In recent years, educational systems and methods have experienced an array of alterations and changes to meet the demands of modern life. Among them is homeschooling, which allows parents to teach their children at home and gain more control over their education. This raises an important question – do homeschooled children have better behaviour?
In this article, we explore the evidence for both sides of the argument, to try and answer this question.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling?
Parents who choose to homeschool are often motivated by the idea of providing their children with a better education, as well as more control over the topics covered and how they are taught. Developing a good relationship with their instructor also helps to build strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, homeschooled children tend to benefit from more one-on-one teaching, which can be beneficial for those who struggle to keep up with the curriculum in a regular classroom setting. Homeschoolers can also choose their own pace of learning which can help those who are ahead or behind in some areas. On the other hand, there are some downsides to homeschooling.
Depending on their resources, parents may lack the proper knowledge and skills to effectively teach their children and keep them up to date with their curriculum requirements. Homeschooling can also miss out on important socialization opportunities that school offers.
Do Homeschool Kids Have Better Behaviour?
The evidence on this topic is inconclusive as research has failed to provide any decisive differences in behaviour between homeschooled and non-homeschooled children. In fact, one of the most comprehensive studies to investigate these differences found that both groups of children tend to show similar levels of compliance, self-control, and academic competence. In addition, other studies have reported that homeschooled children generally scored lower on tests measuring aspects of “cooperative behaviour” such as conflict resolution skills, decision-making, and respect for authority.
In spite of this, there are some potential positive impacts of homeschooling on behaviour that may depend on the individual child and their parent’s teaching methods. Homeschooling can provide opportunities for children to explore subjects they are passionate about, which can result in improved motivation, creativity, and self-esteem.
It can also help children develop better problem-solving and time management skills, which can lead to better-behaved children.
What Role Do Parents Play?
Regardless of their child’s schooling environment, parents play an important role in influencing their children’s behavior. Parents are ultimately responsible for establishing expectations, enforcing consequences, providing a positive environment, and modeling the values they want their children to possess.
Parents of homeschooled children, however, may have even more responsibility as they are responsible for teaching their children while also setting behavioural expectations. Homeschooling also demands more time and involvement from parents, which can help them to monitor their children’s development more closely. Additionally, homeschooled children are more likely to involve their parents in conversations surrounding behavioural challenges and strategies.
As a result, homeschooled children may benefit more from proactive problem-solving and parental guidance compared to those studying in a conventional school setting.
Conclusion
The evidence on this topic is inconclusive and there is no clear-cut answer as to whether homeschooled children have better behaviour than those in a traditional school setting. It may depend on the child and the teaching methods used by their parents. Nonetheless, homeschooling can provide children with unique opportunities for gaining self-confidence, problem-solving, and exploring topics they are passionate about.
Ultimately, the role of parents in enforcing expectations and teaching their children values is crucial regardless of their child’s schooling environment.