On a cold winter walk around the block, Tony relayed the details of a conversation he witnessed between our daughter and her friend from church… From this conversation, I began to ponder deeply ‘what is education?’ I didn’t say anything to Zaylee… perhaps it wasn’t a big deal.
However, the following morning Zaylee asked, “Mom does a conversation ever play over and over in your head?” She then relayed the following conversation:
A friend asked her about school and what grade she was in.
Zaylee responded, “I am in 5th grade for math and handwriting. I am in 4th grade for everything else.”
This friend was a little confused how Zaylee could be ahead.
As the conversation continued, the friend said, “You should try real school.”
With attitude, Zaylee sassily replied, “I go to school. I get done at 9:00 in the morning, and I like it that way.”
Nine a.m. is a little bit of an exaggeration… However, on mornings where school is in full swing by 7:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. finish time is totally in the realm of possibility! (Yes, 7am school happens… (typically on Thursday mornings when the girls have elective classes with a co-op group). No, I am not always ready that early in the morning to explain exponents, direct essay writing, teach sentence diagramming, help with piano accidentals, or teach consonant blending… I do it because, when the kids are self motivated to finish early, who can say no!)
In response to heartfelt Zaylee’s question, I pulled up two definitions of education and I read them to her.
First, found online in the Merriam-Webster dictionary: Education is the action or process of educating or being educated. Or the knowledge and development resulting from the process of being educated.
We agreed this did not explain much. Using the word to define a word is not the best route…
Second, I turned to the Webster 1828 dictionary. Education: The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.
This is a very straight forward definition that answers the question: What is education?
Do public schools focus on correcting the temper, forming manners and habits to prepare youth for usefulness in their future stations? Are manners, arts, science, and religious education treated as indispensable?
In our homeschool [which is far from perfect], we spend adequate time studying reading, writing, and arithmetic. Religious education takes place every day. Music, art, science, and history take up a piece of our instruction time. Manners and correction of the temper are at the forefront of our daily education. Socialization includes interactions with people of all ages, ranging from elderly down to babies. Bookwork does not take up the majority of our day. As a result, our children spend much time pursuing their interests. Some of the things that come to mind are crocheting, crafting, painting, playing, reading, cooking, building, composing music, legos, exploration in nature, serving others with mom, and growing their imaginations. The sky really is the limit!
So the question is: which truly is “REAL” school?
Both options have pros and cons. Nevertheless, I think it is time to recognize education for what it is. Education is something that doesn’t take place only in a government sanctioned institution. I am finding, there is a high chance the least restrictive environment is actually the home where highly motivated parents give all they have to educate their children. Education is a act of choosing to do… not being acted upon. Education is asking questions and seeking answers. Education is learning line upon line until you have mastered something. Eduction is multi faceted. It is not only academic but integrates the arts, life skills, and so much more.
A few things homeschool has given my children where my public school education fell short are:
- The desire to learn! Education is more than jumping through hoops to pass a test. Studying to pass a test, to simply forget the information, was normal for me we joked about this all through high school. What a waste of time! It has taken years to desire furthering my eduction and learn for the sake of learning. In the last 6 years, I have learned to compose music, write sheet music, record music, mix and master audio, create and run a website, cook new cuisine, crochet, and the list goes on. My children, are learning many of these things right along side me. They do this because it is fun and something exciting. They do not learn to pass a test but to develop life long skills.
- Free time. They have so much time! I love it! They have a pile of interests that they pursue unrestrained by a rigid agenda. Watching this unfold has been incredible to see.
- Homeschooling has fostered a courage and resilience. As shared earlier in this post, with no coaching or prompting, Zaylee stood for her choice to homeschool. Hats off to that girl! I never had the courage and confidence to stand up for myself like that. Our children know who they are, and they stand for it with confidence.
- Family. Felix was born in August. The time we have spent together as a family this year has been invaluable. The kids agree, they are happy they haven’t missed out on any time with Felix.
President McKay said: “The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”
I am grateful for this homeschool journey. I am grateful for silly conversations which make me look a little deeper at why we educate our children at home.