Home Student & Career Tips The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

By
Chioma Oparah
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This article contains information on the pros and cons of homeschooling. If you must enrol yourself or your wards for one, it is important that you weigh both the advantages and the disadvantages before making a decision.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is home education. In all ramifications and modifications, homeschooling proves to be a more natural form of learning as the parents have complete control over the direction of what their children learn, how they learn it, and when. It should not be seen that all the learning process happens at home just that it aims to debunk the traditional classroom method. It is a learning method that is bespoke to each student based on their learning style, innate abilities, capabilities, special needs, personality. This could as well be opted for based on parents limitations or class e.g economic power, location, skills etc. It is a more flexible option as the curriculum, learning resources and condition are not rigid which gives room for change to be easily made to suit the personality of the learner. In a traditional school, a fast learner has to endure the teacher going and back forth till a not so fast learner understands the concept that is being taught, the pace and the curriculum would have been changed to suit such learner’s prowess in a homeschool.

It is also gathered that homeschool renders a broader exposure to the world due to its versed and broad curriculum.

The Emergence of Homeschooling

Home Schooling is gaining more prominence as the world moves to be more digitally inclined. The prominence can be said to be more profound and acceptable due to the outbreak of the global pandemic.

According to the US Department of Education, the number of students being homeschooled has doubled in size since 1999. It is observed that both homeschooling and the families opting for home-based education are becoming more diverse than ever before. Over the last 5 years, the number of black families in America who started to homeschool has doubled.

Analysts estimated the number of parents homeschooling their children to reach 2.5 million by 2021.

The need to homeschool children as against the generic physical classes in public and price schools is the new normal. But no matter how significant this move might be homeschooling is not for everyone.

It is the work of every educational system to provide learning opportunities for children. Information and skills are to be passed to harness their distinct inherent qualities and interests. Homeschooling might not be different from educational institutions since its motive is to also provide learning information and skills development but it’s not an option that can be tried by all parents or guardian.

MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING

1. Homeschooling Is Only For Religious or Faith-Based Families

This myth has been demystified by the National Household Education Survey (NHES), which is conducted every four years by the U.S Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the exposed that the principal reason parents opt for homeschooling is to have control over the negative environment their children are opened to in public schools. It is further reported that many families fancy secular homeschool curriculum and prefer to integrate their personal values into lessons when fitting. Religious education desire has never been the primary motive.

2. Homeschoolers Don’t Socialize

It is a common occurrence for traditional schooling fans to see homeschooler as unexposed schoolers who lack social skill but that is untrue, homeschooling doesn’t restrict students to relate with other children be it in the neighbourhood, church, social groups etc

The fact that homeschooling has more lessons outside the home e.g museum, lab centres, destination, art galleries, further debunks the notion. Homeschoolers as well attend classes in small groups online, at learning centres, chat rooms. They are also more exposed because they meet with both adults and children younger than them during learning outcomes outside their home such as community service projects. These sets of adventures create more possibilities to socialize with adults and other people, unlike public school students that are mostly grouped with students of their age.

3. Homeschoolers Are All Gifted Or Naturally Intelligent

This myth is not only false but also ridiculously surprising. Most people hold the belief that homeschooling can only work for naturally gifted or intelligent children. This is nothing but a farce. What can we then say of parents that decided on homeschooling because their children need one on one attention to learn? Homeschool is never a one face direction for advanced learners but as well for disengaged kids who find the traditional learning curriculum boring, difficult and too demanding

4. Homeschoolers Do Not Go To College

Researches have shown that homeschooled student perform better in SAT and ACT, examinations that determine if a scholar will advance to college. This means homeschoolers are probable to attend college. Their wide learning orientation as well makes them perform academically in college than traditionally schooled students, and once enrolled, are more inclined to stay and graduate.

5. Homeschooling Is Not An Accepted Form Of Education

Homeschooling is not a new educational approach, it’s been a welcome schooling method for more than a hundred years. Should it be a failed concept, it would have been kicked to the pit a very long time. As a method that predates our current public education system. it’s been proven to be effective in dispensing well- rounded knowledge in many ramifications even beyond the conventional schooling system.

