Homeschool Tips: Teaching Academics Without Bias

Is it Possible to Teach Your Own Kids Without Showing Bias?

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

When educating your kids yourself, is it possible to teach academics without bias? Should you do so? How can you go about that and why might it be a good idea? As a seasoned homeschool teacher and parent, I can say with experience that's it's definitely possible.

Isn't the Point of Homeschool to Teach the Kids Your Beliefs?

Well, yes and no. Your family's belief system can and should be instilled. But it should not take the place of important educational facts and lessons. As with any other schooling method, the point of homeschooling is to teach the children. This means giving them honest facts and letting them have the freedom to form their own opinions. Sure, their opinions may closely resemble yours. But then again, they may not - and that's normal and perfectly fine.

How Can I Teach the Kids About Life Without Showing Bias?

When teaching the kids about events, politics, and science, it may be easy to inject your own opinions. That's OK. But, to teach without bias, you should present your thoughts, as well as ideas from an opposing viewpoint. Leave it up to the kids to decide what they think. Yes, we all want our children to live by our belief system. But, in order to do that with a whole heart, they need to be able to make that choice themselves. If they choose another path, it does not mean they don't respect you as a parent. Not everyone thinks in the same way.

Why Shouldn't I Teach the Kids Solely What I Believe?

There is no reason you shouldn't interject your beliefs into teachings. However, you should not teach the kids that your way is the only way. As mentioned above, you can and should teach your beliefs. But, if your children go in another direction, as a parent, it is your role to love and respect them regardless. It's just a fact of life that not all children will follow the same path as their parents. If they do, that's great. But if they don't, that's great as well.

If Not to Teach My Beliefs, What is My Role as a Parent?

As parents, it is definitely our duty to teach the children. But, the goal is not to create clones of ourselves. It is to raise healthy, happy, well-balanced human beings who can stand on their own two feet when the time is right. If we teach them with bias, it may cripple them by causing them to be followers, instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions.


*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network