On Considering Christian Homeschooling Curriculum

One of the most important aspects of homeschooling is finding the right curriculum to follow. Because homeschooling has more leeway than a formal institution like a school, there is more allowance for the introduction of other subjects and learning aids to facilitate your child’s education. The basis of a Christian homeschooling curriculum is on the classics, particularly classic literature.

In large part, Christian classical studies devolved around the exploration of western learning. The advent of the middle ages produced the greatest repositories of knowledge- the monasteries. The fall of the Roman Empire unfortunately also brought down much of the learning in those times. A lot of knowledge was forgotten. During the Middle Ages, learned men were primarily priests who traveled all over to gain knowledge and in turn preach Christ’s teachings. Monasteries became havens of knowledge and scholars from all over ventured to them to learn.

As such, the tradition of Latin, Greek, philosophy, and other classical subjects have Christian overtones. One can even take a scholastic approach in learning how Christianity shaped history. Much can even be derived from such an approach. The Letters of St. Paul are useful in exploring history and used by some universities in studying history.

Much of a Christian homeschooling curriculum also involves lessons in grammar, Latin, arithmetic, and other subjects that prepare the child in articulation of complex and abstract thoughts centered on what is known as The Great Conversation, as pegged by Mortimer Adler.

A classical Christian education does not merely mean that all the classics are studied. There are also the intellectual discussions on the religious aspects of Christianity. Scholastic discussions such as The Council of Nicaea, theology, and the more obscure aspects of religion are given prominence where much is lost in a regular school setting.

When one asks why this is relevant today, it is not merely because of its Christian elements. A classical Christian education possesses much virtue on leaning for one’s self-improvement. Self-improvement and the desire to gain knowledge paves the way to knowing more of the world we live in and in turn, more knowledge of God and our place in the great plan.

So when you wonder why a Christian homeschooling curriculum is a thing to be considered, just remember that there is much to be learnt from the varied subjects it has. Your child’s education is guaranteed to make him/her a well-rounded individual with the best of scholastic activities. Much of today’s learning has taught us to specialize. There is also much that is lost in such an application. Learning for the sake of learning and the improvement of one’s self is the cornerstone of a classical education. And with the improvement of adding a Christian element to it, there is an added tint in learning about God in a scholastic manner and not undermining his plan for all of us.