Many parents do not consider homeschooling an educational option for their children and there are a variety of reasons for this. I won't look into these reasons or into the alternative options to homeschooling here. I have looked at all the educational options and chosen homeschooling. I believe it to be the best choice for my children. Let's take a closer look at homeschooling.
There are different approaches to homeschooling ranging from radical unschooling where learning is completely child-led to largely child-led homeschooling through to rigid curricula homeschooling (essentially schoolwork seated at a desk but at home).
My approach to homeschooling is along the lines of unschooling. My two sons are preschoolers at the moment (March 1999) and so I make quite a few suggestions as to what we could do for the day. Learning is child-led as my children ultimately decide on what they do. They have never chosen not to learn.
The term "unschooling" was originally conceived by John Holt. Unschooling is essentially an attitude toward education and how children learn. Unschooled children have a lot of freedom in their education. They choose what they learn, when they learn and how they learn. Unschoolers do not separate learning from life - anyone who observes their children will see that they are constantly learning.
Homeschooling allows our children to be the unique individuals that they are. They don't have to conform to somebody else's ideas of who or what they should be.
Homeschooling suits all children from learning disabled to language impaired to the profoundly gifted - everyone. The flexibility of the homeschooling environment means that we as parents can adopt learning strategies which match our children exactly. We know our children very well and can observe their learning at first-hand.
Instead of the child having to conform to one particular method of instruction or one particular environment, we as parents can discover the best ways in which our children learn and then change the methods and materials to suit the child. We can create a learning environment which is the optimal one for each particular child.
Unschooled children are free to follow their interests. They choose what they will learn. As the child is genuinely interested in the subject that he has chosen, he will be highly self-motivated to find out as much as he can. As the information is important to him, he will remember it quite clearly.
Homeschooling enables our children to be free of time constraints. They can take as long as they like to finish an activity. By being able to take all the time they need to complete a task, the pressure is removed from the child and they can focus on solving the problem thoroughly and correctly. The problem-solving process is the most important part of learning and in real life, the speed which a problem is solved is not that important. Concentrating on solving a problem quickly places a negative, unrealistic constraint on learning.
Children are able to finish their task and are not rushed on to a new task before they have fully understood and finished the first problem. Homeschooling enables consistency in learning.
Unschooled children choose when they learn. This enables optimal attentiveness.
Unschooled children are free to take the initiative in their education. They choose what they will do for the day. By planning their own individual schedule for each day, children become very capable at managing their own time. By having this freedom at an early age, they learn to handle the responsibility that comes with such freedom.
Homeschooled children are very comfortable with who they are and with their place in the world. Their actions directly effect their lives. When they make a wrong decision, it is they who will directly experience the results. And it is they who will experience the consequences of correct decisions. Homeschooled children generally make very wise decisions as it is in their own interests to do so. They trust their own judgment and have confidence in their ability to make the right choices and decisions. This is the root of a healthy self-esteem.
Children flourish in a homeschooling environment. It is wonderful to see. They have a real hunger for learning and a real love of life. They are curious about everything and constantly ask questions. Being a homeschooling parent is really not that difficult. All we have to do is respect our children. We need to see them as unique individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. We help them build on their strengths and work on their weaknesses. We need to listen to them and give them the freedom to control their own lives to the greatest extent possible. We need to provide an environment rich in learning experiences and materials. We need to answer their questions and show them how to find these answers themselves. Mostly, we have to open the door widely to the adult world. Children want to be a part of our world - they want to share in our lives. Including them in our own activities is one of the most effective ways to homeschool.
Homeschooling is a good choice for preschoolers. While some preschoolers are ready to spend some time away from their parents, many preschool children are not. Homeschooling enables preschoolers to learn in an environment which makes them feel safe and secure.
"The scared fighter may be the best fighter, but the scared learner is always a poor learner".
- John Holt
Preschoolers can be involved in many adult activities. They can help make playdough, help with cooking, wash the dishes, etc. They really enjoy taking part in grown-up work.
Homeschooled children are free from bullying and other negative elements of peer pressure. They have many opportunities to make friends including homeschool support groups, sport and community activities, neighbours, family and the internet.
Conclusion
When making decisions about what you want for the future education of your children, include homeschooling as an option. See how it compares with your other choices. We all want what's best for our children.
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