Suppose you are thinking about teaching your children at home and are doing online research. In that case, you have probably come across conflicting information about homeschooled students' ability to develop the necessary skills and the quality of their 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 so they can be the primary teachers. 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. Hence, their child has the best possible chance for success and understanding the material in a way that makes sense to them instead of conforming to a classroom environment with 20-30 other children. Homeschooling requires reviewing the material and lesson plan beforehand, but this is the same task that a professional teacher performs before stepping into the classroom. While only some parents have the personality or desire to teach, those who do are qualified to take on this responsibility. For everyone else, there are online platforms with experienced instructors ready to help the student.
Another common misconception is that homeschoolers play all day, do school in their pyjamas and have a 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. Most 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 its flexibility. This organization can look differently for every family based on their unique needs and lifestyle.
The quality of their children's education is essential for any parent. Still, some 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 to college. Studies have shown this misconception to be false, as homeschoolers are some of the best-educated students and are 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 college and workforce success. Parents considering this path must 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 to help them achieve their future goals.
Homeschooling is only for religious, rich, poor or intelligent kids. This idea that only certain groups use homeschooling as an option is inaccurate, as the number of families choosing this option is growing yearly. Parents are realizing the benefits of partnering with the best online homeschool platform where they can teach or take advantage of 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 homeschooled students are socially awkward, outcasts or have not developed the necessary skills to be part of society. Even though a student isn't in a traditional classroom for 8 hours daily during the week, there are other opportunities 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 deciding, parents need to look at all the information to form their own opinion about whether homeschooling is the right choice for their family. It may not be, but if it is, the next step is to connect with the best online homeschool program and work with their admissions specialist to set each student up and on the path to a solid educational foundation.
