Homeschooling, often referred to as home education, is a form of education where parents take full responsibility for teaching their kids that normally would have attended education institutions such as public or private schools. Parents opt homeschooling for many reasons, and in a surprisingly large numbers.
This article examines the primary reasons why parents are increasingly choosing to homeschool their kids.
1: Trends in Homeschooling
In the US, homeschooling is on the rise. According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, an estimated 2 million children across the US are being homeschooled, an increase of 75% since 199
In a survey of 15,000 US parents, the respondents reported that one of the primary reasons for homeschooling their children is because parents did not believe the local school was providing their children with an education that meets their needs.
2: Benefits of Homeschooling
Parents also recognize the benefits of homeschooling, including being able to provide a more individualized education and providing a more nurturing and loving environment than they ultimately felt they could with traditional schooling. Research also suggests that the pace of homeschooling can often be faster than the average school day, allowing students more time to explore their own interests while gaining academic proficiency. Homeschooling also provides the opportunity for parents to deeply involve themselves in their children’s education, giving them the chance to make sure their kids are getting the best education possible for their individual needs.
3: Socialization Fears
One of the most common fears that parents have about homeschooling is how their children will develop socialization skills. Socialization is an important part of being human, and developing a network of friendships is essential.
Contrary to this fear, research suggests that socialization levels in homeschooled children are no different than those in traditionally schooled children. In fact, some studies suggest that homeschooled children may have higher socialization levels. Homeschooling also allows parents to provide their children with opportunities for socialization that would not be available in traditional schooling, such as field trips to museums or botanical gardens, attending events such as theater performances or music recitals, or connecting with other homeschoolers in their area.
4: Financial Cost Benefits
Homeschooling can also provide parents with some financial advantages as well. Generally speaking, homeschooling costs less than traditional schooling.
Tuition for private schools can reach up to tens of thousands of dollars, and public schools also require taxes and fees. Homeschoolers are not required to pay for tuition or any of the associated costs, including textbooks, supplies, or transportation costs. Additionally, the cost of setting up a homeschool is often significantly lower than the cost of a traditional schooling.
5: National Curriculum
Homeschoolers also have the benefit of following the national curriculum, and in some areas, the local curriculum, giving parents assurance that their child is receiving the same level of education as those attending school. Parents have full control over the curriculum, so they can tailor it to their child’s learning needs, while still ensuring they are being educated to the same standards and abilities as their peers in traditional schooling.
6: More Time at Home
Homeschooling also gives kids the chance to spend more time at home with their parents, siblings, and extended family. This is especially important for children who live in rural areas, or for those who want to spend more time with their parents. Additionally, kids spending more time at home can also help parents focus on their own lives and passions, allowing them to better balance their lives, rather than solely focusing on their children’s schooling.
7: Flexibility
Homeschooling if often thought of as being rigid and restrictive, but in fact, many parents find it to be the opposite. With homeschooling, parents are able to provide their children with a fully flexible schedule, one that can be adapted to fit their kid’s needs, whether they need more time to focus on certain subjects, or need to take more time off due to illness or other life events.
Parents also have the ability to adjust the curriculum if their child is not meeting the expected standards.
8: No Bullying
Bullying has become a serious issue in traditional schools, and it can cause severe mental health problems for those who are being bullied. Under homeschooling, parents take on a more active role in their children’s education and are able to provide hands-on guidance that can help their kids develop the skills and confidence to deal with bullying or unpleasant life situations.
9: Better Mental Health
In traditional schools, children are often exposed to a lot of pressure, both academically and socially. This can lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
With homeschooling, parents are able to provide a more balanced education, one that not only focuses on academics but on other life skills as well. This can help reduce the pressure on their kids and help them develop healthier mental health habits.
10: Safe and Comfortable Environment
Homeschooled children also have access to a safe and comfortable environment, one that is often free from peer pressure and other negative influences. Kids can pursue their interests in a calm and secure space, and can further explore their passions in deeper and more meaningful ways, making the experience more rewarding than traditional schooling.
11: Customized Education
Parents can also customize their children’s education in ways that traditional schools cannot. With homeschooling, parents have complete control over the subjects that their children learn, which subjects they focus on, and how in-depth they go with each subject.
Additionally, parents can choose items to study that may not be offered in traditional public or private schools, such as foreign languages, computer programming, and various forms of art.
12: Quality Time
Under homeschooling, parents are able to spend more quality time with their children, and can have a much deeper bond with them due to this increased level of interaction. This increased level of interaction often helps children develop better communication skills, which are essential to success in life.
13: Lower Stress Level
Homeschooling also allows for parents to have much lower levels of stress and worry when it comes to the education of their children. Without the stress of school tests, homework, and trying to juggle multiple activities, parents are free to focus more on their children’s social and emotional development, while feeling confident that they are being provided with a high quality education.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is often thought of as a difficult and intimidating process, but as this article has highlighted, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both parent and child. With the right curriculum and resources, homeschooled children can have access to high-quality education, while parents can be more involved and hands-on in their children’s education. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that homeschooling is on the rise.