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Thank you for this article. It is very encouraging to know that others nudge their kids into self-teaching. Joanne Calderwood wrote an excellent book that explains how to do this: "The Self-Propelled Advantage." I've applied her principles to our homeschool with a lot of success.

Dear Lee,

Thank you! I have been doubting our home schooling approach until I saw this article.

I absolutely love this! I definitely needed this as I am looking into another school year. I will remember this and put this to practice as I teach this year. With many children at home, I have never had the "teaching time" thing going really strong, but it has been enough to keep them on the right track. What a relief to know that it is alright for them to just learn and grow, and I can just get out of the way! I set up the framework and they get to build the grand structure of their learning.

Wow, what a blessing this post was! I constantly beat myself up if I don't get to sit down with each of our 4 children and do math etc. This year is going to be different! We even purchased Teaching Textbooks for math for my oldest two. My third child, a son, I do believe has mild ADD, and it is difficult to get him to sit and do his work alone. This fall we add our last child into K and my time will be even more stretched, but this post will really help with my older two children

It is a blessing that many of you have high schoolers who love to learn and are excellent at self study. What is not discussed much are kids like mine who have ADHD and are challenged with sustained reading, concentration etc. It can be disheartening to parents like me who are homeschooling and feeling like they are failing miserably because their teen has difficulty being self direct and does not like to read or study (or anything that requires any mental effort). I have had to resort to tutors to help him. Even with tutors, he fights the process. Is there anyone out there who has a teen like this? It sometimes truly feels like I am alone.

I am so glad that you repost your blog comments. It was a great reminder. I appreciate your insight.

Just the reminder I needed. Thanks for the encouragement from someone who has been "through it"!

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Karen Morris. Karen Morris said: RT @TheHomeScholar: Our goal in homeschooling is for the kids to LEARN. - http://wp.me/pctmJ-10 #homeschool [...]

Thanks again for telling me just what I needed to know today! I have been feeling like, I don't really "teach" my kids anymore. I miss it sometimes but they are in high school homeschool and doing fine! I have just these past few days been thinking, is this ok, is this what I should be doing??? I just ck on them periodically and make sure that I ask them questions about the work that they are doing or subjects that they had to read about.Thanks for your note about quiet time, I find that as well! Seek ye first the kingdom of God.. Thanks for all you do!
Kate

Thanks so much for your wisdom and tips. I am also grateful for your bold testimony of how keeping Christ FIRST and spending time with Him really makes all the difference.
Thanks for sharing for all of us who are still on the journey behind you...following your footprints along the way! : )

You know, I just reread your article and many of the comments. I agree with most of them, but I did have another thought to add: your children self-taught, primarily the subjects they were interested in and then you tested them. What if you have a child who does not test well? They read the material, they think they understand it, they willingly do the work....and consistently score about 60% on the test...or worse! Then you got a problem with the self teaching, don't you?

Dear Corine,

Curriculum developed for homeschoolers will be a good self-teaching curriculum. Curriculum developed for schools assumes that the teacher understands the concepts contained in the book; Latin, or calculus or whatever. Homeschool curriculum assumes that the parent knows nothing about the subject. Whatever is needed for teaching the concepts will be provided - usually with some sort of support by phone or email. The best way to find self-teaching curriculum is to use curriculum developed specifically for homeschoolers.

I hope that helps!
Blessings,
Lee

Hi! Great post! This has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I was a completely self-taught homeschooler, and that was very good for me. The things I taught myself I really excelled in. But there was the issue of being given complete control over my studies; I got to both study, and "not" study, any subject of my choosing - nothing was required! I think a little guidance and a few requirements would have been beneficial! However, I did LOVE to study, and I did do very well in college despite the gaps in my education where I lacked interest etc.

Thanks for the important reminder!

Any suggestions for specific self teaching curriculum?

I absolutely agree with you! We labor in vain if we do not allow God to help us build our house. If I don't seek Him out first thing in the morning, my whole day runs off course.

I like the idea that it is up to my children to learn rather than my ability to teach. When I ask the Holy Spirit to guide our day, it is as if we are following a well planned script. It works best when I follow His lead.

Thanks, Lee. This is how my 2 dc have been "homeschooled" since they came home from public school - 4 years ago. They are both working at a 10th grade level, with the younger child "teaching" the older more often than not. I've been a little worried if they were REAKKY doing as well as I have felt they were doing (both getting A's & B's on tests). *sighs with relief*

Does anyone have any suggestions for self-motivating curriculums? I am looking to change our curriculum next year. My children do not enjoy school and I want homeschooling to be a great memory. I am kicking around the idea of unit studies for next year. My children will be in 8,7,4/3, 1 and a preschooler next year.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi, my name is Sharon, and this is such a relief. Knowing that it is possible for your children to teach themselves and be successful in life. And it makes sense that they will be more interested in learning a subject they are interested in. I espeacially liked the comment made about learning everyday skills. As far as I know the public school systems do not teach these skills, but they are very much needed skills for children to know. I'am very Thankful for this forum.

Hi Pam,
Yes, that's what I'm talking about is finding resources OTHER than mom (or teacher) to get the information. Using a video tutor is exactly the kind of thing that can help.
Blessings,
Lee

If you let someone else "teach" them, is that the same? For instance, we're using Teaching Textbooks for my oldest. I helped alot with Algebra, but I haven't been doing much "assisting" with Geometry this year. He gets it all from the text and computer "lectures" & explanations.

I myself am a show-me learner and I did
very well in college. Although I admire
people who possess the skill to self-teach in every subject matter, I do not. (There will be tutors and learning centers at college for those who need them.) Witholding instruction from students who truly need help can stop progress. Thankfully, my son teaches me computer skills. I am thrilled that my homeschooled teenagers love to learn!