Enriching Education: 6 Advantages of Homeschooling

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As parents, it is in our nature to worry about our little ones - from the food that they eat to how well they are doing in school. But given the pandemic, it is natural to be apprehensive about sending your little ones to school. If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us is that nearly everything can be accomplished at home. This includes children’s education. Whether you’re a first-time parent about to send their little one to school or reconsidering your child’s academic setup, here are 6 advantages of homeschooling. 

1. Homeschooling can be tailored to fit your child’s abilities

Perhaps homeschooling’s biggest advantage is the academic freedom it provides. Being homeschooled means you, as a parent, have control over their curriculum - what they are studying as well as its pacing. This setup makes it ideal for gifted children, those with special needs, and even those with ADD/ADHD. For instance, if your child shows potential in other areas such as robotics or programming, you could enroll them in online courses for kids or if they fancy doing arts, you could help them with pottery or painting lessons as well. Remember, you don’t just have to stick to the prescribed curriculum! You can tweak it to address your child’s needs.

2. It instills the notion that learning is fun

Homeschooling means you get to decide on how classes are scheduled and done. It doesn’t have to mimic the setup of an actual school complete with a board and desks. A lesson in the park anyone? In doing this, your children are likely to be more receptive to their lessons because it encourages a sort of open learning - one that piques their interest. It reinforces the notion that learning is fun and going to school is something they should look forward to instead of one they should dread. Being in charge of their curriculum also means you don’t have to stick to traditional lessons! You could also make time for their hobbies, sports, and talents.  

3. Flexibility in schedule trumps traditional school calendars

Unlike in a regular school where children have to follow a fixed schedule, homeschooling is pretty flexible seeing as you’re not bound by traditional school days. This means more free time on your children’s part and more time to bond as a family! Your kids won’t be as stressed because it is easy to schedule family vacations that wouldn’t normally be possible in a regular school setup. They can also have a proper bathroom and snack breaks where they can go about their business or eat properly without the fear of getting caught by the late bell. Talk about convenience!

4. It’s beneficial for their mental health

You’ve probably experienced burnout one way or another but the same can be said of your children too! Burnout happens when your kids or teens have jam-packed schedules and don’t have enough time to rest, which is a common occurrence in a regular school. As a result, their mental health could suffer. However, in a homeschooling setup, burnout is less likely to occur given how their learning materials are designed for their specific capabilities. This also means less standardized testing, which is another source of stress for students. In addition, being homeschooled means your children are less likely to cram any homework that’s due tomorrow.  It also means less stress on your part.  

5. Allows a more hands-on approach

Homeschooling has a more intimate setup than regular schools. This means you would teach your child one-on-one, which means they’d be able to understand the lesson better. Also, homeschool means not just being there for your child only when they need help with their homework. Since you’re teaching the material, you could explain it to your child better. It provides an enriching education because you as a parent are more involved in your child’s education. Ever experienced disagreeing with what was taught to your child? Well, now you could personally vet if your child’s learning materials are adequate for his or her academic development. 

6. Enables you to have a hand in their moral or religious development

If your family practices a particular religion, this is a good time to introduce it to your child. If you want to instill morals, now’s the perfect time to do it as well. While regular schools teach good manners, you can’t always make sure they are enforcing it. With homeschooling, you can make sure your child is aware of good morals and right conduct. It is also a great time to broach uncomfortable topics such as sex education. You could also use this opportunity to warn them about the more harsh realities of life and a secure and controlled environment. This would help them avoid peer pressure and they are less likely to be influenced to try drugs or steal. 

In short, homeschooling grants your child the chance to learn in a manner that engages and benefits them. It enables you to address any specific learning needs your child may have that won’t be as understood or empathized within a regular school setup. The flexibility it brings will not only ensure they not only have time for their academics but their hobbies and passions as well. It results in a school-life balance, which avoids them from getting burned out and also allows you to become closer as a family.