Many parents choose to homeschool their children in pursuit of a better education and better preparedness for the future. Over the past several years, there has been a steady increase in the number of families opting to homeschool.
With this significant increase, it’s important to ask – why are homeschooled students more successful? This article will outline the positive factors that make homeschooling a beneficial choice for many families.
Shortened Amount of Time Spent on Transit
One of the main benefits of homeschooling is the significant time saved on transit between home and school. This factor gives homeschooled students more available time to dedicate to learning. Without having to worry about getting up early, commuting and packing lunches, homeschooled students can devote more time and energy to academic pursuits.
Not only does homeschooling save time on transit, but it can also eliminate the stress associated with public education. Without getting stuck in traffic and worrying about being late, homeschooled students can focus on the educational tasks without being overly stressed.
This extra time can be devoted to studying, preparing for tests and doing research for assignments, all of which help to make homeschooled students ultimately more successful.
Individual Attention and Control Over Learning
The smaller learning environment of homeschooling allows for individualized attention. Homeschooling parents can tailor the subjects and learning environment to their child’s individual needs and interests, which makes it easier for them to learn. Parents can also adjust the pace of learning according to the student’s needs, setting realistic and reachable goals.
This allows students to take the time they need to fully understand a concept and move on when they’re ready. Furthermore, homeschooled students have more control over their learning.
They can decide when, how and even where to learn. This can engender a feeling of ownership, where the student is empowered and motivated to learn on their own terms. This feeling of ownership, responsibility and autonomy contributes to greater success.
Opportunities for Extra-Curricular Activities
Homeschooling also provides more opportunities for extra-curricular activities than traditional education. Since homeschooling can often be done in any location, it’s easier for homeschooled students to participate in activities such as sports, art classes and music lessons. This opens up more possibilities for personal growth and development beyond the core academic subjects.
The emphasis on extra-curricular activities helps to develop skills of self-discipline, organization and creativity which can be integral to future success. Furthermore, homeschooled students can take advantage of the flexible schedule to travel and explore the world.
They can take educational trips to further expand their knowledge through personal experience. This gives them insight into different cultures and perspectives and motivates them to keep learning and exploring.
Flexible Educational Goals and Planning
Homeschooled students also have the benefit of a flexible curriculum and educational goals. Instead of having to work their schedule around the set curricula of public school, homeschooled students can customize their plan to fit their individual goals and interests. This structure helps to ensure that the student is engaged and that all the courses taken will be beneficial towards the overall goal of the student.
The flexibility that comes with homeschooling also allows for greater access to subject-specific resources such as online lectures, books and educational videos. This helps to ensure that each student can find the best learning resources to support their individual goals.
Religious and Cultural Values
One of the main reasons why parents opt to homeschool their children is to pass on certain family values such as religion and cultural beliefs. Homeschooling allows parents to provide instruction and guidance on important values and beliefs, something that may not be possible in a public educational system.
This allows homeschooled students to gain a better understanding and appreciation for their culture or faith. Homeschooling also facilitates conversations about controversial topics or beliefs in a safe and respectful environment. In a traditional school setting, it may be difficult to discuss these matters in a comfortable and constructive manner.
However, in the homeschooling environment, parents can provide guidance while students learn to express their own opinions in a healthy and respectful manner.
Constructive and Healthy Relationship-Building
Homeschooling also provides a great opportunity for healthy relationship-building. Homeschooled students often develop strong and meaningful relationships with their parents and siblings.
This bond can act as a source of strength and support. Furthermore, homeschooling provides an opportunity for students to interact with a wide variety of people, both inside and outside the home. Homeschooled students may be able to develop strong relationships with extended family members, friends, mentors, and other members of the community.
This encourages networking and self-confidence, which are essential for success.
Lack of Always-On-Screen Time
Finally, homeschooling eliminates the distractions caused by too much screen time. Homeschooled students often spend much less time playing video games and using other digital devices than their public school counterparts.
This provides a more structured, distraction-free learning environment which can be beneficial for academic success. Additionally, the lack of screen time can be beneficial for homeschooled students’ physical, mental and emotional health. Excessive screen usage can lead to health problems such as obesity, depression and anxiety.
Without such distractions, homeschooled students can focus on developing their physical, mental, and emotional capacities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homeschooling can be an extremely beneficial choice for many families. Homeschooling can save time, provideflexible educational goals, and cultivate constructive relationships.
It also enables parents to pass on their religious or cultural values and limit the sometimes-unhealthy amount of time spent in front of screens. For these reasons, homeschooled students are often more successful than their traditional school counterparts.