Homeschooling is an educational approach that has experienced a great surge of interest in the last 20 years. Whether people are stuck at home due to global pandemics or are just looking for an alternative approach to education, there has been much debate about its benefits and drawbacks. But one burning question remains: who was the first person to initiate homeschooling?
In this article, we will uncover the history of homeschooling and understand who made the first brave move to start it. We will also explore why homeschooling became popular, what are the benefits and drawbacks of this educational approach, and talk about its future.
History of Homeschooling
The history of homeschooling dates back centuries and can actually be traced to 17th century England when it was widespread and largely accepted as an effective means of teaching. During this period, people in both rural and urban areas used homeschooling as an educational approach. In 18th century England, however, homeschooling started to be phased out in favor of more structured and organized educational systems.
The next significant period for homeschooling occurred in the 19th century when Protestant families in the United States, who had staunch religious convictions, decided to teach their children at home in order to instill their religious beliefs and values. In 1919, the United States Supreme Court upheld the right of parents to homeschool their children, and thus, the history of homeschooling was officially recognized as an educational alternative.
Who Was the First Person to Homeschool?
There is no one definitive answer to this question because it depends on who you consider to be the first person to homeschool. If we focus on homeschooling as a concept, the first person to homeschool is thought to be a 17th century Englishman named William L’Estrange.
L’Estrange had a strong belief in the power of education, and he argued that children should be taught at home in order to have the best education possible. Although L’Estrange’s belief in homeschooling was not embraced by majority of people in England at the time, his beliefs did have an influence on the history of homeschooling. If we focus on homeschooling as an educational approach in the United States, the first person to homeschool was thought to be a Quaker named Isaac Fryer.
Fryer, who lived in the 18th century, believed strongly in the importance of education and took it upon himself to educate his own children at home. Fryer believed in the power of education and felt that he could provide his children with a better education than any school at the time.
Why Homeschooling Became Popular
Homeschooling started to become more and more popular in the United States in the 1970s when the modern homeschooling movement was born. The modern homeschooling movement was sparked by a combination of changes in the educational landscape and the increasing dissatisfaction of parents with the public school system.
Parents started to become more involved in their children’s education and sought out alternative educational approaches. Homeschooling gained further popularity in the 2000s with the invention of the internet, which made it easier for parents to access resources for teaching their children. Moreover, homeschooling also allowed parents to tailor learning experiences to their children’s individual needs, which was attractive to many parents with children who had talents or disabilities that were not being addressed in traditional classroom settings.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling offers numerous advantages to both parents and children. It allows for more flexibility and creativity in learning, as well as the ability to tailor each lesson to a specific child’s needs and interests.
Additionally, homeschooling allows children to learn at their own pace and keeps parents involved in their child’s educational process. On the other hand, homeschooling also has its drawbacks. Homeschooling may be more expensive than attending a traditional school, as parents must often buy materials and resources for homeschooling.
Furthermore, homeschooling can be very time consuming as parents are responsible for teaching their child multiple subjects. Finally, there is a lack of socialization, as children are taught in a one-on-one setting, which can lead to difficulty with social skills if not addressed.
The Future of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is likely here to stay and it is likely that more and more people will turn to homeschooling as an educational approach. As the virtual world continues to expand, homeschooling will become more accessible, as many lessons and resources for homeschooling can be found online.
Furthermore, many parents will continue to look for alternative educational approaches as the public school system continues to struggle to deliver quality education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homeschooling has a long and informative history and its popularity has grown substantially in the past two decades. The first person to initiate homeschooling is thought to be Englishman William L’Estrange, while the first person to homeschool in the United States is believed to be Quaker Isaac Fryer.
Homeschooling offers numerous benefits to children and parents, but there are also drawbacks that must be considered. With the public education system struggling to deliver quality education, homeschooling is likely to become even more popular in the future.