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Are Homeschooled Kids Happier

Parenting is tough and deciding on the best educational path for children is one of the biggest decisions of all. Considering all the options, homeschooling is starting to get more recognition at the expense of traditional schooling.

Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular option over the years, but the question remains: are homeschooled kids happier? This article looks at all the details regarding homeschooling and its potential effects on children’s overall happiness.

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is an educational movement whereby students of all ages are educated at home through tailored programs rather than at a school. Parents or tutors do the teaching, designing the curriculum, giving the lesson plans and deciding how much time children should spend on learning.

Homeschooling is not restricted to the learning of the three main core areas of math, science, and language, but extends to a lot more activities outside the curriculum. This can include areas such as art, music and other extracurricular activities.

Benefits of Homeschooling

There are numerous benefits of homeschooling, especially for children whose individual needs are not being addressed in traditional school settings. One of the primary benefits of homeschooling is that it allows children to work at their own pace. There is no pressure to move or finish a topic just to keep up with the class.

This allows children to develop an in-depth understanding of the material and enjoy a more personalized learning environment. Other benefits of homeschooling include close family bonding and access to a wider range of resources.

Parents are better placed to monitor what their children are being exposed to, helping to ensure children receive an education that is in line with their personal and family values.

Downsides of Homeschooling

Homeschooling does come with some downsides, though. It is illegal in certain states and may limit the ability of children to socialize with peers.

It can rely heavily on the parents’ ability to sit and teach their children, which if done poorly could result in the child falling behind. Additionally, running a full curriculum from home can be tiresome and ends up taking a lot of time. That might leave parents with less time for other roles such as looking for a job or running a business.

Lastly, if the teaching isn’t done properly, the child might find himself or herself completely unprepared for college and even tests such as the SAT.

Prevalence of Homeschooling

There are numerous opinions and varying attitudes towards homeschooling, with some welcoming it and others criticizing it. But despite this, the prevalence of homeschooling has been growing significantly in recent years. In 2020, almost 3% of all school-aged students in the US were homeschooled, up from

7% in 201 This means that there are currently around

7 million children being homeschooled, with a substantial increase in the number of homeschoolers in the younger grades.

Accommodating Different Needs

Homeschooling is particularly beneficial for children with different learning needs, from those with disabilities to those who are advanced. While traditional schools might not be equipped to accommodate different needs and still remain competitive, homeschooling can provide the necessary attention and resources needed to help a child better understand the material.

Furthermore, homeschooling can provide a much-needed respite to children who have anxiety issues or social problems. It allows parents to tailor their teaching to the child’s needs and slowly introduce socialization when the child is ready for it.

Educational Outcome of Homeschooled Kids

Another valid concern when considering homeschooling is the educational outcomes of homeschooled kids. Do they do as well as those who are schooled by more traditional methods?

Fortunately, research has indicated that homeschooled kids can actually do better than their counterparts in terms of educational achievement. In fact, a 2017 study found that home schoolers scored an average of 15 points higher on SATs than their peers. This could be attributed to the fact that homeschoolers don’t have to compete in the traditional classroom setting and so are better placed to focus on understanding and enjoying the material, developing long-term learning habits and allowing them to explore a broader range of interests.

Social Development of Homeschooled Children

Given that homeschooling is often perceived as isolating, a natural concern is whether it affects children’s social development. Homeschoolers still have the opportunity to engage in social activities such as sports teams and even through homeschooling groups. Plus, recent research has indicated that homeschooled kids tend to score higher in social development than those who attend traditional schools.

This could be because homeschooled kids may have more opportunities to interact with people from different backgrounds and age groups.

The Overall Effect on Happiness

It is evident that there are numerous benefits to homeschooling and its potential to help children develop academically and socially. But does it affect a child’s overall happiness?

Generally speaking, homeschoolers tend to be more satisfied with their education and report higher levels of wellbeing. Perhaps, the warmth of a home environment, the security of parental guidance and the ability to explore one’s own interests is preferred over the sometimes cold, competitive environment of traditional schools.

Conclusion

Homeschooling can certainly be beneficial to a child’s overall well-being, especially in terms of educational and social development. Although there are some drawbacks to this alternative education option, the overall outcomes appear to be positive in terms of the happiness of homeschooled children.

If parents are able to commit to providing quality learning at home, homeschooling can be an excellent choice for their children.

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