What Is Your Opinion Of Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is not a thing in my country, it is not an option. You either go to school or you don't get an education. With the exception off famous celebrity kids and maybe things like that, they get several private teachers, but that is incredibly expensive. It's nothing like traditional homeschooling were The parents do the teaching. I am not sure how effective that is.

 

I've never favored homeschooling.

While I must admit public schools no longer are the best place to send kids to the alternatives home schooling or private schools don't provide the kids with important life lessons which they'll find useful when they are grown up. The alternatives might guarantee them success but . . .

Apart from that, I've heard that homeschooling can be expensive especially for those taking a stab at it for the first time.

 

You'll get a lot of responses against homeschooling and unfortunately, those people have never really looked into it. A LOT of misinformation and bias. Good for you for doing what you feel is right and best.. I agree with you completely that it is. I too homeschool my children (although one graduated early) and it's the best decision I've ever made. I could go on all day lol, but just thought I'd jump in with a positive note before you drown in nays lol.

 

If done properly homeschooling can work. I've met plenty of intelligent adults who were homeschooled for various reasons.

That said, I typically don't favour homeschooling because it puts the kids at risk of not becoming properly socialized. A few years ago I worked at a mailing centre - fun times - and an entire family of homeschooled teens and young adults worked there too. They were perfectly nice people, but the three kids (and when I say 'kids' I mean they ranged from sixteen to twenty-one) did not know how to talk to people outside their family. Either you talked about Star Wars or you got nothing from them. Sitting down at the lunch table with them was an awkward, strange, strained experience every time.

I know this isn't a universal issue with homeschooled kids, but depriving them of classrooms full of their peers seems a good way to thoroughly isolate a growing mind. If you're going to homeschool your kids, make sure they have plenty of opportunities to socialize.

 

Yes, obviously you shouldn't keep your kids from people (not just their peers.. they need to know how to get along with, work with and communicate with ALL ages). Generally, homeschooling gives the child MORE opportunity to socialize and experience the real world. Far more than they'll ever be allowed in a school environment.

I know many awkward adults. Many bully types. Many not so educated (to put it mildly), many depressed, antisocial, aggressive, shy, manipulative etc etc etc people. They all went to school. There's also the fact that those who have been kept from the school system don't always easily relate to many who are in it. Less in common, put less importance in the things those in school find awesome etc, so there's a chance the "awkwardness" is actually that. Or it could just be human nature.. some people are just shy or take quite a while to warm up. I'm one of them and I went to school

 

I knew a few people that went homeschooling but I never really noticed or asked if it was better than the traditional schools because after high school they were able to get accepted to regular universities. I know some regular schools do offer home schooling and it's a bit more expensive than regular schooling so I think over here it's not practical.

 

I am not for homeschooling. Presently, the bad traffic situation in Metro Manila roads would favor home schooling to save all of us the ordeal of experiencing the heavy traffic.But home schooling lacks that element of bonding with the classmates. Socializing is one aspect that helps a child grow mentally and emotionally. So for me, the traditional school is much better, taking the school bus, lining up to the classroom and doing the learning together with other children.

 

I have mixed feelings about homeschooling, probably because I’ve seen mixed results. But that’s true of any method, really. I would say that if done properly (i.e. giving the kids ample opportunity to socialize, as previously mentioned) it’s a valid option. It’s just that you can’t always trust parents to do it properly. I’ve known a few who simply used it as a way to shelter their kids from the big, bad world, and I’m not for that at all.

Location also plays a part. I wouldn’t do it at all if I had a family living in a remote location. Too isolated. But in a place with plenty of options for socializing and expanding one’s mind, I think it could work out much better.

 

I'm not really for home schooling, as I feel it's crucial for growing kids to interact with children of their own age from different backgrounds. I strongly feel that this contributes positively to their development. Admittedly, I don't know much about home schooling because it's not the done thing here. My worry also is about the quality of teaching these children get at home. I'm guessing not all parents who do it are adequately equipped to impart knowledge across all the subjects in the curriculum. So my questions would be are they vetted or can just about anybody decide they want to home school their children? Do these children get the quality of education they deserve etc

 

I know, and that's fine. As long as you make sure they do have plenty of chances to interact with other kids of their age. The example I cited above was a fairly insular family, and I've heard other such horror stories of homeschooled kids growing up with various social impairments. One of them eventually got married, and has broken away from the family a bit, but as far as I know the other two are still pretty much stuck with their dad.

