It really depends on your homeschooling philosophy. Also, remember that homeschooling parents are learning right along side their children. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> While you may not be an expert on a particular topic, you can certainly access that information for your child. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If it's something you don't feel comfortable with, you can certainly enlist the help of a tutor or distance learning program.
There are LOTS of ways to homeschool. Some parents buy accredited curriculum while others develop their own. It really comes down to the parent's beliefs about how children learn best. For example, I believe children learn best through real life experiences, so I serve as a facilitator in my children's learning by exposing them to new people, places, and ideas. I have a master's degree in education and, believe it or not, my 4 year old sometimes asks me questions that I don't know the answer to!! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If I don't know, we find out TOGETHER by going to the library or doing an internet search. Does this make sense?
This week we're visiting a local butterfly farm where the tour guide will teach the children about the life cycle of butterflies. Next month we're visiting a local worm farm where our children will learn about the importance of worms and will even make their own "worm farm" to bring home.
My son takes gymnastics because I certainly am not an expert in that area. When he's older, he'll take music lessons, etc.. In other words, I'm certainly not my child's only teacher. He will also probably participate in 4H and Earth Scouts next year.
Finally, many homeschool groups have cooperative learning activies where parents share their expertise with the group. For example, if one mom is fluent in French, she may do some activities with the children while I might help the group publish a newsletter since that's my forte.
Does this help at all?
