Homeschooling might be something you are considering. Believe me, there are plenty of benefits to homeschooling, and it can be a wonderful lifestyle change.
Homeschooling (or home education) allows you to teach your children at home instead of sending them to a traditional school.
Educating your child yourself allows you to control everything they learn and gives them the flexibility to learn whenever they want.
When you think of homeschooling, you probably imagine children sitting at desks, trying to concentrate as a teacher drones on and on about the color orange. But school isn’t always like that.
These days, homeschooling can be done much differently. Homeschooling can be a fun and educational way for your kids to learn what they need.
Homeschooling your kids is becoming more common. In this article, I’ll cover some of the many benefits of homeschooling that may surprise you.
1. Custom Self-Pacing Curriculum
Imagine the flexibility of learning on your time and schedule, at home, but with the support and guidance of a trained teacher.
That’s what homeschooling offers. You can set your daily schedule to suit your family’s needs, and you don’t have to worry about classroom disruptions or lack of individualized instruction.
The beauty of homeschooling is that it allows you to build a custom self-pacing curriculum for your student. You can focus on subjects you find important and avoid others that would only waste your time.
Homeschooling makes it easy to pace the curriculum to fit your child. There’s no need to wait for other students to grasp a concept before moving on, nor do homeschoolers have to slow down when they’re ready to go faster.
The flexibility of homeschooling allows children to move ahead quickly in some areas and focus more time on areas where they may be struggling.
2. Disability Does Not Hinder a Child’s Ability to Learn
The lack of resources and knowledge that are available can overwhelm parents of children with a variety of learning needs.
With homeschooling, parents can tailor their child’s education without the limitations that public schools impose on students with special needs.
Though parents are the primary educators of a homeschooled child, there are many resources available to help.
Homeschool programs can be customized to the needs of a student with a disability or exceptional abilities, and outside support is available for children with special needs.
The benefit to parents of children with disabilities who homeschool is that they can target their children’s strengths rather than focus solely on their weaknesses.
3. Stimulate Creativity and Curiosity
Homeschooling stimulates children’s curiosity and creativity. Children can choose and investigate their subject matter. They can spend as much time as they need to explore an idea or concept and then move on at their own pace.
Sometimes, learning opportunities arise “at the moment” – a conversation at the grocery store about nutrition or a handmade bird feeder that sparks a question about physics or weather.
Since homeschoolers don’t have to fit everything into a prescribed schedule, they may have time for these spontaneous moments of curiosity.
As a parent, you are more in tune with your child’s needs than a teacher. Therefore, you can better tailor your teaching to address those needs.
This means that, in many cases, a homeschooled child receives a personalized education that is specifically tailored to their learning style and circumstances.
Such education stimulates greater curiosity, creativity, and exploration of the subject matter.
4. Cost-saving on supplies and transportation
Homeschooling has become increasingly popular as parents look for ways to relieve the pressure of the school system on their children.
Many parents can’t afford private schools, and public schools often have huge class sizes that limit the teacher’s ability to educate.
Homeschooling is free. As the parent-teacher, you don’t have to pay for supplies, school clothes, books, and other stuff your kids need for school.
Also, you don’t have to worry about transportation fees and travel costs. You can cut all these expenses as long as you and your children are in a comfortable environment at home.
In addition to saving on tuition, homeschooling is a great way to save on school supplies, activity fees, and transportation costs. It is easier to customize lessons based on the tools you already own or can borrow from the library than to buy an expensive curriculum.
5. More Positive Parent-Child Relationships
It is a common misconception that home-schooled children feel isolated from their peers. However, the positive parent-child relationships that are developed through regular interaction, respect, and trust cannot be ignored.
There’s no question about it: homeschooling requires a big commitment from the entire family. However, what many parents may not realize is that homeschooling offers many benefits that can improve family ties and make parenting more enjoyable and rewarding.
As the decision to homeschool is your own, you are likely to feel excited about teaching your child. This means that you’re likely to approach homeschooling with a positive attitude, and that positivity will transfer to your child and your relationship.
With less time spent in the classroom and more time spent at home, you’ll get to spend more quality time together.
6. Increased Independence
As children mature, they naturally want to make their decisions. Part of growing up includes exploring who they are and what they know.
Homeschooling allows children to enjoy a healthy balance between learning and playtime, which helps them gain the skills they need to be independent.
Even though you are the teacher, being at home is still a big step for your child.
Homeschooling requires a high level of self-discipline as it does not have any formal daily structure as compared to school. Therefore, it is great for helping your child learn how to be independent.
Homeschoolers have a higher level of independence, which can be seen in their positive attitudes and behavior.
Homeschooled children develop the confidence to approach tasks without needing their parents or teachers right beside them, as well as the confidence to ask for help when they do need it.
7. Time and Location are Flexible
Homeschooling is one of the best ways to educate your child because there are more benefits than you know.
Besides that, schooling at home allows parents and kids more time to learn together and also a lot of flexibility in time and location.
