5 Things To Consider When Homeschooling

The decision to homeschool your child can be a difficult but exciting one to make. You may find that the traditional classroom setting and curriculum are not the right fit for your child and you want to explore other options like online schools or in-home teaching programs. If you are debating whether or not to take your child out of their public school or not send them at all, then there are some things to think about before making a final decision. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), there were 3.7 million homeschooled students in the USA during the 2020/2021 school year.

What is homeschooling?

The term homeschooling refers to when a child is taught an educational curriculum outside of a school environment and at home with parents or guardians. There are several different types of homeschooling programs that offer direction on how and what to teach the child. If a parent is considering homeschooling their children, there are certain things to consider before taking the child out of regular school.

Know the laws in your state around homeschooling

It is imperative that parents research the laws in their state around homeschooling so they know what to expect as the child gets older. In some states, children who are homeschooled can’t play high school sports because they are not officially enrolled in high school. In other states, there are rules about homeschooling and admittance into colleges. Parents need to map out what path they want for their children and make sure that homeschooling will allow them the same benefits as traditional schooling.

Curriculum for homeschooling

There are many different types of curricula to choose from, as well as ways of teaching them. The great thing about homeschooling is that the parent and child can create a schedule that works for them and not stick to a rigid set of hours like traditional schools do. Some parents opt for online schools where children are taught in creative ways such as project-based schooling. The best online schools will offer parents and students an educational experience that fits in with their schedules and is well-suited to how the child learns.

Project-based schooling

One of the most effective types of homeschooling is project-based learning, where the focus is on a child-led curriculum based on a project that he or she needs to work on. Project-based learning starts with an open-ended question and from there the child is free to research and experiment the way they see fit to answer that question. Very much like real life, the project opens up avenues to other subjects and skills that the child will need to build on to complete the project. This type of approach is based on experiential learning rather than studying textbooks and reading books on the subject. The student is able to experience the project for themselves and delve deep into answering the main question.

Benefits of project-based learning

Project-based learning uses the students existing skills to start the project and then builds on those skills as the project progresses. If the student is at a certain level of research skills or writing skills, this type of learning program will work at that level. As the project continues, the student will expand their knowledge in different areas and develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. When children are immersed in this type of learning environment that builds on their existing skills, they are more likely to embrace the learning process and learn how to learn more effectively.

Other benefits of this type of program include:

• This type of learning works for all ages and learning styles of students
• It helps build confidence and promotes independent learning and thinking
• Students will learn how to overcome obstacles and problem-solve real-world problems
• Improves cognitive abilities like memory
• Students become active learners rather than listening to a teacher speak
• Projects explore concepts across all subjects so students are learning more than one discipline at a time.
• Teaches collaboration and teamwork
• Relies on creativity and independent thinking
• Improves skills in areas of research and analysis

There are many other benefits to this type of learning including encouraging students to pursue interests that could develop into future occupations and promote skills in technology, design, art, literature, science & more.

When you are deciding whether to keep your child at home for educational purposes, do some research into what it entails. There are some great online schools that will work with your child’s skills and interests and turn them into learning opportunities that actually excite them. Find out about the homeschooling organizations and laws in your state for a better understanding of this unique approach to education.

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