When many parents consider homeschooling their children they often think the
longest about all of the challenges that would face them as homeschooling
parents. Often times the hardships, perceived and real, dwarf the benefits.
Parents wonder how they will find the time to homeschool. They may doubt their
ability to be a good teacher or instructor. Lack of socialization and structure
may also be a concern.
What about the benefits though? Are they receiving the same consideration or do
they get trumped by all of the potential hardships and problems? What are some
of the benefits? Here are few things to consider:
1. Homeschoolers Can Work at Their Own Pace
The public schooling system is often times criticized for its failure to consider
the individual needs and learning styles of each child. In classes with 20 or
more students it is impossible for children to get the one on one attention
they may need and it is easy for a child to be labeled as “slow” or learning
disabled because they appear to be behind their peers academically.
The problem with this thinking this that it does not
consider the very real possibility that they are simply learning and working at
their own normal pace and development. When one standard of excellence is
forced upon all children then inevitably some children will fall behind and be
made to feel inadequate.
Homeschooling can be incredibly liberating for you and
for your child when they are allowed to grow and learn on their own terms and
at their own unique pace.The one on one
time you spend with your child may be just what he or she needs more than
anything else.
2. Homeschooling Is Not Constrictive
Parents of publicly schooled children are all too familiar with pressure. Their
lives are dictated by alarm clocks, bus schedules, lunch money, school
activities, teacher’s conferences, homework, and bedtimes just to name a few.
It may seem that public school is the easiest option for a busy parent but when
all of the demands placed upon parents by the public schooling schedule are
considered it starts to look more like a burden than a benefit. Homeschooling can
be done on any schedule that works for your family.
3. Homeschooling Allows Parents to Teach Family Values
Parents of publicly schooled children will often be the first to tell you about
how the issues that face young children in schools today are of great concern.
Children are exposed to foul language, drugs, smoking, illegal activities, and
sex just to name a few. Most parents would probably consider this peer top peer
education to be inappropriate and lacking. Parents that homeschool are in the
unique positioned to be the able to teach their children about these issues on
their own terms and at the appropriate time without too much outside influence counteracting
their instruction.
4. Homeschooling Can Increase Socialization for the Whole Family
The availability of homeschooling playgroups and support groups and other
homeschooling activities such as travels to museums and historical areas of
interest provide opportunities for socialization for everyone. More and more
homeschooling parents are realizing that they don’t need to stay home and
assist their child with workbook drills. They can take their children out of
the home and benefit from real life experiences, meeting to new people, and
seeing new things and places. The whole family benefits when learning is
expanded in this way.
When considering homeschooling for your child it is easy to dwell on the
hardships that may be presented by this choice but don’t forget that there are
a lot of benefits too.
