The very thought of homeschooling strikes terror in
the hearts of some parents. Others eagerly await the time when they
can begin. Who is right? Who is wrong? Well, both schools of thought
are correct, as what works best for your family is what’s right.
Forcing your family to fit into a mold that is not healthy for it is
wrong.
How
do you know if homeschooling is an option for you? Let’s start with
what homeschooling is: educating your children at home as opposed to
sending them to public or private schools. It means taking full
responsibility that you’ll educate your child. Many homeschooled
children attend classes and events specifically geared towards
homeschool education, but are not educated in the traditional
location of education, a school.
One of the first considerations in homeschooling is your local laws
and regulations. Will you be able to satisfy them? Are you willing
to take the legal risks of not meeting them?
Time is another factor. Do you have those hours in
the day to devote to your child’s education?
Cost figures in as well. Purchasing materials and a curriculum costs
money, money that you’re already paying in your taxes.
One homeschooling philosophy is called “unschooling.” Unschoolers
don’t work with a particular curriculum and advocate that life
learning is the best educational forum for the child. Reading is
taught when the child is interested in reading. Math is worked into
cooking sessions and every day activities. Children are taught
without being aware that they are “being schooled” and, because they
are enjoying the process and it’s integrated into daily life, every
activity becomes a learning experience.
A common fear among those who are not familiar with homeschooling is
that the child will not be socialized, when in fact the opposite is
quite true. Homeschooled children do not work in a vacuum, sitting
at their desks at home never seeing other children. Many parents
join a local
homeschool group, or create their own with similarly minded
families, and join forces to create sports events, museum trips,
park days, and combined classes. One mom may be stronger in math and
will trade off classes/lessons with another mom (or dad) for
language lessons.
Is homeschooling right for you? It’s definitely worth considering
and exploring. It’s nice to know the option is there.
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