The Duggar family is often seen on television and in the media, but little is known about the educational experience of their children. The Duggars are religious conservative fundamentalist Christian home-schoolers, and employ a number of educational experts as well as their own resources to teach their children. This article will explore what homeschool curriculum the Duggar family use and the philosophy behind their children’s education.
What Is the Duggar Family’s Philosophy Towards Education?
The Duggar family puts a strong emphasis on family values, which extends to their education. They believe that their children should be taught the same values that the family holds to be true.
This includes a strong focus on religious values such as the Bible and its teachings, as well as traditional values that involve respect for authority and individual contributions to the family. At the same time, the Duggar family also emphasizes academic excellence. They value the traditional academic subjects such as math and science, and also promote the study of classic literature.
In a 2017 interview, Jim Bob Duggar stated that his children should be given the opportunity to explore interests such as music, art, and sports in order to find their talents and passions.
What Homeschool Curriculum Do the Duggars Use?
The Duggar family uses a homeschool curriculum that focuses on traditional subjects, particularly math and science. They use a variety of different programs, ranging from public school materials to online curricula. They have used curricula from well-known providers such as Abeka, Saxon, Sonlight, and Systematic Theology.
Their homeschool curriculum also includes various Bible-based programs, such as A Beka Book’s Bible-based homeschool curriculum. In addition to traditional homeschool materials, the Duggars use a variety of supplemental materials, including documentaries, educational videos, and hands-on experiments and projects.
Their homeschool materials often incorporate various activities and experiments that reinforce their children’s understanding of the material. For example, in their A Beka Book curriculum, they use an activity called “Listen and Follow”, in which the older siblings lead and the younger ones follow in order to help the younger children learn skills such as math and reading.
What Extra-Curricular Programs Does the Duggar Family Offer?
Although they primarily use homeschool curricula, the Duggar family also offers a variety of extra-curricular activities to their children. As mentioned, they value exploring different interests, and offer activities such as music, art, and sports to their children. For example, their son John David previously played soccer, and their daughter Jill has taken up piano, violin, and singing.
The Duggars are also very active in their community, and take part in various volunteering initiatives. They have worked at local shelters and food banks, as well as taken part in group projects with their church.
In addition, the family has a tradition of taking trips abroad to gain knowledge of different cultures as part of their educational experience.
What Are Some Benefits of the Duggar Family Homeschool Program?
The Duggar family homeschool program has several advantages. For one, it gives their children a more structured educational experience with a focus on traditional academic subjects, which helps them develop their abilities in math and science, as well as other areas.
The family also believes that their homeschool program allows their children to explore their talents and interests in a safe, nurturing environment, which is important for any growing child. In addition, the family sees their homeschool program as a way of instilling strong family values in their children as they grow.
What Are Some Drawbacks of The Duggar Family Homeschool Program?
The Duggar family homeschool program does have some drawbacks, particularly when it comes to social development. Homeschooling can be isolating, as the children are not in a traditional classroom setting with other children of their age. As a result, the Duggar children may not have the opportunity to learn how to cooperate and interact with others as they would in a traditional classroom.
In addition, the Duggar family homeschool program focuses primarily on traditional academic subjects, and may lack the same breadth of subjects offered in public school. While the Duggar family provides plenty of extracurricular activities, they may not offer the same range of subjects offered in public schools.
Conclusion
The Duggar family homeschool program is an example of a uniquely tailored educational experience that focuses on traditional values and academics. Their curriculum combines traditional materials, online curriculum, and extracurricular activities in order to give their children an expansive educational experience.
While there are some drawbacks to the program, its focus on family values and traditional academic subjects is advantageous for the Duggar children.