6. Homeschoolers Do Not Learn As Much As Public School Students

It can never be overemphasized that students don’t learn at the same pace, with the same style- what works for pupil A might not work for pupil B. This deepens the effectiveness of personalized learning as experienced in homeschooling. Homeschooling curriculum is designed to align with student’s learning style unlike in public school where student experience the same learning style no matter the style that works for each student. Personalized learning improves assimilation rate, retention capabilities and ability to relate what is being taught beyond the pages.

7. Homeschoolers Just Play Video Games All Day

No sane parent will allow his or her child to play video games all day. It should be known that before parents choose to homeschool, strategic processes would have been put in place to pass knowledge to the child. Video games might be one in a hundred learning experience but it doesn’t mean in any way that the child stays home to play video games all day.

8. Parents Are Not Qualified To Teach

Parents are natural teachers! Parents teach beyond books- manners, appreciation, their “how-to” do this and that are countless. Every right-thinking parent will go to any length to make sure their children do well and they will never be found wanting in dispensing the right knowledge at any cost. There are a thousand and one famous and well to do people who were homeschooled by their parents e.g Albert Einstein, Venus and Serena Williams, Abraham Lincoln, C.S Lewis etc. This could only mean parents are more qualified to teach. The instinct is innately given and for a parent that is well-read and learned, homeschooling becomes easier and fun.

9. Homeschooled Kids Cannot Play Sports Or Participate In Extracurricular Activities

As rightly mentioned, Venus and Serena Williams were homeschooled. These are homeschooled respected and well-known sports personalities. Homeschooled children are not bottled up with school work alone, they are allowed to play sports in public school sports or participate in after-school activities during and after school. You can find them just like many other public school students in recreational leagues, extracurricular exercises and community service projects.

10. Homeschooling Is Only Done In The United States

Did you know all European countries accept homeschooling except Germany. A study from Calvert Education exposed that homeschooling has been growing in the Middle East, especially in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In Africa, homeschooling has remained very prevalent in Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana. Countries like India, Brazil, and China have also embraced homeschooling.

11. Homeschooling Parents Are Stay At Home Moms Who Don’t Work

The funny thing about this myth is how it appears to be true, mere looking at it. it seems impossible for a working mom to teach as a home school teacher or homeschooling looks like what a reasonable father will not opt for. But no matter how true it may seem, it is far from the truth. Can this be ever possible for working parents? The answer is — Yes! Never forget the homeschooling curriculum is not rigid in nature. Its beauty lies in its flexibility. The curriculum can be built in such a way that it favours both the kid(s) and the parents work life. Should this be a hard nut to crack due to the time-consuming nature of some works, parents in such situation often rely on other families who appreciate homeschooling.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE OPTING FOR HOMESCHOOLING

Homeschooling sounds sweet and its benefits on the child are well embraceable but it should never be forgotten that homeschooling is a major lifestyle that cannot be handled by just any parent who fancies it. The duties are extended beyond a traditional teacher in a public school. You sign up to be both a teacher, an administrator coupled with your role as a parent.

What do a teacher and administrator do?

Implement lessons,

organize field trips,

coordinate activities with other parents.

These are not activities you decide base on how you feel, it must be compliant with state and local homeschool requirements.

The Cost Must be Considered,

Homeschooling looks cheaper but it isn’t so cheap as you don’t get to enjoy discounts on trips, school necessities like educational tab, personal computer, textbooks, kits, art supplies, software and other school items base on the child’s need.

Are you ready to dedicate your time?

This is not an option for the feeble-minded, it requires much time dedication that if plans are now well-implemented your family’s income may suffer the heat. Other family necessities must be planned in such a way that they don’t affect the child’s learning experience. The weight is heavier on single parent.

