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I think 20-30 years ago, this question was not on any parents' radar. What does worldview matter? The world did not seem so topsy-turvey and it felt like everyone was on the same page, more or less, about reality. It does not seem that way today. One of the things that has happened is the worldview of our society has shifted. What we thought was not important before actually was. What is a worldview? A worldview is a philosophy that guides and informs our decisions and judgements in life. Depending on who you ask, there are many worldviews. What are these different worldviews? Here is a very quick, overview of 5 of them: Naturalism- This is the view that there are only natural laws and forces. There is nothing supernatural. Pantheism- This is the view that the world and universe around us IS god. All of reality is god. It is all supernatural. Theism- This is the belief that the world exists because of one god being. You find the manifestation of the worldview in the different world religions. Each religion has its own set of rules and constructs on reality and who god is. (Biblical worldview falls in this category. I have placed little g's within the definitions due to my statements also encompassing the gods of other religions.) Post-Modernism- This view believes there are multiple truths, everyone can see reality their own way. We can create reality into what we want it to be because each of us holds our own truth. The only absolute truth is that there are no absolute truths. (This is the worldview that runs rampant through our society today. There are statistics coming out showing it affects everyone, even Christians who proclaim to hold a biblical worldview.) Modernism- This one could be called humanism. It sees the world in a scientific, empirical way. The truth of reality can only be seen in the physical world around us, in humans themselves, in the data that we create. (This is the worldview that got us to post-modernism.) Incorporating worldview education into curriculum Worldviews are going to be built into the curriculum that you are using. This is why children are coming out of the public-school systems with a post-modern worldview. They are being taught there isn’t just one truth, we all hold our truth. As you look into the different companies, check out the belief statements of the companies. They will tell you what they believe in, where they stand, and what they hope the student will believe by the end of schooling. On my website, as you are searching through the different curriculums, I have labeled which curriculums are secular to help make some parents searching a little easier. Nurturing critical thinking and open-mindedness Now one thing that is very important, we can’t teach kids in a bubble. They must know what the different beliefs are so that they can make informed choices as adults and converse with others who think differently than them well. It is simply not enough to tell children that others just think different than us and that's ok. Thats post-modern thought. While picking a well-rounded curriculum is important (one that teaches an appropriate worldview) remember it is just a tool. It is also up to us parents to ensure our children are thinking through tough subjects and thoughts critically and well. Lead by example, allow them to observe and engage them in hard conversations that give them a chance to think critically and apply their developing worldview. If you found any of this helpful, let me know! Lori To Know God and To Make Him Known
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If there is one thing in life that we can all be sure of, words mean something. When you start homeschooling, there ARE terms that will be very, very helpful to understand as you move forward in your families homeschool journey. So, let's start at the beginning: Homeschool- The in-home education of children with parents as teachers and no governing institution. Each state provides its own definition of homeschooling that fits into its own laws and regulations. Parents are in control of curriculum choices. Guidelines and rules to follow within your homeschool vary by state. Public School- Is a free, public place of education that is open to everyone. Public schools are governed by federal and state governments and attendance is mandatory. Charter School- These are public, tuition free schools. They operate autonomously from the state though. The “charter” is its operational agreement. Charter schools receive their funds through the local and state governments, therefore having to hold to their rules and regulations. Private School- Private Schools can vary widely, especially based off state definition. These schools can be accredited or not and are typically religious schools. These schools are tuition based, receiving no federal, state, or local funds. However, some states offer voucher programs for private schools to make them more accessible for lower income families. Hybrid School- These are private schools that have melted together being in a schoolroom and homeschooling. Typically, children are in school anywhere from 2-4 days a week and at home the rest of the time. The curriculum followed is a homeschool curriculum that can easily go back and forth. These types of schools can also be referred to as cottage schools. Co-op- These are technically not schools but are places for children to take specific classes to pursue, either personal interests or a deeper knowledge in a certain subject. Co-ops are great for homeschool families to build community with other homeschool families. The structure of co-op ranges based on what the families want. Some operate loosely, offering classes and individual experiences while others provide more structure, offering glimpses of "regular school" or the ability to build stronger community bonds within shared learning. Ok so here's a pretty common question: Is online public school the same as homeschooling? NO. No not at all. Even though children are learning at home while attending classes online, your child will still be receiving a public-school education. You do not have the freedom to choose what they are learning or how they are learning it. Your child will follow the federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations set forth for the public schools. And will be held to those standards. While this dynamic may still work for some families, it is important to note, it isn't truly homeschooling by definition. It is public school at home. I hope this information is helpful in providing clarity as you move forward with homeschooling! Til next time! Lori To Know God and To Make Him Known  When you are picking out and deciding what how to educate your children, you need to start with the end in mind. And seriously guys, this woks with sending your public-school kids as well. 1. What worldview do you want your children to have? 2. What career/path will your children be going down? 3. What role do electronics play in your home? The answers to the questions are what illuminate the path you are walking. They don't just get you out the door. When you KNOW the end, it's just a little easier to pick a curriculum, and style of learning, to get you guys started.
Life changes and there IS an ebb and flow. BUT, by picking your end point now, you give yourself a point to look towards. This will help you and your family walk a little bit of a straighter line. Come to the How to Start Homeschooling 101 Workshop to get more help on starting to homeschool. We will:
The workshop is only $20, but the confidence and encouragement you will receive can't really be measured in price. So seriously sign up today! Click here to register! Lori To Know God and to Make Him Known
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AuthorLori Lacey is the owner and creator of Journey2Homeschool. Archives
July 2025
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