Can home schooling really work?

Question

Ok, so this is really early for me to be thinking about this, as I am only 5 months pregnant, but I want to know where I am heading with my children. I hate the English education system, there have been so many studies saying that children are better off not learning to read at 5, homework has no benefit in primary school etc. But these are having no attention paid to them. I am a qualified teaching assistant, and I would really love to teach the children myself. But people say kids won't learn to interact with each other that way? Opinions please?

Answer 1

I graduated from public school, but made the decision to homeschool my kids - I've been doing so for 12 years now.  It's the best - I mean the best - decision I've ever made.  My son will soon be starting to college.  I have 2 teens - they NEVER have problems socializing with all kinds of people.  If anything they do NOT have little "clicks" that you see public schoolers have.  They have their best friends, but they have no problem with letting "outsiders" in, like the problem you see often in public schoolers.  I think the reason my kids are this way is that they've never had to sit in a class room all day with kids that are only their age, sitting with the same kids day in and day out - IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT - what kind of socializing is that???

Instead, my kids have been part of homeschool co-ops with other homeschool kids of ALL ages, part of community activities, such as our local nature center, which includes people of all ages and all backgrounds.  My kids have learned to socialize with all age groups, not just their own.  AND, "fitting in" is NOT an issue with most homeschoolers, as most of them learn from an early age to be accepting of all kinds of people.  Although people who aren't in the homeschooling arena will try to tell you the opposite of this, I think you'll find most homeschoolers are very open-minded - this has been our case at least.

Hope this helps!!!  Good luck on your decision!!!

Answer 2

The 'social' concern may be valid if a person lived 100 miles from the nearest neighbor and did not have a telephone or internet to contact the outside world.   But think about it...IF a person lived that way, the only education they would get would be at home and  there would be no choice.

Kids learn to interact with people in real life, which is learned out in the real world.  The real world is NOT in public school.  

It would be like me telling my parents that the only way they could have friendships in their old age would be to go live in a nursing home.    (Which, by the way, is structured much like public school and  doesn't give much freedom in choices for individuals.)

Yes.  Homeschool works.

Answer 3

Yes, it works very well for many people.  It does depend on the child, the family, and the situation, so obviously it doesn't work for everybody, but no one option does.

Honestly, the families or children it doesn't work well for are usually the families that have other issues - they're somehow dysfunctional, mom or dad has no desire (or no time) to teach the kids and sits them in front of a computer all day, there's a mental illness involved, or something like that.  Homeschooling does take commitment and motivation - you do actually have to want to be with your kids :)  - but as long as you're willing to put what you need to into it, yes - it works.

As far as the social thing goes, that's a complete myth.  The only kids that are socially behind are the ones that don't do anything to get out in the world.  If the child chooses to stay at home all day, of course they're going to feel awkward when they get into society...so don't stay home all day.  Go on playdates, field trips, co op/group classes, errands, lessons, participate in sports, go to the library, church if you're religious, etc.  Because a homeschooled child's schedule is much more free, their social life can actually be a lot richer.  They can be exposed to more enriching situations and learn to handle themselves socially at a younger age.

The social thing comes from what had to be done 30 years ago in many states in the US...because homeschooling was illegal in many places then, families had to homeschool "underground".  They closed all their blinds, kept the kids inside, and didn't go out during school hours.  They didn't tell anyone except trusted friends that they homeschooled and their kids were kind of limited on who their friends could be - what if they told the wrong person?  Yes, some of these kids probably had some issues.  However, homeschooling is now legal in many countries, and it's becoming more and more popular.  There are so many programs, curriculum choices, and opportunities open to homeschool children that this is no longer an issue.  Sadly, homeschooling opponents haven't figured out that it's no longer 1981...

I hope that helps?  I would spend the next few years learning all that you can about different methods of homeschooling, groups in your area, and curriculum choices.  There are so many early elementary curricula that prepare children for learning but capitalize on fun and togetherness.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Humans have a social instinct. Homeschoolers are human. Therefore, homeschoolers have a social instinct.

Clearly, you care about your kids enough to want to teach them yourself. You want to see them grow in to mature, confident adults. You won't socially starve them.

I think you should go for it.

Answer 5

It worked for me

Answer 6

"[T]here have been so many studies saying that children are better off not learning to read at 5, homework has no benefit in primary school etc. But these are having no attention paid to them."

My brother just wrote a thesis on this exact topic. A big part of the problem (in both of our countries) is that the education system is too entrenched, too unwilling to try new things, and too politicized (anything new they do try is usually the result of *politicians* ideas on education and not the tested ideas from people actually in the education field).

