There are many excellent reasons for homeschooling your child, from simple convenience to hopes for better academic results. If you are considering teaching your child at home then it's vital that you get as much information as you can before making this potentially life-changing decision.
Before sending your child to a school to be educated became compulsory,
teaching children at home was normal. In recent years more and more parents are turning to homeschooling for a variety of reasons. If you live in a rural area or live abroad, then it could be for convenience. You might have objections to what is taught at schools, like religious or moral teachings. Maybe you feel that your child will not thrive or achieve in a regular school environment, or perhaps you were taught at home and want your child to experience the same positives that you did. Some parents cite children achieving better academic results from being schooled at home as the incentive for choosing it.
Whatever your reasons are for considering homeschooling as the best option for your child, it's important to thoroughly research the topic before making a decision. Do not only focus your attention on the positives - be sure that you are aware of the potential pitfalls involved.
Learn the positives and the negatives before making your decision.
Is this the best option for your child? Can you do it? Are you a competent teacher? You might be too strict, too lenient, or just not up to the task in terms of academic ability. One of the biggest fears and considerations parents have about teaching their child at home is that a homeschooled child will miss being around other children. She will not develop the same social skills or cultural understanding as a child taught amongst her peers. Many parents refuse to homeschool based on this reason alone, but thankfully the Internet is a huge help with this problem. A quick search online should reward you with local groups where you can contact parents and educators in a similar situation to you. Parents of home educated children are generally very keen to meet up and bring their children together in a social setting. It is very easy to arrange weekly social activities like visits to the park, swimming lessons, or a simple get-together at home to counteract this potential problem.
If you are able to manage your time well, organize well, plan well, stick to tasks, are open to new ideas, and can provide an adequate alternative to sending your child to school, then education at home can be a real positive for you and your child.
You are responsible for the cost of your child being schooled at home which, understandably, puts a lot of people off the idea, but most parents who have tried it say the benefits of home schooling far outweigh the costs.
If you are happy that these negatives are not factors, or are factors that you are aware of and you can overcome, then get ready for a whole truck-load of positives that go hand-in-hand with homeschooling your child. Here are ten of the positives, although successful and dedicated parents who teach their children at home will discover many, many more:
Ten reasons that homeschooling may be the best option for your child:
1. You are in control of what and how your child learns, and the pace of learning.
2. You know your child's strengths and weaknesses and can adjust your teaching accordingly.
3. Avoid negative influences from other children and not-so-good school environments.
4. The bond between you and your child stays very strong.
5. Your child gets more focused, one-to-one attention which is crucial to learning.
6. You will have no concerns about your child's safety.
7. You will be amazed at how much YOU learn while teaching your child.
8. Studies have shown that homeschooling is an incredibly efficient way to learn.
9. It strengthens the relationship between parents and children, and the whole family.
10. You can incorporate family days out and vacations into your child's learning schedule.
There is no doubt that your decision to teach at home, or not, is a big one, and it's a decision that you should think about deeply and sensibly before making. If you do decide that this is the best path for your child then approach the subject with commitment, organization, and dedication. Your child deserves the best.
