Foundations

Christian Homeschooling Foundations

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 (ESV)

Christian Homeschooling Foundations is a series of articles on the bedrock concepts about how a growing, developing mind learns and how to cultivate understanding in that child’s mind.

Why did we choose the name “Foundations?”

In the Christian worldview there is no separation between the secular and the religious. Every idea that is true and noble originates from God. Morality is central to education.

The discourse of our times has become centered on perception, emotion and response. We have lost our foundation of virtuous ideals and the deep consideration of principles. And in losing these, we have lost the benefit they have in shaping our thoughts, our words and our actions.

“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 (NASB)

The purpose of Foundations is to build the basis for an effective education. Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding must return to the forefront of education.

At Christian Homeschooling we use a wide variety of resources, ranging from the Bible to recent research to traditional education. Our goal is to bring that information together into a coherent vision, giving you a solid basis for your home school program.

Research is increasingly supporting the idea that children learn best in secure environments where teachers have a deep knowledge of each child, knowing their strengths and abilities. This environment sounds like a home. If education is naturally compatible with family life, and we think it is, then homeschooling can become intuitive for parents to put into practice.

Essentials of Christian Homeschooling

The Essential Homeschooling Categories divides the vital ideas and knowledge for a Christian homeschooling into three categories:

• Home learning environment,
• Teaching approach, and
• Curriculum.

Most home school programs do not convey the centrality of home life to education. It may be that they think it is outside the purview of education. Yet our homes are a crucial expression of our Christian faith. It provides the context for our children’s education. When our teaching becomes a natural, intuitive extension of our Christian walk, then our children see the world as the extension of faith. Recognition of “good” and virtue is rooted in belief, and logically leads to the concept of moral excellence and a purposeful life.

Learning is….

Understanding the learning process will help you recognize when your child is learning, what are their strengths, and how they learn best.

• Learning is Physiological: What we learn changes us—physically.
• Learning is Episodic: We are designed for efficient learning, which occurs as challenges within a supportive environment.
• Learning is Developmental: A child’s brain developments and changes during the first 20+ years of life. Effective education advances their development.
• Learning is Decision-making: Learning is based on decisions, and better decision-making skills lead to better learning.

Our Goal at Christian Homeschooling…

Christian Homeschooling shows parents how God created children to learn. We don’t expect you to read all the articles before you start homeschooling. We suggest you start homeschooling when the ideas in this section begin to make sense to you. If you do not currently have a home school program, we suggest you begin with our curriculum.

We strongly recommend you work your way through all of the articles over time, even if you chose another homeschooling approach or on-line program. The information in these articles help make home education more intuitive. Our goal is to make your home school program a natural expression of your family’s life.