Why Do the Duggars Homeschool?

Michelle Duggar isn't just the mother of 19 children--she's their teacher as well! Michelle has homeschooled all of her kids from the beginning, and she and Jim Bob agree that it was one of the wisest decisions their family has made.

Why did the Duggars choose home education? Their inspiration came from Scriptures like Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

"Bible says to train up your children when you get up in the morning when you sit down, walk by the way, and when you go to bed at night...and we really felt like in order to do to fulfill that command, we really wanted to home school our children," Jim Bob told KLTV in an April 2011 interview.

The Duggars were also drawn to home education after visiting with several homeschool families years ago, when Josh was young. Jim Bob and Michelle were thoroughly impressed by how well-behaved the children were, and they wanted that for their kids.

Now, roughly twenty years later, the Duggars are still going strong! Several of their children have graduated and are pursing higher education through CollegePlus! (click here to read more), and Michelle has many more years of homeschooling to look forward to.

Duggars on Homeschool Curricula

Several readers have asked about the wide variety of homeschool curricula that the Duggars use. Here are several websites that they recommend: 

Switched-On Schoolhouse (Grades 3-12)
Teaching Textbooks (Math)
Advanced Training Institute (ATI)
ACE
College Plus! (Personally recommended by Jim Bob Duggar during on of our interviews)
The Teaching Home
Bob Jones University Press
Bob Jones University 
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Sing, Spell, Read & Write
Homeschool Legal Defense Association 
A Beka Book
Majesty Music
Way of the Master
Verity Institute

Do you homeschool? If so, what resources do you recommend?

MORE Homeschooling Advice from Michelle

Now that we know what the Duggars use to homeschool, let's see how and why they have chosen home education:

What do the Duggars most like about homeschooling?
With 19 kids, homeschooling gives Jim Bob and Michelle great flexibility. They are able to take road trips, attend conferences, and embark on educational field trips. In addition, home education allows their kids to work at their own pace. They can whiz through lessons that they understand or take extra time on the ones that don't come as easily. Some of the Duggars have graduated early and are now taking classes and gaining hands-on experience in the fields that interest them. Jill is considering nursing, Jana is studying under a midwife, Jinger is looking into photography, Jessa loves teaching her younger siblings, and John-David helps Josh at his car lot and ran for Alderman in this month's election (he came VERY close to winning). John, Jana, and Jill recently became First Responders and joined the volunteer fire department.

How does Michelle motivate her kids?
The Duggars are eager to teach their children the value of hard work. When Justin completes a spelling worksheet in record time or Joy-Anna drills James on his math facts, Michelle awards them with a piece of sugarless gum or a small candy. The Duggars are obsessed with pickles -- believe it or not, some prefer a juicy pickle over a handful of mouthwatering Skittles.

How do you motivate your kids?

Homeschooling Advice from Michelle

Homeschooling just one or two kids is no easy task, but can you imagine homeschooling 19? The Duggars have homeschooled each of their kids since Josh was four. Do they have any tips to share? Of course!

What curricula do the Duggars recommend?
Once her kids learn basic phonics skills with programs like "Sing, Spell, Read, and Write," "Typing Tutor," "ACE," and "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons," Michelle sets them to work at the computer with Alpha Omega's "Switched-On Schoolhouse." They especially love this curriculum (for grades three through twelve) because it weaves in Biblical principles and uses a mixture of text, colorful pictures, and fun videos.

What subjects do the Duggar kids learn?
In addition to the core subjects, the Duggar kids study law, medicine, and Spanish and practice character qualities. Many of the children play multiple instruments, such as the piano, violin, harp, guitar, or cello.

Final word of advice?
In an interview with Alpha Omega Publications, Michelle Duggar said that the most important tip she can give is to "have fun and just enjoy the gift of your children and the process of learning together...Not everything is going to go as planned, and you're going to keep learning a better way to do things as time goes on." As a new homeschooler, I change my routine more often than I change my socks because I am constantly discovering more efficient ways to get things done. It's good to hear a homeschool veteran say the same thing.

Come back on Monday for more homeschooling tips from Michelle Duggar!

Do you homeschool? Why or why not?

Do you Homeschool?

Michelle Duggar has homeschooled her children since her oldest, Josh, was four. Once she teaches them to read, they work online, using the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications. Many of our readers are homeschool families, as home education is a growing trend. Unlike Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, for a variety of reasons, many homeschool parents opt to place their children into the traditional school system for their high school years.
We would love to hear about your homeschooling experiences!
Does your family homeschool? If so, do you or do you plan on homeschooling your children through high school? Why or why not? Do you do traditional homeschooling, or do you use an online academy?
Thanks for sharing :)