Archive for March, 2007
Finding Social Opportunities for Your Homeschooled Child
Saturday, March 31st, 2007 by HomeschoolerOne of the main challenges of homeschooling is how to find social opportunies for your homeschooled child to ensure they have the same level of social interaction as children who attend schools. Lack of peer socialisation is probably the main critism levelled at homeschooling by it’s opponents. How can children who do not interact daily with others outside of the family learn the social skills necessary for introduction into an adult world? However, with some creativity and a mind for social activity as well as traditional learning, parents can ensure that their home schooled children learn to survive in a social setting just as well as children who attend traditional schools do.
School is definitely a great place for children to meet other children, but this is not the main function of school. Although children may initially meet in school, their relationships develop in the after school activities, such as play, dates, sports practices, or community groups like Scouts. By involving a homeschooled child in these activities, he or she can make friends in the same way as traditionally schooled children, but at the same time avoid much of the negative social interaction that occurs in the school setting on a daily basis.
One of the best and easiest ways to provide social opportunities is to join a local homeschool group. These groups are very popular and located nationwide in most countries. In addition to providing a support network to homeschooling families, these groups sponsor all types of educational field trips and gatherings.They are also a good way for parents to exchange tips and advice on curriculum.
To find a local group in the US try this site and also this one.
Check this site for Australian homeschool support groups
I will be adding a section for finding support groups in other countries,so please check back regularly.
Another wonderful way to provide children with the opportunity to socialize is to make use of the extra-curricular activities offered by your local school district. Schools must allow children who learn at home the option to participate in activities such as band, sports and drama. Contact the school district where you live for further information on the specific extra-curricular programs available.
Allowing homeschooled children to do volunteer work in the community is another excellent socialising opportunity. Of course, this is usually not an option for very young children, but, occasionally organizations such as the Humane Society will let younger children volunteer, if accompanied by a parent.
Consult your phone directory or favourite search engine for many additional non profit organizations, which offer volunteer programmes.
If you run your own business, involve your children! This will allow them to socially interact with your customers or clients and give them a head start in the business world, at the same time.
Also, check your local YMCA or your city’s park and recreation department for their class offerings. These classes often include activities like swimming, dance, cooking and crafts of all kinds.
As you can see, there are many social opportunities for children who are homeschooled. If you take the time to do a bit of research, you may be surprised at what you’ll find. The importance of socialising and integration cannot be overlooked if you want your child to be well balanced and comfortable in society.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Homeschooling ?
Thursday, March 29th, 2007 by HomeschoolerHomeschooling has many critics and is definitely NOT for everyone. Before deciding to homeschool your children you must be aware of the very real disadvantages of homeschooling. Weigh them against the benefits before you decide which is the best choice for YOU and YOUR family.
Disadvantages of Homeschooling
1) Lack of Contact With Other children.
Homeschooling can place children into an environment in which they spend little time with anyone other than their family. This can be very detrimental to the development of social skills, especially in primary or elementary school years. Parents can counteract this by involving their children with community organizations, such as church youth groups, Scouts, sports clubs and so on. However, this takes up more time and money than is often possible for homeschooling parents.
You will however have more control of the social contacts your child does make, but every homeschooling parent needs to be aware of how homeschooling can make your child feel isolated.
2) Drain On The Homeschooling Parents Time
Not only does the homeschooling parent have to actually teach the many subjects to their child, they may have to plan the curriculum, research the subjects, learn them themselves and then plan and prepare the lessons.In addition,they have to ensure the child has a social life.This can leave very little time for the parents to socialise outside the family.
3) Household organization is more difficult
Housework, washimg, ironing and shopping have to be done in any household, but homeschooling creates it’s own mess and clutter. If you are very house proud, you will have to be very organised.
4) Financial Burden of Homeschooling
Homeschooling usually means that the teaching parent will be a full-time educator. This means that the family must live from one income. This is an even bigger problem if you are a single parent. There are costs involved with homeschooling, especially compared with state education which is free. The curriculum can cost up to $500 per child per year, and getting involved in social activities, such as field trips or homeschooling groups also costs money.
