A parent training seminar was held last July 7, 2007 at the ENLI Multi-Media Room to provide the VCS Home School parents with the right foundation for teaching. Many took time off on that Saturday morning to be equipped with essential skills as well as to fellowship with other home schooling parents. A good mixture of newcomers and seasoned home school moms and dads shared their experiences with each other.

Much time was devoted to laying the Biblical directive for home schooling. Pastor Jun Escosar, whose two children are also being educated from the home, highlighted the Christian parents’ duty to impress God’s teachings on children. Pastor Jun also talked about motivation and encapsulated it in “Eight Simple Rules for Teachers”. “Principles, not just facts . . . concrete visuals explain the abstract . . . ” – these are just some of the key points he used to motivate the parents practically.

Ivy Marquez presented about the home school basics. She encouraged the parents that there are smart solutions in home schooling. She discussed the importance of having the skill (after having a heart for teaching) and walked them through the basic components of a home school: the child, the teacher and the material. While the material is a necessary tool in teaching, the focus should never veer away from the learner and the teacher who imparts and models the lessons.

A reflective activity made the parents draw figure of their children and jot down the qualities, skills, and interests per child. A discussion on how children learn followed this exercise. It provided parents an experiential activity giving them not only a visual image but a focal point for the home school program that they will be developing throughout the school year.

As the morning’s discussions complemented each other, parents brought home the inspiration and the knowledge which will be useful for them as they embark on this learning journey together with their children. It was a joy to see parents coming together for one united goal: to educate their children according to God’s ways.

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