"But people say kids won't learn to interact with each other that way?"

Homeschoolers do so well academically, that critics can only complain about social interaction.

I managed to get through 12 years of public school education still being almost painfully shy and not truly learning to interact with my peers until college. To contrast, this past year I met a 15-year-old at a gathering for adults. It was a political/ educational/ intellectual/ economic-type event, yet she had *no* problem holding her own socially and intellectually (something that had taken me several years to accomplish, even with going to these events on a monthly basis).

A few months later, she asked me if I would help judge a homeschooling speech and debate event that she, her siblings and friends were involved in. I did, and had the opportunity to meet dozens of the most outgoing, intelligent, well-spoken, talented and social kids (who interacted as well with adults as they did with each other) I have ever met.

Don't pay attention to what other people say, especially if their only conception of homeschoolers comes from movies and TV. If you can be a conscientious parent and you make a little effort, you can ensure a good, well-rounded experience for your child(ren). Good luck.

Answer 7

People who say that frankly don't know what they're talking about :-)  My experience is that they are far better socialised than school kids, learning to get along with a mix of ages from babes in arms to the elderly. My 4 year old regularly plays with children from 2 to 11 and has adult friends she enjoys chatting with too.

Answer 8

The only people who say kids won't learn to interact with each other are people who don't know what homeschooling is all about.

My child is at an art class right now.  Earlier today, she was at a Tae Kwan Do class.  This evening. she is going bike riding.  Wednesday, ans is going horseback riding, and this weekend she is having a sleepover.

I'm exhausted.  This kid has a better social life than either of her parents!

Be well.

Answer 9

You may find the below website useful - its a well regarded UK home education resource

http://www.education-otherwise.org/index...

Answer 10

Yes it works!  Here is a recent success story:

"Did anyone else see this or know this young man?

"A home-educated student from Hillsborough NJ recently rec'd a scholarship to attend the National Taiwan Science Education Center in Taipei after competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering fair in Atlanta.  

Kevin Fritz, 16, was one of two students selected nationally from competitors at the fair to take part in Taiwan's science and engineering program in February.

Kevin, who is the son of Patricia and Carl Fritz, won for his research in a specific type of probability theory and how it applies to professional baseball.

Mrs. Fritz said the award covers airfare, meals and tours of cultural hot spots.

In addition to his research and work on his regular academic subjects, Kevin was the computer programmer for Team Overdrive, a robotics team based in Bridgewater, which won the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships in April.  Kevin plays the trombone in a northern NJ jazz ensemble and plays basketball in his spare time."

Answer 11

I am home schooled and I love it! I went to a public school for grades K-6. I went to a private school for grade 7. I was home schooled in grade 8. For grade 9 I went to a private school for one semester and was home schooled for the other. I just finished grade 10 being home schooled and I am going to do it again for grade 11 and probably 12. When looking at homeschooling things, there are so many options. It's good to look around. You don't have to buy one curriculum for the whole year. You can mix and match. Like math from one place and English from another. It's also good to know someone who has home schooled for a while or join a homeschooling group. They can tell you what they've tried, what works, and why. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SOCIALIZE. There's sports or clubs or any number of things so you can get involved. I think homeschooling isn't always right for everyone. It depends on the child and you.

Hope that you get the help you need to make your decision!

Answer 12

I work in a tertiary sixth form college in the UK.  We are now starting to get in home schooled teenagers for a variety of reasons.  

Personal experience seems to show the following trends:

1. Homeschoolers have a much broader general knowledge base from those who have come through the general educational system.  (Good)

2.  They are more keen to learn. (Good)

3.  They are often placed within classes of students who have failed GCSE programmes within a traditional setting - and are, therefore, disillusioned with their eduction.  For example, many schools enter students for November resits in their 4th year of senior school eduction (year 10 in the UK) for subject such as maths and English.  Those who don't achieve a 'D' grade or above are then re-entered for these public examinations in the summer examination series.  If they still only achieve a 'D' grade or below that now means that they have 'failed' these examinations twice.  They then repeat the process in their final year of secondary education.  If they still fail to achieve the "magic" c grade, they come into college and resit these examinations again.  Whilst we do have a greater success rate than the schools seem to have had, many of the students have started to belive that they are 'thick/stupid/numpties etc' and, therefore, they have low self-esteem.  This can impact on the whole cohort, due to what psychologists term 'learned helplessness' - they've been told and 'shown' that they have failed so many times before that they can't see the point in going for a further examination, because they are only going to fail.  This leads to apathy/clowning around etc.  on th part of those of who have undergone 'traditional learning'.  

