"Why do we homeschool?” Often when we begin homeschooling there is
something that prompted us to begin. It may have been a child struggling
with school, a negative socializing experience, or any number of
issues. Once the mom begins, she may feel conflicted that her children
will miss out on some great academic experience. She may moan, “I wish I
had a real science lab” or “I could never have an interesting
literature discussion like I did in my British Literature class.” So why
are we doing “that”? Why are we homeschooling? Because we want to
educate the whole child; we want to educate the child for eternity.
On occasion my twin nephews, who are six years old, will burst into
song, “Father, I adore you.” And I lay my life before you. How I love
you.” In a public school setting, I guarantee the teacher would not
appreciate or encourage such a song. But in the home, this is a
beautiful testament of my nephews’ childlike faith.
Too often we focus on the academics and overlook the whole child,
building the character of the child, considering all aspects of the
person. In his Apostolic Letter
Tertio Millennio Adveniente,
Blessed John Paul II described Christ as one who “labored with human
hands, thought with a human mind, acted with a human will, and loved
with a human heart” (par. #4). We need to ask ourselves when we educate
ourselves and our children, “Do we labor with Christ’s hands, think with
Christ’s mind, act with Christ’s will, and love with Christ’s heart.”
We sometimes become so consumed with educating our children’s mind, we
overlook shaping their wills, teaching self-control of their drives and
passions, training their hands, and nourishing their hearts and souls.
Because the child is a whole, integrated person, we cannot always
compartmentalize when we will be educating their minds, their hearts, or
their hands. While showing my daughters how to crochet, we might have a
discussion on a topic that would form their character or is related to
their academics. In practicing her violin or playing the piano, my
daughter develops any number of virtues, such as perseverance, attention
to detail, and listening to the soul. When I ask a young child,
“Please bring me a diaper or wash cloth” or another simple task; I am
testing his will and encouraging his obedience. In the home, education
is life.
What are we educating? The whole child.
The rest of the article was published on April 15, 2014 at
Catholic Mom.com
Previously published on July 22, 2013 at
Catholic Lane
