Homeschooling is a great option that is becoming more and more popular. For lots of children and families, homeschooling is a better option than traditional schooling. The decision to homeschool often comes from a parent’s desire for better education and being able to spend more time with their kids.
There are several benefits to homeschooling. These benefits are reasons why many people believe homeschooling is better than traditional schooling. In this article we’ll look at the benefits of homeschooling and how to decide if homeschooling is the right decision for your family.
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Why Homeschooling Is Better Than Traditional Schooling
Many parents choose homeschooling because they are able to provide greater creative input into what is taught in school. Traditional schooling, on the other hand, follows a government-mandated public school curriculum that may not be in line with the child’s pace of learning.
Here are some reasons why homeschooling is better than traditional schooling:
Customizable Curriculum
Traditional schooling follows an age-based model where children are expected to learn what they have been assigned at their grade level. This can be frustrating for young children who are ready to learn more. It’s also frustrating for children who are struggling with a particular subject.
A homeschooled child has the benefit of being taught a curriculum that is tailored to his or her pace of learning. A homeschool curriculum can also offer individualized instruction that incorporates their areas of interest.
Flexibility in Time and Location
One of the best things about homeschooling is that you can choose when and where your child learns. If you feel like your child would benefit from some outdoor time on a sunny day, then the learning session can be held outside without having to worry about school bells.
If you feel like your child would benefit from some time with family, then lessons can be postponed for another day when it is more convenient to schedule them in again.
More Attention From Teachers
While homeschooled children do not have the advantage of getting the social interaction of going to public school, they do have the advantage of receiving more individual attention from their parents or class teachers.
Homeschooling also allows for more one-on-one instruction. This has been shown to be more beneficial for children than large classroom settings. In a homeschool environment, the child can learn at their own pace and focus on areas in which they are struggling, without having to feel embarrassed or left behind in front of their classmates.
Creativity and Independence
Another advantage of homeschooling is that it allows for greater creativity and independence. This is because children are taught in a way that best suits their individual need. Homeschooling can incorporate hands-on activities or games, videos, music, etc. Homeschool teachers can teach the curriculum in the way that best matches how the child learns.
Traditional schooling tends to be more regimented in nature. Kids have less freedom when it comes to courses in school and extracurricular activities.
Safe Environment
While no conventional school is completely free of bullies and other forms of violence, homeschooling does provide a safer school environment. If there are multiple students in one homeschool class, the teacher to child ratio is much smaller than at a traditional school. Because of this, teachers will be able to easily identify and correct any bullying or inappropriate behavior.
Cost of Studying
Traditional schooling can be expensive. Even in a public school, parents will need to pay for school supplies specific to each class and teacher. Many public schools also have a dress code. Buying school approved clothing is another added cost. Most extracurricular clubs and sports teams also have additional fees. If you child is attending a private school, you’ll be paying for tuition and uniforms as well.
Homeschooling, on the other hand, can be cheaper because you decide what school supplies are needed (they can be ones you have already purchased). You also get to decide the dress code. There’s no need to buy special uniforms or khakis and polos. There is also no tuition fee if you are homeschooling your child.
Educational Quality
While there are excellent traditional schools available, the majority of traditional schools simply cannot compare to the quality of home-based education. Homeschooled students have extra time with their teacher, which allows for deeper learning to take place.
Homeschooled students can do in a few hours what a traditional classroom might take a week or more to complete. Because they are taught using methods that help them learn best, they learn faster. Homeschooled students are more interested in lesson plans because they are tailored to the student. This is not the case in public schools.
Stronger Student-Teacher Bond
One of the best things about homeschooling is that students and teachers form a strong bond with one another. This is because they spend more time together than they would in traditional schools.
There is also a strong sense of accountability between students and teachers because the child knows that their parent or guardian will be there to support them academically and socially.
Parent-Child Bonding Opportunity
A huge benefit of homeschooling is better family bonding between parents, children, and siblings. In a traditional school, parents are usually left feeling somewhat detached from what their child is learning each day.
This is not the case with homeschooling. Parents take on a more active role in their child’s education. They can be present for their child’s lessons and work with them on any problems they may be having.
Better Performance on Academic Achievement Tests
Homeschool students have been shown to score higher on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT than those who attend traditional schools.
This is likely due to the fact that children who are homeschooled have more time to focus on the subjects in which they are struggling. They also have a more personalized curriculum that caters to their unique needs.
Closer Family Relationships
Homeschooling can also help improve relationships within families. This is because parents and children have more time to spend together outside of school, and they are able to learn more about each other’s interests and personalities.
Teens appear to gain a lot from this relationship, and rebellious and aggressive conduct often starts to fade soon after homeschooling starts.
How to Decide Whether Homeschooling is Best for Your Child
There are many factors to consider before making the decision about whether homeschooling is better than a traditional school for your child. Some of these factors include:
- Your child’s age. If your child is very young, he or she may not be ready to stay home all day. If your child is older, he or she may be more capable of handling the homeschooling workload and educational experiences.
- Your child’s academic ability. Homeschooling works best for students who excel academically, as well as those whose learning styles make it difficult for them to thrive in traditional school settings.
- Your child’s social needs. Homeschooling is great for children who are shy or introverted and don’t do well in large group settings. It helps them learn about social values and develop social skills in a way that may be more comfortable for them.
- Your family’s schedule. Homeschooling may be difficult for you if your job requires long hours or if you have to work irregular shifts. You will need to make sure that there is always at least one parent available during homeschool lesson times in order to ensure child safety and well-being.
Homeschooling is a wonderful way to strengthen family bonds while also giving your child the attention he or she deserves away from social pressures. Make sure you do your research and talk to other homeschooling parents to get their advice before making a final decision.
Conclusion
We have discussed several reasons why homeschooling can be better than traditional schooling. It is important to remember that homeschooling takes more effort on the part of parents than traditional schooling. In homeschooling, parents are completely responsible for their child’s academic needs. This requires a lot more work than just help with homework every now and then.
The benefits of homeschooling far outweigh any risks associated with homeschooling. If you are struggling, you can always find help online. There are tons of blogs, groups, and forums just about homeschooling.
Parents can focus on what really matters, such as creativity and independence, while still ensuring that their child has a solid grounding in core subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic. For these reasons, it is no wonder that homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice for parents worldwide.
