To Home-school or Not To Home-school?
Have you ever considered home-schooling your child? What is holding you back? Are you afraid you won't be able to offer quality education to him or her? Do you fear your child will be held back socially? Let us take a look at these concerns.
Yes, YOU Can Teach Your Child
When you think about it, you have always been teaching your child. From birth, you have read your child stories and taught him or her how to talk. You probably taught your child how to tie their shoe laces, how to recite the alphabet, and how to count to ten. You can teach your child the school work they would otherwise receive at a conventional school. It may be scary at first, but there is guidance available. You can connect with other families who home-school. Click Here For Home-school Support Resources
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Your Child Will Flourish Socially
Contrary to popular belief, home-schooled students get as much social interaction as their conventionally schooled peers, if not more. Part of your home-school curriculum must include sports, music, and the arts. In fact, because the home-school schedule is not so stringent, it is easier to fit these activities into your child's life. Many children who excel in sports or the arts are home-schooled for that very reason. This of course will get your child out into the public, among peers, their families, coaches, and many other people. If your child is not so ambitious in a particular sport or art, there are other group activities that the home-schooled family can partake in. Home-school does not mean social isolation. Here Is Some More Information On Social Activities For The Home-schooled Child
Why Should You Consider Home School?
Now that we have set aside some concerns, let's take a look at why home-schooling is a great option. The greatest reason is that studies have shown that the home-schooled student typically scores better on standardized academic achievement tests. Brian Ray Explains This HERE Because the students are excelling, they are being sought after and accepted into the best colleges. Home-school sets a great educational foundation for your child to be successful in life.
Home-school is also very flexible. You control the environment your child learns in. This is very important for religious and cultural reasons. You are also able to set the schedule. Instead of having a snow day you may take a sunny day, and go out to the park and learn about nature. You are not going to be stuck in a classroom. You can choose whatever field trips that appeal to you.
Your child will be getting full attention from his or her teacher - you. There is not a class clown disrupting their learning. You will be able to move at your child's pace. If your child excels in English, you can move forward. If they need more time with math, you can take that extra time. Your lesson plans can be customized.
My Personal Experience Regarding Home-schooling
As a child, I was not home-schooled myself. I wish I had been. I know without a doubt I would have been a better student. I was, however, involved in a 4-H Horse project group that included many home-schooled students. My impression of the home-schooled group was that they were happy, well rounded, well socialized, and very mature. They talked about the camps they would attend in the summer, and about the other extracurricular activities they participated in. Some took music lessons. Some did sports. They were certainly not lonely. I thought they got to go on far more field trips than I did in my public school!
Now as a parent myself, I am considering home-school for my own two children. In doing research on this, I have found very few negative experiences mentioned by those families who are currently home-schooling. In my opinion, it seems that there are enough resources and support that makes home-schooling do-able by any family that has the drive to do this.
To be quite frank, I see the ratings my public local school system has and am not very impressed. I feel like NOT home-schooling my children would be putting them at a disadvantage. I am also concerned with the every growing problem of public school violence. I want my children to be safe, to get a quality education, and participate in arts, music, and sports. Home-schooling seems to be the answer for us. Is it the answer for you?
Samantha Byrd
South College
March 2020