Felicia Day, an extremely popular online and offline actor, was homeschooled. Aside from being a weird (but entertaining) person, she seems perfectly intelligent.

 

You're welcome. I wish people would listen to what they're actually saying lol. You've done a wonderful thing for your children

To everyone else; schools let children fall through the cracks far more than homeschooling and stats are proving they do better in the short and long term as well. Both options have the potential to hurt a child in some way, but I could close my eyes and point to find someone who was let down by the school system or has a horror story of some sort. Remember, school is a new thing. Maybe not to us, but humans are natural learners. It's what we do. You seriously underestimate us when you say school is the only way to learn. You underestimate yourselves (unless you stopped learning the moment you stepped off school property). We wouldn't be here today if we weren't learners. Never would have evolved. We adapt and we grow and we learn what we need when we need it. Think about what school really is.

As for the quality. Parents who aren't "hiding their children" will get the job done whether they can teach everything or not. If there is something they are unsure of or even horrible at, there are many ways the child can still learn it. Because knowledge isn't locked up in a classroom. There are other people out in the world while school is in session. There are libraries and tutors and computers and a whole working planet while those children sit quietly at their seats learning the same thing for weeks at a time lol. Oh.. and socializing

 

I'm not in favor of homeschooling to be honest. I think it's best for the kids to be around kids their age, it keeps them well rounded and 'normal'. I'm not saying home-schooled kids aren't normal but there's already that preconceived negative idea about homeschooling. So i don't know, i don't have kids yet but when i have my own i will definitely send them to regular school.

 

I'd never heard of homeschooling before I moved to Texas. My first encounter with it was when I needed subjects to administer tests to, while in graduate school. A coworker had a friend who homeschooled her children, and put us in touch. They were very well mannered, polite, helpful, and intelligent. I've worked since that time with children and adolescents who've been homeschooled and who have attended public and private schools. I can understand the desire to homeschool, and if I had children, I would probably do that myself.

My one concern is making sure that the parents or others doing the homeschooling are qualified. By that, I don't mean they need to have teaching licenses/certifications, which don't always equate with excellence. What I mean is it's important that the ones imparting the skills and education have good skills and exposure themselves, so they can provide a quality education to those they're teaching. As far as socialization, there are requirements in place, and homeschooling families here have networks where they get together and participate in joint projects and field trips.

A good example of a successful homeschooler, in my opinion is Ree Drummond. Here's an article she wrote about why she homeschools:

Log In

 

Homeschooling has advanced quite a bit since when I was in the school age years. I have a friend who home schools her kids and they send her free computers and everything to use as educational tools. You just have to send the supplies back at the end of the year. The only downfall is that kids don't get to interact with other kids, so you have to make sure they get out among other kids and do activities.

 

I think it's a much better option than sending kids to a cheap school, in my opinion. No offense to anyone who went to a cheap school, as I myself went to one as well, and even if my experience there wasn't all that bad and the people were at least still decent and nice, I feel like I could probably have gotten so much more out of my years in education had I gotten a more focused way of learning. The only thing I'd worry about is the social aspect of it but I think it's a fair trade regardless of which one you choose.

 

Homeschooling is not really an option here in our country. You either go to a private or public school. I don't have any idea how homeschooling works or what are the benefits from it. Reading this thread has opened my eyes about the wonders of homeschooling. I think it also is a great way for a parent and child to bond. It strengthens the connection of both. I wish homeschooling is available here as I'd want to take the opportunity to teach my son someday.

 

In the US it seems to be a popular choice, but in the days when parents had little education or books they couldn't so schools have a place for people that don't have that choice.

I would also question how qualified are you to teach your children? If you have been a teacher or have several degrees yes, but many people aren't good teachers, so are you doing the best for your child? I also think children learn to more independent away from the home, and to have other teachers recognize skills in them is something that you deny them when you homeschool them.