Do you think homeschooling is a good idea?

Answer 1

Obviously, I do. Our primary reason for homeschooling is to give our boys a better education than the public/private school system. The individualized attention I can give will ALWAYS beat a classroom full of 15-30 (or more) students. My boys have both excelled on standardized tests (this is typical of homeschoolers, as peer-reviewed studies have shown), which is proof enough for me that homeschooling works.

As for socialization, one of the responders mentioned that the homeschoolers they have seen (how many?) have had "terrible socialization problems". Well, news reports are full of public schoolers who have "terrible socialization problems", as well (anyone remember Columbine?). Has anyone heard any news reports of homeschoolers killing anyone? I know probably 100 homeschooled kids and the vast majority are outgoing (some people are naturally shy) and very respectful. My idea of socialization is that my kids can interact with a variety of different people of differing ages, races, cultures, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. Because this is my 'socialization focus', I tend to take them places where they will be challenged to interact with these types of people.

Homeschooling is whatever the parent and child make it. If the parent doesn't allow the child to develop relationships outside the 'schoolroom', then they will have difficulty adjusting to the 'real world'. Even within the public/private schools, there are parents who limit when and with whom their children can socialize. But, I believe, BECAUSE socialization is such a hot topic when discussing homeschooling, most HS parents do everything they can to ensure their kids get adequate socialization.

Answer 2

I homeschool all four of my kids and I was offended by the opinion that kids that are homeschooled are not socialized. My kids have many friends and enjoy numerous activities outside the home. Yes, my kids are more apt to ask questions and such, but they know the proper way to do so, when it comes to adult comversations. I always hear socialization, being someones reason for not thinking homeschool is a good idea. I believe that homeschooled kids are more apt to choose their friends wisely and not just go with the flow, like is done in regular school so often. My kids are not looking for the most popular, prettiest, or anything of that sort, they are looking at the person and making the choice to be a friend and hope that the person feels the same. That is not poor social skills, that is a child making a choice, not based on clothes, who hangs out with who or anything like that. I would never think of putting my babies back in school. We enjoy our time together and they cant wait to start school each day. It is the way you approach homeschooling. You have to turn your home into a classroom. Let there always be learning and them not even realize it, it works believe me.

Answer 3

I think that homeschooling is good for some families. I do find it very silly to use the argument that homeschooled children are not socially adept. Public schools are not set up for socializing or teaching social skills. I read an article in the New York Times that was talking about the new gilded age where the wealthy are hiring private tutors to teach the children at home. I think that the word Homeschooling is too vague...there are so many ways to teach your children it all depends on the efforts that are put into to it. So, that was on long way of saying "yes" for some, I think that it is a good idea,

Answer 4

I think it depends on the situation, as someone else said. There are some parents who probably should not be homeschooling, there are probably some kids who would do better in school. But there are a lot of happy families out there who are doing well.

It would be wrong to assume that children are rude because of homeschooling. If they're rude, it's because they were not taught otherwise, not because they were homeschooled.

I know some rude homeschooling kids. I've also known a number of rude public schooled kids since I used to teach in school and also just come across them when we're out. One big difference I find with homeschooled kids here where I live, which could be different from other places, is that homeschooled kids tend to interact much more with kids of other ages especially if they've homeschooled for a long time. They just don't really care what grade other kids are in, how old they are and all that. Not like in school where the social atmosphere among the kids is one completely focused on what grade you are in.

Are some homeschooled kids behind academically? Yes. Are there public schooled kids who are behind academically? Yes. I'd be willing to be that most of the homeschooled kids who are behind academically either have parents who lean towards unschooling or are kids who would simply be behind academically. I'll add another possibility there: they're just letting their kids go at a slower pace than would be in school but knowing it will all work out in the end. I am meeting a growing number of parents who have pulled their children out of school because things were not going well academically and they wanted to give their children one-on-one time or they just know their child and know he or she needs more time. It would be unfair to say that those children's academic lags were because they homeschool.

Answer 5

It's a great idea, and it's proven to work.

It's also probably saving America right now since even the "best" public schools are in serious decline.

Mightymight's claims are nonsense. I suspect she sees the faults in homeschoolers while ignoring faults in traditional schoolers. People don't like change and they're jealous of innovation.

Homeschooling is innovative. It's a "disruptive technology"...and like the people who defended the use of gaslights instead of electric ones, or said we'd never find a use for desktop computers, the opponents are doomed to obselescence.

Answer 6

I think is really depends on the family and kids so you can't give a black or white answer of "yes" or "no". There are too many factors to consider. Can the parents be effective teachers? Knowing facts and how to do something is very different than being able to effectively teach the subject. The parents will have to make sure their kids get the socialization with peers of the same age they need. They'll potentially miss out on graduations, dances, and other school based social events. I'm sure the one on one teaching they receive will be very beneficial as many home schooled kids tend to move ahead of their regular schooled peers academically. Finally, parents can design the curriculum to meet their political/religious beliefs, especially if they conflict with public/private schools.

Answer 7

I think it's a good idea for some kids. I know a family who had 4 kids and they all were home schooled. They turned out to be very well rounded people and are doing great in life. A decision to home school children should be decided as a family and all research should be done to ensure that the decision they make will not be regretted for later on.

Answer 8

i've got been homestead schooled on account that... oh, 0.33 grade or so, i visit be a sophomore interior the autumn, and that i like it. it ought to no longer be good for each individual, the quantity of social interplay can severely shrink, and it relies upon lots on your mom and dad, even with the undeniable fact that it provides lots extra freedom, the two over what you learn and at what p.c.., this is lots swifter (no waiting for individuals to get their books out, no being shuttled between training, and so on.), this is safer (no annoying approximately weapons, drugs, and so on.) and this is merely undeniable relaxing ^.^ As for no count if faculties will settle for you, i've got faith maximum will. There may well be some that don't, yet all of those i've got heard of merely make you're taking placement checks to verify you're as clever as you would be, and various faculties motivate homeschoolers to come back there. additionally, this is rather in all probability which you would be waiting to circulate to varsity quicker; i'm taking some training at my community college to supplement what i'm doing at homestead, and those training count variety the two in the direction of extreme college and faculty credit, and, if I shop up my modern-day p.c.., i've got faith i ought to circulate to and graduate from a 4-year college 3 years early. i'm hoping all this facilitates, and that i'm hoping you establish to do it!

Answer 9

No, I don't think it's a good idea. The children that I've seen that have been home schooled have terrible socialization problems. They can't seem to relate to children of their own ages. Many times, they will try to interupt adult conversations, because they haven't been taught basic manners and social skills. And, from what I've seen, scholastically, they aren't that far ahead of children in the school settings. It's just a bad idea.

Answer 10

education is comprised of more than just the books and lessons. It allows a person a chance to grow outside the confines of the home environment. We must and should begin our lessons at home. As humans grow, however there must be new challenges introduced to inspire curiosity and achievement.
These are generalizations. Some people do wonderfully with home schooling. Most humans, however, need a little push to fly out of the nest and try their wings. Outside schooling helps.