Homeschooling is an increasingly popular educational method, thanks in part to the flexibility it offers parents as they work with their children. With homeschooling, parents are able to make decisions regarding their children’s education such as curriculum, teaching methods, and classes. It follows then that parents who choose to homeschool must be confident that they are equipped to handle the responsibility of teaching their children.
As such, many parents wonder if they must be smart to homeschool?
What Does It Mean To Be Smart?
The question of what it means to be smart can often be fraught with complexities. Every individual has different strengths, interests and abilities.
As such, trying to define what it means to be smart ultimately ends in vagueness. Generally speaking, the term ‘smart’ implies an individual that is both intelligent and confident. With these qualities, an individual is better equipped to make wise decisions, especially those pertaining to one’s education.
What Qualities Do Parents Need To Homeschool Effectively?
Though homeschooling requires parents to be confident in their ability to teach their child, intelligence and confidence aren’t enough. When it comes to homeschooling, parents must possess numerous other qualities in order to be successful as a homeschooled family.
This includes but isn’t limited to patience, resourcefulness, motivation and organization. Since homeschool parents are responsible for designing the education of their children, they must be prepared to think outside the box. They need to nurture a good rapport with their children in order to ensure they are receiving the attention they need and that their growth, both academic and emotional, is adequately monitored.
Why Is Being Smart Critical To Success?
Though being smart doesn’t necessarily guarantee success, having a good understanding and knowledge base is important for making wise decisions. When it comes to homeschooling, having a good grasp of the fundamentals of the subjects being taught is essential for parents to successfully guide their children’s education.
Additionally, having a sound knowledge can serve as a cushion against any potential pitfalls, as it helps parents quickly identify possible problems with the curriculum and lessens the likelihood of detrimentally hampering their child’s academic growth.
Is Being Smart Necessary for Parents?
In considering the question of whether or not to pursue homeschooling, parents may feel overwhelmed by the idea of having to be smart in order to be successful. It is true that intellect can play a role in successful homeschooling, but it is by no means the only factor.
As aforementioned, there are a plethora of other qualities that can help parents also be successful, such as creativity, resourcefulness, ambition, and patience. It is important to recognize that intelligence in and of itself isn’t always enough to provide students with an effective education. Ultimately, parents do not have to be ‘head of the class’ intellectuals to be successful homeschool educators.
What Resources Are Available To Parents?
For parents who may still feel uncertain of their ability to homeschool effectively, there is good news. There is an abundance of resources available to homeschoolers to help aid them in their journey. Homeschooling families often have access to specialized websites, videos, articles, and much more.
On top of this, homeschooling parents are able to connect with others in the same community. This can be an invaluable asset, as it provides parents with the support, insight and resources they need to make sure their children get the best possible education.
Can Homeschooling Help Parents Increase Their Knowledge?
Parents should also know that homeschooling can not only provide their children with the education they need, it can help parents to become smarter too. With homeschooling, some parents may find themselves relearning or acquiring new knowledge about certain topics in order to effectively teach their children. Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity to allow parents to gain a more holistic understanding of a subject as they are able to discover along with their children.
As such, parents may find themselves feeling more confident in their abilities not only to educate their children effectively but to contemplate more complicated problems that they might have previously thought to be out of their reach.
Do Parents Have To Always Know The Answer?
That being said, parents do not always need to know all the answers. Just as a teacher may not always know the right answer to every student’s question, homeschooling parents are usually not expected to immediately have every answer either.
This is why parents should take advantage of the many resources at their disposal such as textbooks, articles, tutorials and more. Even if parents don’t always have the answer to their child’s question, these resources can help them guide their child in the right direction until the answer is found.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
Parents should know that homeschooling is not without its challenges. Homeschooling can be a daunting undertaking and require a great amount of effort and investment. It requires parents to develop and maintain a schedule that is effective for their children as well as dedicate time from their daily lives to teaching.
Other potential disadvantages may include dealing with criticism from family and friends as well as possible objections from state governments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, intelligence and confidence are important factors for parents to consider when deciding whether to homeschool or not. However, an individual’s intelligence shouldn’t be seen as an inhibitor to homeschooling success. With the right attitude and mentality combined with the plethora of resources available, homeschooling can be a rewarding, life-changing experience.