Introducing your children to a formal education is incredibly important and a decision that requires careful consideration. While many parents enroll their children in public or private institutions, there are certainly benefits to choosing homeschooling.
Whether you’re considering homeschooling as an option or not, it’s helpful to understand why homeschooling may be better than school and what features make homeschooling so desirable.
1. Homeschooling Offers a Flexible Schedule
One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling compared to school is the flexibility of schedule. School is heavily reliant upon bells and bells determine the structure of the day. Homeschooling can be tailored to fit the family’s schedule, meaning that children can take a break from school when needed and have time to pursue individual interests.
A homeschooling curriculum can be tailored to fit the student’s learning style and focus heavily on their strong points. Parents also have more control over their own family’s school year as opposed to having to adhere to a rigid academic calendar.
School breaks and holidays can be designed around the family’s needs, opening up time for them to travel, take vacations or just enjoy a break from the school work. Additionally, if needed, summer break can extend for longer periods of time and can even become year-round breaks. Flexibility also extends to the education experience.
With homeschooling, each child can get individualized instruction, and educational materials and tools can be tailored to fit the child’s needs and interests. Parents also have control over what type of teaching method they’ll use, meaning they can try different methods to see what works best.
2. Homeschool Offers More Parental Involvement
One of the most significant advantages of homeschooling is the amount of parental involvement. Parents can be closely involved in the development of their child’s education and can help to foster their child’s interests and talents. Strong parental involvement can also help to ensure that their child is learning at the appropriate rate and receiving instruction that is tailored to their individual needs.
Parents have the opportunity to gain insight into their child’s strengths and weaknesses and can provide assistance if the curriculum isn’t delivering the required results. Because homeschooling allows for more one-on-one attention, parents can take the time to explain concepts more thoroughly and allow the child to take more of a lead in the instruction.
In addition, parents can use the educational experience to reinforce values and beliefs. When children are in school, they’re exposed to a variety of ideas, which can be difficult for parents to control or direct.
With homeschooling, the parent has the ability to customize the instruction and teaching method to their particular religious or personal views.
3. Homeschoolers Don’t Need to Compete With Classmates
Because homeschooled children are not in competition with their classmates, they can learn at their own pace and enjoy learning for its own sake. Homeschoolers don’t have to worry about measuring up to other students or competing for grades or awards. This allows them to focus on learning the material without feeling any pressure.
Parents also don’t need to worry about peer pressure or their child not fitting in with their classmates. With homeschooling, parents can provide their children with an environment that is completely free from any negative influences.
Homeschooling can also provide a more relaxed environment where the child can explore their own interests without fear of judgement or ridicule.
4. Homeschoolers Have More Opportunities to Explore Interests
Flexibility in homeschooling allows children more time to explore their own interests and passions. When a homeschooler is interested in a particular subject, they have the freedom to study and learn as much as they want about the topic.
In a traditional school setting, the curriculum might not always include the particular subject the student is interested in and there is usually limited time for exploration. In addition, homeschoolers usually have more control over what resources are available for their instruction. Traditional schools often have limited resources, which can affect the type and quality of instruction the student receives.
With homeschooling, parents have the choice to select materials and activities that will be most beneficial for their particular student.
5. Homeschoolers Receive More Social and Interpersonal Opportunities
While many people believe that homeschoolers lack the social interaction of traditional school, the opposite is actually true. With homeschooling, the child can spend more time with their family, engage in more community activities, and socialize with people of all ages. Homeschoolers can participate in classes, community projects, and local organizations that can lead to life-long social interactions and meaningful relationships.
Moreover, because homeschoolers are exposed to different people, they tend to become more open-minded and flexible with their ideas.
6. Homeschooling Offers Open and Fun Learning Environments
In a traditional school setting, students are taught in an enclosed environment, usually at a desk. This type of environment does not allow for the student to explore or be creative. With homeschooling, parents have control over the environment and can create a learning atmosphere that is open and encourages creativity.
Instead of confining the student to a desk, homeschoolers have the opportunities to take classes outside or engage in hands-on activities that can help to make learning easier and more enjoyable. Additionally, homeschoolers can take field trips and engage in activities that traditional schoolers may not have access to.
7. Homeschoolers Receive More Discipline and Structure
Homeschoolers are more likely to receive the discipline and structure that is needed in order to learn. With homeschooling, there are fewer distractions and more opportunities to focus on the task at hand. This allows homeschoolers to develop better study habits and focus on their work without the distraction of other students.
In addition, homeschoolers are often encouraged to stay organized and develop self-discipline. These are important skills that can carry into adulthood, and students who have been homeschooled are often better prepared to succeed in college and their future job.
8. Homeschoolers Can Choose their Own Curriculum
Traditional schools use a mostly standardized curriculum, but homeschoolers have the opportunity to choose the materials that are used for instruction or even create their own curriculum. This provides parents with the chance to explore a variety of resources and tailor the instruction to the student’s individual interests and capabilities.
Homeschoolers also have more options when it comes to the type of learning materials they use. Traditional classrooms use textbooks and paper worksheets, but homeschoolers can use a variety of materials such as audio and video materials, educational software, and digital resources. This can make the learning process more engaging and can even make it easier to teach difficult topics.
9. Homeschoolers Have More Time to be Free
Homeschoolers are often able to get more sleep and have more free time than traditional students. With homeschooling, parents have control over the amount of time spent on their child’s education and can easily adjust the schedule to fit the family’s needs. This can lead to more time for family activities, leisure, and work.
10. Homeschoolers Have Access to Financial Benefits
Homeschooling can be expensive, but there are various incentives that can help to make homeschooling more affordable. Homeschoolers can take advantage of state and federal tax incentives, while some states offers tuition assistance and other perks. Additionally, homeschoolers may be eligible for reduced or free admissions to certain events and attractions that are not available to traditional students.
11. Homeschoolers Can Enjoy More Parental Supervision
When children go to school, they’re supervised by educators and staff who may not always have the same values or beliefs as the parents. With homeschooling, the parent has control over the school and can ensure that their child is receiving the best possible education and guidance. Parents can also choose the people their child interacts with and ensure that those interactions are positive and beneficial.
12. Homeschoolers Receive More Individualized Learning
Every child learns differently, and homeschooling allows parents to provide their children with individualized instruction. Homeschoolers can study topics they’re interested in and aren’t as restricted as students in traditional schools. Additionally, homeschoolers can also explore topics in more depth as they are not confined to the same syllabus that their peers might be following.
13. Homeschoolers Have More Opportunity for Life Skills and Experiences
Homeschooling allows children to learn more than just academics. Since parents are more involved in the homeschooling process, they have the opportunity to teach their children essential life skills such as cooking, personal finance, and responsibility.
Homeschoolers can also explore different fields and experiences that can benefit them in the long run.
Conclusion
Homeschooling provides a number of benefits for children and their families, including flexible schedules, stronger parental involvement, access to more resources, and more individualized instruction. Homeschooling can give children the confidence and independence they need to become successful adults and can help children develop their interests and talents. For these reasons and more, homeschooling can be a great alternative to traditional schooling.