: With parents being busy at work, school seems to be the best option for education when it comes to our children. It has also been said that school is better than homeschooling for children’s development, both intellectually and socially. Homeschooling could appear to be easier for parents as there is less having to be done by them.
However, when we take into the account the full picture, it is easier to conclude that school is the better option for a highly-rounded education for our children.
1. Socialization
One of the most common benefits of attending school is socialization. By attending school, children get to interact with other children, teachers and adults in a teaching setting.
This interaction helps them develop not only social skills but also the ability to interact better with people in different environments. This is important if they are to function well in a society, both as students and as adults. Homeschooling however can severely limit this ability as it is more focused on the parent-child relationship than anything else.
2. Rigorous Education
School systems have been a result of the highest levels of research and hard work of professionals, who have made it their mission to come up with a highly robust and challenging curriculum for children. It meets the needs and demands of the children for different abilities and levels and is constantly updated according to the latest trends, leading to an overall better education for the children.
Homeschooling doesn’t necessarily offer the same level of rigor and may sometimes miss out on certain important components of their learning.
3.Educational Resources
School systems are designed to offer an array of educational resources such as computers and technology, different extra-curricular activities and clubs, and different libraries for children. These resources can be used to stimulate the interest and knowledge of children, who can explore and experiment with different ideas and thoughts. Homeschooling however, may not necessarily have access to the same resources and might be unable to offer children the same variety and level of stimulation.
4.Guidance and Supervision
School systems also provide much needed guidance and supervision, to ensure that children remain on the right track and their goals and aspirations are met. Teachers can be especially helpful in this case, as they have experience and expertise, and can guide children in the right direction.
They can also recognize if a child has problems or difficulties related to school and can help in providing solutions to those issues. Homeschooling may not provide the same kind and level of guidance or supervision, and children may struggle with certain issues.
5. Discipline and Structure
Being part of a school system can provide children with the discipline needed for their growth. To excel, one requires structure, and schools help contribute in this regard by implementing certain rules and standards.
Schools help children learn to adhere to such systems and this helps them establish good habits, so that when they move on, they can become successful in life through hard work and dedication. Homeschooling may not provide the same level of discipline or structure and may lead to children becoming detached and having bad behaviors.
6. Extracurricular Activities
Schools also offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, which help to engage the students in a different manner and can help them explore areas of interest. Being part of the school system ensures that a child is able to explore any area they are interested in without any problems of financial constrains. For parents who homeschool their children, they may not have access to the same level of activities as provided in school.
This can be a huge disadvantage for children.
7. News Opportunities
Schools are a great way for children to learn about new opportunities that exist in the world. Being part of the mainstream school system means that children will have access to the latest technology and curriculum, which will give them an advantage over the other children who do not have access to such information.
With homeschooling, one usually does not have access to the same opportunities as the children in mainstream schools and this leads to their information and resources being very limited in comparison.
8. Health and Safety
Schools also provide a much needed layer of health and safety to the children. They are subject to regular inspections and check-ups, and if any issue arises, it can be attended to right away.
This means that there is a lower risk of any serious health or safety problem arising, as the school can take care of that immediately. Homeschooling does not come with the same layer of safety and inspection, which could lead to certain issues being unidentified and unattended to.
9. Learning from Others
Schools also provide children with the opportunity to learn from others. Sitting in the same classroom as others of different age, gender, race and cultural background helps children open their eyes to the diversity that exists in the world. Moreover, studies conducted have found that this is beneficial to the development of the brain in terms of recognizing different people, their needs and wanting to help them.
Homeschooling cannot provide this experience and children may struggle with having to adjust to different cultures and ideas.
10.Less Personal Burden
For parents who have to work, having their children go to a school allows them to have more free time for work, or spend more time with their family. This can be beneficial for working parents, as they can spend less time running the homeschooling process and more time on their other responsibilities. This also applies to the parent-child relationship, allowing for a much more balanced one between them.
11. Specialization
Another great benefit of school is that children can specialize in certain areas of their interest, something which is not possible when homeschooling. Most schools have a variety of programs that can help children focus, so that once they graduate, they can enter specific fields if they so wish. This can be very beneficial in terms of career opportunities and providing children with the right environment to develop their passion.
12. Unique Student Support Services
School systems also provide a range of unique student support services, such as counseling and mentorship, to ensure that everyone can get the most out of their education. Some of these services can include tutoring and counseling, which can be beneficial to those who need a little extra help in order to understand certain concepts or have difficulty coping with their workload. This may not be as easily available if one is homeschooling, as there are not enough resources or people providing this kind of support.
13. School Programs
Lastly, schools also offer a variety of engaging school programs, such as the arts, sports and community service, which children can take advantage of throughout their education. These programs can help children of all ages to explore their individual interests and gain a better understanding of the world around them. This can be beneficial in terms of their career and lifelong learning, and can be another factor in favour of opting for school over homeschooling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, school is undoubtedly the better option for a highly-rounded education for our children. It provides many important benefits, such as socialization, rigorous education and access to educational resources which cannot be overlooked. Moreover, it ensures that children have the supervisions and guidance needed for their growth and access to a wide variety of activities.
However, it is important to note that homeschooling is not necessarily the wrong option for everyone, as it may be able to provide certain specific things better. Therefore, it is up to the parents to decide which one works best for their children and the best way to achieve their goals.