PrincipledMom™

My philosophy of education

My philosophy of education is a formal statement that all home educating parents should have written down. It's important to know what you are doing and why you are doing it.
On p. 117 in A Guide to American Christian Education, Mr. Rose discusses the importance of a formal philosophy.

"A precisely stated Christian philosophy of home schooling should be written out for at least three reasons: 1) it will be memorial to remind you why you are teaching and what your goals are. 2) It could help other parents to understand the 'reason for the hope that lies within you.' (1 Pet. 3:15) 3) And if necessary it could help define and defend your convictions legally should your home school be challenged deliberately or ignorantly by local school or civil authorities."

He gives three important components: your view of history (His Story), your philosophy of government and your idea of education.
Here is mine.

Ps. 144:12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

My educational goal is to instill my children with a love for God's Word and an ability to independently and confidently reason from it. My children will use this reasoning to develop the character required for Christian self-government. I foster a love of life-long learning by customizing each each child's experience to their personality and God-given abilities. I am the facilitator; the Holy Spirit is our Teacher. Together we train the children in the ways of God and His government.

History, or His Story, is highlighted at every opportunity. I develop an appreciation of His Story's cause and effect--the illustration of the powerful goodness of God and His Providence throughout time, and its intimate relevance to our lives. God's Providence is demonstrated in His preparation of me to teach my children. The seeds He planted in my high school days has taken root and grown into a tree, and its fruit now nourishes my children. God is the Supreme Authority, and we place ourselves in subjection to Him. Our Heavenly Father directs, regulates, controls and restrains us. This relationship guides our lives and lessons. As we increase our submission to Christ and His internal government, we will grow in self-government, love for one another and the fruit of the Spirit. This will radiate from within to all spheres of influence--home, church and state.

We look to God's word as the root from which all subjects spring and the foundation upon which our lives are built. We expand upon the principles year by year according to our abilities, allowing the Scriptures to instruct, discipline, correct and fit every subject for our use. Using these Biblical Principles we are able to master the subjects at hand to the glory of God!

Do you have a formalized philosophy of education? Would you like to share it? Add a note with a link or paste it in the message. I'd love to see it!