10 Reasons Homeschooling Is Better And More Sociable Than Public School
Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular option for families in recent years, and for a good reason.
For starters, homeschooled children often have tremendous academic success compared to public school students. For many parents, homeschooling also provides a safe learning environment with more control over the curriculum and teaching methods.
Plus, with the public education system going through so many changes, many parents are concerned that regular and even private schools are no longer the right choice for their child's education.
So, what exactly are the advantages of homeschooling, and will your kids get the social interaction they need if you decide to go this route?
10 Advantages Of Homeschooling
#1 - Students Can Learn At Their Own Pace
In traditional schooling, students must keep up with the pace of the classroom and curriculum provided by the local government. Unfortunately, this can be detrimental for kids who need more time to learn a topic as they risk falling behind. It can also lead to boredom in children that understand the materials well.
Children can learn independently in a homeschool environment, creating a more effective learning environment.
If you have a child with learning differences or special needs, learning at their own rate is especially beneficial because it allows them to proceed at a pace that works best for them.
#2 - Homeschool Students Get Immediate Feedback
Unfortunately, teachers need time to review and mark tests or assignments for every student in a classroom environment.
Not only does this take a lot of time, but it can become hard for the teacher to provide individualized feedback or suggestions that would help your child improve.
With homeschooling, your child will get more immediate feedback. Your child can then correct and make necessary adjustments immediately, ensuring they understand the concepts quickly and correctly.
This leads to much better results in their studies overall.
For complex or precise subjects, such as mathematics, this can be the difference between your child's understanding and thriving in the subject or falling behind and struggling.
#3 - Students Receive More One-On-One Attention
In a regular classroom setting, it is easy for kids to become bored or even fall asleep in the back of the classroom. A teacher can only devote so much time to each student, and when there are 20 or more children in a class, it can be challenging to ensure every child gets the attention they need.
When homeschooling, students receive that all-important one-on-one attention from their parents or tutors. This will keep your child more interested, engaged, and curious in the learning process, which can help them thrive academically.
The one-on-one attention also lets you gauge how well your child understands the material.
With that information, you can adapt lessons accordingly, so they are constantly growing and developing as students.
Studies have also shown that students who receive more one-on-one attention in the learning environment retain information and concepts better than kids learning in large groups.
#4 - Children Can Socialize More
Contrary to popular belief, homeschooled students have plenty of opportunities to socialize with other kids, which helps them develop their social skills.
Many homeschool families organize meet-ups and field trips so their children can connect with peers with similar interests and values.
Also, homeschooled kids can join countless extracurricular activities and clubs, such as music lessons, sports teams, and art classes.
#5 - More Family Bonding Time
Unlike a traditional school, homeschooled children spend more time with their parents and siblings, encouraging open dialogue and meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime.
Homeschooling also creates opportunities for families to do more activities and travel together, improving family life.
#6 - It's Easy To Incorporate Life Lessons Into Your Homeschool Curriculum
Even though conventional schools have improved in teaching basic life lessons, a considerable gap remains between what schools teach and what our children need to lead fulfilling lives in the real world as adults.
Homeschooling parents can fill this gap by teaching their children lessons that can't be found in books or taught in a classroom.
Ideas include completing household chores, cooking, learning how to budget, helping younger siblings, and more.
These life lessons are invaluable for helping your child foster a sense of independence and self-reliance, instill your family values, and teach essential life lessons such as discipline, communication, and respect.
#7 - Students Can Focus On Their Interests and Skills
During my many years of teaching in a school, something that stood out to me was the need to emphasize individual interests or skills for students. In the current education system, every child has to follow the same curriculum and options without being able to specialize in their areas of interest until high school. Furthermore, honor roll students must thrive in every subject to maintain that distinction.
On the other hand, homeschooling parents can tailor the learning curriculum to their child's needs and interests. By emphasizing the child's needs and interests, it is easier to keep kids engaged and excited about learning rather than feeling like it's a chore they must complete.
Homeschooling also creates an environment where you can celebrate and foster your child's skills or interests. This can include
a love for baking;
an interest in horseback riding;
playing a musical instrument;
taking acting lessons;
and so much more.
#8 - Students Have Flexibility In Their Schedules
Studies show that every person, children included, has certain times of the day when they are more productive. For some, this might be in the morning, while for others, it might be in the evening.
In traditional schools, the requirement is that students learn during a specific time. On the other hand, homeschooling allows students to adjust their learning schedule according to what is best for them. This can mean having shorter lessons or taking more challenging courses during their peak productivity periods.
The flexibility of homeschooling also allows students to;
take on additional projects and activities that they might not have access to in a traditional school setting;
travel with their family throughout the year;
Move through their studies at a pace that suits their individual needs.
#9 - Students Don't Need To Travel To School Every Day
Did you know that the average student in the United States spends nearly two hours a day traveling to and from school? That's a lot of time spent just commuting.
In a homeschool setting, there is no need for your child to travel every day. Your child can use this extra time to engage in more meaningful activities like sports, reading, art, or even helping around the house.
#10 - Safety Is Less Of A Concern
For any parent, the safety of their children will always be a top priority and concern. No one wants to see their child bullied or stuck in fights on the playground.
Many parents are also concerned about other students bringing weapons to school that could harm their children. After all, it is not uncommon to see news of school shootings in media headlines.
When homeschooling, there will always be an adult present to supervise and ensure the safety of your children. You also have more control over who your kid is spending time with.
Overall, homeschooling can provide your children with a much safer environment.
Is Homeschooling A Better Option For Your Kids?
As you can see, there are many excellent benefits of homeschooling. And contrary to popular belief, homeschooled kids still get plenty of socialization with other homeschooled families, homeschool community events, and more.
So if you're considering whether homeschooling will give your child the best education, I hope these ten advantages have helped you weigh all the options to make an informed decision. Overall, it's a great way to provide your child with individualized and tailored education, more flexible schedules, and safety.
If you want to learn more about homeschooling, Infinite Learning Academy can help you.
We provide done-for-you curriculums, lessons tailored to your child's learning preferences, online classes, and more.