HOMESCHOOLING PROS AND CONS

PROS

  • You take the driver’s seat in your child’s education which is a more satisfying way to control progress and watch out for changes in lifestyle, mental capabilities and academic progress.
  • There is an assurance that your child is learning, gaining skills, developing in a way that aligns to your goals and values as well as theirs.
  • The relationship between you and your child tends to be deeper. Children who are homeschooled are likely to express what they are going through in their academics, be more inquisitive about a lot of things as the environment is freer.
  • In homeschooling, every experience is worth it. Family vacation, picnic, a visit to the cinema, park etc. can all be part of the learning experience. You child can be easily exposed to different learning part.
  • Item costs can be reduced with more strategic buying plans e.g buying at discount period, bulk buying this might not be possible in public school as these items are already included in the school fees.
  • Little or no exposure to peer pressure and bullying which is good for self-esteem, academic performance and lifestyle.
  • Homeschool imbibes can-do attitude, real-life skills built and creative problem-solving skills.
  • Balanced orientation with both adult and young people they engage with during field trips, destination learning.
  • There is a freedom to learn at a desired or appropriate space, a child has the freedom to work endlessly on difficult tasks.
  • Homeschoolers tend to perform better on standardized tests.
  • Your child’s interest can be effectively considered and personalized to learning styles and academic prowess.
  • Distraction can be controlled. No room for distractions from less-motivated students. Whatever disturbs the attention span can be eradicated for more active learning
  • Your child is likely to be self-motivated and proud of their achievement as there is no competition.
  • Homeschool students often show a greater pride in their achievements, as they are self-motivated.

CONS

  • Your child might miss out in sports. Most school districts do not permit homeschoolers to engage in public school sports teams.
  • Planning school time activities as well as handling administrative duties is no easy task. These are responsibilities you must succeed.
  • Homeschooling has the power to take the you from you as you’ll be left with a little time for yourself.
  • Be expectant of burning out your energy, the fatigue that comes with matching parenting roles with teaching is not a walk-over.
  • This might mean reduced or no working time for some parents.
  • It warrants tight family budgeting especially for a family with less economic power.
  • If strategic social knowledge is not passed, your kid might end up having a smaller circle of friends
  • Less daily interplay with large groups of kids within the same age group.
  • Expensive learning aids such as big machine which is readily available in public schools might be unnecessary to buy.
  • It is a must for parents to be well versed in a broad range of subjects and teaching these subjects can be nerve-racking.
  • The structure is not as rooted when contrasted to public school.
  • Your child’s achievement might not be recognized beyond your family circle. Reward might seem insubstantial, award ceremonies for high performing students in public schools are remarkable in a child’s life.
  • Interaction with peers is regimented.

FAMOUS PEOPLE THAT WERE HOMESCHOOLED 

  1. Thomas Edison: He attended Port Huron, MI till the age of age as he was considered a difficult child. His mother who was an accomplished school teacher took him out of school and taught him at home. He was later regarded as America’s greatest inventor having developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions, which include the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and early versions of the electric light bulb.
  2. Theodore Teddy Roosevelt: Roosevelt homeschooling was as a result of varieties of physical ailment he and his sibling suffered. .This warranted his mother, aunt and a French governess to take the roles of their teacher. Teddy was admitted to Harvard in 1878. He will late become the 26th US president, leader of The Rough Riders, an inspiration for the teddy bear.
  3. Simon Biles: This name will put a smile on your face if you’re a gymnast lover. This remarkable gymnast and her younger sister were adopted by their grandmother after their mother was sent to rehabilitation for substance abuse. Her grandfather homeschooled them so as to give her ample time to meet up with gymnastics training schedule. Bile remains the most decorated American gymnast and the world third most decorated gymnast.
  4. Ryan Gosling: This talented actor also made the list of popular homeschooled personality. He was taken off school at the age of 10 because of bullying and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He was as well a trouble maker, his mother had no choice to reset him with homeschooling for a year. An experience he claimed gave him a sense of autonomy. He became a famous Canadian actor known for his roles in “Drive,” “The Nice Guys,” “The Big Short,” and “The Notebook.”

CONCLUSION

There are many reasons parents opt for homeschooling, it could be that their children are not wired with the traditional school system, some might not have access to standard education in their locality. No matter what the reason may be, homeschooling is not a failed educational approach.

US National Center for Education Statistics stated that 3% of all US students are homeschooled and non-traditional student is now becoming a household name for homeschooled students.

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