Home schooled?

Question

What are your veiws on people home schooling their children? Good idea? Bad idea? And why?

Answer 1

It depends on a great deal. For me, it was awesome. For some of my friends, it has been just so-so. However, I would say that in most cases it is not a bad idea--my friends who are homeschooled (and there are a lot of them) are rarely worse-off than my friends who are public schooled. The biggest area they tend to have deficits in is social relations. Academically, they are often stronger than their public schooled counterparts.

Now for my experience. My parents decided to homeschool me and all six of my younger siblings, not that there were six of them when I began school. My mom did most of the teaching until I got to seventh grade--I mean, sure we did co-ops and stuff like that, but the majority of my classes were with her. By that time I was about a year ahead in math and had gotten some other intangibles. At that point, she began putting me into other types of classes--online classes, video classes, and things like that. By eighth grade she wasn't teaching me very much at all--only here and there when I needed help. If I didn't have another teacher, I would simply be studying on my own. This allowed me to go at my own pace--a good thing in my case, because I had a voracious appetite for knowledge. I was into college level literature by ninth grade, calculus by tenth grade, and done with more than I needed for high school by the end of eleventh grade. To prove my accomplishments we had a transcript, yearly records, and SAT scores. I decided I wanted to attend SUNY Albany (I live close enough to commute) and they let me in practically on the merit of the SAT scores.

Now, for the social aspects of my experience. I never lacked for friends, and in fact it seemed that I had more real contact with my homeschooled friends than many of my public schooled friends had with their fellow students. Because of homeschooling, I had a flexible schedule, and therefore could take time off if I finished the required work. (Great for getting ski days when you couldn't otherwise). Beyond that, as I got into high school I became highly involved with other social groups. My church's youth group and worship team, the tech team, local sports teams (I have both played and been an assistant coach), and my own band (we're still going strong). I traveled out of the country without my parents for a month. Overall, I had a pretty strong social experience. In fact, my extreme social involvement was one of the primary factors that kept me in the area for college. I have social activities at least five days a week outside of those I have at school.

Would I have done well at public school? Probably--I'm doing great at college. Am I glad I was homeschooled? Absolutely--it was one of the best things that happened to me. Having had the opportunity to work at my own pace, one of the things that bothers me most about college, is how long I have to just sit there and wait for the teacher to finish explaining something to everyone else--it can be quite frustrating at times.

Factoring into your personal decision should be the personality of both your child and yourself (although this can work with many types of personalities--reference my six siblings), the local support groups available, your commitment to finishing the job once it's started, and other things specific to your case.

Would I recommend homeschooling? Absolutely.

Answer 2

My girls have been to public school and now have been homeschooled for several years. The upside of homeschooling is that I can choose curriculum to fit the specific needs of my individual children. We get to have a lot of great experiences going to musicals, museums, the ballet, whatever we want. We have a class day with other homeschoolers, so we also get together with friends and learn from the expertise of other parents. Since we homeschool through a charter, we also get money for things like piano lessons and gymnastics.

The downside as I see it is that parents who are kind of lazy can let a lot of things slide with their kids. Surprisingly though, even these kids for the most part seem able to quickly catch up at a community college and often seem advanced in social areas. There are those families who homeschool to isolate their kids from the world, which isn't healthy. Contrary to what some may say, I've met only a very small minority of homeschooled kids who are socially awkward. My guess is that these kids would be so whether in school or homeschooled because the social skills are lacking at home. Most of the homeschooled kids I know are very mature and know how to carry on intelligent conversations confortably with adults.

I don't think homeschooling is for everyone, however. Although I enjoy it, it does take a lot of time and energy to do it well, and some children and parents seem to struggle and fight each other over getting work done. Kids that aren't doing well in a traditional school setting, though, may find that they thrive and excell in homeschooling.

Answer 3

I have different views on people homeschooling their children dependent on who is homeschooling their children and how they are going about it.

