| Homeschooling: to do or not to do - that is the | | | | other works at home with the children. |
| question! Just today, I received yet another call | | | | This might require some sacrifice if the family is |
| from some potential home schooling parents - | | | | used to having two incomes. |
| very close friends of mine who are so dissatisfied | | | | Socialization |
| with their local school system that they are | | | | Homeschooling is a great way of having more |
| seriously thinking of home schooling their two | | | | control of who your child associates with. There is |
| teenage children. | | | | a less of a chance of meeting unsavoury |
| Being the thorough couple that they are, they | | | | characters that otherwise might be lurking in the |
| have already started doing their homework and | | | | school hallways. On the other hand it will require |
| they are quickly becoming aware that home | | | | that you make an extra effort to ensure that |
| schooling is a commitment. One that you only | | | | your child still gets together with other children, |
| need to make one year at a time, but a | | | | preferably his/her age group. |
| commitment nonetheless. Home schooling is an | | | | Does Your Child Want To Be Home Schooled? |
| amazing way to take control of your child's | | | | Some parents make the fatal mistake of |
| education, especially if your child has a | | | | assuming that their child wants to be taught at |
| non-traditional learning style, is gifted, has special | | | | home - when in fact they don't. There is nothing |
| needs or even has a behavioral disorder. But that | | | | more frustrating than trying to teach a child who |
| is not the only reason why you may want to | | | | has made up their mind NOT to learn! Please take |
| home school your child. Of the thousands of | | | | the time to speak to your child to make sure |
| children that are home schooled today, many of | | | | that they are willing to be a part of a |
| their parents (like my friends) are simply not | | | | homeschooling program. |
| happy with the education (both academic and | | | | Consider Your Approach |
| non-academic) that the local school system is | | | | Which approach to homeschooling will work best |
| providing their children with. | | | | for you? School at Home, Montessori, Classical |
| So here are a few things you might want to | | | | homeschooling, Waldorf Method, there are many |
| consider before you take the first step: | | | | different approaches to teaching your children at |
| Count The Cost | | | | home. You need to choose which approach will |
| With most quality (and I emphasize the word | | | | work with your child's learning style, your schedule |
| quality) home schooling programs, there is a | | | | and your academic goals, Multiple Intelligences, |
| significant time commitment to made. As with | | | | Unschooling, Unit Studies, relaxed homeschooling, |
| any teacher, lessons plans need to be prepared, | | | | etc. |
| papers need to be graded, projects planned and | | | | Get Connected! |
| field trips organized. Some programs are DVD | | | | There are many support groups that can be |
| based while others are internet based, however, | | | | broken down by state, county and city. Some |
| you the parent will still need to set aside time to | | | | may be more helpful than others, but getting |
| be "the teacher". | | | | connected is a very important aspect of teaching |
| Teaching Skills | | | | your children at home. People have been doing |
| You don't have to be a teacher to home school | | | | this for years, so take the time to learn from |
| your children. If you can read and write and | | | | their experiences, don't reinvent the wheel! |
| communicate effectively, your children will learn. | | | | One Step At A Time |
| There are some extremely good curriculum | | | | While all of the above may seem a little |
| programs with excellent teaching materials that | | | | overwhelming, the key thing that you need to |
| will help you to both plan and teach. If you come | | | | remember is that you only need to take a step |
| across some really difficult topics or subjects, | | | | at a time. Also, if you do make the decision to |
| there is always the option of hiring a tutor. | | | | homeschool you children, remember that you only |
| Financial Costs | | | | need to commit one year at a time and if it |
| While homeschooling itself need not be expensive | | | | doesn't work for you, simply choose another |
| (some programs can cost as little as $200 a | | | | option that works for you and your family. |
| year) the opportunity cost of not being at work | | | | I hope that this works as a good foundation or |
| could challenge your family's finances. Usually one | | | | launchpad if you are starting to think about |
| parent will home school the children while the | | | | homeschooling your child. |