If you are thinking about teaching your children at home and are doing online research then you have probably come across conflicting information about homeschool students, their ability to develop the necessary skills and quality of education. It’s important to consider all points of view but also to recognize which are accurate and which are misconceptions held over from when this approach was still new and relatively unknown.
Families who choose this option often start when their kids are in elementary grades and so they have the option to be the primary teacher. A common mistake is thinking that parents aren’t qualified to be teachers when, in fact, the exact opposite is true because they know their kids better than anyone else. This means they can customize the school day so their child has the best possible chance for success and understanding the material in a way that makes sense to them instead of having to conform to a classroom environment with 20-30 other children. Homeschooling requires reviewing the material and lesson plan ahead of time but this is the same task that a professional teacher performs before stepping into the classroom. While not every parent has the personality or desire to teach, those that due are qualified to take on this responsibility and for everyone else, there are online platforms with experienced instructors ready to take help the student.
Another common misconception is that homeschoolers play all day, do school in their pajamas and have sense of organization or structure. Whether the parent is using their own curriculum setup or utilizing an online homeschool platform, there are requirements and expectations set by the school board (and typically the state) to ensure that kids receive the proper education and knowledge. The majority of homeschoolers work harder than their counterparts and get through information faster because they don’t have to deal with environmental factors such as bullying and peer pressure but can focus solely on the material and completing assignments. Experts recommend creating a structured schedule but the best part of homeschooling is the flexibility it allows so that this organization can look differently for every family based on their unique needs and lifestyle.
Quality of their children’s education is important for any parent but there are those that try to say that homeschooling provides a sub-par foundation and students end up ‘behind’ or trying to catch up if they move to a traditional school or go onto college. Studies have shown this misconception to be false as homeschoolers are some of the best educated students and highly sought after by colleges when they have transcripts from the best online homeschool programs. These individuals develop excellent self-study, self-discipline and time management skills at a young age which are critical for success in college and the workforce. Parents considering this path need to carefully research the online options based on what they are looking for and compare the top online platforms to ensure their child is enrolled in a quality program that will help them achieve their future goals.
Homeschooling is only for religious, rich, poor or smart kids. This idea that only certain groups use homeschooling as an option is not true as the number of families choosing this option is growing on a yearly basis. Parents are realizing the benefits of partnering with the best online homeschool platform where they can teach or take advantage of the professional instructors, records and transcripts are formalized and students have a reliable online portal to complete their assignments and use connected resources. The benefit of homeschooling is that it works for any family that puts the time and commitment into making it a successful experience by working with reliable platforms, getting advice from parents who have been doing it for some time and are dedicated to giving their child the best education.
The most common misconception is that students who are homeschooled are socially awkward, outcasts or have not developed the necessary skills to be part of society. Just because a student isn’t in a traditional classroom for 8 hours every day during the week does not mean that there are no other opportunities for them to interact with their peers. Youth recreation clubs, church organizations, community events and local school sports and arts programs are just a few of the avenues available to homeschoolers along with co-ops where families get the kids together to study, take field trips or discuss their homeschooling experience.
Before making a decision, parents need to look at all the information so they can form their own opinion about whether homeschooling is the right choice for their family or not. It may not be but if it is then the next step is to connect with the best online homeschool program and work with their admissions specialist to get each student setup and on the path to a strong educational foundation.
