Home-schooling for Kids
Each year the number of children being homeschooled has been increasing, and even more parents are considering homeschooling their children due to the schooling issues amid this pandemic. Homeschooling is also becoming a rapidly growing trend in education. In a 2012 study, it was pinpointed that over 1.5 million students were homeschooled.
Homeschooling was once mostly done by families who were either political activists or very religious. Now all types of families homeschool their children for different reasons.
Some parents have lost confidence in the government’s policies and the educational system. Others frequently move to different cities, making it more convenient to homeschool their children rather than enrolling them in and transferring them between different schools.
Different schools are proposing different options for how to best control the spread of the covid-19 virus while still providing education. Some options include full online classes, attending school in-person while wearing masks, and starting the academic year later than usual. This gives parents a variety of choices to pick from.
Homeschooling Is A Major Lifestyle Change
One of the first things to think about is that homeschooling will require a big change in your lifestyle.
As a homeschooling parent, you will take on the duties of both a teacher and administrator. You will need to create lesson plans, organize field trips, and coordinate activities with other parents. You will also need to make sure you are meeting state and local homeschooling requirements. These responsibilities will be in addition to your normal role as a parent.
The financial cost of homeschooling can be a bit more expensive than public schooling. This is because you have to purchase materials like textbooks, books, paper, art supplies, and computers. Although there are many free resources available, there are ways to minimize the financial costs.
Some programs, such as Calvert Education, providecost-effective options by offering bundles that may include materials that have been tested in classrooms, lesson manuals, textbooks, reading books, math manipulatives, science kits, and online tools. These resources are designed to help parents be successful teachers.
However, if you spend more time teaching your children at home, your family may have less income. This is especially challenging for single-parent families. If you want to homeschool, you need to be good at budgeting and managing your time.
Since your child will no longer be learning in a public school, your family’s lifestyle will change and you will need to dedicate more time to homeschooling. You will need to schedule daily chores, errands, doctor’s appointments, and other household routines around your homeschooling plan.
While parents normally spend a lot of time with their children, homeschooling parents spend even more time with them. This is a major lifestyle change that influences the decision of many parents about whether or not to homeschool their children.
Homeschool Socialization Is Different
A second topic to consider is homeschool socialization.
Homeschooling children can be just as socialized as public schooled children, despite what many people believe. There are both pros and cons to the social experiences of homeschoolers, just like there are for public school children. Socialization for homeschoolers varies depending on the child, but it is generally fair to say that it is different from public school socialization.
Advantages of Homeschooling
It Gives More Freedom on What to Teach, and When
Homeschooled kids and their parents choose what they want to learn, when they want to learn it, and for how long. This means that kids can spend more time learning things that interest them, or more time on subjects they find difficult. There is no pressure to be like classmates, or to feel anxious if they can’t memorize formulas as quickly as others. Parents have the opportunity to add subjects that aren’t normally taught in school but that they want their children to learn, like cultural legacy, a specific religion, or a language. In addition, parents wouldn’t have to limit their kids to learning from books only. They could add other types of directives, like good online courses or interesting DIY tasks.
It Gives a Chance For Customized One-on-One Learning
There is one main problem with traditional classroom learning in schools: there is only one teacher for a large number of students. This means that many kids do not receive the attention or supervision they need to learn effectively. Every child has their own learning style, and homeschooling parents can adapt their teaching methods to suit each child. This allows each child to learn in the way that works best for them.
It Provides an Increased Family Time
Parents can share the same everyday life with their children, permitting them to see each other grow and change. This way, when kids go through tough times, they will have their parent’s support. Studies have found that when teenagers are homeschooled, they have less chance of developing negative or rebellious behavior.
It Allows The Parents To Protect Their Kids From All The Bad Influences They Might Experience Outside The Home
It is better for parents to discuss sensitive issues with their kids when they feel that the kids are ready for a serious talk. This is because the kids are less likely to get involved in bullying, school gangs, violence, and other possible problems at school if they learn about these things from their parents at home.
Family Trips Or Vacations Can Easily Be Planned When The Children Are Being Homeschooled
There should be no strict class timetables or semestral pauses that need to be followed when planning a holiday. The family can enjoy a trip anytime of the year. These trips can also be educational for parents.
It Enriches The Bond Between The Parent And The Kid
When parents spend more time with their children and engage in fun activities together, the bond between them becomes stronger. Unlike at school, where kids interact with their peers, they share highs and lows with their parents knowing that they are the only ones who truly have their best interests at heart.
Health Control
Cafeteria food can be harmful to the kids. They tend to like unhealthy items that look pleasing but actually aren’t fresh and can make the children sick. During homeschooling, they would eat healthy fresh food without exposing themselves to food poisoning.
Disadvantages of Homeschooling
It Demands 24/7 Duty With The Children
Homeschooling can be demanding, requiring parents to sacrifice their own time and space for their children’s education. However, some families find joy in being together all the time. If you are one of them, then go for it, but if not, be sure to carefully consider the responsibility before taking it on.
An Ample Amount Of Energy, Time, And Resources Are Needed
It’s not easy for parents who are not teachers by profession to teach their kids. They have to put in extra effort to learn about how to plan lectures and teaching tactics. They also need to do a lot of research and adjust their methods to make sure their kids are getting the best education possible. Parents need to be prepared to be calm and creative when helping a child who is a slow learner or who needs special education.
It Initiates Financial Restrictions
If one parent has to stay home to direct the children’s homeschooling, the other parent may have to get a part-time job or not work at all. Homeschooling can be expensive, requiring computers, books, and other tools and resources.
The Kid’s Chances Of Participating In Sports And Extracurricular Activities Are Limited
One of the challenges homeschooled kids face is that they miss out on socializing with other kids their age. Parents can solve this problem by arranging playdates or signing their kids up for sports teams with other homeschooled families. However, this does not provide the same experience as going to school, missing out on things like the memorable school year, prom night, sports competitions, clubs, and more.
Plenty Of Questions Arise And Often People Disapprove Of It
The average person doesn’t understand why more families are choosing to homeschool their kids. The parent has to explain, over and over, that homeschooling is a viable option. And it’s not just the average person – many kids bully those who are homeschooled, calling them weird. Some people even test the kids, to try and make the parents feel embarrassed, because they think children can’t learn properly at home.
Kids Will Become Sick of Home
If children are stuck at home all the time and not seeing their friends every day, they will get irritated and restless. They will misbehave, and feel left out.Since kids naturally want to socialize, not being able to do so will make them sad and sick of being at home.
It Helps The Parents In Finding Out What Interests Their Children
Homeschooling lets parents spend more time with their kids, so they can get to know what activities their kids are interested in. This way, they can help their kids improve in the areas they’re passionate about.
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| Homeschooling Fact: More family time spent on homeschooling. | |
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| Homeschooling Fact: More money dedicated to education in homeschooling. | |
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| Homeschooling Fact: Team sports options change for homeschoolers. | |
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| Homeschooling Fact: Different path for your child’s socialization. | |
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| Homeschooling Fact: More educational freedom and flexibility in homeschooling. | |
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| Homeschooling Fact: Recognition for achievement is limited to homeschool. | |
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| Homeschooling Fact: More time for community involvement. | |
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