These are the main disadvantages of homeschooling which should be considered. Homeschooling is not an easy choice, but if you are not happy with traditional schooling, it can be the perfect solution.The key is to research every aspect, look at the different educational programmes and talk to other homeschoolers.
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Advantages Of Home Schooling
Tuesday, March 20th, 2007 by HomeschoolerHomeschooling can work for every child if the parents are dedicated to the whole concept of teaching through homeschooling, providing a unique education for the child and an amazing experience for the parents. Although worthwhile, homeschooling is not an easy option, but it can provide many benefits to both the child and the parents.
So what are the advantages of homeschooling ?
Social Aspects of Homeschooling
Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that socially there are many benefits to being homeschooled. Not all children develop mentally and physically at the same rate, but in a traditional school all those of the same age are put into the same class. When your child is home schooled, age barriers are more easily overcome and he or she can develop friendships with other children of the same intelligence and maturity level, regardless of age. They can choose the people who they interact with socially based on their common interests and are not forced to interact with classmates whom they have nothing in common with. Peer pressure is usually reduced because there are fewer children pressuring your child to dress a certain way, listen to a certain type of music, or think a certain way.
More time available for academic subjects.
Not being tied to a curriculum set up to cater for the needs of a wide range of abilities, personalities and backgrounds means that the parent-teacher can give the child more time to pursue academic subjects ( or sports, art etc) Because of this, children have more of an opportunity to learn, but this is not the only way in which children who are home schooled are able to achieve more academically. Homeschooling also allows students and their parent-teachers to specifically build a program based on that student’s needs. Each child can work at their own pace for every subject, and so have a better opportunity to fully learn that subject before moving on to the next. Testing and grading are optional in home schooling. Many parents argue that this allows their child to experience working for their own satisfaction as opposed to learning just to obtain a certain grade. Homeschooling also gives children the chance to participate in unique learning excursions such as regular field trips, museum and theatre trips and educational games. Learning can be less of a chore and more fun for home schooled students, which makes this a good option for children who have behavioral problems in traditional school settings.
Increases the family bonds.
Homeschooling creates a bond between children and their families. There is usually less sibling rivalry and more sharing of ideas and help. Homeschooled families are often very closely-knit. Parents can also teach family and religious values during educational lessons which may not be normally instilled into a child during school, especially state schools. This can be very beneficial both when the child is young and as the child enters the tough teen years. Because more time is spent with the family as a whole, homeschooling can be rewarding for everyone on every level.
Increases free time available.
Parents choose the curriculum. They are not forced to make their children finish the sometimes pointless homework that is often sent home just to give the required couple of hours homework. They can also allow their children to learn things that they have a particular interest in but are not usually taught in school. The children can learn during the hours when they are at their most receptive, which may not be traditional school hours!
Home school has become a popular choice, as parents want to ensure their children receive the right education without the dangers they face in the traditional schools. For parents with mentally or physically challenged children, homeschooling gives them the opportunity to be part of their learning experience in a safe and loving environment.
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Should I Homeschool My Children?
Monday, March 19th, 2007 by HomeschoolerThe decision to home school your child can be a very difficult one to make. Will your child receive the same level of education if they are homeschooled? Will they have the same opportunities to socialise and meet other children or will they feel isolated? What about yourselves? Many strong friendships between mothers have been formed at the school gates.
Making the decision to home school is a very personal choice, not to be taken lightly. There are a wide variety of reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children and your reasons and home situation will not be the same as others and so it is a decision only you can make.
However, the aim of this web site is to provide you with plenty of homeschooling information along with the questions you need to be asking yourself so that you can make an informed decision that is right for you and your family.
If you do decide that homeschooling is for you, visit us regularly for homeschooling information, resources and to chat with other homeschoolers.
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