Factors To Note When Considering Homeschooling

Factors To Note When Considering Homeschooling. With a lot of crimes happening in schools, many parents have opted to home school their children. There is a lot to consider though when you want to take this route. Let us take a look at the pros and cons of homeschooling for both the parents and children.

Pros of Homeschooling

Flexibility:

This is one of the main reasons why parents choose to home school. Since parents have choice of curriculum, there is complete freedom in how to teach and what to teach. If your child has a particular interest, you can spend time developing it.

Free Time:

Parents and children who home school have no need to follow the strict routine that traditional schools set. There is now the opportunity to take vacations in the off-season, or even change the months that are spent schooling. Appointments don’t require special notice to a school, and children can learn at a time of day that works best for them.

Effective Learning:

Without a classroom of 20-30 children, there aren’t a million different distractions. You and your child have the complete ability to move through material quickly or slow down if you need to. The overall quality of education increases when a child learns in a one-to-one environment. There’s also far less busy work that holds children back or takes up excess time.

Relationship-Building:

Homeschooling means being present for practically every milestone your child will experience. There is no missing out on pivotal moments in your student’s childhood, because you are spending it together. Beyond that, the bond that develops between a parent and child during the schooling process is one of the strongest.

Independence and Maturity:

When students are home schooled, their success is in their hands. Parents can give their children assignments to complete on their own time, requiring responsibility. Home schoolers are accountable because they are in control of their own education. Additionally, older home schoolers have the opportunity to start working and earning money while still in school.

Socialization:

Another misconception about homeschooling is that there aren’t many opportunities for socialization. With home school support groups, state home school associations, field trips, and sports programs, there are plenty of opportunities for home schoolers to interact with peers. Additionally, problems like bullying are less of an issue if you choose to home school.

Cons of Homeschooling

Anxiety:

When a parent first entertains the idea of homeschooling, their first instinct is to ask, “Can I even do this?” Certainly, taking your child’s education into your own hands can feel overwhelming. And, in the beginning, you’ll wonder if you are doing enough, doing it right, or even doing your child a disservice.

Adjustment Period:

For parents who are thinking about transitioning their child from traditional school to home school, the process can seem stressful. Figuring out your curriculum choices, schedules, and activities can be a lot when you’re first starting out. Additionally, the longer your child has spent in traditional schooling, the harder it might be to begin homeschooling.

Lifestyle Change:

Many families who home school have to make difficult financial decisions. It can mean moving from two incomes to one or exploring options for working from home. While this may pose a financial challenge, it can also be a large lifestyle change to get used to.

Cost:

This could potentially be a disadvantage of homeschooling, but might also be an advantage. In comparison to a public school, it can cost more to home school your child, depending on your curriculum choice. Yet, there are also plenty of free resources, such as unit study supplements or even trips to the library. The cost of a homeschooling experience varies from family to family.