What are the benefits of homeschooling?

Answer 1

One big benefit is that your kids are not in school with drug users and thugs. Also - you can teach them at their own pace - and in the best way for them (visual vs. audible - etc.) You can make sure they are being taught the things which are most important for them to get into college and work towards the career of their choice. You are not stuck in the school hours/schedule - and can vacation or take time off when it is convenient for you. Most importantly - your child receive one on one teaching (or close to it - depending on how many kids are in your home being taught) - much better than 1 - 25 or so, which is what most public schools offer.

Answer 2

I was homeschooled and the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.
The whole process meant I could take exams and obtain qualifications early when compared to my 'peers'. My father ensured I fulfilled the National Curriculum and this lead to my joining higher education earlier than most. However, it was very time consuming for him, but a few day trips where I was carted off to art galleries soon solved that one!
Whilst many may argue that I lacked the socialisation provided by playground, I can assure you...that is socialisation I could do without. Many of my age never seem to have left the playground!

It might not work for every child though! It certainly was the best option for me

Answer 3

I've hs'ed for 9 years and after a few years you discover that 'homeschooling' is less about 'schooling' and more about 'home.'

You get to see your children grow up and really KNOW them. You get to go places and really experience life. You have the time to teach them self-care skills such as cooking that they'd have far less time for if they went to school.

There are huge educational advantages. Colleges are actually seeking out hs'ed students now because they know so much more than the average applicant. There is NO school that could provide the education my kids are getting - there are 2 students with one teacher and the kids are just learning SO MUCH. They took the Iowa test when they were 10 and 11 and scored 12.3 and 12.9. In other words, the average student that graduated in May 2006 would have scored the same thing if they took the same test my 11 yo took...

There are HUGE social advantages. Will your children learn how to behave from the other kids at school? They sure will, and you won't care for how they've been...socialized... My kids do have friends and I have them over to my house and my kids are so much better able to handle themselves in social situations than these kids,and have far fewer socially unacceptable behaviors. Plus, they are able to talk comfortably with people of all ages rather than just people their ages.

Answer 4

There are many advantages that others will provide but there are a few disadvantages such as less chance for socialization with a peer group however that is growing smaller. The major advantage is taking advantage of on line courses. My best friend took a course at 16 for medical coding and billing. She is great at keyboarding and very accurate so at 17 she started working 20 hrs / week when all school work and home chores are done she is clearing $36.00/hr and has approximately $22,000 in the bank in just over 8 months.

Answer 5

Well for starters, you get to determine the child's learning time. It allows for more creative learning . Like using Libraries and Museums instead of endless hours in a classroom. The advantage of one to one learning is incomparable and it allows for a better opportunity to listen and ask questions. Many teachers are on a mandatory PACING PLAN which can hinder the amount of time given to any given subject and not allow for the sometimes needed extra coverage of certain subjects. As long as your child meets the State Standards you can be flexible on the amount of days and time actually given to studying. Hope this was helpful!

Answer 6

I get to be the parent instead of some stranger.

My kids are closer than they would be if they were in separate classes at school all day long, growing up in a 'culture' where it's frowned upon to give your younger sibling, especially of the opposite sex, the time of day. (That's how it is here, anyhow.)

My kids get individual attention, an individualized curriculum, get to go their own pace. Before having kids the same age in one classroom became a necessity for ease of instruction, kids had a much more individualized education than they do now. And those who were wealthy and the best educated had hired tutors and had the most individualized education. This also means that I know what they're doing, I get to pick stuff for them to focus on that the schools might not (like a better understanding of geography and world/Canadian history). And because they're not in school all day, it doesn't become something extra that I add on to an already full day.

There's a lot of wasted time in school--waiting for everybody to be ready (get their books, get their pencils sharpened, get in line, everybody seated, everybody quiet...)--and since that doesn't happen at home, the work I insist they do doesn't take all day and they have more time to learn what they're interested in learning (and keep their love of learning), more time to play, to participate in activities they enjoy... More time to be kids, less stress all around.

