Home schooling a child can be an challenging and rewarding alternative to formal education. With the increasing availability of resources, more parents are transitioning to home schooling, which offers various benefits and flexibility. But with unique responsibilities, it can be a more time-intensive endeavor than sending a child to a traditional public, private, or even virtual school.
So, just how much time is needed for home schooling a child?For parents who may be considering curriculum, educational methods, and the overall structure of the day and week, understanding the time commitment is essential.
To delve further, we asked the question “How much time is needed for home schooling a child?”—and here’s what we found.
Is There A Set Time Requirement For Home Schooling?
The amount of time required for home schooling is highly dependent on the type of curriculum chosen, the grade level of the student, and the desired outcomes. There is no single answer that applies to every situation—so it is important for homeschool parents to consider their child’s individual needs when deciding on a timeline.
Education professionals around the country suggest that, on average, home schooling a child requires a parent to set aside between 2 and 5 hours per day. However, some families may need to put in more time depending on their circumstances. For example, certain curriculums may require more intensive instruction, as well as extra readings, projects, and activities.
Other home school families may have slightly less time requirements.
How Do Traditional School Schedules Compare with Homeschool Schedules?
A traditional school day typically consists of classes that are divided into blocks of time, starting at the same time each day and with predetermined activities and topics. This structure allows teachers to cover a certain amount of content per day. In contrast, home schooling parents have the freedom to customize their home education schedule.
This allows for deeper exploration of topics, a slower or faster learning pace, and more unstructured activities—all of which may or may not add additional hours to a day’s schedule.
What Factors Should Parents Considered When Estimating the Time Commitment?
When determining the appropriate amount of time to spend on home schooling, parents must consider all of the factors that may or may not affect their child’s education. This includes age and grade level of the child; the parents’ own teaching style; the type of academic program chosen; and the amount of outside activities the child wishes to participate in.
For example, a young student may need parental assistance more often than an older student, and certain curriculums require more parental involvement than others. Furthermore, some families employ a co-teaching, or team-teaching model, where one parent may take the lead on certain subjects and the other may serve as a support in other subject areas. This type of set-up requires more intentional planning and collaboration with regard to timeline and curriculum selection.
Are There Other Ways to Reduce the Time Commitment of Home Schooling?
Though a longer home schooling schedule may be necessary for some families, other parents may find ways to reduce the amount of time that they spend on home schooling each day. One way to do this is by implementing different technology-based learning tools into the home schooling schedule, such as online courses, educational apps, and web-based support materials.
These type of resources are often helpful in providing instructional support and guidance, and can free up some of the time commitment associated with typical home school instruction. Another way to reduce the time commitment of home schooling is to group together with other home school families. This type of arrangement can be beneficial in many ways—such as through organizing play groups, providing a chance for parents to teach classes, and attending local events together.
Can Home Schooled Students Partake in Extracurricular Activities and Sports?
A benefit of home schooling is that students have the freedom to explore an array of activities, including sports, music, and other extracurricular activities. While these type of activities may add more time to a student’s schedule, they also provide a great way to expand their education, allowing for deeper exploration in areas of interest. In addition, they provide a chance to socialize and make connections while learning important skills outside of the classroom.
What Are Some Strategies To Create A Sustainable Home School Schedule?
Parents who wish to create a sustainable home school schedule should take a few key factors into consideration. These include time-blocking, setting realistic goals, adhering to a flexible routine, leaving adequate break times, seeking out help and guidance when necessary, and maintaining an open line of communication with the student.
All of these tactics make it easier to tailor the home schooling experience to each family’s individual needs.
How Can Parents Balance Home Schooling With Other Responsibilities?
Creating a balance between home schooling and taking care of other life responsibilities can be a challenge. To make a successful schedule, parents should prioritize their time and create regular routines, allowing for flexibly and spontaneity without compromising their child’s educational needs.
Organizational tools can be useful as well—such as daily to-do lists, long-term planners, and digital scheduling tools. Parents should also take advantage of at-home learning opportunities, such as assigning educational tasks for their child to explore independently. Finally, taking short breaks and rewarding your student for their efforts are important ways to ensure that the home school experience is enjoyable and rewarding.
What Formal Evaluations Should Home Schooled Students Receive?
Home schooled students should have some form of evaluation so that they can determine their level of understanding and learning across various subjects. Depending on the state, home school families should also be familiar with the assessment requirements that must be met, such as standardized testing and attendance logs.
Additionally, some home school parents may choose to have their children take outside assessments, such as SATs or ACTs. While these tests may not be mandatory in some states, they are an excellent way for students to get a measure of their progress and compare it to their peers.
What Resources Are Available To Help With Home Schooling?
There are countless resources available for home schooling families, ranging from educational materials to support groups. When it comes to materials, parents can find a wide variety of instructional tools, like online classes, coursework, and learning support software.
For additional guidance, parents can turn to online message boards and forums, which are an excellent source of information and support. Home school parent groups are another great resource—their members often share tips and best practices, discuss curriculums, and even organize social activities throughout the year.
What Benefits Are There For Home Schooled Students?
There are a number of advantages to home schooling, including better educational opportunities and an increased sense of independence and responsibility. Additionally, home schooled students often have more individualized instruction, as well as a better relationship with their teacher and more time devoted to exploring topics of interest.
Unlike in a traditional school setting, home schooled students have the freedom to work at their own pace, taking as long as needed to complete a project or understand a concept. Furthermore, this flexible environment offers educational changes and breaks when necessary—allowing students the chance to take a reset in their learning and return to the task feeling refreshed and focused.
What Kind of Support Is Available for Home Schooling Parents?
Home schooling parents often require support for the many challenges that come with the transition to home schooling—which can include everything from creating a curriculum to seeking counseling and guidance from other home school parents. Fortunately, there are multiple resources available to home schooling families, such as online support groups, email listservs, organized meetups, and local events. Additionally, there are countless websites and social media accounts dedicated to sharing resources and instructional techniques catered to home school families.
What Are Some Common Challenges Parents Who Home School May Face?
While home schooling can be a rewarding experience, it can come with some challenges for parents. These can include the feeling of isolation, exhaustion from trying to balance the job of parenting with the job of teaching, and the stress of keeping a child motivated and focused on continuously learning. Another common challenge is managing time with children’s participation in extra-curricular activities, finding ways to combat boredom, and finding support when facing a roadblock.
It is also important for parents to find ways to give their student room to take risks, make mistakes, and explore interests without feeling the need to constantly monitor their progress.
Conclusion
Home schooling can be an effective and fulfilling alternative to traditional education, but it comes with unique responsibilities and a time commitment that should be taken into account. However, it is possible to create a sustainable home school schedule that meets the needs of both the child and the parent. By understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all solution and taking advantage of all of the available resources, home schooling parents can create a customized experience for their students—enabling each student to reach their individual educational goals.