In this post, we discuss creating the optimal homeschool learning environment. When you homeschool, your home is the classroom and you and/or your spouse are the teachers. That might sound obvious, but if you’ve never taught in a classroom, it might not be clear what exactly that means. Even if you have, certain things bear repeating. Even choirs need preaching to from time to time.
Outer Homeschool Learning Environment
The first question is how you set up your classroom. What sorts of decorations do you have? How is the table or desk positioned? Teachers in a traditional classroom put a lot of forethought into these things before the children arrive. The homeschool learning environment is no different. For example, how well do you arrange the space where you recite verses, sing, and do movement to direct the focus towards you? Or, does your arrangement scatter the child’s energy? It’s like feng shui – you have to imagine how that energy will flow in your lesson. Home environments often present more distractions than classrooms, so you may have to simplify what’s on the shelves, clear out potentially distracting toys, etc. Also pay attention to the lighting. Natural light is always preferred.
The simpler the environment, the better. Ideally, you don’t want anything in the space you won’t use for the lesson. If that’s not possible, consider tucking things away or even covering them. If you’re über-Waldorf, you can even use silks, but mind the colors. Too much color can distract sanguine children.
Inner Homeschool Learning Environment
Once the physical space has been imagined and arranged ideally, you have to think how you conduct yourself in a classroom. What language do you use? What example do you set through your deeds? What expectations do you set for your children? They are watching everything you do, especially the younger they are. Even when they are older in middle school, they are still learning from you, “cool” as they may seem. More than what you say, what you ARE influences them most.
As a homeschooler, therefore, effort is required to transform yourself. It asks you to correct your bad habits, your character flaws, and your lapses in discipline. This path asks you to tackle your hurdles unceasingly. If you talk sharply to your spouse, for example, they will imitate that. Even your unspoken thoughts influence your children. It’s true. I’ve seen it at home and in the classroom.
I hope that doesn’t scare you, and it shouldn’t. It should rather spur you to clean out your inner closet, so to speak, and keep a positive attitude. Many homeschoolers aren’t aware of all these subtle nuances of teaching when they embark upon this path. I’m not trying to discourage you, but I do want you to know what you’re getting into.
So, Man, Is it Really Worth It?
Homeschooling’s greatest challenge is also its beauty. You get to educate at home in your own way. As I explained in this recent post, the state has no business dictating how parents choose to educate their children. Although, some states like California, Connecticut, New York, and others are constantly striving to limit your freedom in this realm. In some European countries, it’s flat out illegal to homeschool! Imagine the arrogant hubris that must go into government officials believing they know better than you what’s best for your child.
Luckily, it remains free to a greater or lesser degree in many places, so give thanks that you get to walk this path. However, unlike professional teachers, you don’t get to go home and recharge every night. You’re always on, and they’re always watching. The lesson never really ends. Not on the weekends, not in summer. It’s in your face, constantly. Personally, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world – I love it – but if you want to do this well, be willing to do the inner transformation it requires of you. Homeschooling will make you fully human.
When you freely embrace that path, you will see how it is an amazing choice with tremendous benefits. The most common I notice is that children grow up to be themselves. All other benefits are just icing on that spectacular cake of self knowledge. Mainstream culture has a tendency to draw children away from becoming their true selves, and by homeschooling, you remove many of those hindrances society would otherwise put in their way. So, yes, it is worth it if you’re willing to do the inner work it requires.
Helpful Suggestions
In previous posts, I discussed how to know if homeschooling is right for you and for your child. I won’t repeat the themes from those posts but assume you’ve decided the answer is “yes” to both of those. To foster the optimal homeschool learning environment, then, you need parents who are on the same page. That can be one of the hardest things to achieve for some families. Your homeschooled child or children need you to mutually support one another in the process. Here are some suggestions on how to foster that.
First, the number one trait you both need is humility. Start by acknowledging that you, like your child, are students in need of learning. In the homeschool learning environment, all are students. If both parents aren’t willing to be humble in cases of conflict, that’s a red flag and a separate matter that requires attention.
Assuming you are, however, here’s what to do next. When conflicts arise with your partner, ask, “What’s best for the child?” Often, asking that question, alone, solves the problem. We adults can get too stuck in our ideas of what’s best and lose sight of the actual child before us. If after asking that question, it’s still not clear what’s best, ask for guidance from your higher power and observe your child together. Let them show you what’s best for them. They will, trust me. Children want to be known, and they can sense when you’re striving to know them. If you and your partner do this humbly, I feel confident in saying you will arrive at the right understanding you need to move forward.
The Role of Anthroposophy in Homeschooling
I’ve searched the globe far and wide, and I’ve never come across a more thorough basis from which to cultivate a strong pedagogical instinct than Anthroposophy. The words of Rudolf Steiner and other longtime teachers are not meant to be taken as dogmas, however. They are meant to become living principles you apply creatively in your time, place, and situation. Studying and meditating on the education lectures can provide outstanding guidance for your homeschooling journey. I would start with the three initial lectures Steiner gave to teachers at the founding of the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart, Germany. They are:
If you like listening rather than reading, you can find all of these on the Rudolf Steiner Audio website.
You Are Walking a Noble Path
Understand you are doing something countercultural by pioneering a movement we should have done a long time ago. Don’t expect friends and family to understand, and don’t expect the government to throw a bunch of money at you to do this. That being said, things are changing in these areas – mostly for the good like in Florida, Arizona, and many other states that have Education Savings Account programs. Here’s a list of states with such school choice programs: https://schoolchoiceusa.org/states. Here is a list of states and programs we are a registered vendor with: https://enkindleacademy.com/financial-support.
If you don’t see your state or program listed on our website and you want us to register as a vendor with yours, we are happy to. Just Contact Us and we’ll get the ball rolling.
You are not alone, and what you’re doing IS worth it. Just stay the course, thoughtfully setup your space to support learning, and do the inner work to become a parent-teacher worth emulating.
Parent Education
We are planning to start offering parent education starting in fall, 2026, at Enkindle Academy. However, we are still working out the details of our programming and want to hear from you. What would be most supportive to you as a homeschooler? Suggestions from parents have been live parent training groups and short blocks on how to teach various subjects like math, history, language arts, etc. We are open to whatever other suggestions you have. If interested, please Contact Us, and let us know your wishes.
How Else to Connect
Enkindle Academy offers prerecorded and live lessons for students in grades 5-9, encouraging students to deepen their reverence for nature and adopt sustainable, regenerative attitudes towards her. We teach all academic subjects plus fine arts, creative writing and language arts, and empowerment groups for teens.
Our Creative Writing Class meets weekly. We are always accepting new students, and enrollment is growing rapidly. When we have enough students, we open up new sections. Visit us at the following link to signup or get more info: https://enkindleacademy.com/live-creative-writing-for-youth
Our Teen Empowerment Class also meets weekly. We are always accepting new students. If you want your youth in a tightly knit, warm, and welcoming group of peers with a loving guide who keeps them focused on the good, beautiful, and true come check us out. Visit us at the following link to signup or get more info: https://enkindleacademy.com/live-teen-empowerment-class.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.