Benefits of Homeschooling

There is much controversy that one encounters when they mention the thought of homeschooling. Although teaching from home may not be an option for everyone, it is something to consider when choosing the school/type of education that you want for your child/children. To help keep you inspired, here are some benefits to homeschooling.

Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

The Top 15 Benefits of Homeschooling

You get to...

1. Control what your children learn and when they learn it.
2. Show your children that learning is not boring, but exciting.
3. Build intimate and meaningful relationships with your children.
4. Tailor your teaching to fit your children's dominant learning styles.
5. Give your children in-depth, personal attention in any subject with which they struggle or excel.
6. Create a weekly schedule that fits your needs and allows you to do things without the constraint of a traditional classroom schedule.
7. Transfer your values and beliefs to your children and address their questions when they have them.
8. Protect your children from the negative influences they may encounter outside the home.
9. Teach more effectively by interacting with your children 1-on-1.
10. Nurture your children's natural (musical, artistic, mathematic) talents so they thrive and grow.
11. Address "big issues" with your children when you feel they're ready.
12. Share with your children the common, everyday joys of life.
13. Help your children mature through the difficult times in their lives.
14. Share the joy of teaching your children with your spouse.
15. Take vacations during the school year and make them educational.

The Top 10 Potential Disadvantages of Homeschooling

You may have to...

1. Spend 24 hours a day with your children for several days at a time.
2. Justify homeschooling to family and friends who oppose your decision to learn at home.
3. Be very patient with your children when it seems they aren't learning anything at all.
4. Deal with the frustrations of sometimes being "behind."
5. Spend more money on your children's education than you're accustomed to.
6. Get out of your comfort zone to learn how to homeschool effectively.
7. Encourage your children even when you don't feel like it.
8. Seek advice from other homeschooling parents when you encounter problems you're not equipped to handle.
9. Research a few curriculum programs before you find one that works for you and your family.
10. Put forth more effort to find children with whom your children can build quality relationships.

(this list was pulled from http://www.sonlight.com/before-you-start-homeschooling.html)

Another great link that I like because it radiates a mom's reason for homeschooling in a very positive light is from http://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/reasons-to-homeschool.html)

1. Education

Surprisingly this is the least mentioned of 'objections' people raise when talking about my reasons for homeschooling. 

Yet I am constantly amazed and the scope and depth of the things we have learned (and I feel we have only just scratched the surface!). Learning never stops when you homeschool. 

Education can be not only tailored to the children's interests but also 'real life' education can take a major part (cooking, book-keeping, organising a party!). By keeping learning fresh and interesting I can develop in my children a deep curiosity and desire to know and understand the world around them. 

For me, this is one of the major advantages to homeschooling. - See more at: http://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/benefits-of-homeschooling.html#sthash.Jrh8xZst.dpuf

2. Freedom

From rules and regulations. From standing in line. From asking permission to visit the bathroom or have a drink. And most importantly from restrictive time constraints. 

We have the time to investigate an interesting subject in depth. We have the time to stop and watch a caterpillar eat its way across a leaf. And we have the time to close our books and visit a museum - just because. 

We also have the flexibility to work learning into our life whatever else is happening. 

3. Family and love

Although there are proponents of 'quality time, not quantity' I wholeheartedly disagree with them! 

A family is as strong as the time it spends together. In eating, playing, learning and laughing together we are building a bond that is strong and durable. 

My children are protected in a warm and loving environment, which will give them a secure base when they venture out on their own.  

4. Morals and Values

When she first heard we were to homeschool my horrified mother-in-law exclaimed "Its not just their education - it's their whole moral upbringing!" Err...yes..exactly! 

I don't want my children to be taught their morals from someone I don't know well. And I certainly don't want their values to be gleaned from a group of equally young and inexperienced children. In homeschooling I can help to guide them and set an example. 

5. Independence

I want my children to know who they are - and to value their own self-worth. And for that I feel they need to be given the space to experiment without condemnation. 

My children have no concept of 'designer labels'. They don't measure people by which trainers they wear. They feel entitled to have their own opinions and to state them. I want my children to have confidence and belief in themselves and a homeschool provides an ideal environment for this. 

6. Socialisation

How can children learn to operate in society when they are not a part of it? 

My children meet everybody - rich, poor, young, old, quiet or loud. Their social spectrum is not confined to 20 children the same age as them. They can converse with all sorts of people. 

Read more about homeschool socialization. 

7. Health

My children glow! Not chained to desks all day, they are out in the sun and are strong from climbing and running. I can keep a check on their diet and make sure they are getting enough water to drink. 

But more importantly they have a joy about life that keeps them stress-free and with a healthy immune system. Isn't that a great reason? 

8. Passion

Remember being passionate about something? Remember when you wanted to learn all you could about it, or work at it for days at a time. 

I think passion is an important part of a life. A passionless existence is a dreary one. But many of us try to squeeze in the things we are passionate about in small chunks of time instead of making them a major part of our lives. One of the benefits of homeschooling is that I can give my children the gift of time to explore their passion. 

9. Creativity and Imagination

I believe we are here to use and enjoy our talents and homeschooling gives me the opportunity to encourage my children to revel in the things that capture their imagination. 

My daughter taught me a huge lesson about creativity which I cover in my article Homeschooling Crafts. 

10. Play

Childhood is a fleeting thing, and I want my children to enjoy it. Homeschooling gives them the time and space to just be. 

I am not saying that we have ALL these benefits of homeschooling ALL the time (boy, would I be insufferable!!) - I am saying that the opportunity for these benefits present themselves when we are homeschooling - and it is up to us to nurture and embrace them. And THAT is why I homeschool. 

5 More Reasons to Homeschool


 



- See more at: http://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/benefits-of-homeschooling.html#sthash.Jrh8xZst.dpuf