Resource | Apologia Interview
How to Homeschool in Faith & Teach a Love of Learning
Introduction
Meet Davis Carman & Apologia
Recently, Nxt Era spoke with Davis Carman, who is the President of Apologia, which started as a science program. Additionally, the curriculum now covers math and the Bible. The curriculum supports K-12 learning.
Mr. Carman is the husband of Rachel and the father of seven children. They homeschooled for 26 years. Originally, they started homeschooling because their oldest son had a horrible first day of school. He experienced a safety issue involving a school bus, so Mr. and Mrs. Carman realized they needed to try something different. Astutely, Mr. Carman told his wife that perhaps the teacher that they had been praying for all along was her.
As a resident of North Carolina, he has watched as the homeschooling population has grown exponentially over the years.
During the interview, Mr. Carman expressed that homeschooling involves more than just academics — it involves building good relationships and a love of learning. He continually said that parents must instill a love of reading in their children as well. Mr. Carman explained that parents can create a well-rounded homeschooling experience.
How can you, as the homeschool parent, create a well-rounded, good homeschooling experience? Mr. Carman offers ten tips:
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Focus on God.Mr. Carman encouraged parents to focus on God. They can look to Him for spiritual guidance and hope as they homeschool. Also, ask yourself: Why do you want to homeschool? Why is it the best choice for your children? Asking these questions can help you move on to the next step.
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Walk in faith.Walking in faith requires a dependence on God. Homeschooling requires faith. Therefore, parents can look to God for steadfast hope, and He can give strength to weary parents.
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Let go of control.Homeschooling is all about letting go of control, schedules, plans, assumptions, etc. Therefore, Christian or not, you can practice letting go by taking a deep breath and focusing on what works best for your family.
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Focus on relationships.As the parent, you can set the example with your children. How do you communicate with your spouse or your children? Do you show them that fostering relationships is a vital component of life? Actually, it's more important than academics.
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Practice the 3–5 year mindset.Mr. Carman explained that the first years of homeschooling cause parents to feel afraid, but then, as they progress in the journey, they feel capable of continuing. Therefore, give yourself grace as you start. You may feel nervous, unprepared, or downright overwhelmed. This is all normal, and eventually, you will begin to feel more confident. You can do this, and the team at Nxt Era believes in you! (P.S. Our parents felt the same way when they started.)
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Teach a love of learning.Encourage them in their favorite subjects and take them on engaging field trips. If they like math, get them a math tutor to take it to the next level. If they like writing, enroll them in writing workshops. Show them that learning is a lifelong process and it's rewarding.
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Read with your child.Sit with your child and read. This also fosters a love of learning through books. If you worry that your child isn't at the correct reading level, Mr. Carman has advice for this fear. He explained that all children learn to read at different levels (his children learned at different ages and are now all college-educated). This is normal!
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Encourage extracurriculars.If they like chess, encourage it. If they like biology, encourage it. If they have interests that are different from yours, practice letting go of control and supporting them in whatever capacity so that they flourish.
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Host a family mealtime.Mr. Carman also suggests having a family meal time (or gathering for all three meals). This creates a good family atmosphere where you can talk about your child's interests and see how they learn.
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Focus on your child's calling.What do they love? What brings them joy? What is God calling them to do with their lives? Pay attention to your child's cues and learning styles. As mentioned, if their passion seems zany, try to set down control. It will be okay, and you can do this. Let them learn and live to their calling.
Explore these resources from Apologia to continue your homeschooling journey:
Encouragement & Next Steps
First of all, we believe in you. These steps may seem hard, but Mr. Carman and his wife employed these methods and raised seven successful children. Remember your why for homeschooling and think of your own calling as a parent. You can raise successful homeschoolers.
Also, you are not alone. You have God on your team. Find a supportive community to uplift you as you homeschool as well. Homeschooling requires faith and hope. Think of your child's future and begin with small steps, such as reading with your child on the sofa. All it takes is a first step and a mustard seed of faith.
