Each child is unique

Apart from having a general vision for our home life and children’s education, every year I write down goals I have for each of my children. After all, they are each UNIQUE, God’s workmanship!! (Ephesians 2:10) I know that before they were formed in my womb, the LORD knew my children and so my desire is to be faithful to nurture them that they may become the person that God created THEM to be.

Click on the image below to download the file in English and Spanish.

I have been using this simple template for over five years and it always helps me focus! Additionally, it helps me remember that one of the best parts about homeschooling is that I have the flexibility to slow down if necessary according to where my child is at and not because they have to be learning what everybody else in a classroom (or next door) is learning. I can respect WHO they are BECOMING and encourage growth in the ways that fit them best.

Personally, I find that having categories helps get organized and truly think through and pinpoint areas that we aspire to develop. I divide these into the following areas: spiritual, social/emotional, self-care, academic, gross-motor, and fine-motor. (This year, I added another category called “Special project” for my 5th graders to give them time to develop some business and creative endeavors of their own). 

A guide, not a checklist

I will say that these goals are meant to guide our efforts, and it should not be seen as a list that needs to be checked off in its entirety by the end of the year. Education is a life-long process. If something has not been accomplished by the end of the year, guess what? I simply move it to the goals of our following school year. I then add any other goal that pertains to the upcoming school year (something new that they need to tackle because it pertains to their grade level like memorizing multiplication tables or some new habit that we want to instill). During the year, I check in with these goals and as the kids have gotten older, I share my goals with them so that they can learn to be accountable to them too. 

I hope this helps you as you plan. May the Lord give you grace and strength to lead your children and instruct them in His ways.

Getting started

It’s that time of the year again when we get ready to begin a new school year  with our children. This year, things may look a little different for your family, which is why it is even more important to start with a firm foundation. Today I wanted to share with you how I get organized before our first day of school.

Write down the vision

When anyone asks me how to get started with homeschooling, my answer is always the same, start with a vision! In Luke 14:28 Jesus tells his disciples: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Without a vision, we are setting ourselves up for failure. We must ask the Lord to show us what exactly should be the goal of our parenting and instruction during the years we have them at home with us.  

How exactly do I develop a vision for my school?

Before I began homeschooling my twins in 2013, I sat down with my husband and we discussed what kind of people we wanted our children to be and what we wanted them to know before they left our home. I came across a template by Erica Arndt from the Confessions of a Homeschooler blog that helped get us started (I still refer to it!!) I have adapted her template and added a few more questions of my own for you to download and help get you started. (If you prefer the document in Spanish, see page 2).

Stay the course

Now that our twins are ten years old and our youngest is seven, we can see the fruit of defining what we wanted for them early on in their schooling. We are seeing the vision come alive before our eyes! Friends, count the cost, write the vision. Then stay the course and trust God. He will give you the grace and strength to teach your children diligently. Remember that your competence comes from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Stay tuned for the next post when I will share with you another simple template that has helped me define specific goals for each of my children.