One of the most common questions concerning homeschooling is, "Why bother?" Sending children off to school to be taught by experts and surrounded by their peers is so much a part of our culture that homeschoolers can seem a little alien. What advantages do parents hope to realize that makes teaching their own children, at their own expense, worthwhile? Almost everyone can agree that homeschooling one's children requires sacrifice, patience, and commitment, not to mention spending huge amounts of time with one's offspring. There are, in fact, some compelling advantages to homeschooling that can make all this effort worthwhile.
Personalized Education
A homeschool education can be tailored to suit the needs of the child. There are numerous curricula on the market which are designed especially for homeschoolers. A parent can choose the books and materials that best suits their child's interests, learning style, and educational goals. A popular saying in homeschool circles is, "teach the child, not the curriculum," meaning that the needs of the child is more important than following a set curriculum. Homeschooling offers the freedom and flexibility to spend extra time drilling math facts, learning three languages, or making an in-depth study of Ancient literature, if it meets the student's needs and desires.
Efficiency
Homeschooling is more efficient than mass schooling. Each student in a homeschool has their own full-time tutor, in the form of mom or dad, to answer their questions and correct their mistakes before they become ingrained habits. There is no need to waste time on review if the child has not forgotten the material, and students can move quickly through material they learn easily. Because of the efficiency of homeschooling, it is not unusual to find students a grade or more ahead of their peers.
Free Time
Because homeschooling is so efficient, homeschool students can finish their schoolwork quickly, and have extra time to pursue their own interests. Sometimes parents decide to homeschool a child that shows particular promise in a field, such as dance, music, or sports, so that the child will have more time to gain skills in this chosen field. Homeschooled children have the time and flexibility to read, write, dream, build things, and explore their world that is so often missing in children's lives today.
Strong Family Relationships
A homeschool family must learn to work together if their homeschool adventure is to succeed. Parents must learn to have patience and to not expect too much or too little from their children. Children must learn to help with chores around the house so mom or dad can spend time teaching. Siblings learn to get along and cooperate so that they will have someone to play with.
Less Peer Pressure
One advantage of homeschooling that appeals to many families is that homeschool students are not exposed to the constant negative peer pressure that is prevalent in all too many schools. Many parents are concerned about the drugs, violence, greed, and promiscuity that can be found in some schools today, and homeschooling is seen as a way to protect children from these potentially harmful influences.
Tags: must learn, extra time, homeschool students, homeschooling that, needs child, their children