could cause the same goal to feel threatening to one individual, but exciting to another.
Move toward actions that feel joyful and promising. Look ahead at the positive reasons for working toward a goal. If a goal feels overwhelming and threatening no matter how you look at it, perhaps it warrants reassessment.
Takahashi recommended a variety of exercises for determining and organizing one's educational priorities. Through a variety of self-discovery exercises, individuals and families can stay on task toward a truly satisfying educational success.
You might also enjoy:
- The Homeschool Organization Collection
- Using Evernote to Organize Your Homeschool
- Homeschool Schedule: Year Round or School Year?
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
Join the Conversation