Many people these days are considering homeschooling their children.
However, not many know the pros and cons of it. Here is a list of some advantages and disadvantages to consider before deciding if this is right for your child.
What is homeschooling all about??
Homeschooling is when a child that goes to school gets an education from home.
The parent, who is usually the mother, becomes the teacher and teaches his or her child at their own pace.
Parents must learn how to teach their children and create a curriculum for them.
The curriculum can consist of reading books, writing, testing, etc.
Children will learn the general things required by most schools; however, there are no mandatory tests or grades to test them on their progress.
This is also ideal for children with disabilities because of the individualized teaching style that can be more beneficial than traditional schooling methods.
Since there are no mandatory tests, homeschooled children usually do not have the same stress as traditional school students.
Pros/Advantages of Homeschooling
Some downsides are that not all colleges accept homeschooling credits or even recognize it.
1.) Your child gets to pursue their own interests and learn what they want. There is no pressure to be something they don’t want to be. They can be who they want to be and learn the things that will help them achieve that goal.
2.) Your child gets more one on one time with you. This is especially important when they are young and need your attention for their social and emotional development.
3.) You get to teach lessons in a way you feel would be best. If traditional teaching isn’t working, you can change it up a bit and try something new.
4.) You don’t have to worry about other people’s children being around yours.
5.) It is free.
6.)v There are no mandatory tests or grades so your child won’t feel stressed out because of them.
7.) No mandatory school work to turn in.
8.) Your child will be getting the same education as their peers, but at a slower pace and on their own time.
9.) You get to spend more time together as a family. Not only does homeschooling allow you to teach your children what they need to know, but you can spend time with them and help them in their other interests.
10.) You get to teach your children important life lessons such as financial management, cooking, driving, basic income skills, etc. These are things that most schools just do not teach anymore.
The parent can tailor the curriculum to meet individual needs or interests, including topics that may be too advanced in public school;
- There are no social stigmas attached to being homeschooled;
- Homeschoolers have more opportunities for hands-on learning than those who attend traditional schools;
- Parents don’t need a teaching credential or degree to teach at home; Disadvantages:
- It takes time and effort on behalf of both parents and students to maintain an effective home school program;
- Some parents may not have the resources to teach their children at home e.g. books, equipment, internet connection;
- A child may not be able to keep up with curriculum taught in a public or private school and they could fall behind academically;
- The social development of a homeschooled child is not the same as a one who went to school;
- Since parents are teaching their children, they must provide an education equivalent to that of the public school system; and
- Since parents will be teaching, they can not take time off to care for sick children.
Disadvantages/Cons of Homeschooling;
- lack of social interactions: since your child is not in school, they will spend more time alone;
- parent-teacher relationship: the child may become too attached to one parent because it’s just them and their parents most of the time;
- the child may be socially delayed: This happens when children are deprived of social interaction. If this continues for a couple
- Public schools don’t recognize homeschooled children when applying for college;
- The child may not be able to graduate on time if they are unprepared to take the GED exam at 17 yrs old.
- It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require commitment and effort from both parents and students. Happy homeschooling!
- Absence of curriculum structure: the lack of a school schedule may prove difficult for some students who are used to taking tests and being taught in a rigid manner.
- Reduced focus on learning and attention, as well as lower performance.
- A slower pace of learning: Students may find it difficult to keep up with the pace of learning in public schools, particularly if they are behind.
- Fewer educational options: Homeschooling parents cannot choose the options that are available in public school e.g. advanced placement classes, sports etc.
- Discipline: if one of the parents is not very strict about discipline then it can lead to problems at home and outside
If you give your child a quality education, he/she will be successful anywhere they go. Homeschooling can be a fulfilling experience for the whole family. You will be amazed at what your child can learn if you put in time and effort into it!
Why consider homeschooling in the first place?
In my opinion, all of the pros outweigh the cons. In addition, every child is different and not everyone learns from a traditional curriculum or in a traditional way. Since education is tailored to each individual student, I believe that it can be beneficial for both the parent and the student.
Make sure you do your research on homeschooling before making any decisions. There are many resources on the internet and in public libraries to help you decide what is best for your child.