Homeschooling is a great idea if a family is relatively stable and the parents are willing to commit themselves and make homeschooling a great experience. Why? Because it can help keep family close. It can help the kids grow up in a normal social situation rather than in a single-aged social situation, which in turn helps the kids know themselves better and be confident in who they are rather than trying to be like everyone else. It helps them do their schooling at their pace and get the attention and help they need. Because academic time for homeschooling takes less time than in schools, kids have more time to be kids and follow their interests, something that is highly beneficial in this fast-paced world of ours where "experts" are saying that kids need to have more free time. There are lots of other reasons why homeschooling is a good idea.

It's a bad idea in a family that isn't willing to do what they need to for their kids. I'm sure I don't need to go into reasons why it's bad in those cases.

Answer 4

If the child is famous where they can get hurt or harrassed in public then its probably a good idea to be homeschooled. However if your not then i don't believe in homeschooling. the kids need to learn how to be in a school environment. if they go to college they will be experiencing so many new things but the school part shouldn't be a problem Homeschool can make the child not be able to know how be around other children.

Answer 5

I was homeschooled from 1st grade and up before I started College. The good is that homeschoolers can be closer to their family then other kids, although they may not have as many friends unless they go to church or have some sort of other activities involving kids their age. Also, homeschoolers are not as inclined to being negatively influenced since they are mostly around their family. For most of my childhood, I never knew swear words and I have never felt the need to smoke or take drugs. It's easier to raise children if they are homeschooled simply because it allows parents to have more control. Homeschoolers also tend to benefit more academically then kids in public schools and in some cases, private schools as well.

Answer 6

"People" homeschooling their children?

In general, I am neutral. I believe that "people" have the right to decide which is the best way to educate their children, for their own reasons. There is no universal better or worse way to educate.

Now, if you are asking because you are wondering if it's a good idea for YOU to homeschool... tell me your perspective on what an education is for, your perspecitve on what it means to be a happy person and what your belief is in the responsibility of a citizen, and that will give a good clue as to which of the *many* educational options available would be a good fit for you.

This question has been answered many times before. I've included some recent answers to Yahoo questions.

Answer 7

I was home schooled. It's ok, but you have to let your kids have some friends. I was isolated from friends when I was young and being home schooled and it made me a shy person for a long time. Now I have kids of my own, and have not yet decided which route I'm going with their schooling. I am considering home schooling (when they're old enough) due to the high level of school violence lately. I guess you have to weigh it out. And above all, if you personally are going to do the teaching, make CERTAIN you dedicate yourself entirely to that position. My mother would frequently leave me and my sibolings to fend for ourselves and rarely help us or grade our work. It's surprising at how successful I am today with those things considered. I wish she had been much more dedicated.

Answer 8

The pros and cons. Pros: The child will advance faster and absorb more then a public school setting, the child will be able to foucus with out the noise of the class and have your sole attention. Cons, your child will not have much social interaction but if you arrange seperate outside activities thta should be no problem....... I am 15 and in 11 grade, i know 3 foreign launguages and i am taking math at UNC campus, i have been speaking russian scence i was 4 and spanish sence 10...American sign language sence 12...i cant spell to save my life but thats just a personal flaw....so..ha.....I am homeschooled! doent take advice from outside oppinions

Answer 9

I was homeschooled for a few years (a loong time ago), and I think it does have it's definate ups and downs. I think it is a positive thing, on one hand, because it teaches the student to discipline themselves - if they are taught correctly. On the other hand, the student may not have as wide a variety of friends, interactions, etc. But there are schools that will allow a homeschooled student to take part in the music, sports, and art programs. All in all, I look at my experience being homeschooled as a positive one.

Answer 10

It's a great idea. I am one of five kids and we are all homeschooled. If people can do it, they should, because the public school education system is going down the tubes. If not homeschooling, private schooling.

Even if someone uses a lot of public school used books, homeschooling can still help kids in their education because they are able to learn life skills as well as academic skills.

Answer 11

I think it is a very good idea because the kids get so much more one-on-one attention then when they are in school. The teacher can pay more attention to the kid and not just pass over their mistakes, but fully explain the problem to the kid. I am homeschooled and I love it!