Lead by Example: Why Your Own Learning Matters in Homeschooling

Did you know that one of the most effective ways to influence your children is to model the behaviour and values you want them to have?

Children are always watching what we do. They are wired to learn by watching and imitating the people around them. This way of learning actually comes much more naturally to them than learning by instruction!

If you want your child to learn to read, lead by example. Sitting down with your own book after lunch every day is better than trying to make them have “silent reading time” while you are off doing other things. You can apply this mindset to any value you’d like your kids to adopt.

When it comes to learning in general, your own commitment to lifelong learning directly impacts the liklihood that they will also continue to grow and learn throughout their lifetime.

The power of “do as I do”

We all know that the old saying “do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work. When someone tells you what to do but doesn’t follow their own advice, it’s hard to take them or their advice seriously.

It’s no different with learning. If you are constantly telling your homeschooled child that it’s important for them to do their schoolwork, to learn to read and write, do increasingly complicated math and understand historical topics and have some scientific awareness, but they never see you applying much of that learning in your adult life, why should they believe that it is important?

Be honest – do YOU really believe that the learning is important? Do you know why you’re teaching them the things you are teaching them in your homeschool?

With a Core Conceptual approach to homeschooling, we are only teaching foundational knowledge and skills – no filler. Everything we teach is important, not only for children but for adults, too.

Watching you read a book, solve a problem, research an election issue, or explore a new skill sends a stronger message about the importance of learning than words ever could. It shows them that learning is valuable in everyday life for all humans, not only for children learning the basics in school.

This kind of modelling has lasting effects. When kids see learning as something you enjoy and pursue regularly, they begin to see it as part of their own lives, too. It becomes less of a chore and more of a natural habit, building their confidence to stay curious and tackle challenges.

How to lead by example

What does it look like for a parent to make their own continuing education a priority? Taking steps to further your own learning–like joining a book club, taking a class, or improving your mental health–sets the example that learning is valuable at any age.

For me, although I stopped working when my first child was born, I always knew that I wanted to go back to school and get an advanced degree so I’d be ready for a new career once I was finished homeschooling. So, when my youngest was just a toddler, I started taking just one course at a time. When my kids were 6 and 9 I enrolled in a Masters of Education graduate program, and three years later I’ve almost finished! My kids have seen me reading, watching lectures, and writing papers all that time.

You might not want to go back to university, but you can still keep learning. Whether you’re reading for pleasure or gaining skills that will benefit you in your work, your children will notice.

It’s also important to let your children see the hard parts of learning. When you struggle with a new concept or skill, don’t hide it. Share the frustration and effort it takes to figure things out. This shows them that it’s normal to face challenges and that obstacles can be overcome with perseverance.

Everybody wins when parents learn

It’s easy to feel like you should put your own learning on hold when you’re busy homeschooling your children. With so much on your plate, spending time on personal development may seem like a luxury you can’t afford. But the truth is, taking time for your own learning benefits your children as much as it benefits you. It helps create an environment in your home where growth and curiosity are valued and respected.

When your kids see you carving out time to set goals, learn new things, and reach new achievements, they learn that growth doesn’t stop after childhood. It’s something that is important for all humans, no matter their age. We never stop needing to pursue our passions and expand our knowledge.

Continued learning and development is an important part of self-care for any parent, especially if you spend much of your time taking care of young children. Picture those children twenty or thirty years from now – I know you would want them to be just as engaged and excited about the world as they are now! When you make time for your own creativity, curiosity, and growth, you’re modelling a balanced life for your children, a life where adult responsibilities never have to crowd out opportunities for wonder and learning.

Where to find the time

If I know anything, it’s that homeschooling moms and dads are BUSY people! I know what it’s like to balance childcare, homeschooling, household tasks and maybe even full or part-time work as well. There are seasons of life when it simply might not be possible to commit to a class or leave the house on a regular schedule.

In these seasons, prioritizing your own learning might be as simple as reading a grown-up book for a few minutes after lunch each day, while your kids play or nap. When they are old enough to read, this can become part of your routine where everyone picks a comfy spot and reads silently for half an hour.

If you are able to leave the kids with another parent or caregiver sometimes, take the time to do something enriching for yourself. Visit a museum or attend an event or class (public libraries often have a variety of free events). If regular childcare isn’t an option, online resources like TED talks, free courses from MIT, or Youtube tutorials can be a great way to learn something new from home.

Another great option is to bring your children along for the learning! Choose an activity or skill you’re both interested in, like baking, coding, crocheting, or learning a new language. You’ll be exploring something new, connecting with your child, and modelling curiosity, perseverance, and the value of exploring new things.

Lifelong learning for everyone

One of my very favourite parts of homeschooling my kids is how much I get to learn! A lifelong love of learning is one of the most powerful things we can model for our children, no matter what type of schooling we choose for them. When they see you make time for your own growth, they learn that learning isn’t just for kids. It’s for all humans, of every age.

I hope I’ve convinced you that it’s worth making time for your own learning. You’re creating a home where curiosity, growth, and self-improvement are part of daily life. Even if time is tight, you can start small–every bit of effort you put into your own learning will ripple through your family in ways you might not even realize.

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Leave a comment to let me know what you’ve been learning lately! What are you reading, what new skills are you playing with, what goals are you pursuing? I’m cheering you on over here!