7 May 2009
Reasons to homeschool
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Education; Values .
Homeschool isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there are so many good reasons to educate your child at home. I recently came across a site that carried a post titled, 100 Reasons to Homeschool. What started as a list back in 2007/08 continues to grow.
What’s interesting for me was discovering that a lot of reasons to homeschool went beyond academic achievements, keeping up with the Joneses. I can relate to that. Now there’s the other component that’s often missed – the development of values and character in one’s child, the joy of being there to see him learn, and simply enjoying a child’s growing up years. Sure, every parent wants their children to succeed academically, but academic success alone does not a complete person make.
It was Roosevelt who said, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” Values and character development may be taught, but mostly they are caught. Homeschool provides a safe place for parents to model values and intentionally make this the center of our education enterprise.
Back to the list. Here are some reasons that struck a chord with me. I’m using the numbering as they originally appear on the post:
1. You do not have to live up to the expectations of others.
4. Plenty of time to follow their passions.
6. I can be my kid’s biggest influence, not peers or teachers that may have different values than our family.
7. Homeschooled children are able to think, explore and discuss topics in ways not possible in a classroom setting.
10. Break up the day any way you desire and make it fit the attention soan of your child.
12. If you have a little boy who needs to jump up and down on a couch while he is doing math, he can do so.
13. Far fewer worldly/negative influences penetrate your children at an early age when homeschooling.
14. Avoid your child being given educational labels.
15. Your child’s achievements, advancements or academic pursuits need not be limited by age or grade.
30. We don’t have to wake up super early to be somewhere by a certain time everyday!
31. You can teach to each child’s learning style, thereby encouraging their strengths and improving their weaknesses.
33. You teach them how to learn and how to study, not just how to get through the next test. And, unlike the ps (public school) which teach this in a one-semester course called “Study Skills”, you teach it all year round…..giving them lots of practice.
34. Field trips, field trips, and MORE FIELD TRIPS!!
35. Real world experience, going to the grocery stores and bank constitute a math lesson, gazing at stars on a beautiful summer night and seeing bats inhabit our bat house is science. The list is endless!
50. The best for me… seeing the proverbial Light Bulb going off while teaching long division for a week in a row and my ds (dear son) saying Oh I get it now….and knowing I did that…I gave him that lightbulb moment.
104. Having children that are proud of who they are, and are comfortable in their own skin, so are true to themselves as a person.
106. They learn early on that only they are responsible for their education, actions, behaviour, and reactions. It’s up to them to choose the path they wish to follow, but they know that they have a hand to hold if they need it and a willing ear and heart for support and listening. They know they are never alone in any of the journeys.
Go ahead and check out the list here at the BabyCenter Community. And read the comments too (although the latest ones have veered into other issues). If you have more reasons to homeschool, you can add your own here.
ShareThis
3 Comments so far...
Luke Holzmann Says:
7 May 2009 at 10:10 pm.
Good stuff [smile].
“To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” I like that.
~Luke
cecelia Says:
29 June 2009 at 12:15 am.
I totally agreed with all reasons to put my son in home school. But not all people / parent suitable to put your kids in it. 1st, one of the parent must educated and stay at home to teach and be patient enough to teach. 2nd, communication between teachers and parents must always interact with each others.
Spending time with your kid is a must, can’t leave home school teacher to handle all problems and get them blame.
If parents both are working and have limited time, i suggest private school is more suitable.
DAVID BC TAN Says:
29 June 2009 at 11:48 pm.
if you want to homeschool, it means educating your child at home yourself. it’s going to be a tough balancing act if neither parent – mom or dad – is at home. i do know a couple of homeschooling families where both parents work away from home, but they get by with the help of a visiting tutor.