Ch. 1: Why Should I Home School My Child?

Some 26% of parents in each of the American states consider home schooling for their children over normal public school classes. This is because of the benefits both the parents and the children get. There are four important reasons why parents opt for home studying for their children: a) social reasons b) academic reasons c) family reasons d) religious reasons.

Important Aspects of Home Schooling

Some 26% of parents in each of the American states consider home schooling for their children over normal public school classes. This is because of the benefits both the parents and the children get. Home schooling gives them the chance to interact on a personal level as no other system currently available.

There are four important reasons why parents opt for home studying for their children:
a) social reasons
b) academic reasons
c) family reasons
d) religious reasons.

Social Reasons

By joining the home school community, parents feel that their children are more comfortable in dealing with different kinds of people. They feel that their kids have a lesser tendency of becoming dependent with their peers. By introducing the kids to church and community programs, these home-schooled kids do not feel self conscious and have the opportunity to meet all types of kids and adults.

In the catalogue, Growing Without Schooling, publisher Pat Farenga wrote: “Group experiences are a big part of education, and home schoolers have plenty of them. They write to us about how they form or join writing clubs, book discussion groups and local home-schooling groups. Home schoolers also take part in school sports teams and music groups (in nearby public schools), as well as in the many public and private group activities our communities provide. These young people can and do experience other people and cultures without going to school.”

The home-school setting redirects the child’s attention from alcohol, premarital sex, drugs, violence and gangs that could destroy his future. And, since home schooled children are free from peer pressure, they are more likely to have more friends from church and community activities. Some communities create a special group for home-schooled children where field trips, social recreations and team building games are organized. This builds respect and opens channels for communication.

Academic Reasons
Some parents believe that the less students are handled by the teacher, the more focus provided each of the students. They thought that the personal tutoring of teachers is the most fruitful way of helping the kids learn successfully.

The most famous home-schooled personalities of all time are:
Thomas Edison
Charles Dickens
Winston Churchill
Agatha Christie
Florence Nightingale
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Brothers
Benjamin Franklin

One parent got more of his children’s academic training in home schooling through the process of exchanging skills with other home schooled children. Being an English degree holder, he teaches three of his colleague’s sons, while his colleague teaches his kids math.

Although home schooling is, as derived from its own name “home,” this special education also developed into a more organized and planned instrument of teaching.

One example is the High Plains Christian Home Educators that was established in Colorado Springs. This group has its own administrator who sees to it that all 200 of their home-schooled children are given enough classes. Unlike a normal school setting, home based studying allows each of the subject areas to be taught separately making the approach cross disciplined.

Each of the students is given their own set of action plans so they can have the freedom to continue their passion. Quality time is provided for each so that more focus can be attributed to their learning success.

Family Reasons
Parents of home-schooled children feel their presence impacts their kids positively. Family relationship is strengthened and ties are intact. A child’s self esteem is boosted because of the parents’ full support. Based on the American League of Research Studies, kids that are home schooled are more loving and confident.

Religious Reasons Schools in the US have kept away from any religious and political issues for fear of influence from the two; this is because many organized civil liberties even brought the issue of religious illegality into the courts.

For that same reason, parents find teaching their children at home a worry free place for spiritual and religious growth. Religion can be inculcated as much as the parents would want to bring the whole belief system to their kids in home schooling and they believe that impact can greatly affect the spirituality of their developing children.

Ch. 2: Home School Approval: Doing Home Schooling the Right Way