Independent Homeschooling—Does It Work?

Letting our kids loose to learn and explore on their own sounds scary. Are they actually going to learn anything? When left to their own devices, what will happen?

Psalm 119:45 says, "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."

This is a beautiful reminder that there is more freedom than restriction when we are truly seeking after the Lord. When we first understand his precepts. 

How does this play out in our homeschooling?

Building a biblical foundation in our homeschool helps us to make God-centered decisions rather than decisions based on the fear of man. 

How many workbooks have we purchased, or resources have we bought simply because we feared what a non-supportive distant family member might think if Johnny isn't reading at grade level at the next family gathering? Our aim is not to please man, but to please God, and when we do it wholeheartedly, God will teach us how to teach Johnny to read—on His timetable, not Aunt Sally's. 

Once we understand the freedom we have in homeschooling, we realize that as parents, we do not need to carve out six hours a day (per child) to stand in front of a whiteboard in our living room or kitchen teaching boring facts. Instead, we teach our children how to learn, so they can learn on their own. 

Essentially, this is what is happening in the traditional school system as well, preparing students for secondary education, just using a different formula. Colleges are actively seeking out homeschoolers because they have seen their test scores, their study habits, and their ability to adapt to college life just as well as public school students—on the same level, if not better. How can homeschooling parents successfully teach their children to become strong independent learners? It depends on their age. 

Preschool

Beginning at a young age, set aside a specific amount of time dedicated to certain activities. This will help your child develop discipline and have a concept of following through with a task rather than jumping from one thing to another. How does this look:

• Use a Timer for 5, 10, 15, or 20-minute intervals for activities. 
• Set physical boundaries for specific activities. Use the playroom for playing only, the kitchen for eating, the bedroom for reading books and sleeping.
• Provide incentives for completing chores or successfully following your rules.
• Have specific meal times and requirements before leaving the table.
• Enforce a bedtime routine with a set bedtime in place

Preschool is one of the most challenging times for parents when it comes to discipline. This is when we are teaching our children the basic tools needed for life. When a parent of a preschooler comes to me struggling with their homeschooling, I always ask about two things. 

1. Do they eat what is put in front of them?

2. Do they go to bed at a consistent time?

If these two disciplines are lacking, everything else will fall apart. Kids need a healthy diet and sleep. Period. If they do not have this structure in place, school will not be a success. If a parent needs to spend weeks or even months focusing on these two disciplines, then stop the schoolwork until they are dealt with. This will not only establish you as the authority figure in their life who means business, but they will be able to receive the rest of what you are teaching them because they are physically able to sustain themselves throughout the day. 

Elementary

Once you have established that you are the teacher, the principal, and the enforcer of all rules in your home, you are ready to expect more academically from your child. Your child will still need you to teach, lead, and guide at this stage, but since you now trust them to brush their teeth and make their beds on their own, you can trust them to do copywork, math facts, and a nature journal on their own. In the beginning years, don't expect five-page reports each week. Work up to it. Begin with copywork, continue using a timer, and take baby steps. As the years go on, you can add time to their independent reading hour, math speed drills, copywork time, and creative writing. 

Middle School

These are the years that you are waiting for. At this point, basic reading and writing skills have been attained. Now they need to be perfected. Don't be afraid to double-up on your expectations. No, it isn't high school yet, and we do not need twenty-page reports, but use these years as an opportunity to push the limits. Expect more. This is the time when they can write several pages with dozens of spelling errors, and that's okay. They are getting their thoughts down on paper, and that is a skill not to be taken lightly. 

High School

Welcome to the years of independent learning! It actually can be quite sad when you realize your child doesn't need you as much anymore. If you have worked diligently throughout the years to guide them and lead them to this place, then high school can be as hands-off as needed. You know your child best, and if spelling is in need of work, focus on that with your child while your child works on his other subjects independently. If you are learning as a family, keep your teen involved. Give him opportunities to learn through teaching. If your child is planning to continue with secondary education, find resources he can work through online or spend time reviewing with him—the time is short.