We also have many students now who are from non-English badkgrounds.  They, too, have to underake GCSE provision in the core-curriculum subjects.

As with home schooled students, they are keen to advance their education.  

It means that in our 6th form, we have a policy in place that means that our students - whatever their background are encouraged to be tolerant to others despite their previous educational background.  

Hope this helps.

Answer 13

Yes it can really work. The problem is making it work. You have to be dedicated to it 100% from day 1 and stay with it.

Kids interact with each other naturally. Bring a 2 year old to the park and if there are other kids around they will end up playing with each other. Bring a 7 year old to a church and they will find kids around there own age to play with. It just happens. To keep your kids from playing with others around them you must keep them inside and never let them out. Since we as home schoolers can't possibly do that and stay sane I think it's a safe bet your kids will be socialized!

Answer 14

Homeschooling has worked for many, many families. It's true that it doesn't work for all families, but since only 2% or so of school-aged children are homeschooled (I think that's even the case in the UK), we're talking a small number of families that it doesn't work out for.

The key ingredient is YOU. You already have some vision of what you want for your children educationally, so that's good. As for the social aspect... Your children won't learn to interact only if you don't guide them and don't provide them with opportunities. If you are planning on never having them around other people, then don't homeschool. I doubt that's the case, though. :)

Answer 15

I was very unhappy at school, homeschooled for nearly a year (still unhappy) then I was forced back to a new school and was then very happy

I think a lot more people would be homeschooled if their parents could afford the time and money and commitment that it takes.

I do, however, think there is a stigma attached to homeschooling and when your son/daughter/children goes onto higher education, not provided by you, it will be hard for them to relate to other young people because their childhood was so much different to theirs

I think you would have to have either a serious reason or serious views to validate not sending you're child to school and as I has experienced both (wanting to be homeschooled aswell) I can see both sides of the argument.

Answer 16

Well there are other places to interact with people besides school. ANd everyone says we don't go to school to socialize anyway, right?

I'm homeschooled in the United States, and I am/have been actively involved in

fencing,

soccer,

youth leadership,

chess club,

poetry club,

library advisory group,

babysitting classes, a program for blind teenagers (like myself) that meets weekly,

yearbook club in a local homeschool support group, field trips in that support group,

dances in that group,

parties held by that group (like our Not-Back-To-School party every year),

art classes,

an Environmental Science program for homeschoolers at a local museum,

Academic Team with the homeschool group

Guitar lessons

Piano lessons

The library's Summer Reading Program

Martial arts class

People to People International

People to People's Student Ambassador Program

I've worked as a volunteer with other teenagers at...

The Medieval Faire

The local Pirate Festival

Beginner fencing classes

Children's reading programs at the library

A Special Equestrians program for disabled horseback riders

The local Senior Center

A local nursing home

A local elementary school

A summer science camp for kids

I've made lots of friends attending local events and going on field trips to things such aas...

State fair

National Federation of the Blind convention

Big movie openings or book release parties (Harry Potter comes to mind)

4th of July parties at a local water park

the Not-Back-To-School party

Science Fair

Local sporting events

the World Fencing Tournament

Poetry readings

Concerts

Plays/Musicals

Museums

Science centers

State parks

Wildlife preserves

Library events or youth center events such as...

Book Bingo

Halloween parties

Ghost story nights

Book discussions

Game nights

DDR night

Wildlife presentations

Arts and Crafts activities

Guest readers

Study groups

Reading Festival

Cooking classes

Talent shows

Music nights

Scrapbooking

Science demonstrations

etc...

And then there are just the obvious ways of interacting with people, making friends, and just generally being social. Kids make friends in their neighborhoods. I know I did. I spend a lot of time at the library and local parks as well and there are usually a lot of people there. Great places to meet up with friends to study together or just hang out. There are also the beaches, movie theaters, the mall, the community center, the youth center, and so on. I never understand it when people say that if you don't go to regular school then you'll never learn how to interact with people, have no friends, or be isolated. It makes no sense! I mean, look around. It makes me wonder if maybe the ones going to regular school are the ones with the social problems since obviously they don't interact with people anywhere in the outside world.

Answer 17

Homeschooling works academically and socially.

My opinion is that if we live on a planet with over a trillion people, how could they possibly NOT learn to interact? Don't they interact with their parents every day? Don't they interact with siblings, granparents, neighbors, children in the neighborhood, parks, and museums? Don't they interact with clerks and billing agents when you pay your bills?

Humans are social creatures. There is no way that you can not interact.