Are you considering switching your child from public school to homeschool? Homeschooling, once seen as unconventional, has come into the spotlight as more parents choose to take charge of their children’s education. From higher-quality lessons to one-on-one attention, homeschooling has many benefits for children. In this article, we’ll explore the rise of homeschooling and the reasons to homeschool your child.
The Rise of Homeschooling
The homeschooling population has increased to 3.1 million students in the 2021-2022 school year from 2.5 million in 2019. You will likely hear more about this education method as more families adopt it. Homeschooling is parent-directed education that allows students to learn from the comfort of their homes. By choosing to homeschool their children, parents can design their curriculum, customize the schedule to fit their family’s needs and teach their children from anywhere.
Some parents hire a homeschool tutor or join a co-op with other homeschoolers — ultimately, it’s up to you.
Why Parents and Guardians Choose Homeschooling
Homeschooling has evolved, and parents may choose to homeschool their kids for several reasons.
- Special educational needs: A child with a learning difficulty or physical disability may struggle to thrive in a traditional classroom setting. Schools often have limited time and resources to dedicate to learners with special education needs, so it can be challenging for them to get the specialized instruction they need. Homeschooling allows parents to create a specialized curriculum for their children. In many cases, homeschooled children can still access public school services such as therapy and remedial classes — giving learners the best of both worlds.
- Mental health: Learners with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia are sometimes misunderstood in schools. By choosing homeschooling, kids can benefit from learning in a compassionate, judgment-free environment designed around their requirements. Parents are often better equipped than teachers to give their children the support they need to succeed.
- Lifestyle choices: Your family’s lifestyle, religion and work commitments may also suit homeschooling better. Homeschooling can provide the flexibility and consistency learners need, even if you move frequently or your child plays sports.
- Higher education quality: Some parents are dissatisfied with the quality of education their children receive in traditional schools. Homeschooling gives you more control over what your child learns. You can also take a more personalized approach and provide one-on-one instruction that children don’t get in a classroom. You can supplement your child’s learning with additional lessons and spend as little or as much time on specific subjects as needed.
The Benefits of Switching to Homeschooling
Homeschooling offers families and students many advantages, which explains its popularity.
- Flexibility: As a homeschooling parent, you get to create the ideal educational environment for your child at home. You can customize the curriculum and daily schedule to suit your child and family’s needs. You can take an extended family trip in the middle of the year and carry on with classes on the road.
- Customizable: When students homeschool, they can learn at their preferred pace. You may move quickly through some subjects and take it slower during more challenging lessons.
- Learning outside the classroom: When you homeschool, you can take lessons outdoors, travel and go on field trips. Homeschooling parents have more flexibility and fewer budget and transportation constraints than larger classes may have. Once you start thinking like a teacher, everyday outings can become lessons.
- Individualized education: When homeschooling, you can vary the teaching style and learning material based on your child’s interests and strengths. For example, if your child enjoys astronomy, you can spend more time learning about space in class.
Freedom to Customize Curriculum in Homeschooling
When you homeschool, you can purchase a predesigned curriculum for your child or design one from scratch. Many parents who are new to homeschooling prefer complete packages with texts, media, assignments and other educational materials. More knowledgeable educators can select the materials, identify resources and create projects to create a unique learning experience for their child.
When you customize your curriculum, you have the freedom and flexibility to create hands-on assignments that relate to current world events. If your child shows a particular interest in an area, you can focus on that.
A customized curriculum may prove more challenging as your child grows older, especially in subjects in which you lack expertise. Some parents may find relying on a formal curriculum more beneficial as their child grows older.
When you create a curriculum, you’ll need to stay organized. At the start of the year, make a syllabus with the courses, assignments and resources you’d like to apply. You don’t have to use all the materials, but it will help to have support for your lessons during the year.
Improving Family Bonds — An Overlooked Advantage of Homeschooling
Homeschooling can significantly impact family relationships. Your family can make memories and spend quality time together when your child learns from home. Homeschooling is a catalyst to strengthen and improve the family dynamic.
- Increased quality time: The whole family can get involved with your child’s education, allowing for more shared experiences and discussions. When your child receives one-on-one lessons, you may find they take less of your precious time. Instead of spending extra hours on classwork, you can enjoy bonding as a family.
- Imparts values and beliefs: In a traditional school, your child will be around teachers and students with a variety of viewpoints. While this can be valuable, some parents may prefer to instill specific beliefs in their kids. Homeschooling allows you to pass on your traditions and values through the material you teach them.
- Improves emotional support: Some schools struggle with staffing, resulting in large classes. In this environment, kids receive less support and individualized attention, which can be frustrating. Homeschooling provides a supportive environment for your child to express themselves. Being intimately involved in your child’s education allows you to immediately address any issues that arise, helping your child feel validated.
- Removes peer pressure: Peers can significantly influence your child’s behavior. Homeschooling takes the pressure off your child’s need to fit in. A more relaxed learning environment can contribute to a better atmosphere at home and reduce unnecessary conflict.
Start Homeschooling With Power Homeschool
Homeschooling lets parents create a customized curriculum for their children. You control the materials, assignments and resources you use in lessons. If your child needs individualized attention, you can give them the encouragement they need to thrive. Homeschooling strengthens your family bond because the whole family can get involved in learning.
At Power Homeschool, we support homeschooling parents by giving them access to hundreds of engaging courses. You can customize your child’s curriculum by choosing up to seven classes at a time. Your child can work through the courses at their ideal pace under your supervision. Begin your homeschooling journey by reaching out to us today for more information and support.