Homeschooling means learning in the neighborhood, at the kitchen counter, or in the backyard.
While regular school classes take place at a certain time of day within the confines of the classroom all year round, homeschooling is flexible. It can be conducted in different locations, not just the home.
Homeschooling provides the flexibility that all families need. Schedule family trips during school hours by simply taking your classroom on the road. Mom and Dad can work from home, and the children have a safe place to learn.
If your child is an early riser or a late sleeper, tailor their instruction time without interrupting their sleep schedule.
Decide where to set up a “classroom” and allow your child to learn from the comfort of their own home.
8. Adapt the Lessons to Fit your Child’s Learning Style
Give your child the most effective education possible by taking advantage of his unique learning style and strengths.
Homeschooling gives you this opportunity, allowing you to tailor the lessons, resources, and teaching styles to your child’s needs.
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is that you can adapt the lessons to fit your child’s learning style. Since you know your child better than any teacher, you can customize a curriculum that works for him or her.
Some kids learn best in the mornings, others benefit from storytime. Whether you find your son has a good memory, or your daughter is a great visual learner, you can adapt your lessons to fit their learning styles. When the daily schedule looks like it’s too much for them, adjust accordingly.
For example, if he or she learns best by watching videos and doing hands-on activities, like science experiments or art projects, rather than reading books and answering questions, you can find a curriculum that lets him or her learn that way.
9. Smaller Classrooms with More One-On-One Attention
Homeschooling has many benefits, compared to traditional schooling. For example, smaller class sizes and more one-on-one attention are the norms.
Students benefit from interactive and personalized learning environments. There are also no distractions in the classroom, so students can focus on the subject matter at hand.
In the classroom, your child will get to know each classmate and teacher, but this also comes with distractions from other students and less time for one-on-one attention from the teacher.
At home, class sizes are small, ensuring that children will always have access to more personalized attention.
10. Less Bullying and Other Issues Such As Substance Abuse
Bullying is a major problem in our society today. If you are worried about your child being bullied by other students, either at school or on the school bus, homeschooling may be a good option for you and your family.
Homeschooling has many benefits. One important one is reducing bullying, as well as other problems like substance abuse.
Not being in school allows homeschooled students to remove themselves from cliques and groups that attract bullies and instead make friends with a more diverse group of people.
As one of the biggest benefits of homeschooling, you have a lot more control over who your children interact with.
As such, they’re more likely to be around people who won’t lead them astray, and they won’t be forced to deal with bullies as often. That said, bullies can be found anywhere, and if you think your child is being bullied at home, you need to act immediately.
11. Teach Responsibility and Budgeting Skills
Homeschooling is a natural way to teach children responsibility.
Very young children can learn to take care of their belongings with the help of their parents and siblings. This can also be a great way to teach them about value and quality, along with budgets and resourcefulness.
Older kids can learn to evaluate their own needs, prioritize tasks, and follow through on them.
Budgeting is an essential life skill that many assume children will learn from experience. But in reality, most people learn about budgeting after making mistakes.
You can help teach your child to earn money by setting a weekly budget with a savings goal and any leftover funds to give to their favorite cause (if there is enough). This will show them how money is earned and what it’s like to be responsible for spending it wisely.
Teach your child responsibility and budgeting skills by putting them in charge of their project. Discuss what they like, and help them brainstorm ideas for fun projects that aren’t too expensive to start.
FAQs
How do you select a curriculum for homeschooling?
There are so many options available when it comes to homeschooling. Some families choose programs provided by their state, while others choose their own curriculum. Other families select a combination of both these options.
However, finding one that works for your child’s learning style is one of the first things to consider. Make sure it is not too easy or too hard and also be aware of your children’s health issues, interests, and moral/religious beliefs.
Can homeschooled students participate in extracurricular activities?
Yes, homeschooled students can participate in extracurricular activities, including sports and arts programs.
Some require proper registration and official transcripts to document their school experience. Many communities offer after-school classes, co-ops, and athletic leagues specifically for homeschooled students.
What if a parent can’t teach a certain subject?
Parents don’t need to be experts in every subject to homeschool. There are many ways to fill knowledge gaps, and most don’t involve the parent at all.
In this situation, there are many options available: You can hire a teacher or tutor to help. There are many online courses or you could consider enrolling in a virtual charter school that offers the courses you need.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of homeschooling are vast, and it is beneficial for every child. Hopefully, this article will give you a better perspective on why homeschooling is still an important educational option for certain families.
If you’re hesitant to make the switch, give yourself time to adjust and grow used to the process.
Above all, don’t lose sight of your end goal. As a form of education, homeschooling offers many benefits that can’t be matched by traditional schooling. If you communicate with your child regularly, it can be as successful as other approaches.
When it comes to choosing between traditional or homeschooling for your children, I can help you make an informed decision.
Check out the article that compares homeschooling and traditional schooling. By the time you finish reading, everything you need to know will be clear to you.
Thanks for reading.
