Before making any educational decision, you need to know why you are teaching what you plan to teach. That is your philosophy of education. If you don’t have a written philosophy, do it now. The following seven questions make up the core of your reasons for homeschooling.
Questions to answer to begin developing your education philosophy:
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What is your worldview?
This is your framework which helps you understand society, your place in it, and helps you with critical decisions. It is your picture of the world and how you respond to it.
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What is your belief about God and sacred writings?
Do you believe in God or a supreme being? Do you believe your sacred writings are true without error? Or a series of mythological stories?
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What is your belief about humans?
Do you believe humans were created or evolved? Are humans inherently good or evil?
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What is truth?
What is the source of truth? Is it absolute or relative? Can we ever really know truth?
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What are wisdom and knowledge?
Who or what is the source of wisdom and knowledge? How does one gain wisdom? How is knowledge related to wisdom?
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What is your definition of education?
This is your concept of what education means. Try not to think in the traditional terms of education, i.e.: classrooms, test, lesson plans.
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What is your belief about parental responsibility? About children?
What is your responsibility as a parent? Does it lie solely with you or is a village needed? Are children a blank slate or born with a sin nature?
Would you like help in developing your philosophy of homeschooling? Take the email course, Why Am I Doing This? Seven Steps to an Educational Philosophy.