Lots of flexibility in scheduling--you don't miss anything by going on a trip, having a doctor's appointment, being sick for a week. You also get to go on the field trips you want, when you want. This also means that my kids get more contact with the community during the week than they would stuck in a building all day long and at home doing homework afterwards.

My kids have good behaviour models around them most of the time (me--at least I hope I am) instead of adopting the behaviour of 30 other just as immature kids around them. When we're with other homeschoolers, they are around a wide age range and with more adults than if they were in school. This is definitely more beneficial than growing up with 30 other same-age 'siblings'.

My kids have friends of varying ages instead of just the same age, same grade as them.

They are not growing up with the group/peer mentality of trying to be like everyone else and striving to be accepted through whatever brings acceptance in that particular group (language, clothes, attitudes, grades (either good or bad), electronic equipment owned...) They already feel accepted. When they are with other kids, the don't care about what the others are wearing or anything like that.

There are undoubtedly others!

ADDED: The 'lack' of socialization is not a problem. Socialization is actually adopting the values, beliefs, behaviours, etc. of the society around you. Frankly, I don't like the society at school, which is what had me think of homeschooling in the first place. Socializing, however, is what you do when you interact with others. Where I live, there are a TON of homeschoolers and a TON of activities set up by them and by other organizations for them. There are also community and other sports, various lessons, camps... While my kids may not be surrounded by 30 other kids each day (sitting quietly in desks for the most part, not actually interacting with each other), they have each other and the other kids we see regularly on top of whatever extracurricular activities they do. Besides, being around 30 kids the same age each day is not a design based on the best interests of children, but for ease of instruction.

Answer 7

I know people who homeschool their children, and they have been friends with me for about 8 years. The benefits I've seen is that they have more leisure time. Since, they don't have to wait for others, they can finish their studies quicker. In school, the class has to move as a group. At home, you get 100% more indiviualized attention. Once week, or at least every other week, the homeschooled children meet togther for co-op. This means, they get to interact with other children their age. Also, they meet with teachers with degrees in language, art, music, science, etc... They learn all the extra info that the parents can not teach them. People say that homeschooled children are not social kids. But I disagree, because I have helped out in gym for homeschooled kids. I have found that they are more respectful than public school kids. Since they are with their parent almost all day, they learn manners and respect. The peer pressure and other influences, that kids experience while in school. I can not say for all, but the ones I have taught and met, are God-fearing children. They all believe in God, attend church regularly, do bible study. I am not an authority on this subject, but I hope my opinion helps.I know people who homeschool their children, and they have been friends with me for about 8 years. The benefits I've seen is that they have more leisure time. Since, they don't have to wait for others, they can finish their studies quicker. In school, the class has to move as a group. At home, you get 100% more indiviualized attention. Once week, or at least every other week, the homeschooled children meet togther for co-op. This means, they get to interact with other children their age. Also, they meet with teachers with degrees in language, art, music, science, etc... They learn all the extra info that the parents can not teach them. People say that homeschooled children are not social kids. But I disagree, because I have helped out in gym for homeschooled kids. I have found that they are more respectful than public school kids. Since they are with their parent almost all day, they learn manners and respect. The peer pressure and other influences, that kids experience while in school. I can not say for all, but the ones I have taught and met, are God-fearing children. They all believe in God, attend church regularly, do bible study. I am not an authority on this subject, but I hope my opinion helps.

Answer 8

no home work,
go out in between and come back and start where you left off!
I'm a home school-er in Cape Town South Africa

Answer 9

Then you know exactly what and how they are taught and have so much more control over who your child associates with , therefore is influenced by.

Answer 10

You can decide what your kids learn.
You can personalise education for your kids (learning styles, etc).
You can do 'real life' learning whenever you like (excursions)
No school fees, uniforms, parent-teacher meetings...
No bullies
Can't be late for school! :)