Recently, the phenomenon of homeschooling has been gaining more and more traction as a viable alternative for education for children. Many parents decide to take this route for their children’s schooling, but why?
What factors influence the decision to homeschool, and what are the main reasons that parents choose it for their little ones? In this article, we’ll explore the primary reasons for homeschooling to give you a better idea of why many parents opt for this route for their children.
1. Individualized Attention
One of the primary pull factors for parents who chose homeschooling for their children is the opportunity to provide them with individualized attention. Unlike in a traditional school, with homeschooling, parents can tailor the types of lessons, activities, and tasks that are done by their child.
This means that a parent can ensure that their child is getting quality, appropriate materials and attention that is right for their specific needs and level. This is along the same lines as unschooling, where the child is able to take a more personal and active role in their education and carve their own learning path. Parents who homeschool their children often feel that their children become more actively engaged in their learning and more motivated to do their work.
2. Religious, Social, and Political Concerns
Some parents, particularly those of certain cultures, religions, and backgrounds, may feel that the topics or atmosphere in traditional schools does not conform to their own beliefs or social concerns. This is when many parents turn to homeschooling, as these concerns about their childrens’ education and well-being can be answered by them teaching the material to their children themselves or by working with a tutor.
Parents are also able to choose their children’s extra-curricular activities, meaning their children can stay away from activities or material that is either against the parents’ beliefs or is not appropriate for their children.
3. Financial Costs
The cost of attending school is often very high, both in terms of tuition fees and in the cost of equipment, activities, and trips. For some families, especially those with more than one child in school, the price of schooling can be crippling.
Homeschooling offers an opportunity to both have one parent stay at home and teach their children, and also to avoid, or at least reduce, the cost of schooling. This can be a major determining factor in a family’s decision to home school their children.
4. Reduced Bullying and Misconduct
Bullying, or being on the receiving end of it, is a reality for many schoolchildren. This can have a significant negative effect on a child’s mental health, their attitudes, and their view of others.
Homeschooling can drastically reduce the chance of a child being bullied, as the environment and training can be tailored by the parents to ensure that their child doesn’t face such situations. Additionally, homeschooling gives children the chance to learn in a less distracting environment and without the potential misconduct seen in many traditional schools.
5. Better Quality of Curriculum
Some of the curricula in public and private schools may not be ideal for children, either in terms of the material presented or in terms of their suitability. This reason could be on levels such as the quality of teaching, the content of curricula, the methods of teaching, or the lack of competition or peer pressure. In the homeschool setting, parents are in charge of setting their own curriculum, meaning that they have both the right and the power to choose or craft the type of material that their children will be learning.
As opposed to the content being dictated to them, parents are able to make sure that the material is teaching their children to learn material in the most effective way possible.
6. Overall Experience and Quality of Life
The quality of life that children experience has a direct impact on their wellbeing and their future success. Homeschooling is an opportunity to help cultivate a child’s well-being and to prepare them for the world in a more well-rounded way. The educational opportunities that this can provide allows for parents to create a learning environment for their children that emphasizes activities such as art, creativity, family bonding, and exploration.
This is in comparison to traditional schooling, where much of the emphasis is on the academic side alone.
7. Fear of the Unknown
For some parents, the prospect of their children taking on the unknown of going to school is a daunting thought. This is especially true for parents of children who may be shy or introverted, or for those with physical or mental disabilities.
The fear of their children coping with the demands of a traditional school are part of why some parents decide to keep their children out of it, opting instead to homeschool them in the comfort of their own homes.
8. Lack of Resources in Traditional Schools
Another issue is the lack of resources available in traditional schools. This is true especially in more rural areas, where schools may lack in funding or be unable to provide children with up to date materials. Homeschooling gives both the parents and their children access to a wide variety of resources that they may not have access to otherwise.
This in turn gives more flexibility, as the parents can change their approach to education as the situation calls for it.
9. Travel Opportunities
One of the major attractions for homeschooling for some families is the ability to take their children on the road. Homeschoolers are able to research and learn about whatever subject or topics that their family focuses on for each location, making for a unique educational experience.
This also gives families opportunities to learn and appreciate different cultures, people, and ways of life.
10. Flexibility of Schedule
One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is the complete flexibility that it provides. Without the structured tedium of the typical school schedule and calendar, parents are able to create their own individual and unique approach to their child’s education. This is beneficial for those who may have other commitments or have trouble getting their children to focus in traditional school environments.
This means that parents can design their own schedules and tailor them to each individual child’s needs.
11. Ability to Monitor Progress
When homeschooling, parents have the ability to regularly monitor their child’s progress and see how they are doing on different tasks. This helps to ensure that their child does not fall behind in their studies, and also lets the parent know when their child is struggling or may need extra attention.
This can also make it much easier for parents to know what areas their children may need help in, which can in turn help them better tailor their own teaching style.
12. Increased Socialization and Opportunities
Many parents may fear that homeschooling robs their children of any chance to socialize or otherwise interact with their peers. However, this is far from the truth.
Homeschooling can, in fact, drastically increase a child’s opportunities to socialize and make friends. There are many groups, clubs, and organizations that cater specifically to homeschoolers, and which offer them with plenty of activities, events, and classes that they can partake in. This in turn can help to diversify a child’s social circle and give them the opportunity to make connections with like-minded people.
13. Increased Self-Confidence
Finally, some parents believe that they are able to instill in their children greater confidence and self-confidence when they are homeschooled. This is because the parents are in direct contact and personal involvement with their children’s education, and can also encourage them when needed and praise them for their successes.
This personal interaction can help children to become more personally attached to their schooling and, in turn, more active participants in their own education and growth.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to homeschool a child is a personal and difficult one. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration and different paths to take. Whichever route is chosen, the priority should be giving the child the best opportunity possible to reach their educational and future goals.
With the right guidance and support, homeschooling can provide a child with the chance to develop their skills, explore the world around them, and to keep them safe, secure, and successful.